Soldotna

A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Early voting open in Kenai, Soldotna and Homer

Early voting will be open until Aug. 19

A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks to the joint Kenai and Soldona Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 31. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Ruffridge updates chambers on legislative efforts

He discussed the successes of his freshman session in the Alaska Legislature

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks to the joint Kenai and Soldona Chambers of Commerce at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 31. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is photographed at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)

Candidate filing period for city, borough elections now open

The filing deadline is Aug. 15

A voting booth for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer elections is photographed at Cowles Council Chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Charlie Menke/ Homer News)
Winners of the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest stand with their prizes at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Performers host 4th annual cosplay contest

Dragon slayers, Disney animations and Chinese novels make waves at Progress Days celebration

Winners of the Kenai Performers Cosplay Costume Contest stand with their prizes at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Melanie Carpenter shows her overall grand champion steer, Napoleon, for auction during the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The winning bid came in over $10,000. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4-H Ag Expo auction draws eager bidders for award-winning animals raised by local youth

There were 48 total animals on the roster for Saturday’s auction

Melanie Carpenter shows her overall grand champion steer, Napoleon, for auction during the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo in the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The winning bid came in over $10,000. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Winners named for Soldotna’s ‘I Voted’ sticker design contest

The set of community-created voting stickers will be available at Soldotna polling locations during the Oct. 1 municipal election

Isla Crouse stands with her award for winning the City of Soldotna’s “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest at the Soldotna Progress Days Block Party in Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Children participate in a ring toss during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress Days block party brings carnival games and contests to Parker Park

Children participated in a variety of carnival activities like a balloon pop, ring toss, high striker and plinko

Children participate in a ring toss during the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Revels return to Soldotna streets for 67th Progress Days

Political campaigns, local businesses, athletes and more took the streets in a procession that lasted well over an hour

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council defeats proposed residential property tax exemption

The proposed ordinance was first considered July 10

Member Jordan Chilson speaks in support of an ordinance that would establish a residential property tax exemption during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Central Emergency Services Chief Roy Browning and other dignitaries toss dirt into the air at a groundbreaking for the new Central Emergency Services Station 1 in Soldotna on Wednesday.

Central Emergency Services celebrates start of work on new Station 1

Construction might begin at the site as soon as Monday

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Central Emergency Services Chief Roy Browning and other dignitaries toss dirt into the air at a groundbreaking for the new Central Emergency Services Station 1 in Soldotna on Wednesday.
Kelsey Gravelle shows a hen named Frego and Abigail Price shows a goose named Sarah to Judge Mary Tryon at the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

4-H ag expo returns this weekend with animal shows, auction

The events take place at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28

Kelsey Gravelle shows a hen named Frego and Abigail Price shows a goose named Sarah to Judge Mary Tryon at the Kenai Peninsula District 4-H Agriculture Expo on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Progress Days Parade proceeds down Marydale Lane in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s Progress Days returns with parade, block party and community events

A parade and fair will be held Saturday, July 27

The Progress Days Parade proceeds down Marydale Lane in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

King of the River food drive extended, Kenai takes lead

The winning city’s mayor will throw the opening pitch at a Peninsula Oilers game

Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Former Soldotna police officer acquitted of 2023 assault allegations

He was found not guilty following a five-day trial in late June

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Soldotna Safeways may be sold under proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger

The local stores will be sold to CS Wholesale Grocers only if the merger overcomes suit from the FTC

The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s city council appropriates funds for FY 2025 capital projects

Improvements are described for streets, police facility, Soldotna Creek Park and Soldotna Community Memorial Park

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Ben Meyer, environmental scientist and water quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, teaches children about young salmon freshly pulled from Soldotna Creek during the Kenai River Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 7, 2024.

Kenai River Fair debuts with array of activities and education

Previously called the Kenai River Festival, the newly refocused fair featured booths and activities dedicated to education about the outdoors, wildlife and ecosystems

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Ben Meyer, environmental scientist and water quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, teaches children about young salmon freshly pulled from Soldotna Creek during the Kenai River Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 7, 2024.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy pictured with members of the House majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy signs capital budget with $3.7M in state funding for Kenai Peninsula, vetoes $3.3M

Roughly $90 million in federal funding also allocated to Kenai Peninsula

Gov. Mike Dunleavy pictured with members of the House majority after signing the fiscal year 2025 budget bills, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. From left to right: Reps. Stanley Wright, Tom McKay, Thomas Baker, Craig Johnson, Kevin McCabe, Julie Coulombe and Laddie Shaw. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)
“I Voted” stickers await Alaskan voters during in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Public voting begins for Soldotna’s ‘I voted’ sticker contest

Voting will be open until Sunday, July 21

“I Voted” stickers await Alaskan voters during in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.

Kenai and Soldotna square off once more in ‘King of the River Food Drive’

Food can be donated at the food bank or at either city’s chamber of commerce

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.