Jacob Dye

Chugiak’s Addison Rains and Kenai’s Kage Adkins laugh together while they compete in the final match of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate State Championship on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the University of Alaska Anchorage Esports Lounge in Anchorage, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Esports: Kenai Smash takes second, makes friends along the way

Watching the final match of the state championship for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Saturday, it would be impossible to tell that the players from… Continue reading

Chugiak’s Addison Rains and Kenai’s Kage Adkins laugh together while they compete in the final match of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate State Championship on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the University of Alaska Anchorage Esports Lounge in Anchorage, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection staff stand with Smokey Bear at the 43rd Annual Home Show hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Builders Association on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

From fire safety to fencing, home show vendors show off their wares

The Kenai Peninsula Builders Association was held this weekend at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex

Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection staff stand with Smokey Bear at the 43rd Annual Home Show hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Builders Association on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna High School student Emerson Kapp, second-place winner, is joined on stage by judge Bruce Jackman as she presents the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board during the 33rd Caring for the Kenai competition at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Caring for the Kenai winners named at annual environmental event

Ccontest challenges peninsula students to devise ways of improving the environment or preparing for a natural disaster

Soldotna High School student Emerson Kapp, second-place winner, is joined on stage by judge Bruce Jackman as she presents the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board during the 33rd Caring for the Kenai competition at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Workshops to focus on bear coexistence

Experts will discuss bear attractants, how bear-resistant electric fencing works, and how to get financial assistance

A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building is photographed in Juneau in 2021. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Health officials say Alaska falling behind on key cancer screenings

Screenings for breast and cervical cancer in Alaska have been on a downward trend for several years, Anne Remick, the program director for the Section… Continue reading

The Alaska Department of Health And Social Services building is photographed in Juneau in 2021. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska lags national average for childhood vaccinations

All vaccines administered in Alaska are reported to the Alaska Immunization Information System

The Kenai Public Health Center is seen on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A chart shows the number and type of Alaska residents receiving Medicaid coverage based on either 2022 Alaska Medicaid Claims data (yellow) or 2021 U.S. Census data (orange). More than 260,000 residents are currently enrolled, about 30,000 more than 2020, due to a federal provision that kept states from removing people during the COVID-19 pandemic. That provision ended April 1 and Alaska officials are scheduled review eligibility of all residents enrolled during the next 12 months. (Alaska Division of Public Assistance)

Department of Health to reevaluate every Medicaid beneficiary

The state has to begin redetermination for everyone receiving benefits by March 31

A chart shows the number and type of Alaska residents receiving Medicaid coverage based on either 2022 Alaska Medicaid Claims data (yellow) or 2021 U.S. Census data (orange). More than 260,000 residents are currently enrolled, about 30,000 more than 2020, due to a federal provision that kept states from removing people during the COVID-19 pandemic. That provision ended April 1 and Alaska officials are scheduled review eligibility of all residents enrolled during the next 12 months. (Alaska Division of Public Assistance)
This March 10 photo shows fentanyl pills seized by police. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

State health alert issued for fentanyl mixture

Xylazine is not approved for human use and naloxone will not be able to reverse its effect

This March 10 photo shows fentanyl pills seized by police. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska Fairbanks Associate Professor Dr. Peter Westley, Department of Fish and Game Biologist Adam Reimer, and Cook Inletkeeper Science Director Sue Mauger listen to a question during a panel discussion for the Kenai Peninsula College Showcase "State of the Salmon" on Wednesday, April 20, 2023, at KPC in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Showcase paints a grim picture for future of salmon

Warming waters, more numerous predators, bycatch, parasites, increased competition all point to tremendous difficulty in species resurgence

University of Alaska Fairbanks Associate Professor Dr. Peter Westley, Department of Fish and Game Biologist Adam Reimer, and Cook Inletkeeper Science Director Sue Mauger listen to a question during a panel discussion for the Kenai Peninsula College Showcase "State of the Salmon" on Wednesday, April 20, 2023, at KPC in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graehm LeFevre watches the ball soar through the air during SoHi’s Rocket League match against Thunder Mountain High School on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 at Skyview Middle School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Esports: Stars knocked out in Rocket League semifinals

The Soldotna High School Rocket League team was swept by Steller Secondary School in Anchorage and eliminated from the playoffs in a semifinal match closer… Continue reading

Graehm LeFevre watches the ball soar through the air during SoHi’s Rocket League match against Thunder Mountain High School on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 at Skyview Middle School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A Nintendo Switch and its controller are seen at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska on April 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Esports: Kenai Mario Kart eliminated in quarterfinals

Kenai Central’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe team saw their playoff run brought to an end Wednesday with a loss to the Hawaii Academy of Arts… Continue reading

A Nintendo Switch and its controller are seen at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska on April 14, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tyler Payment, as Vito Corleone, acts alongside Joe Spady as Johnny Fontane and Jamie Nelson as Tom Hagen during a rehearsal of “The Codfather” on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Sleeping with the fishes

Triumvirate’s “The Codfather” puts Kenai Peninsula spin on Coppola classic

Tyler Payment, as Vito Corleone, acts alongside Joe Spady as Johnny Fontane and Jamie Nelson as Tom Hagen during a rehearsal of “The Codfather” on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Kenai Catering in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Sharp decline in statewide hospitalizations

According to state data, 12 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alaska

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Cameron Ivanoff, competing for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, performs the 2-Foot High Kick during the Salamatof Tribe Traditional Native Games Invitational at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Salamatof hosts 2nd annual Traditional Native Games

The event stretched from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with 11 events

Cameron Ivanoff, competing for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, performs the 2-Foot High Kick during the Salamatof Tribe Traditional Native Games Invitational at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska, on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
All 12 finalists of the Caring for the Kenai competition receive their awards at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Clarion file)

Caring for the Kenai finalists to present Thursday

12 high school finalists are expected to take the stage to present their proposals

All 12 finalists of the Caring for the Kenai competition receive their awards at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. (Clarion file)
Peninsula residents attend the annual KPBA Home Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, as seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Kirsten Raye)

Home Show returns to sports complex this weekend

The event will feature 100 experts in things like home building, remodeling, decorating and landscaping

Peninsula residents attend the annual KPBA Home Show at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, as seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy of Kirsten Raye)
The Sterling Highway cuts through the the Swan Lake fire burn area in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, as seen on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Smoke from prescribed fire may be seen on Sterling Highway

The burns were scheduled for Monday, but smoke may be seen in the evenings and mornings following the activity

The Sterling Highway cuts through the the Swan Lake fire burn area in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, as seen on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Devil’s Creek Trail in Chugach National Forest, seen June 15, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Devil’s Creek Trailhead to close for beetle kill mitigation

The spruce beetle outbreak has led to a significant number of dead or dying spruce trees around the trailhead

The Devil’s Creek Trail in Chugach National Forest, seen June 15, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Beyond counting fish

Salmon panel set for next KPC Showcase

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)