LATEST NEWS
Econ 919 — Kenai Peninsula job market
While Alaska’s labor market is still struggling after a pandemic recession, the Kenai Peninsula has already successfully rebounded. That’s per an economist who presented to a Soldotna audience this week. On Thursday, the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, or KPEDD, hosted its annual Industry Outlook Forum, a yearly...
Nikiski a 'Super Trouper' in upcoming performance
Set in the 1990s, “Mamma Mia!” showcases the tension between people who grew up in the 1970s and the show’s main character, Sophie, who's coming of age. She’s the bride-to-be in a traditional wedding, something her own mother never found appealing. Sophie also does not know her father, but to her mother’s dismay, invites three guests she thinks might be that man.
Soldotna closes plastic bag ban loophole
The City of Soldotna voted to close a loophole in its plastic bag ban during a Wednesday night city council meeting. The city first passed a bag ban in 2018 to reduce plastic waste. Now, it’s taking a look at how the policy could be more effective. Council Member Jordan Chilson sponsored the ordinance.
Kenai Conversation: Levitt AMP 2024 Lineup
As the snow melts and the days get longer, another year of the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series is in the works. The free concert series in Soldotna Creek Park kicks off in June. The Music in the Park events began in 2015, and have evolved into a much larger, grant-funded event over time.
Electronics recycling event to be held in Soldotna
ReGroup, a Kenai Peninsula organization that aims to increase awareness about waste reduction, will host its annual electronics recycling event this Saturday at the Central Peninsula Landfill in Soldotna. Participants can drop off nearly any recyclable electronic device, including computers, televisions, cell phones, vacuum cleaners, appliances and more. Jan Wallace...
Soldotna solar installation set to go online this summer
Whistle Hill, the complex of businesses just east of Soldotna including a coffee shop, restaurant and frame store, is now accompanied by a large assortment of solar panels. The final phase of the two-stage project, which will be completed this summer, was just awarded a $460,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.
Feds declare economic disaster for east side set-net fishery in 2021, 2022
The federal government has declared a fishery disaster for salmon setnetters on the east side of Upper Cook Inlet for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Last year, east side set-netters didn’t fish for sockeye salmon at all, but revenue was declining for years before that. Set-netters and local governments asked Gov. Mike Dunleavy to request a federal disaster designation for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, which he did in September.
Sterling contractor charged in illegal COVID-19 relief loan scam
A Sterling man was indicted by a federal grand jury last month for a scam involving COVID-19 relief business loans. According to a federal indictment, 55-year-old Kent Tompkins illegally schemed to receive federal loans of more than $300,000 between 2020 and 2021. Tompkins requested the loans on behalf of his...
Evening Newscast — April 25, 2024
The City of Soldotna votes to close a loophole in its plastic bag ban. And, a new research project looks at how climate change will affect fishing and harvesting in the Gulf of Alaska. Plus, the jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!” is coming to Nikiski Middle/High School.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly holds meeting in Seward
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly held its April 16 meeting in Seward instead of Soldotna, which it does once a year. During the meeting, they presented certificates to the Seward High School boys wrestling team. They previously passed a resolution in February commending the wrestling team, but waited until the meeting in Seward to present the certificates.
Funny River home damaged in fire
A structure fire did extensive damage to a home in Funny River on Friday morning. The fire was reported to Central Emergency Services at 9:13 a.m. CES Deputy Fire Chief Dan Grimes said all units were in Soldotna for training at the time and had to make the 19-mile drive from town, instead of responding from the Funny River CES station.
Bobbie Jackson from Jackson Gardens
Bobbie Jackson with Jackson Gardens shares her decades of Alaska gardening know-how. Learn from the master!. Larry started gardening in first grade when he took a bag of navy beans from the kitchen and threw them all over his backyard. They grew and his dad mowed around all the plants and he got a great bean harvest that year. From then on, he was hooked. Larry has gardened for over 60 years and the last 30 years in Alaska. He is on the Central Peninsula Garden Club board of directors and also the board of the Kenai Soil & Water Conservation District. His goal for Growing a Greener Kenai is to disseminate the most accurate information possible in order to help Kenai Peninsula gardeners achieve the best results for their gardening endeavors and efforts.
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