Soldotna

The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club

Kenai Central takes home 3rd volleyball state title

The Kards defeated Nikiski in a rematch championship game on Saturday during the state tournament in Anchorage.

The Kenai Central High School varsity volleyball team is named the 2025 3A Volleyball State Championship Tournament, held Nov. 13-15, 2025, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Kardinals defeated the Nikiski Bulldogs 3-2 in a "rematch" championship game on Saturday, Nov. 15, securing their third state title in the last four years. Photo courtesy of the Kenai Volleyball Booster Club
The varsity wrestling team is pictured after the Robin Hervey individual tournament in Kodiak on Nov. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Pete Dickinson

Sports briefs: Soldotna hockey, wrestling teams secure wins at weekend tournaments

SoHi hockey won the End of the Road tournament in Homer and the wrestling team gained 20 individual wins.

The varsity wrestling team is pictured after the Robin Hervey individual tournament in Kodiak on Nov. 22, 2025. Photo courtesy of Pete Dickinson
Santa Claus greets Gemma Germann during Christmas Comes to Kenai at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The most wonderful time of the year ‘

Christmas is coming to the Kenai Peninsula. Here’s a roundup of upcoming festivities.

Santa Claus greets Gemma Germann during Christmas Comes to Kenai at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge receives national bipartisanship award

The award highlights what’s possible when leaders prioritize their communities over politics.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks during a joint luncheon of the Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council streamlines city election process

The Soldotna City Council last week voted to align city and state election dates and seek additional means of public noticing.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook
Soldotna High School wrestlers won six individual championships during the Lancer Smith Memorial wrestling tournament in Wasilla Nov. 14-15. Photo courtesy of SoHi Stars Wrestling on Facebook
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Monday released maps showing areas open to woodcutting by permit beginning on Nov. 19, 2025.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to allow permitted firewood collection

Permitted individuals may gather up to five cords of wood beginning Nov. 19.

The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Monday released maps showing areas open to woodcutting by permit beginning on Nov. 19, 2025.
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen on June 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital names new CEO

Angela Hinnegan will replace Shaun Keef as CEO following Keef’s retirement in January.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen on June 24, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion)
Photos courtesy of Lisa Parker
Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame inductee Lisa Parker is pictured with Aleut’s Senior Director, Public Policy and Lands Ethan Tyler in during the Kodiak Alaska Municipal League meeting in August 2024.

Soldotna vice mayor inducted to Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame

Vice Mayor Lisa Parker was inducted to the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, making her one of 10 women inducted this year.

Photos courtesy of Lisa Parker
Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame inductee Lisa Parker is pictured with Aleut’s Senior Director, Public Policy and Lands Ethan Tyler in during the Kodiak Alaska Municipal League meeting in August 2024.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session<ins> on the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska,</ins> on Wednesday, April 9<ins>,</ins> <ins>2025</ins>.

Soldotna mayor recognizes caregivers and veterans during council meeting

Mayor Paul Whitney declared November National Family Caregiver Month and Veterans and Military Families Month in Soldotna during a City Council meeting last Wednesda.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session<ins> on the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska,</ins> on Wednesday, April 9<ins>,</ins> <ins>2025</ins>.
Bridget Grieme speaks during a forum with candidates for Kenai mayor and city council at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai elects new mayor

The Soldotna City Council holds the status quo, with both candidates unopposed.

Bridget Grieme speaks during a forum with candidates for Kenai mayor and city council at the Kenai Community Library in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to spend an additional $70,000 on policing this year

The city was expected to spend roughly $3.8 million on its police department this fiscal year

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Project Manager Jason Graf points to a map while answering questions from attendees on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna delays riverfront zoning legislation for 2nd time

The two ordinances being considered would first establish a new “Riverfront Mixed-Use District.”

Project Manager Jason Graf points to a map while answering questions from attendees on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the Soldotna Riverfront Redevelopment Open House at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Shoppers browse locally grown produce during the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Local produce, homemade pies and lots of dancing

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival offered much to see and do at Saturday event.

Shoppers browse locally grown produce during the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sargeant Truesdell speaks during a forum with candidates for the Soldotna seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sargeant Truesdell speaks during a forum with candidates for the Soldotna seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche and Alaska Board of Fisheries Chair Märit Carlson-Van Dort participate in a panel on Alaska king salmon legislation and regulation during the Kenai Classic Roundtable hosted by the Kenai River Sportfishing Association at the Soldotna Field House on Aug. 20, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Salmon focus of annual KRSA roundtable

Discussions centered on the decline of the species in the Kenai River and across the state.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche and Alaska Board of Fisheries Chair Märit Carlson-Van Dort participate in a panel on Alaska king salmon legislation and regulation during the Kenai Classic Roundtable hosted by the Kenai River Sportfishing Association at the Soldotna Field House on Aug. 20, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Parker, Carey running unopposed for Soldotna City Council

Soldotna voters will decide on annexation proposition.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna Field House welcomes public during grand opening

The field house will open on Sept. 2 for regular operations.

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney cuts a ceremonial ribbon for the Soldotna Field House during its grand opening in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula protests Putin’s Alaska visit

Protests were held Friday in Homer and Soldotna in concurrence with several others across the state.

Protesters in support of Ukraine line the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Joel Johnson, president of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Carrie Hourman, lead sustainability director for Dow Climate & Circularity; and Susan Sherman, executive director of the Marine Debris Foundation, sit for a panel at the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Kenai Classic Roundtable at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Annual Kenai Classic Roundtable to focus on Alaska king salmon

The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, in the Soldotna Field House.

Joel Johnson, president of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Carrie Hourman, lead sustainability director for Dow Climate & Circularity; and Susan Sherman, executive director of the Marine Debris Foundation, sit for a panel at the Kenai River Sportfishing Association’s Kenai Classic Roundtable at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)