The Kenai Peninsula College system awarded 131 associates degrees, 14 certificates, 2 occupational endorsements and more than 100 GEDs in 2012 along with several other University of Alaska degrees. At the KPC Kenai River Campus graduation May 15, at Kenai Central High School, speakers addressed a mixed bag of graduates including GED graduates and college students with a nearly uniform message of grabbing what the future holds, embracing change and making the most of life.

The Kenai River Campus will hold its 42nd commencement ceremony at 7 p.m., May 15, at Kenai Central High School's Renee C. Henderson auditorium. KRC chooses valedictorians from the two major academic divisions at the college. David Duncan, graduating with his general business associate of applied science degree, is the Business & Industry valedictorian, and Melissa Humphrey, earning her associate of arts degree, is the Arts & Sciences valedictorian.

Thank you State of Alaska residents supporting the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank through the Pick.Click.Give. program. When you donate through Pick.Click.Give., you make what is called an "unrestricted gift." Like other unrestricted gifts, the organization will use the funds to support its mission. If you chose to share your name with the organizations you choose, you will receive acknowledgement when your gift arrives at the organization in late October or early November of the year you donate. In 2011, organizations received donor names in December.

Poverty levels in the Kenai Peninsula Borough are on par with state wide levels, according to information recently published by the Alaska Department of Labor. From 2006 to 2010, 9.5 percent of people in the borough were considered in poverty - the same level as the state, according to information in a report written by Department of Labor economist Alyssa Shanks.

Jon Belton 'Buddy' Walters, 72, former pastor at the the Kenai United Methodist Church of the New Covenant, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 in Indianapolis.A memorial service will be held at North United Methodist Church, 3808 North Meridian

The men and women who deliver mail on a daily basis are used to leaving letters and packages, but this weekend they will also be picking up food items to help support the hungry.

Key executives of two central Kenai Peninsula not-for-profit agencies have earned a break.

It seems like so much of the world today politics, nations and local communities is divided along these lines. Given all that divides us, it is a delight to find something every once and a while that unites us.

...students Reed Ehrhardt, left and Travis Wingster, present Susan Smalley, right, acting executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank at check for $400 from the proceeds from a talent show they held as a benefit for the food bank March...

When Bill Osborn plants his small vegetable garden at home he has to worry about those 1,200-pound Alaskan pests.