Soldotna News

Smoke from wildfires was markedly thicker in the Sterling and Soldotna areas Wednesday morning and, though more than 60 fires are burning in Alaska, the most likely source of central Kenai Peninsula foul air is the Shantatalik Creek fire north of Tustumena Lake.

Before the Soldotna City Council meets in regular session tonight, the group will gather as the Committee of the Whole to discuss nearly $1 million in capital projects to be funded out of the 2010 fiscal year General Fund.

It would have been tough to miss the large smoke plume that began rising toward the sky late Sunday afternoon, emanating from a wildland fire that originated off of Funny River Road.

Due to continued dry weather and a forecast for gusty, afternoon winds throughout the week, the Kenai-Kodiak Area of the Alaska Division of Forestry has suspended the use of permits for open burning for the Kenai Peninsula.

While the benefits of reading to children and teaching them to read at an early age are undeniable, not all parents have the means to provide age appropriate books to their offspring regularly, but a local chapter of a national program may help those in need.

Another Republican in the House of Representatives, Kurt Olson of Soldotna says he also was surprised at the news this morning.

Alaska Congressman Don Young says he's attending the Kenai Classic Banquet. The banquet is a popular fundraising event for the Kenai River Sportsfishing Association and its programs to safeguard one of the state's premier rivers.

Reading bedtime stories to children and grandchildren is common in many homes, but sometimes these tales can take on a life of their own as a local woman recently found out first hand.

A long time ago, I posted a blog about a brief phase I went through where I decided to take up home taxidermy.

As summer progresses, many flowers will soon be going to seed, but not all that smells pleasant and looks pretty should be allowed to propagate.

The Soldotna City Council has public hearings and action slated for three ordinances at tonight's meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Topping the list of ordinances is a measure to ask Soldotna voters to exempt Soldotna officials from state financial disclosure laws, and instead establish city financial disclosure guidelines.

Sarah Washburn and Steven Strouf of Soldotna plan to marry Saturday, July 25, 2009, in an afternoon outdoor ceremony at the home of the bride-to-be's mother.

While many fathers look forward to the cards they'll receive on Father's Day, Terry Hinz, 50, of Soldotna, has to block an afternoon out of his schedule to read all that he'll receive for the holiday from his 16 children.

Gov. Sarah Palin has signed various bills into law, including one that outlaws unwanted solicitations on cell phones.

If favorable weather persists, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is planning to continue implementation of the Lily Lake prescribed fire project, possibly as early as the end of this week or early next week.

Gov. Sarah Palin took the opportunity of a legislative bill signing in Soldotna on Tuesday to announce her selection for a new state Attorney General.

June 16, 2009, Soldotna, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today announced the appointment of Alaska attorney and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel S. Sullivan to serve as Alaska's Attorney General.

Today is the last day to file an application to fill the Soldotna City Council seat being vacated by the resignation of Councilman Shane Horan.

A keen sense of smell prevented a wildland fire from becoming a bigger blaze than it was on Monday afternoon.

With an anticipated $1 million loss in sales tax revenue, Soldotna approved a nearly $8.3 million operating budget Wednesday, more than $1 million less than projected for the previous fiscal year.