Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Arraignment hearing for retired Homer judge bumped to late June

Margaret Murphy, who served as a superior court judge, is accused of perjury

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai working group seeking ways to fill city jobs

Even though Kenai’s population is increasing, the amount of working-age residents is decreasing

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Poll workers Patricia Linville, left,, and Mark Kansteiner prepare to assist voters in Seward’s special election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward certifies special election results

Seward residents narrowly voted against the sale of the utility to Homer Electric Association

Poll workers Patricia Linville, left,, and Mark Kansteiner prepare to assist voters in Seward’s special election on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
“White Rainbow” explains the lighting on his bike at a gas station on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 near Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Everything is a treasure to me’

Meet White Rainbow, the man picking up trash — and treasure — along the Sterling Highway

“White Rainbow” explains the lighting on his bike at a gas station on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 near Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Duffield, Levine retain seats on HEA board

Dan Green, of Soldotna, secured more votes than incumbent director C.O. Rudstrom

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Funny River Road reopens after washout

A chunk of the road collapsed at Mile 8

A broken culvert is twisted beneath Funny River Road on Friday, May 5, 2023, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo via Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board considers capital improvement plan

Of the 13 projects included on the district’s priority list, eight are being funded through the school maintenance bond

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs max school funding

The borough will contribute $54.8 million to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District for fiscal year 2024

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland, center, addresses the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a budget work session on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Jurisdictions clash over Wildwood Drive repairs

The city spends between $10,000 and $20,000 annually on Wildwood Drive maintenance

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dustin Aaronson, who owns Copy Cats Printing and Design in Kenai, speaks in support of a storefront improvement program during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dustin Aaronson, who owns Copy Cats Printing and Design in Kenai, speaks in support of a storefront improvement program during a Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow falls on a "vote here" sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

7 votes kill Seward utility sale

The decision not to sell the City of Seward’s electric utility to Homer Electric Association came down to just seven votes, unofficial final election results… Continue reading

Snow falls on a "vote here" sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough assembly to resume meeings in Homer, Seward

The decision came after residents in those communities asked to be included in the body’s meeting schedule

Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers are seen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters weigh in on future of Seward electric utility

This story has been updated with the latest results. A majority of Seward residents on Tuesday voted in favor of the city selling its electric… Continue reading

Snow falls on a “vote here” sign outside of Seward City Hall on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Seward, Alaska. Residents voted in a special election to determine whether or not to sell the city’s electric utility and to change the city’s residency requirements for city manager. (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)

School board briefed on remote learning opportunities

Members of the school board’s small schools committee were briefed Monday about the kinds of remote learning opportunities made available to students. The committee, officially… 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)
The Alaska Capitol is photographed in January 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)

School funding tops district’s priority list

“Parental rights” legislation and defined benefit plans were also among concerns discussed

The Alaska Capitol is photographed in January 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bjorkman lumber bill heads to governor’s desk

Senate Bill 87 aims to make locally milled lumber more widely available for the construction of housing in Alaska

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, left, addresses constituents during a town hall event on Saturday, April 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council makes headway on draft city budget

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Kenai Controller Lana Metcalf presented to city council members

Kenai City Council members Deborah Sounar, left, and Teea Winger review budget documents during a work session on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to kick off budget process with Saturday work session

Infrastructure is a key theme of the City of Kenai’s draft budget

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek, left, presents Officer David Bower with a Lifesaver Award during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna police officer recognized for lifesaving actions

Police Chief Gene Meek presented Bower with a “Lifesaver Award” during Wednesday’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council

Soldotna Police Chief Gene Meek, left, presents Officer David Bower with a Lifesaver Award during a Soldotna City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (fifth from left) celebrates the receipt of extrication equipment alongside staff from Kenai Peninsula fire departments and the Girdwood Fire Department during a press event at the Girdwood Fire Department on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor’s Office)

Fire departments celebrate arrival of new equipment

The extrication equipment was donated to fire stations in Girdwood, Bear Creek, Homer, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Kenai, Seward, Hope, Fritz Creek and Ninilchik

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche (fifth from left) celebrates the receipt of extrication equipment alongside staff from Kenai Peninsula fire departments and the Girdwood Fire Department during a press event at the Girdwood Fire Department on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor’s Office)