Camille Botello

Birds grow at Dana Armstrong’s farm in Nikiski, Alaska. Armstrong is the director of the Kenai Peninsula Poultry Project — a 501(c)3 organization with the goal of providing healthy poultry options for central peninsula residents in need. (Courtesy of Dana Armstrong)

Local farmer aims to donate poultry to residents in need

She said she will process and donate both live poultry and cuts of meat to the local food banks and church pantries.

Birds grow at Dana Armstrong’s farm in Nikiski, Alaska. Armstrong is the director of the Kenai Peninsula Poultry Project — a 501(c)3 organization with the goal of providing healthy poultry options for central peninsula residents in need. (Courtesy of Dana Armstrong)
A sticker promoting COVID mitigation measures is photographed at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Clarion file)

COVID, year 2

Vaccines, new strains, protests and hospital overflows marked 2021’s volatile year

A sticker promoting COVID mitigation measures is photographed at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Clarion file)
A beach on the eastern side of Cook Inlet is photographed at Clam Gulch, Alaska, in June 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

High clam mortality rate forces closure on east Cook Inlet next year

The closure prohibits harvesting any clam species from the mouth of the Kenai River to the southernmost tip of the Homer Spit.

A beach on the eastern side of Cook Inlet is photographed at Clam Gulch, Alaska, in June 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Certified nursing assistant KaDaisjah Roberts, left, and nurse Debbie Aubin, right, work at the “Y” vaccine clinic in Soldotna on Dec. 22, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘An enormous help’

Alaska’s temporary health care workers head home after COVID surge

Certified nursing assistant KaDaisjah Roberts, left, and nurse Debbie Aubin, right, work at the “Y” vaccine clinic in Soldotna on Dec. 22, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
usda.gov

Feds fund peninsula energy efficiency efforts

The initiative is part of the Build Back Better agenda under the Biden-Harris administration.

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

Hospital full as omicron threat looms

The facility was operating at 106% Monday, even without a lot of COVID hospitalizations.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Sara Bieber, Gulf Coast manager of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, speaks to the Central Peninsula Young Professionals at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Workforce rep offers insight to young entrepreneurs

The group aims to connect entrepreneurs aged 21 to 39 with the resources they need to build and grow their enterprises.

Sara Bieber, Gulf Coast manager of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, speaks to the Central Peninsula Young Professionals at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases down, but officials urge vaccination against omicron

The state reported an average of 159.1 cases per 100,000 people across the state cumulatively over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Lighted figures are displayed in the yard of Robin and Jim Allemann as part of the couple’s annual Christmas show, in Nikiski on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Light in the darkness

Nikiski couple takes Christmas lights to another level

Lighted figures are displayed in the yard of Robin and Jim Allemann as part of the couple’s annual Christmas show, in Nikiski on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Monday. (Screenshot)

Winter weather advisory in place for western peninsula

1 to 4 inches of snow and around one-tenth of an inch of ice buildup is expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Monday. (Screenshot)
Soldotna High School's Trinity Donovan wins her third straight wrestling title during the state girls tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

6 Peninsula wrestlers claim state titles

By CAMILLE BOTELLO Peninsula Clarion Soldotna High School junior Trinity Donovan took home her third straight wrestling title at the state girls tournament at the… Continue reading

Soldotna High School's Trinity Donovan wins her third straight wrestling title during the state girls tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin speaks during a press briefing by the Alaska State Department of Public Health on Dec. 16, 2021. (Screenshot)

‘Yes, this pandemic will end’

But it’s going to take proactive work, health officials say

State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin speaks during a press briefing by the Alaska State Department of Public Health on Dec. 16, 2021. (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen here at an Aug. 16, 2021 news conference. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Governor revisits proposal to divide DHSS

The move would create a Department of Health and a Department of Family and Community Services.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen here at an Aug. 16, 2021 news conference. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Skating on Jean Lake on Nov. 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy Sabine Poux on Ashlyn O’Hara’s camera)

Out of the Office: Solace in skating

I’m used to the cold, but Alaska’s darkness has proved difficult to get used to. In my hometown in Idaho temperatures used to drop below… Continue reading

Skating on Jean Lake on Nov. 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy Sabine Poux on Ashlyn O’Hara’s camera)
From left, Sophia Micciche, Luci Micciche and Terri Burdick perform during the Triumvirate Theatre’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lioin, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Triumvirate brings Narnia to life

The acclaimed tale follows four siblings who discover a snowy fantasy world beyond the doors of an antique wardrobe.

From left, Sophia Micciche, Luci Micciche and Terri Burdick perform during the Triumvirate Theatre’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lioin, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Image via State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

‘Urgent’ need to address youth mental health in Alaska

In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 24 in Alaska.

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

Eastern peninsula COVID cases decline

COVID cases on the eastern peninsula have been rapidly declining since late September.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is photographed on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Skating recital returns after almost 2 years

The skating recital is a full-costume performance to music.

The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is photographed on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska reports its 1st omicron case

The case was reported in an Anchorage resident who had tested positive for the virus after traveling internationally.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
(Black Press File)

Alternatives sought for tobacco-related school suspensions

Tobacco policy violations accounted for more than 1,800 days lost from school in Alaska in the 2018-2019 school year.

(Black Press File)