KPEN Coastal Country

06/10/2026

🐾 Big news for Paws for Purple Hearts Alaska! They just welcomed their newest furry team member, Brando, thanks to an incredible donation from Hilcorp! 🐶 Earlier this month, Hilcorp handed over a check for more than $106,000, raised entirely through their seat-upgrade fundraiser. Every single penny is going directly to support this amazing mission! 💙
🌟 This is a massive milestone for the organization, as training just one of these life-changing service dogs takes about two years and costs around $40,000 to $45,000. This generous funding will fully cover Brando’s specialized training as he prepares to become a loyal companion for a veteran. 🫡 From learning how to grab items from the fridge to offering unconditional, judgment-free love and comfort, these dogs truly change lives. ✨
👇 Read the full story, meet adorable Brando, and see how this partnership is making a huge impact for Alaska veterans by clicking the link below! 📖

Funds will support service dog training for veterans.

06/09/2026

What an incredible start to Homer’s summer tourist season! 🦅 Around 1,100 birdwatchers from across Alaska, the Lower 48, and countries like France, Spain, South Africa, and Benin gathered for the 34th annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival last week. 🌍 Together, they spotted a whopping 131 different bird species, including thousands of migrating sandpipers, godwits, and plovers. 🏖️ But the ultimate highlight came at the very end of the festival when an ultra-rare juvenile ivory gull was spotted right on the Homer Spit! 😮 Word spread like wildfire through the Alaska birding community, and eager birders packed the Fish Dock Road area with binoculars and cameras to catch a glimpse of the almost pure white gull. 📸 This marks the first time an ivory gull has been seen in Homer since 1963, making it a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many! 🤍 Check out the full story, the list of species spotted, and incredible photos from the historic weekend here:

By Michael Armstrong Homer Independent Press In what has become a soft opening for Homer’s summer tourist season, about 1,100 birders attended the 34th annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival last w…

06/08/2026

Looking for something fun to do? Check out our latest Community Corner update featuring awesome local events happening right here in our community!

🐛 Bug Scavenger Hunt at Kenai Community Library: Search for escaped creepy-crawlies during library hours from Monday, June 8 through Saturday, June 13. Pick up a clue list at the front desk to find hidden bugs and solve their riddle. 📚

🌲 Storywalk Storytime at Daubenspeck Family Park: Join the Kenai Community Library for a guided lakeside walk with family songs and stories on Monday, June 8, from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Meet near the south covered picnic tables. 🦆

🧶 DIY Macrame Leaf Craft at Kenai Community Library: Participate in a beginner-friendly craft session for teens and adults to create a leaf wall hanging on Tuesday, June 9, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Registration is highly encouraged. 🍃

🗺️ Summer Reading Program at Anchor Point Library: Celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary with passports, stamps, and activities for all ages from June 1 through August 5. Programs are available for kids, teens, and adults. 📖

💼 Joint Kenai and Soldotna Chamber Luncheon at Soldotna Regional Sports Complex: Enjoy a Kenai Watershed Forum update from Trent Dodson on Wednesday, June 10, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Lunch is eighteen dollars, and RSVPs are due by June 9. 🌊

💻 Coding Club at Kenai Community Library: Learn to create websites and video games at this self-paced program for ages eight to eighteen meeting Wednesdays, June 10, 17, and 24, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Registration required only to use a library computer. 🎮

🎬 The Gold Rush Screening at The Porcupine Theater: Experience Charlie Chaplin's comedic silent film masterwork featuring live piano accompaniment by Johnny B on Wednesday, June 10, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Tickets cost fifteen dollars. 🍿

🌸 Wildflower Seed Paper Making at Kenai Community Library: Learn how to create plantable paper filled with Alaskan wildflower seeds on Thursday, June 11, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Designed for ages six to twelve; registration is recommended. 🌱

🎨 Bad Art Session at Kenai Community Library: Unleash your creativity without expectations during this open paint session on Thursday, June 11, from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM. Paints, brushes, and tiny canvases are provided, so sign up now. 🖌️

🌱 Seed Saving with JD Sneed at Kenai Community Library: Discover the craft of seed saving with an expert grower on Friday, June 12, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Learn techniques to foster independence, self-sufficiency, and food security. 🌾

🌿 Guided Garden Tours at Pratt Museum Botanical Gardens: Explore local ecosystems, homestead crops, and scenic forest trails during free, expert-led walks running Thursdays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM through August 30. 🪵

🪨 Kenai Chronicles: Beyond the Exhibit at Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center: Attend a free public lecture by geologist Dick Reger discussing glacial concretions found in the Kenai Peninsula on Friday, June 12, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. 🗺️

🍋 Lemonade Day across Kenai and Soldotna: Support young entrepreneurs as youth set up and operate their very own lemonade stands on Saturday, June 13. Grab a refreshing drink to show your community support. 🥤

🌈 Pride March & Celebration at Soldotna Creek Park & The Goods: Celebrate community and inclusion on Saturday, June 13. The march begins at 11:00 AM at Soldotna Creek Park, with festivities continuing through 5:00 PM at the Saturday Market at The Goods. ✨

06/05/2026

Coming soon to a water bottle near you!

05/30/2026

If you are driving around Homer, you definitely cannot miss them! 🐇 Loose domestic rabbits are grazing on spring grass all over the city, from the high school to the public library. 🏫 While some residents think they are adorable, others are dealing with a total menace to their gardens and landscaping. 🥕 Homer Animal Shelter director Jillian Rogers reports that this is a major boom year for the bunnies, but feral rabbits have actually been an issue in Alaska for quite some time. 🏔️ Local wildlife biologists note that a mild winter with less snow allowed more rabbits to survive into the spring, and because they can breed every thirty days, the population is exploding! 📈 Unlike native snowshoe hares, these are domesticated European rabbits that were either let loose or escaped. 🚪 They can attract dangerous predators like coyotes, wolves, and bears into city neighborhoods, and they risk spreading diseases to native wildlife. 🐻 State regulations classify these rabbits as exotic wildlife, making it illegal to release them into the wild or feed them in your yard. 🛑 While residents can borrow live traps from the local fish and game office to catch nuisance bunnies on their property, it is strictly illegal to relocate and release them elsewhere. 🚫 Since the shelter can only take in friendly, adoptable pet bunnies, locals are largely left to safeguard their properties with fencing. 🚧 Read the full story on how the community is handling the bunny boom here:

By Jacqueline McDonough For the Homer Independent Press Whether you are passing by the high school, the library or even the hospital, you can’t miss them: loose domestic rabbits grazing on spring g…

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the Kachemak Bay Campus class of 2026! 🎓 Nearly 60 incredible students celebrated their graduation at the commencement ceremony held right here on campus in Homer. 🏛️ The evening was filled with cheers, family, and inspiring words, kicking off with a warm address from University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cheryl Siemers, who urged the graduates to dream big and give back to their tight-knit community. 🏔️ Keynote speaker Dr. Beth Graber shared her three keys to success, emphasizing the power of self-talk, letting go of fear, and cultivating kindness. ❤️ Valedictorian Hannah Klima also moved the crowd by sharing how stepping out of her comfort zone taught her a lifelong lesson, challenging her peers with the phrase, "you must do the thing you cannot do." ⛷️ From High School Equivalency diplomas to specialized certificates in Marine Mammal Biology and advanced Masters Degrees, these students have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone. ✨ Turn your tassels and celebrate the full story and photo gallery here:

By Poppy Smith The Kenai Peninsula Campus, Kachemak Bay Campus class of 2026 attended their commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, celebrating the graduation of nearly 60 students in different …

05/29/2026

The Jesse Lee Home Cemetery in Seward is being restored after being abandoned and reclaimed by nature for over 60 years! 🌳 Originally opened in 1926 as an orphanage and boarding school for Alaska Native children, the site was closed after the 1964 earthquake and the remaining buildings were demolished in 2020. 🏚️ During the demolition, the Qutekcak Native Tribe realized a forgotten cemetery existed on the property. 😮 Because the original grave markers were removed and lost decades ago, volunteers initially had no idea how many children and workers were buried there, except for a single standing nurse's headstone. 🪦 Now, thanks to the incredible teamwork of volunteers using metal detectors and LiDAR technology, about 40 grave sites have been successfully identified and marked with flags. 🗺️ While they may never be able to put a name to every single grave, work will continue this summer to scan the rest of the area. 🌲 The Seward City Council has officially started the process of transferring the land to the Qutekcak Native Tribe, who plan to build a beautiful totem arch entrance, paths, and benches to create a peaceful space for reflection and healing. ❤️‍🩹 Read the full historic update here: AlaskaNativeHistory

The Qutekcak Native Tribe has been working for six years to make sure the lost children of Seward's Jesse Lee Home are not forgotten.

05/28/2026

The brand-new Matson Ocean Education Center is officially open to the public! 🌊 Located at the scenic edge of the Turnagain Arm where the Placer and Portage Rivers meet the sea, this incredible center offers stunning mountain views and a front-row seat to one of the world's largest tidal variations. 🏔️ Visitors might even spot iconic white beluga whales surfacing in the wild! 🐋 Inside, you will find models, interactive educational materials, and a full beluga skeleton hanging from the ceiling. 🦴 Head veterinarian Dr. Michelle Oakley shared that this center matters because helping kids understand and connect with wildlife like sea otters and bison inspires them to protect these amazing creatures. 🦦 The center is open daily with naturalist-led programs focused on protecting the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. 🎓 Check out the full story and plan your visit here:

Officials with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Matson, and invited guests officially opened the brand-new Matson Ocean Education Center to the public Saturday.

05/26/2026

Alaska is one step closer to having an official state vegetable: the giant cabbage! 🥬 The bill passed the House unanimously with a 38-0 vote, bringing this local favorite into the spotlight. 🌟 House Minority Leader DeLena Johnson noted the bill is a great way to market Alaska's unique agriculture, while Rep. Nellie Jimmie shared that cabbage even goes great with seal oil! 🍽️ Now that it has cleared the House, the bill heads over to the Senate with just seven days left in the legislative session. 🏛️ Will the giant cabbage become official? Read the full story here:

Alaska is one step closer to having an official state vegetable: the giant cabbage.

05/25/2026

Looking for something fun to do? Check out our latest Community Corner update featuring awesome local events happening right here in our community!
🥦 Summer Food Service Program at Kenai Community Library: Children 18 and under can pick up seven free weekly meals to eat at home on Tuesdays, May 26 through August 11, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Children must be present. 🍎
💪 Burn & Brunch at Anytime Fitness & The Duck Inn: Start your morning strong with a workout from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM followed by a group brunch on Tuesday, May 26. All fitness levels and non-members are welcome. 🍳
🩺 Nurse Storytime at Kenai Community Library: Join nurses from the Kenai Public Health Center for fun stories and helpful nutrition tips for little ones on Wednesday, May 27, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. 📚
🎬 Tough Old Broads Screening at Porcupine Theater: Catch a documentary featuring the stories of trailblazing women who broke barriers in sports, climate action, and civil rights on Wednesday, May 27, at 6:00 PM. 🍿
🖼️ Felted Landscapes Workshop at Homer Art & Frame Co.: Create your own beautiful artwork in this daily workshop running Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Cost is $65 and all materials are included. 🎨
🌿 Plant Swap at Kenai Community Library: Connect with fellow houseplant enthusiasts and trade labeled, bug-free potted plants, cuttings, or seedlings on Thursday, May 28, from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM. 🌱
🥳 Summer Reading Program Kickoff at Kenai Community Library: Celebrate the start of the annual reading program with sweet treats, refreshments, and interactive stations for all ages on Friday, May 29, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. 📖
🧘 Summit Strong Series Workshop at Summit Physical Therapy: Learn how your body works and get practical strategies to improve breathing, core coordination, and pelvic floor function on Friday, May 29, from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM. 🫁
🌸 Members Only Presale at Pratt Museum Parking Lot: Shop native plants and perennials on Friday, May 29, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Non-members can join at the event, and proceeds benefit botanical garden improvements. 🌿
🎻 Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra at The Porcupine Theater: Enjoy a free, family-friendly, non-traditional classical music performance featuring an eclectic mix of orchestral works on Friday, May 29, at 6:30 PM. 🎼
🎀 Alaska Run for Women with Virtual Team Homer: Support breast cancer awareness by meeting at the Homer Fishing Hole on Saturday, May 30, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM to walk, run, or bike the Spit trail. Wearing pink is encouraged. 🚲
🏠 Yellow House Fundraiser Sale at Pratt Museum: Support the museum by shopping unique items right next door to the facility on Saturday, May 30, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. All proceeds benefit museum operations. 🛍️
🌻 Annual Pratt Plant Sale at Pratt Museum Botanical Garden: Shop native plants and perennials while getting advice from the Garden Crew on Saturday, May 30, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Proceeds benefit garden improvements. 🪵
🚶 Native Plant Walk at Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center: Join native plant expert Brandi Bell for a free community walk looping to the Old Town Historic Cabins on Saturday, May 30, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. 🌲
🥩 Dinner and Auction Gala at Sterling Community Center: Celebrate local river life with a prime rib dinner, live music, and auctions on Saturday, May 30, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Tickets are available on the center's website. 🎟️