Soldotna

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)

Community seeks to weigh in on peace garden resolution

A resolution encouraging the state to approve a grant application for the project was up for consideration by the council.

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)
Pamela Parker (center) and Shanon Davis present at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna chamber looks back at 2020

The chamber also named its people of the year and gave updates on relief spending.

Pamela Parker (center) and Shanon Davis present at a Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Live music returning to Soldotna this summer

The series will kick off with performances by Zen Trembles and opener Shonathin Hoskins.

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)
Ana Scollon and Kaitlin Vadla collaborate at The Goods store in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 9, 2021. They are hosting an Earth Day celebration at the zero-waste store Thursday, April 22, 2021 through Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Photo by Camille Botello)

‘Part of something much bigger than myself’

Group organizes sidewalk sale, discounts and art gallery for Earth Day.

Ana Scollon and Kaitlin Vadla collaborate at The Goods store in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 9, 2021. They are hosting an Earth Day celebration at the zero-waste store Thursday, April 22, 2021 through Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Photo by Camille Botello)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna identifies hazards in mitigation plan

The city last adopted a hazard mitigation plan in 2016.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryanna Thurman (right) speaks to a library employee at the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna library plans read by the river installation

The library hopes to install a “StoryWalk” in Soldotna Creek Park this summer

Ryanna Thurman (right) speaks to a library employee at the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Not if, but when’

All of the trees at 3 Friends Dog Park must be removed, report says

Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Back in green

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns 1 year after COVID-19 cancellation.

Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to welcome 41 new trees

The move is part of a yearslong effort

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (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)

Outdoor dining grants, social service needs among target of remaining Soldotna CARES dollars

The city has about $2 million left to spend

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Bunny Swan performs at Soldotna Creek Park on July 3, 2019 as part of the Levitt Amp Soldotna Music Series. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna planning for summer events

City Manager Stephanie Queen said she was repealing a “large gathering” policy implemented last year

Bunny Swan performs at Soldotna Creek Park on July 3, 2019 as part of the Levitt Amp Soldotna Music Series. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Municipal Cemetery is seen on Thursday, Feb. 25 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna making headway on cemetery expansion

Both cities hope to complete expansion efforts this year

The entrance to the Kenai Municipal Cemetery is seen on Thursday, Feb. 25 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan controls the puck early in the third period as 1,113 fans watch Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears to return after council loosens sports center mitigation

The resolution increases the number of spectators allowed at events to 750

Kenai River Brown Bears defenseman Shayne Monahan controls the puck early in the third period as 1,113 fans watch Friday, March 24, 2017, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/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)

Soldotna departments reflect on COVID response

Library, parks and rec, emergency services and IT gave feedback on 2020 performance.

Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefront with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna accepting storefront grant applications

Applications are due March 5

Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefront with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis (courtesy)

Soldotna chamber, shop local program get praise from city

The program resulted in an overall economic impact of around $876,750, chamber says

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis (courtesy)
Kenai Peninsula Food Banks staff and volunteers assemble food bags for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna recently at the food bank near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)

Food bank bag program extended through end of April

The nonprofit was awarded a grant by the Soldotna City Council during their Wednesday meeting

Kenai Peninsula Food Banks staff and volunteers assemble food bags for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna recently at the food bank near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
Jill Schaefer, the new office director for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s regional office in Soldotna, is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Jeff Turner/Office of the Governor)

Governor opens regional office in Soldotna

The office opened Monday on the second floor of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna.

Jill Schaefer, the new office director for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s regional office in Soldotna, is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Jeff Turner/Office of the Governor)
Linda Farnsworth Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, right, participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Farnsworth-Hutchings vying for vacant Soldotna council seat

The interviews can be watched live on Wednesday

Linda Farnsworth Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, right, participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State COVID officials brief Soldotna City Council in work session

The council was joined by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and State Testing Coordinator Dr. Coleman Cutchins

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)