Life

Larry Bernbeck poses for a photo with Tugster on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

A long-term dream, realized in miniature

‘Tugster’, a flat-bottom boat replica, measures 14 feet, 10 inches.

 

A Sitka black-tailed deer peers through the undergrowth of the Tongass National Forest in an undated photo. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska developing plans to introduce deer to southern Kenai Peninsula

Strategy development for the project follows a public proposal introduced in 2023.

 

Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Tourism season shifts into overdrive on packed Spit

On weekends, keeping your head on a swivel is a must.

 

Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Tough times all around

The lagoon wasn’t exactly a hotspot for king-popping last week even for the couple of fish-stealing thug seals that showed up.

Nick Varney
A frozen Dolly Varden Lake is seen Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Dolly Varden campground to close for renovation

The boat launch and main entrance will remain open.

A frozen Dolly Varden Lake is seen Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Back on the fishing beat

Angling-famished fanatics are heading our way.

Nick Varney
Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Greg Springer delivers a presentation on sockeye fishing during A Day at the River at Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Gearing up for summer fishing

Trout Unlimited and the Kenai Watershed Forum host “A Day at the River.”

Greg Springer delivers a presentation on sockeye fishing during A Day at the River at Centennial Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Vice Mayor Henry Knackstedt and Kenai City Council member Sovala Kisena share thoughts on Kenai’s parks and recreation facilities and programs during the kickoff for a development of a parks and recreation master plan in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai begins community conversation about parks and recreation master plan

The city is undertaking a yearlong process to create a guiding document for the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Kenai Vice Mayor Henry Knackstedt and Kenai City Council member Sovala Kisena share thoughts on Kenai’s parks and recreation facilities and programs during the kickoff for a development of a parks and recreation master plan in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Historic Elwell Lodge Guest Cabin is seen at its new spot near the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center. (USWS)

An enduring legacy — Kenai National Wildlife Refuge cabins

A tremendous wealth of our local history is captured in one unique, entertaining work.

Historic Elwell Lodge Guest Cabin is seen at its new spot near the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center. (USWS)
The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna sets fees, staffing, policy for field house

After a grand opening ceremony on Aug. 16, the facility will be expected to operate in seasons.

The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Monte Roberts, left, and Greg Brush, right, raise their hands during an emergency meeting of the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board’s guide committee at the Kenai Peninsula Region Office of Alaska State Parks near Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

KRSMA board pushes back on new guide stipulations, calls for public process

Stipulations 32 and 40 were included in an updated list emailed to Kenai River guides.

Monte Roberts, left, and Greg Brush, right, raise their hands during an emergency meeting of the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board’s guide committee at the Kenai Peninsula Region Office of Alaska State Parks near Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Field house work session set for April 9

A grand opening for the facility is slated for Aug. 16.

The Soldotna Field House is seen on a sunny Monday, March 31, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground closed until June

The construction is part of an ongoing project that has seen the campground sporadically closed in recent years.

The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020 near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Cars drive through the rain on the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge on Bridge Access Road over the swift Kenai River on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

State Parks describes Kenai Peninsula projects slated for this summer

There are 11 projects described in a press release from the State Department of Natural Resources.

Cars drive through the rain on the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge on Bridge Access Road over the swift Kenai River on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Left to right: Tom Griffiths, former Denali National Park chief ranger and refuge volunteer; Rick Johnston, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge pilot/ranger; Rosalynn Carter and former President Jimmy Carter are photographed at Alaska Wildland Adventures Kenai Back Country Lodge beach, Skilak Lake, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge<ins>,</ins> <ins>Alaska</ins>. (Photo by Kirk Hoessle/courtesy)

A Day to Remember: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s rendezvous with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Notebook

Left to right: Tom Griffiths, former Denali National Park chief ranger and refuge volunteer; Rick Johnston, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge pilot/ranger; Rosalynn Carter and former President Jimmy Carter are photographed at Alaska Wildland Adventures Kenai Back Country Lodge beach, Skilak Lake, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge<ins>,</ins> <ins>Alaska</ins>. (Photo by Kirk Hoessle/courtesy)
Dave Atcheson demonstrates fly casting into the Kenai River to a crowd of middle schoolers during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Local Trout Unlimited chapter hosts winter speaker series

Dave Atcheson will talk where, how to fish in Kenai Peninsula lakes on Feb. 4.

Dave Atcheson demonstrates fly casting into the Kenai River to a crowd of middle schoolers during a kids camp put on by Trout Unlimited on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Donald E. Gilman Kenai River Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Snowmachine use barred in refuge, areas of Chugach National Forest

Inadequate snow cover cited as reason for the closure

A snowmachine rider takes advantage of 2 feet of fresh snow on a field down Murwood Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Russian River Campground reopens for winter

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The Sterling Highway crosses the Kenai River near the Russian River Campground on March 15, 2020, near Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter solstice skiing fundraiser delayed until January

StarLight StarBright raises funds for the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society

Luminaria light the path of the Third Annual StarLight StarBright winter solstice skiing fundraiser at the Kenai Golf Course in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)