Peter Micciche (center) listens to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly certify the results of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election, through which he was elected mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Thousands respond to borough services survey

Many of the survey questions focused on the quality of borough roads

Peter Micciche (center) listens to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly certify the results of the Feb. 14, 2023, special mayoral election, through which he was elected mayor of the Kenai Peninsula Borough, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chief J.J. Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna, Kenai to extend animal control partnership

So far this year, the Kenai shelter has served roughly 190 animals

Chief J.J. Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Transportation professionals tour the Sterling Highway and Birch Avenue intersection in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna brainstorming pop-up pedestrian safety project

The temporary project aims to boost pedestrian safety near Soldotna Creek Park

Transportation professionals tour the Sterling Highway and Birch Avenue intersection in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, May 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyson Cox references a sheet illustrating the rotation of seats on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyson Cox references a sheet illustrating the rotation of seats on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Investigators seeking info in abuse case

Tyler Bryce Reid, 46, was arrested last weekend on seven counts of sexual abuse of a minor

Alaska State Troopers logo.
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai wary of extending city marketing contract

Council members on Wednesday appeared to generally agree in their dissatisfaction with Divining Point

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tim Dillon, executive director of KPEDD, presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly boosts funding for economic development

The additional money will help KPEDD cover matching costs for projects

Tim Dillon, executive director of KPEDD, presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Coach Dan Gensel (front left) celebrates Soldotna High School’s first team-sport state championship on Friday, Feb. 12, 1993 in Soldotna, Alaska. Gensel, who led the Soldotna High School girls basketball team to victory, had promised his team earlier in the season that he would get his ear pierced if they won the state title. (Rusty Swan/Peninsula Clarion)

Gensel dies at 66

The longtime KSRM sports director spent two decades as Soldotna coach and teacher

Coach Dan Gensel (front left) celebrates Soldotna High School’s first team-sport state championship on Friday, Feb. 12, 1993 in Soldotna, Alaska. Gensel, who led the Soldotna High School girls basketball team to victory, had promised his team earlier in the season that he would get his ear pierced if they won the state title. (Rusty Swan/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara

Assembly takes in boundaries of Nikiski advisory group

The western boundary of the Nikiski Advisory Planning Commission now follows the eastern shore of Cook Inlet

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara
Nikiski Middle/High School graduates prepare to receive diplomas at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School graduates prepare to receive diplomas at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signage marks the entrance of the City of Kenai’s slash disposal site on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai slash disposal site to open Friday

This summer will be the second consecutive year that the city has made the site available for slash disposal

Signage marks the entrance of the City of Kenai’s slash disposal site on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)

Ruffridge vet bill heads to governor’s desk

The bill exempts veterinarians from opioid monitoring program

Rep. Justin Ruffridge works in the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire)
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)

Secretaries to see pay boost after reclassification

Twenty-three secretaries working at schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will be paid more during the upcoming school year. That’s following the successful… Continue reading

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)
Graduates walk in to a ceremony at Soldotna High School on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘You have been set up for success’

Soldotna High School graduates more than 120 at Monday night ceremony

Graduates walk in to a ceremony at Soldotna High School on Monday, May 15, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council OKs insurance overhaul for city employees

The plan changes are expected to save the city and employees roughly $477,000

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson, right, speaks during a council meeting on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Ave. at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alisha Joe)

No injuries reported after Sterling plane crash

Alaska State Troopers were notified of the crash at around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday

A plane sits in brush on Fontaine Ave. at around 5:45 p.m. after a crash on Thursday, May 11, 2023, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alisha Joe)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to meet next week in Soldotna

A community reception will be held at the Kenai River Lodge Lounge at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is seen in March 2022 in Juneau, Alaska. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council questions proposed planning commission changes

The legislation would decrease the number of planning commissioners such that it matches the makeup of the borough assembly

Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves flat mill rate for upcoming fiscal year

Council member Dave Carey put forward an amendment that would have reduced Soldotna’s mill rate from 0.5 mills to 0.25

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)

Assembly backs efforts to make Cooper Landing more walkable

A pathway would follow the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing and connect key spots in the community

Areas cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project (bottom) can be seen above the Kenai River in Cooper Landing in this August 10, 2021, photo. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion file)