Camille Botello

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Hospitalizations rise as state reports increase in COVID cases

There were a total of 112 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska as of Friday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall on March 5, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Locals to join national voting rights march Saturday

The march in Soldotna is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Action

A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall on March 5, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna approves $32,000 federal grant for airport

The funds were made available through the American Rescue Plan Act for improvement projects at the Soldotna Municipal Airport

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
From left: Yvette Tappana, Rob Lewis, Allen Auxier, Donna Shirnberg and Terri Zopf-Schoessler perform in the Kenai Performers production “The Old People Are Revolting” on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Donna Shirnberg)

Never too old for revolution

Kenai Performers’ ‘The Old People Are Revolting’ debuts

From left: Yvette Tappana, Rob Lewis, Allen Auxier, Donna Shirnberg and Terri Zopf-Schoessler perform in the Kenai Performers production “The Old People Are Revolting” on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Donna Shirnberg)
Demonstrators gather outside Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and advocate for alternative treatments on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital to require employees to get COVID shot

The Supreme Court OK’d the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for facilities that receive federal Medicaid and Medicare funding

Demonstrators gather outside Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates and advocate for alternative treatments on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Nick Begich III is seen in this undated photo. Begich is seeking to unseat long-serving Congressman Don Young, who represents Alaska in the House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)

Challenger looking to unseat Young visits Kenai

Nick Begich III is campaigning for the state’s lone House seat

Nick Begich III is seen in this undated photo. Begich is seeking to unseat long-serving Congressman Don Young, who represents Alaska in the House of Representatives. (Courtesy photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

As COVID cases increase among kids, officials await new vaccine guidance

COVID vaccines still aren’t approved for children 4 years old and younger.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Homer Harbor, as seen on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Locals appointed to state bycatch task force

The mission of the task force will be to better understand the unintended bycatch of fish caught in both state and federal waters.

The Homer Harbor, as seen on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Health officials: Some monoclonal treatments widely ineffective against omicron

The new guidance comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

State looks to promote health beyond COVID-19

“Healthy You 2022” will focus on a different component of well-being every quarter

Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alyeska Krull, Jayni Parish, Braeden Garrett, Brittany Gilman and Selia Butler act onstage as their characters the March sisters and Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence in the Kenai Performers’ production of “Little Women” in May 2021. (Photo provided)

Dressing the part

Kenai Performers to give workshops on how to create theater costumes

Alyeska Krull, Jayni Parish, Braeden Garrett, Brittany Gilman and Selia Butler act onstage as their characters the March sisters and Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence in the Kenai Performers’ production of “Little Women” in May 2021. (Photo provided)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations increasing as cases rise

As of Monday, there were 85 COVID-related hospitalizations in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)

South peninsula nursing home requests no visitors after COVID outbreak

The resident who tested positive Friday is the first resident to test positive since the pandemic began.

This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)
The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Body found in burnt car in Kenai park

Kenai Fire and Police responded to a vehicle fire at Beaver Creek Park.

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH remains below capacity, sees uptick in cases among staff

As of Friday, CPH had 12 COVID-positive staff members and 22 people at home quarantining.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy

Music series aims to warm up community

The miniseries chronicles western music from the prehistoric days to the present.

Courtesy
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Amid steep rise in COVID-19 cases, officials see reasons for optimism

COVID cases increased 145% from this week to last week, according to state data.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Statewide average case numbers double in 1 week

Alaska reported an estimated rolling average of 583.3 cases per 100,000 people daily over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign advertising testing for COVID-19 is seen at Capstone Clinic in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Testing ‘key component’ as COVID cases spike

There was a 145% increase in COVID cases from the week of Dec. 22 to the week of Dec. 29.

A sign advertising testing for COVID-19 is seen at Capstone Clinic in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Zirrus VanDevere’s pieces are displayed at the Kenai Art Center on Jan. 4, 2022. (Courtesy Alex Rydlinski)

A journey of healing

VanDevere mixes shape, color and dimension in emotional show

Zirrus VanDevere’s pieces are displayed at the Kenai Art Center on Jan. 4, 2022. (Courtesy Alex Rydlinski)