Map showing the proposed boundary changes for Kenai Peninsula Borough districts 2 and 3. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assembly to consider new district boundaries

Some voters who live in the City of Kenai would elect representatives to the Nikiski seat on borough legislative bodies under proposed redistricting legislation that… Continue reading

Map showing the proposed boundary changes for Kenai Peninsula Borough districts 2 and 3. (Map via Kenai Peninsula Borough)
A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)

High winds and heavy snowfall make for high avalanche risks

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center had recorded 11 avalanches this week

A train derailed by a large natural avalanche near Kern Creek is covered snow, Jan. 1, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo via Chugach Avalanche Center/Travis Smith)
The Soldotna Landfill is seen on June 27, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is requesting about $5.5 million in federal funding for the construction of a gas collection system, which would convert landfill methane to energy when completed. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Borough to send capital project wish list to D.C.

The list includes a methane gas project at the Central Peninsula Landfill

The Soldotna Landfill is seen on June 27, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is requesting about $5.5 million in federal funding for the construction of a gas collection system, which would convert landfill methane to energy when completed. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
KDLL, Peninsula Clarion and League of Women Voters will host an election forum ahead of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election.
KDLL, Peninsula Clarion and League of Women Voters will host an election forum ahead of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election.
A 2022 voter information pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to no longer mail election pamphlets

A pamphlet with information about how to access an online version will be mailed for three years

A 2022 voter information pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Superior Court applicants to be interviewed Monday

The hearing will be held by the Alaska Judicial Council

The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
South Peninsula Hospital employees remove COVID-19 testing signs from South Peninsula Hospital test site Friday Jan. 13, 2023. (Photo from Derotha Ferraro/South Peninsula Hospital)

South Peninsula Hospital closes COVID test and vaccine site

In its peak, the test and vaccine site employed 15 people, and was averaging 100-150 swabs a day

South Peninsula Hospital employees remove COVID-19 testing signs from South Peninsula Hospital test site Friday Jan. 13, 2023. (Photo from Derotha Ferraro/South Peninsula Hospital)
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Weekend ski race to raise funds for food bank

Food Cache Ski Dash will be a 7K, in a freestyle format

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Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file
Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai.

Kenai ordinance would allow chickens in some city zones

The legislation comes as Alaska, like other states, is experiencing an egg shortage

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion file
Chickens are seen inside of a chicken house at Diamond M Ranch on April 1, 2021, off Kalifornsky Beach Road near Kenai.
Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner helps newly sworn-in assembly member Peter Ribbens set up assembly materials on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly names Ribbens to fill Bjorkman’s seat

He is a senior environmental professional and a former emergency response coordinator with Tesoro Alaska

Acting Kenai Peninsula Borough Clerk Michele Turner helps newly sworn-in assembly member Peter Ribbens set up assembly materials on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Camaraderie wins at youth competition

More than 100 athletes from around the region gathered to participate

Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Bump to borough mayor salary proposed

The legislation would increase and inflation-proof the mayor’s salary

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More public notice, clearer city policy among proposed changes to Soldotna park use

City officials presented the changes during a work session on Jan. 5

Flowers bloom at Soldotna Creek Park on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman, right, participates in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Bjorkman, who last month was elected to represent the northern Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Senate, is vacating his seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. His last assembly meeting will be Jan. 3. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Applications now being accepted for assembly vacancy

Current assembly member Jesse Bjorkman was elected to represent the northern Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Senate

Jesse Bjorkman, right, participates in a candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Bjorkman, who last month was elected to represent the northern Kenai Peninsula in the Alaska Senate, is vacating his seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. His last assembly meeting will be Jan. 3. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees examine concept boards on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Attendees examine concept boards on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Motorists travel through the Swan Lake fire burn on the Sterling Highway on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Prescribed fires along Sterling Highway to start this month

Areas most likely areas to experience smoke include Sterling Highway Mileposts 43, 45 and 53

Motorists travel through the Swan Lake fire burn on the Sterling Highway on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman, left, and Justin Ruffridge take part in forums organized by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL ahead of the November 2022 election. Bjorkman and Ruffridge won seats in the Alaska State Senate and Alaska State House of Representatives, respectively, and are slated to begin work in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Composite photo)

Bjorkman, Ruffridge prepare for 1st legislative session

They will officially get to work on Jan. 17 — the first day of the 33rd Alaska Legislature’s first regular session

Jesse Bjorkman, left, and Justin Ruffridge take part in forums organized by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL ahead of the November 2022 election. Bjorkman and Ruffridge won seats in the Alaska State Senate and Alaska State House of Representatives, respectively, and are slated to begin work in Juneau on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Composite photo)
Newly appointed Soldotna City Council member Chera Wackler (center) participates in her first council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council appoints Wackler to vacancy

In all, four people threw their hat in the ring for consideration for the term

Newly appointed Soldotna City Council member Chera Wackler (center) participates in her first council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi grad leads eye clinic at PCHS

Throughout her education, Dr. April Walgenbach said she always intended to return to her hometown

Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)