Soldotna

The Two-Spirit March, part of Soldotna Pride’s Pride in the Park, proceeds along Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, June 22<ins>, 2024</ins>. (Photo by Michele Vasquez, provided by Soldotna Pride)

‘We just want to exist’

Soldotna Pride growing, evolving to create community on the Kenai Peninsula

The Two-Spirit March, part of Soldotna Pride’s Pride in the Park, proceeds along Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, June 22<ins>, 2024</ins>. (Photo by Michele Vasquez, provided by Soldotna Pride)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly approves $1.4 million contract for roof repair

An ordinance redirecting toward the project unused federal grant funding was approved by the assembly in May

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Julia Hanson, design manager for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project, answers questions and takes feedback during a town hall event at the Sterling Community Center in Sterling, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sterling Safety Corridor project leads hear from Sterling residents at 1st town hall

The corridor stretches from near Whistle Hill in Soldotna past Swanson River Road in Sterling

Julia Hanson, design manager for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project, answers questions and takes feedback during a town hall event at the Sterling Community Center in Sterling, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sparks glitter away as Grey Wilson, of Wilson’s Proper Edge, sharpens an ax at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘No point in cutting with dull knives’

Market fixture Wilson’s Proper Edge a unique mobile tool-sharpening service

Sparks glitter away as Grey Wilson, of Wilson’s Proper Edge, sharpens an ax at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School on Thursday, April 18.

Caring for the Kenai winners receive EPA award

Winning team of the 34th annual Caring for the Kenai was selected for the President’s Environmental Youth Award

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School on Thursday, April 18.
Marchers walk from the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park as part of Soldotna Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pride in the Park, other Pride celebrations set for Saturday

The event starts with the Two-Spirit March, which meets at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex at 11:30 a.m.

Marchers walk from the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park as part of Soldotna Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Design Project Manager Steve Noble and Public Involvement Lead Stephanie Queen appear to discuss the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sterling Safety Corridor project to get ‘reintroduction’ at community meetings this month

The corridor begins near Whistle Hill in Soldotna and ends shortly after Swanson River Road in Sterling

Design Project Manager Steve Noble and Public Involvement Lead Stephanie Queen appear to discuss the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements project during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Dave Carey speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna explores its water and sewer expansion fees

The fees are a single charge to people who are newly or differently demanding or utilizing the services of the city’s water and sewer system

Council member Dave Carey speaks during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Rylee Smith operates her lemonade stand, Lemony Smith, outside of Orange Poppy in Soldotna during Lemonade Day on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Lemonade Day sparks dozens of pop-up stands

Stands were strewn across Kenai, Soldotna, Sterling and Nikiski

Rylee Smith operates her lemonade stand, Lemony Smith, outside of Orange Poppy in Soldotna during Lemonade Day on Saturday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Emily Musgrove emerges from a cloud of orange powder during a color run as part of the opening night of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Wednesday.

Music and color return to Soldotna Creek Park

Soldotna Music Series kicks off with celebration under rainfall

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Emily Musgrove emerges from a cloud of orange powder during a color run as part of the opening night of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna on Wednesday.
Emerson Kapp, second-place winner of the 2023 Caring for the Kenai competition, shows participants how to use her project, the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board, during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Fair to offer education, fun for free on June 8

Kenai Watershed Forum’s annual summer event gets new name, renewed focus on education

Emerson Kapp, second-place winner of the 2023 Caring for the Kenai competition, shows participants how to use her project, the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board, during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tree planting event set for Centennial Park

Planting trees in the area is a crucial method for protecting and rehabilitating the streambank, organizers say

A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital to host Cancer Survivor’s Day event

The event will take place Sunday, June 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks to the joint Soldotna and Kenai chambers of commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks to the joint Soldotna and Kenai chambers of commerce at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek stands in his office on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna police chief resigns

The resignation was effective immediately on Friday, City Manager Janette Bower confirmed Monday

Soldotna Police Chief Dale “Gene” Meek stands in his office on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A rainbow trout is lifted into a net during the Sport, Rec and Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday.

Sports show ushers in summer

Available for perusal were equipment, services and resources to prepare for summer fun

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A rainbow trout is lifted into a net during the Sport, Rec and Trade Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday.
Dancers rehearse a hula routine at Diamond Dance Project near Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Aloha spirit returns

Aloha Vibes will be held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dancers rehearse a hula routine at Diamond Dance Project near Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Public Library is seen on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna library board updates facility use policy

The changes are the first modifications to the policy in more than a year and took effect April 15

The Soldotna Public Library is seen on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Students of Soldotna Montessori Charter School comb for trash along the banks of the Kenai River at Centennial Park in Soldotna on Thursday.

‘This is their playground’

KPBSD students join fishing groups to pick up trash along Kenai River

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Students of Soldotna Montessori Charter School comb for trash along the banks of the Kenai River at Centennial Park in Soldotna on Thursday.
Ben Weagraff from Kenai River Brewing Company works the beer garden at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

State board OKs Soldotna request for more restaurant alcohol licenses

Twenty more restaurants in Soldotna will be able to serve alcohol following state approval in April of a city petition. The approval, handed down by… Continue reading

Ben Weagraff from Kenai River Brewing Company works the beer garden at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)