Nikiski

Photo courtesy Pete Dickinson The SoHi junior varsity and varsity wrestling teams compete in the Battle for the Bird at Soldotna High School on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The Kenai Peninsula Athletics Sapphire dance team performed the halftime show.

SoHi, Nikiski wrestling teams compete for Thanksgiving dinner

The Stars and Bulldogs faced off during the Battle for the Bird duals last Wednesday.

 

The cast of Nikiski Middle School’s upcoming performance of “Alice in Wonderland” is pictured on Dec. 2, 2025. The upperclassmen-directed play opens on Friday, with additional showtimes Saturday and next weekend. Photo courtesy of Carla Jenness

Nikiski Middle School debuts student-led “Alice in Wonderland”

The show opens on Friday, with additional showtimes this weekend and next.

 

On Tuesday, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveiled Kahtnu Area Transit, a public transportation service open to the entire Peninsula Borough community. Photo courtesy of Kahtnu Area Transit

Kenaitze Indian Tribe unveils Kahtnu Area Transit

The fixed bus route offers 13 stops between Nikiski and Sterling.

 

The industrial area of Nikiski, featuring a refinery and currently mothballed LNG and fertilizer plants, was selected by the producer-led consortium of the Alaska LNG Project before the state took over in 2017. (Photo/File/AJOC) The industrial area of Nikiski, featuring a refinery and currently mothballed LNG and fertilizer plants, was selected by the producer-led consortium of the Alaska LNG Project before the state took over in 2017. (File photo)

Harvest Midstream announces Kenai LNG terminal acquisition

The company is now seeking engagement from global LNG suppliers and potential offtake customers, a Nov. 11 press release says.

The industrial area of Nikiski, featuring a refinery and currently mothballed LNG and fertilizer plants, was selected by the producer-led consortium of the Alaska LNG Project before the state took over in 2017. (Photo/File/AJOC) The industrial area of Nikiski, featuring a refinery and currently mothballed LNG and fertilizer plants, was selected by the producer-led consortium of the Alaska LNG Project before the state took over in 2017. (File photo)
Fourth grade students work on their new name tags on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year at Nikiski North Star Elementary School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Giving students their ‘best year yet’

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s 42 schools welcome kids back into classrooms.

Fourth grade students work on their new name tags on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year at Nikiski North Star Elementary School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center

SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
A band performs during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Midnight afternoon

Nikiski turns out for annual solstice festival.

A band performs during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids take off running as they participate in field games during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Summertime fun times

Annual Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival take places Saturday.

Kids take off running as they participate in field games during Family Fun in the Midnight Sun on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Nikiski Community Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘We need to change the world’

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates 31 on Monday.

Nikiski graduates view their slideshow during a commencement ceremony at Nikiski/Middle High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor

First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
Retiring Nikiski Fire Department Chief Trent Burnett is honored at a retirement party at Nikiski Fire Station #1 in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski fire chief retires after 28 years with department

Trent Burnett retired April 30.

Retiring Nikiski Fire Department Chief Trent Burnett is honored at a retirement party at Nikiski Fire Station #1 in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Bulldog Theatre actors rehearse “All Shook Up” in the Nikiski Middle/High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Elvis-themed musical brings music and moves to Nikiski stage

“All Shook Up” combines the familiar tunes of Elvis Presley with Shakespearean narrative of romance and identity.

Nikiski Bulldog Theatre actors rehearse “All Shook Up” in the Nikiski Middle/High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The ORPC proposed American Tidal Energy Project site is located at East Forland, Cook Inlet, just north of Nikiski, Alaska. Photo provided by ORPC

Marine energy developer pursues Cook Inlet tidal project

ORPC recently filed a draft pilot license application for a tidal energy project site near Nikiski.

The ORPC proposed American Tidal Energy Project site is located at East Forland, Cook Inlet, just north of Nikiski, Alaska. Photo provided by ORPC
Gavin Ley stands with the “Go-Shopping Kart” he designed and built in his career and technical education courses at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski students learn professional skills through technical education

Career and technical education gives students opportunity to learn skills, express themselves creatively, work cooperatively and make decisions.

Gavin Ley stands with the “Go-Shopping Kart” he designed and built in his career and technical education courses at Nikiski Middle/High School in Nikiski, Alaska, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski teachers, students and parents applaud Nikiski Middle/High Principal Mike Crain as he’s recognized as the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals 2025 Region III Principal of the Year by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education during their meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski principal named Region III principal of the year

Crain has served as Nikiski’s principal for three years.

Nikiski teachers, students and parents applaud Nikiski Middle/High Principal Mike Crain as he’s recognized as the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals 2025 Region III Principal of the Year by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education during their meeting in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)

Nikiski man arrested for threats to Nikiski Pool

Similar threats, directed at the pool, were made in voicemails received by the borough mayor’s office, trooper say

The Nikiski Pool is photographed at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Nikiski woman charged in 2023 overdose death

Lawana Barker was arrested after an investigation into the death of Nikiski resident Michael Rodgers

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Well over 50 people enjoy the Nikiski Pool during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly adds funds to project to replace Nikiski Pool water line

Increased complexities stem from a lack of information about how the pool’s water systems are put together

Well over 50 people enjoy the Nikiski Pool during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A map shows the original property boundary (in red) of Nikiski North Star Elementary and the boundary of the new property (in yellow) the borough is set to purchase. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Borough to buy property adjacent to Nikiski North Star for possible development

Nikiski North Star is on a 28-acre parcel bounded by private land and Salamatof Lake

A map shows the original property boundary (in red) of Nikiski North Star Elementary and the boundary of the new property (in yellow) the borough is set to purchase. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough)
The Community Ride for Parking Policy Change rolls along Nikishka Beach Road in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski parents organize drive in search of looser ATV policy

Organizers are hoping to see change in the school’s parking policy to allow students to ride their ATVs or other off-road vehicles to school

The Community Ride for Parking Policy Change rolls along Nikishka Beach Road in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)