Flowers bloom at Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Multiple public works projects underway in Soldotna

Soldotna City Council received an update on eight different projects

Flowers bloom at Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Hospitalizations rise as state reports increase in COVID cases

There were a total of 112 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Friday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Homer City Council member Rachel Lord discusses her concerns with funding the Alaska Small Business Development Center Homer Business Advisory position during the Jan. 10 council meeting. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Council says ‘yes to small businesses’

Homer City Council votes 4-2 in favor of partially funding the Homer Business Advisory position.

Homer City Council member Rachel Lord discusses her concerns with funding the Alaska Small Business Development Center Homer Business Advisory position during the Jan. 10 council meeting. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall on March 5, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Locals to join national voting rights march Saturday

The march in Soldotna is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Action

A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall on March 5, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves $32,000 federal grant for airport

The funds were made available through the American Rescue Plan Act for improvement projects at the Soldotna Municipal Airport

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Yvette Tappana, Rob Lewis, Allen Auxier, Donna Shirnberg and Terri Zopf-Schoessler perform in the Kenai Performers production “The Old People Are Revolting” on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Donna Shirnberg)

Never too old for revolution

Kenai Performers’ ‘The Old People Are Revolting’ debuts

From left: Yvette Tappana, Rob Lewis, Allen Auxier, Donna Shirnberg and Terri Zopf-Schoessler perform in the Kenai Performers production “The Old People Are Revolting” on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Donna Shirnberg)
Demonstrators gather outside Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and advocate for alternative treatments on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital to require employees to get COVID shot

The Supreme Court OK’d the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for facilities that receive federal Medicaid and Medicare funding

Demonstrators gather outside Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and advocate for alternative treatments on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A diagram presented by Teresa Jacobson Gregory illustrates the proposed extension of the Beachcomber LLC gravel pit and the impact it may have on the surrounding state recreation area. The red markers indicate the current gravel mining area, and the orange represents the area the extension may allow for mining if approved. (Image courtesy Teresa Jacobson Gregory)

KPB Assembly to consider gravel-pit ordinance revisions

Proposed gravel pit ordinance follows Superior Court ruling that planning commission can deny permits.

A diagram presented by Teresa Jacobson Gregory illustrates the proposed extension of the Beachcomber LLC gravel pit and the impact it may have on the surrounding state recreation area. The red markers indicate the current gravel mining area, and the orange represents the area the extension may allow for mining if approved. (Image courtesy Teresa Jacobson Gregory)
Nick Begich III is seen in this undated photo. Begich is seeking to unseat long-serving Congressman Don Young, who represents Alaska in the House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)

Challenger looking to unseat Young visits Kenai

Nick Begich III is campaigning for the state’s lone House seat

Nick Begich III is seen in this undated photo. Begich is seeking to unseat long-serving Congressman Don Young, who represents Alaska in the House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

As COVID cases increase among kids, officials await new vaccine guidance

COVID vaccines still aren’t approved for children 4 years old and younger.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Homer Harbor, as seen on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Locals appointed to state bycatch task force

The mission of the task force will be to better understand the unintended bycatch of fish caught in both state and federal waters.

The Homer Harbor, as seen on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a board meeting on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)

Micciche ‘optimistic’ lawmakers can steady state’s financial future

Heading into the session, Micciche said his primary focus will be on passing a fiscal plan for the state

Alaska Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna (Courtesy photo)
Leslie Rohr, executive director of Love INC, (left) and Kathy Gensel, president of Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc., field questions from reporters during a tour of the recently opened cold weather shelter in Nikiski, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska.

Half of beds at Nikiski shelter are occupied

The shelter opened at the end of December 2021

Leslie Rohr, executive director of Love INC, (left) and Kathy Gensel, president of Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc., field questions from reporters during a tour of the recently opened cold weather shelter in Nikiski, on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Nikiski, Alaska.
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

HEA sues Sterling man over power theft

Suit alleges more than $325,000 worth of power stolen from the cooperative since 2014.

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Alyeska Krull, Jayni Parish, Braeden Garrett, Brittany Gilman and Selia Butler act onstage as their characters the March sisters and Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence in the Kenai Performers’ production of “Little Women” in May 2021. (Photo provided)

Dressing the part

Kenai Performers to give workshops on how to create theater costumes

Alyeska Krull, Jayni Parish, Braeden Garrett, Brittany Gilman and Selia Butler act onstage as their characters the March sisters and Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence in the Kenai Performers’ production of “Little Women” in May 2021. (Photo provided)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations increasing as cases rise

As of Monday, there were 85 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander (left) and Kenai Finance Director Terry Eubank (right) moderate a city council work session discussing budget goals at Kenai City Hall on Monday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai developing budget goals

Officials aim to provide more transparency in the budget process

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander (left) and Kenai Finance Director Terry Eubank (right) moderate a city council work session discussing budget goals at Kenai City Hall on Monday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board works to highlight students’ voices

Within the first hour of the meeting students would have up to five minutes each to address the board about any issue

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Local lawmakers prefile bills as session looms

COVID-19 health mandates, annexation and alcohol code reform on lawmakers’ agenda

Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)