Ashlyn O'Hara

The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna OKs 2-year contract with Brown Bears

The hockey team has used the sports complex as their home facility since 2007.

The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A bathymetric map shows the depth of John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski. (Photo from Alaska Lake Database)

John Hedberg Lake to be stocked with rainbow trout

The state announced last month it was considering stocking the Nikiski lake with trout.

A bathymetric map shows the depth of John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski. (Photo from Alaska Lake Database)
The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities mull use of relief funds

ARPA funds are in addition to money received through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy urges Alaskans to help mitigate hospital strain

The strain isn’t necessarily due to a shortage of hospital beds or ventilators, but a shortage of hospital staff.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)

Hospital opens overflow unit as COVID inpatients reach 24

The state reported 730 new COVID-19 new cases on Thursday

Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)
A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bypass project completion date pushed back

The project aims to reduce congestion on the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing.

A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna City Council stands by Farnsworth-Hutchings as planning pick

The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed in monthslong recruitment and appointment process.

Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

60 peninsula COVID cases, 2 Soldotna deaths reported

They include a Soldotna man in his 40s and a nonresident woman in her 70s who died in Soldotna.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to the crowd in Seward during a celebratory parade on Aug. 5.

Jacoby honored by Seward City Council

The 17-year-old, a senior at Seward High School, won a gold medal for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to the crowd in Seward during a celebratory parade on Aug. 5.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Kenai Peninsula reports 101 new cases

That includes 70 resident cases on the central peninsula.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
The view from Eielson visitor center in Denali National Park. (File photo)

Bear attacks hiker in Denali

The man was hiking alone in dense fog in the Thoroughfare Pass area of the park.

The view from Eielson visitor center in Denali National Park. (File photo)
Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting of a trooper at the Anchor Point Warehouse on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/ Homer News)

Anchor Point shooting injures trooper

A 60-year-old Anchor Point man wanted in connection to the shooting

Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting of a trooper at the Anchor Point Warehouse on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/ Homer News)
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough encourages voters to participate in municipal election

Kenai, Soldotna, Seward and Homer city councils as well as school district and assembly have seats open.

A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly OKs purchase of training mannequins

The equipment would be used in day-to-day training for the purpose of learning new medical techniques.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting of a trooper at the Anchor Point Warehouse on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/ Homer News)

Troopers seek 60-year-old man after Anchor Point shooting injures 1

Herrick is considered armed and dangerous.

Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting of a trooper at the Anchor Point Warehouse on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/ Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna, Kenai to mull partnership for 911 dispatch services

Queen floated the idea of partnering with Kenai to offer dispatch services.

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Nikiski Fire Station 3 on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

An investment in safety

Leaders, community celebrate opening of Nikiski Fire Station 3.

Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Nikiski Fire Station 3 on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Sterling Highway is seen June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai, Soldotna endorse bus pilot program

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is working to expand public transportation on the central Kenai Peninsula.

The Sterling Highway is seen June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai signs onto beetle funding request

The peninsula’s latest spruce bark beetle outbreak has impacted more than 1 million acres in Southcentral Alaska.

Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)