Peninsula Clarion

11/07/2025

On Oct. 21, Soldotna City Council Vice Mayor Lisa Parker was inducted to the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame, making her one of 10 women inducted this year.

The AWHF is a nonprofit organization recognizing the accomplishments of women who live in or are from Alaska. The project began in 2009 when the Alaska Women’s Network sought to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s statehood. 245 women have been inducted to the AWHF since its creation.

Parker’s resume includes a long list of firsts. She was the first female planning director for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the first statewide coordinator of the Alaska Land Use Council and the first executive director of the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council. She was on the University of Alaska Board of Regents from 2015-2023, and she has been elected or appointed to dozens of key boards and commissions over the years. She is currently president of the Alaska Municipal League board of directors in addition to holding her seat as vice mayor on the Soldotna City Council. She’s served on the Soldotna City Council for the past 14 years.

Parker’s advice to Alaskan women is to get involved and stay engaged. Women in Alaska, she says, have more opportunity than anywhere else in the country.

“If you have a passion, find an organization that is affiliated with your passion,” she said. “You will meet people and it will probably open up opportunities and doors that you might not expect. Always reach out, always ask the question: The main question being, ‘Why?’”

(Story by reporter Chloe Anderson)

Vice Mayor Lisa Parker was inducted to the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 21, making her one of 10 women inducted this year.

11/07/2025

Kenai Aviation owner Joel Caldwell said in a Facebook post on Monday that all flights would cease that afternoon due to the company being “financially insolvent.”

Six months ago, Kenai Aviation was one of four airlines servicing the Kenai Municipal Airport. Ravn Alaska, Grant Aviation and Aleutian Airways also offered flights to Anchorage, Fairbanks and communities in the Kenai Peninsula. Ravn Alaska closed in August, and before Kenai Alaska flies again, “we need capital, we need partners, we need a lifeline,” Caldwell wrote on Facebook.

After Ravn Alaska’s closure, Kenai Aviation stepped in to continue servicing Unalakleet. Kenai Aviation’s closure once again leaves the community without regularly scheduled air service, necessitating a costly first stop in Nome.

Grant Aviation and Aleutian Airlines are still conducting scheduled airline service out of Kenai Municipal Airport.

“We are analyzing our fleet availability and schedule in ENA to see how we might be able to assist the community with airlift after Kenai Aviation’s abrupt closure,” Aleutian Airways Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications Katie Loughlin wrote in an email Wednesday.

Because the government shutdown impacts airline contracts, Loughlin said it’s unclear when they’ll have more definitive information.

(Story by reporter Chloe Anderson)

Kenai Aviation owner Joel Caldwell said in a Facebook post on Monday that all flights would cease that afternoon due to the company being “financially insolvent.”

11/07/2025

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney declared November National Family Caregiver Month and Veterans and Military Families Month in Soldotna during a City Council meeting last Wednesday evening.

“8,400 Alaskans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, supported by 25,000 unpaid caregivers who provide 39 million hours of care annually, valued at $796 million,” Whitney said. “I urge all residents to support caregivers in our community by volunteering with organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association. Every effort, from helping with daily tasks to providing respite care, can make a significant difference.”

Council member Dave Carey applauded Whitney’s decision to proclaim November Veteran and Military Families Month during the meeting’s council comments.

“I’ve been around a while, and I know that every single mayor of the city and the administration always support those who serve in the military,” Carey said. “But I have found in the last six years you consistently bring those things to our attention. You consistently show our pride for those in the military, and I greatly appreciate and thank you for what you’re doing with those efforts.”

(Story by reporter Chloe Anderson)

Mayor Paul Whitney declared November National Family Caregiver Month and Veterans and Military Families Month in Soldotna during a City Council meeting last Wednesda.

11/07/2025

Kenai Peninsula College will establish a student support services program for first-generation college students following the receipt of a $1.4 million federal grant.

KPC announced in an Oct. 30 press release that they were recently awarded a competitive five-year federal TRIO grant to fund comprehensive services “designed to enhance academic success, retention and graduation rates” for 140 eligible students.

The TRIO Student Support Services program will serve KPC students who are first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds and/or who have disabilities.

“This vital funding will help remove barriers to higher education and provide targeted support to help students navigate their college journey successfully,” the release states.

(Story by Homer News reporter Delcenia Cosman)

Grant funds will establish a program to support first-generation college students.

09/26/2025

KDLL 91.9 FM and Peninsula Clarion forum with candidate Michael Hicks for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly's Central seat and candidate Lenora Niesen for the assembly's Nikiski seat.

09/25/2025

Homer News and KBBI AM 890 forum with Bradley Parsons, Michael Jones, Storm Hansen, Elias Garvey and John Mink, candidates for Homer City Council.

09/24/2025

The host Nikiski volleyball team defeated Homer in Southcentral Conference action Tuesday by scores of 27-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-25 and 15-11.

The host Nikiski volleyball team defeated Homer in Southcentral Conference action Tuesday by scores of 27-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-25 and 15-11.

09/23/2025

For the second time, Soldotna’s city council has delayed action on legislation to rezone the area that is set to be part of the Riverfront Redevelopment Project. The new delay pushes a pair of ordinances that would establish and then implement the riverfront zone into February of next year.

The two ordinances being considered would first establish a new “Riverfront Mixed-Use District.”

09/23/2025

Hundreds gathered at Soldotna Creek Park on Saturday to browse produce, learn more about growing their own food, and even to dance in celebration of local growing.

Harvest Moon Local Food Festival offered much to see and do at Saturday event.

09/22/2025

The visiting Homer football team lost 22-14 to Barrow in Mid Alaska Conference action Saturday.

The visiting Homer football team lost 22-14 to Barrow in Mid Alaska Conference action Saturday.

09/21/2025

The Kenai Central volleyball team defeated Nikiski for the Southeast Super Slamma Jamma Volleyball Tournament title Saturday at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka.

The Kenai Central volleyball team defeated Nikiski for the Southeast Super Slamma Jamma Volleyball Tournament title Saturday at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka.

09/21/2025

The Kenai Central swimming and diving teams swept the Kenai Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

The Kenai Central swimming and diving teams swept the Kenai Invitational on Friday and Saturday.