Kenai Police Chief David Ross speaks to Kenai City Council members about an ordinance that would repeal sections of city code that prohibit public sleeping and loitering and the city’s curfew on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai OKs repeal of loitering laws, curfew for minors

The policies, first enacted in 1978, are difficult to enforce and potentially violate citizens’ rights, according to the Kenai Police Department

 

Nikiski Middle/High School graduates throw their caps into the air at the conclusion of a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Nikiski graduates ‘will always be a part of each other’s stories’

The graduates celebrated their time together and took a moment to anticipate the bright futures that lie ahead

 

A seal pup rescued from near Kenai beach is treated by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program on May 9, 2024. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center admits abandoned harbor seal pups

Both seals were found abandoned and malnourished, and both were born prematurely

 

Caitlin Babcock, left, and other graduates enter Soldotna High School’s commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna sends off more than 140 graduates at Tuesday commencement

More than 140 students stepped off the Soldotna High School graduation stage and into their futures on Justin Maile Field on Tuesday evening, where school… Continue reading

Caitlin Babcock, left, and other graduates enter Soldotna High School’s commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Kenai Alternative High School proceed into a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Kenai Alternative High School proceed into a graduation ceremony in the school’s gym in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Kenai Central High School celebrate at the end of their graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students of Kenai Central High School celebrate at the end of their graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

Local meetings this week to familiarize fishers with new Cook Inlet EEZ regs

Federal management of the Cook Inlet EEZ is set to begin on May 30

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s grant application for funds to support summer reading programs, along with other reading intervention documents, are splayed on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district preparing for new summer reading intervention programs

Third graders who test well below benchmark on their end-of-year literacy assessment may either be held back or must receive additional intervention services

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s grant application for funds to support summer reading programs, along with other reading intervention documents, are splayed on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
River City Academy graduates walk into Skyview Middle School’s gymnasium during their commencement ceremony on Monday near Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Go forth and live’

River City Academy graduates Class of 2024

River City Academy graduates walk into Skyview Middle School’s gymnasium during their commencement ceremony on Monday near Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, and Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, discuss a proposed amendment to a bill sponsored by Allard restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports during a House floor session on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

After accusations of ‘lying’ and ‘hate’ fly, House passes bill restricting transgender students in sports

Bill passes 22-18 after filibuster by minority, but declared dead in Senate as end of session nears

Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, and Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, discuss a proposed amendment to a bill sponsored by Allard restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports during a House floor session on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kachemak Bay Campus 2024 graduates prepare to enter commencement at the campus on May 8, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Campus confers degrees to Class of 2024

The commencement was held Wednesday in Pioneer Hall in Homer

Kachemak Bay Campus 2024 graduates prepare to enter commencement at the campus on May 8, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News)
A graduate of Kenai Peninsula College gives a thumbs up as graduates proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Thursday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Never be afraid to be a new you’

KPC grads take step toward future in commencement ceremony

A graduate of Kenai Peninsula College gives a thumbs up as graduates proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Thursday. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Athletes from Nikiski Middle/High School’s track and field team visit with elementary students at Nikiski North Star Elementary School. (Photo provided)

‘Building leaders’: Nikiski track and field team supports community

The team has restarted the Nikiski Talent Show, painted stars on the sidewalks at Nikiski North Star Elementary and begun to coach middle and elementary schoolers

Athletes from Nikiski Middle/High School’s track and field team visit with elementary students at Nikiski North Star Elementary School. (Photo provided)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayor proposes flat sales tax, mill rates in $180 million draft budget

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche emphasized sustainability and affordability

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Courthouse is seen Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Man convicted in Homer-area home invasions sentenced to 18 years following probation violations

He was convicted in 2020 of nine felony charges, across five separate cases

The Kenai Courthouse is seen Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School senior Maggie Grenier, center, participates in her final school board meeting as student representative on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski Middle/High School senior Maggie Grenier, center, participates in her final school board meeting as student representative on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce speaks in support of borough and school district budget collaboration during a borough assembly meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly sets school funding floor

The roughly $56.2 million amount is less than the $58.2 million requested last month but is more than what the borough gave the district last year

Kenai Peninsula Education Association President LaDawn Druce speaks in support of borough and school district budget collaboration during a borough assembly meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kasilof warrant arrest leads to chase, assault charges

Frank Bush was wanted for a federal firearms arrest warrant

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
From left: Donna Anderson, Betty Stephenson, Sue Stephenson and Eddie Thomas gather for a photo at Dot’s Kenai River Fish Camp in Sterling, on Saturday.

Sterling fishers seek reversal of new Kenai River bait restrictions

They say the new measure precludes some people, especially those who are older or who have disabilities, from the fishery

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
From left: Donna Anderson, Betty Stephenson, Sue Stephenson and Eddie Thomas gather for a photo at Dot’s Kenai River Fish Camp in Sterling, on Saturday.
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

HEA voters elect status-quo board

All three candidates elected are incumbents, having already served at least three years on the board

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)