Soldotna

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna fully repeals masking recommendations for city buildings

The city has changed its guidelines multiple times over the course of the pandemic

Soldotna City Council member Justin Ruffridge speaks at the city council meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. Ruffridge, who also owns Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and has helped spearhead multiple COVID-19 response efforts on the central Kenai Peninsula, said it was important to acknowledge the repeal of mask recommendations for “celebration’s sake.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after the roadway reopened. A fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council voices support for lighting on Kenai Spur, Sterling highways

Additional lighting would be added to Kenai Spur Highway within city limits and along the Sterling Highway Safety Corridor

Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after the roadway reopened. A fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Signage hangs on the exterior of the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ice rink closures planned for Kenai, Soldotna this summer

Both cities are planning to renovate their respective facilities

Signage hangs on the exterior of the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. The area will be the site of a new parking lot planned by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Parking lot would bring 70 spaces to downtown Soldotna

The Soldotna City Council greenlighted Wednesday the execution of a lease agreement between the city and the Aspen Hotel

Snow collects in a lot near the Aspen Hotel on Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. The area will be the site of a new parking lot planned by the City of Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Linda Farnsworth Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Farnsworth-Hutchings gets 4th nod for planning commission

The city’s seat has been the subject of a back-and-forth between Soldotna and the borough mayor

Linda Farnsworth Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen listens to a presentation from Alaska Communications during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

ACS looks to bring faster internet to the central peninsula

The company successfully piloted the mesh network technology in Anchorage in 2020

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen listens to a presentation from Alaska Communications during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman consult during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara)

Borough seeks to fill planning commission vacancies

Two new commissioners took their seats for the Monday night meeting

Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman consult during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara)
Community agencies administer social services during the Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna mini grant goes to Project Homeless Connect effort

$5 gift cards from Arby’s, Subway and Safeway were distributed to Project Homeless Connect participants

Community agencies administer social services during the Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna looks to outsource grant-writing labor

The city wants to maximize funding opportunities made available through the federal government

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna asks for more snow removal money

The City of Soldotna estimates it will spend more than expected on snow removal services this winter. Citing above average snowfall, the city’s streets and… Continue reading

Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Computers, Wi-Fi available for checkout at Soldotna library

The technology was made available through federal grant funds

Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital capacity steady amid statewide omicron surge

On Monday, the facility was at about 80% capacity with “a handful” of COVID patients

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

Soldotna approves filing of EEZ lawsuit brief

The lawsuit seeks to reopen commercial salmon fishing in the Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
Flowers bloom at Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Multiple public works projects underway in Soldotna

Soldotna City Council received an update on eight different projects

Flowers bloom at 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 $32,000 federal grant for airport

The funds were made available through the American Rescue Plan Act for improvement projects at the Soldotna Municipal Airport

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)

Power restored in Soldotna after outage that affected 7,000

The company was still repairing some single outages Wednesday.

A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)
Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Here to keep the promise’

New clinic serving peninsula veterans opens in Soldotna

Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcoms people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Soldotna scholarship application period begins

In all, scholarship committees will award up to a combined total of about $66,000.

A sign welcoms people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Soldotna to receive funds from state fish tax program

The amount of money received this fiscal year will be determined, in part, by population.

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna shop local program ends with funds fully expended

The program was made possible using federal CARES Act funds

Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)