Soldotna

Photo courtesy of Gloria Wisecarver
Dr. Robert Struthers, Kenai’s third resident physician, and Kenai dentist Dr. Charles Bailie converse in Struthers’ office in Kenai in July 1966.

A hospital is born, slowly (Part 3)

All did not go as planned.

Photo courtesy of Gloria Wisecarver
Dr. Robert Struthers, Kenai’s third resident physician, and Kenai dentist Dr. Charles Bailie converse in Struthers’ office in Kenai in July 1966.
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council votes to repeal emergency declaration and utility relief

The disaster declaration was enacted on March 19, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Fire Department offers the Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at its mobile clinic during the first day of the Wednesday Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Wednesday Markets now include free walk-in vaccines

Dr. Anne Zink, chief medical officer for the state, made a trip to Soldotna on Wednesday as part of the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign.

The Kenai Fire Department offers the Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at its mobile clinic during the first day of the Wednesday Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Lovers Lane to be repaired

The city installed temporary patches on sections of Lovers Lane that were “failing” last fall.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Elmer Gaede, seen here leaning against the Soldotna medical clinic in the mid-1960s, joined the central peninsula medical establishment in July 1961. (Photo courtesy of the Gaede family)

Peninsula History: A hospital is born, slowly (Part 2)

Not far from upper Binkley Street in Soldotna in 1968 stood the unfinished shell of what central peninsula residents still hoped would one day become a hospital.

Dr. Elmer Gaede, seen here leaning against the Soldotna medical clinic in the mid-1960s, joined the central peninsula medical establishment in July 1961. (Photo courtesy of the Gaede family)
Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Masks now optional at Soldotna city facilities

The Soldotna City Council will also consider the repeal of the city’s COVID-19 disaster declaration during their May 26 meeting.

Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna High School students celebrate their graduation on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the high school football field. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna High School students celebrate their graduation on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the high school football field. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Aidan Katzenberger speaks at the River City Academy graduation in Soldotna, Alaska on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Aidan Katzenberger speaks at the River City Academy graduation in Soldotna, Alaska on Monday, May 17, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A parking lot set to be reconstructed is seen highlighted in red at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Bruce Richards)

More heated sidewalks coming to Central Peninsula Hospital

CPH Board of Directors cited the high demand for parking spaces that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) at health care facilities.

A parking lot set to be reconstructed is seen highlighted in red at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Bruce Richards)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

A ‘blip’ in budgeting history; Soldotna crafts post-pandemic budget

The city took a smaller financial hit than initially anticipated.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on April 23 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna.

Brown Bears spectator limit boosted to 750 for Friday’s game

The spectator limit at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex has fluctuated between 250 and 750 since February.

Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on April 23 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna.
Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council shuts down meeting move

The legislation would have allowed council members to attend more of the city’s Wednesday night music series events.

Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Pamela Parker (courtesy photo)

Pamela Parker to resign from Soldotna City Council

Her family is moving outside of Soldotna City limits.

Pamela Parker (courtesy photo)
Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to repave airport runway

The project will be paid for in full with federal money.

Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A group of skiers make their way along a trail behind Skyview High School, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna lends support to Tsalteshi grant request

The trails association recently applied for a grant through the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

A group of skiers make their way along a trail behind Skyview High School, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at the Black Stone Axe Ridge Warm Up Rally at the Tsalteshi Trails in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna libraries release May event schedule

All events are still being held virtually at the Kenai Community Library.

The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign indicates the future site of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Marydale Avenue on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna city council OKs support for peace garden

The city council first considered the resolution at their April 14 meeting.

A sign indicates the future site of the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails on Marydale Avenue on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council participates in a remote meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Soldotna to resume in-person meetings regardless of COVID risk levels

The council first voted to restrict in-person meetings during October of last year.

The Soldotna City Council participates in a remote meeting on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Seward to stop using Zoom for public meetings

The borough, in contrast, has no plans to phase out Zoom services.

The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)