A Mackey Lake voter fills out a special mayoral ballot at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resources for those seeking local office available this week

Seats on city councils, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will be up for grabs

A Mackey Lake voter fills out a special mayoral ballot at Soldotna Prep School on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)

Soldotna council OKs updated field house funding plan

City administration in June told council members that an updated project cost estimate had put the field house’s total price tag at $28 million

A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)
People vote in polling booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly bumps vote on resolution that would ask voters whether to align state, local election days

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday voted to postpone until August a vote on legislation that would ask peninsula voters whether to align local… Continue reading

People vote in polling booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Draft Soldotna plan brainstorms best way to bring more art to the city

Creation of a regional arts council, the incorporation of art projects into existing city grant programs and development of a way for the city to… Continue reading

Cam Choy, associate professor of art at Kenai Peninsula College, works on a salmon sculpture in collaboration with the Kenai Watershed Forum during the Kenai River Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Brent Johnson, Bill Elam, Tyson Cox and Brent Hibebrt participate in a meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. All assembly members pictured voted in favor of a resolution that supporting the separation of transgender and cisgender girl student athetes. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs resolution supporting separation of cisgender girls, other student athletes

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday voiced support for the separation of transgender and cisgender girls in high school sports. The body during its… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Brent Johnson, Bill Elam, Tyson Cox and Brent Hibebrt participate in a meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. All assembly members pictured voted in favor of a resolution that supporting the separation of transgender and cisgender girl student athetes. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lawyer Eric Derleth and his client Nathan Erfurth, a former Soldotna High School teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, submit a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Former SoHi teacher pleads not guilty to sex abuse, child pornography charges

A former Soldotna High School teacher and head of the local teachers union pleaded not guilty to more than five dozen counts of sex abuse… Continue reading

Lawyer Eric Derleth and his client Nathan Erfurth, a former Soldotna High School teacher accused of sexually abusing one of his students, submit a not guilty plea at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Zen Kelly, Patti Truesdell, KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and Jason Tauriainen participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Some KPBSD substitute support staff to get pay raises

Some of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s substitute and temporary staff will receive raises for the upcoming school year following a vote in favor… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Zen Kelly, Patti Truesdell, KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent and Jason Tauriainen participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board makes final tweaks to district budget

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday updated the district’s budget to reflect new money received from the State of Alaska… Continue reading

From left, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education members Jason Tauriainen, Matt Morse, Virginia Morgan and Beverley Romanin participate in a board meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares to deliver opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy signs 2 Ruffridge bills into law during Soldotna ceremony

Amid the throng of furry friends filing in and out of Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday morning were the governor of Alaska, a state… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy prepares to deliver opening remarks at a bill signing event at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai puts new limits on marijuana facilities in residential area; bolsters public noticing

Kenai City Council members Wednesday unanimously approved changes aimed at expanding how the city notifies residents of a commercial marijuana establishment opening in their area.… Continue reading

Kenai City Council members Henry Knackstedt (left) and Alex Douthit (standing) speak with Kenai Vice Mayor James Baisden (right) during a council meeting at-ease on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof resident survives structure fire

A Kasilof resident is alive after a Thursday structure fire rendered their residence “a total loss” the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
AlaSkins poster dog Max greets attendees at an event celebrating AlaSkins being named Alaska Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s AlaSkins named Alaska manufacturer of the year

A local business familiar for its high-quality and authentically Alaska pet treats got a treat of its own Thursday. Soldotna’s AlaSkins, owned and operated by… Continue reading

AlaSkins poster dog Max greets attendees at an event celebrating AlaSkins being named Alaska Manufacturer of the Year on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Building materials pile up at the site of the former ZipMart on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly takes down ZipMart structure

The dilapidated ZipMart building in Sterling was demolished last week, capping monthslong efforts to mitigate a structure the Kenai Peninsula Borough called a public safety… Continue reading

Building materials pile up at the site of the former ZipMart on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters line up to put their ballots in a ballot machine at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resolution would ask borough voters whether to align state and local election days

A resolution up for consideration by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday would put before peninsula voters the question of whether borough elections should… Continue reading

Voters line up to put their ballots in a ballot machine at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mount Redoubt can be seen acoss Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Utilities, state lawmaker call on state to investigate Hilcorp compliance with Cook Inlet leases

A state lawmaker and the leaders of four major electric utilities are calling for the State of Alaska to investigate whether or not Cook Inlet’s… Continue reading

Mount Redoubt can be seen acoss Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly resolution would back proposed exclusion of trans girls from high school girls sports

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday will wade into the issue of transgender rights in Alaska when it considers whether to support banning trans… Continue reading

A sign opposing the participation of trans girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. The Alaska Board of Education met in the building to discuss a resolution that would ban trans girls from girls high school sports. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD Summer Work Program Coordinator Olivia Weagraff welcomes attendees to a program celebration event at Soldotna High School on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD celebrates Summer Work Program students

About 45 people gathered in the Soldotna High School commons last week to celebrate the latest group of students to complete a summer work program… Continue reading

KPBSD Summer Work Program Coordinator Olivia Weagraff welcomes attendees to a program celebration event at Soldotna High School on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai grand jury indicts former SoHi teacher on 61 counts of sexual abuse of a minor, possession of child pornography

A former Soldotna High School teacher and head of the local teachers union is facing 61 counts of sexual abuse of a minor and possession… Continue reading

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward offers city manager gig to Sorensen

Sorensen currently serves as the executive director of the Seward Chamber of Commerce

Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)

Field house tops Soldotna’s capital priority list

Soldotna City Council members Wednesday got their first look at the lineup of capital projects the city expects to fund in the upcoming fiscal year,… Continue reading

A mock up of the Soldotna Field House. (Photo via City of Soldotna)