Victoria Petersen

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26 . (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Borough looks at purchasing new COVID-19 testing machine

The platform would be purchased for no more than $400,000, with expected delivery in four to six months.

 

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough looks at extending disaster declaration

The extension would be set to end Sept. 19.

 

A morel mushroom grows in disturbed gravel on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo credit: USFWS)

Out of the Office: Morels surge confidence

I’m writing this in the car on the drive to Anchorage. My boyfriend, Nate, and I are in the process of moving back to the… Continue reading

 

Lockers and hallways remain empty with schools closed across Alaska to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus that has prompted a global pandemic, on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Fall school year plans still up in air

The district has created a work group to explore ways school can reopen safely in the fall.

Lockers and hallways remain empty with schools closed across Alaska to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus that has prompted a global pandemic, on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Village of Nanwalek Resevoir remains nearly empty due to unprecedented drought conditions, Sept. 9, 2019, in Nanwalek, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough)

Assembly to consider climate change commission

The creation of the commission was included as a goal of the borough’s comprehensive plan.

The Village of Nanwalek Resevoir remains nearly empty due to unprecedented drought conditions, Sept. 9, 2019, in Nanwalek, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, May 1, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Intrastate travel OK’d for road system, marine highway

Travel is still prohibited to and from communities off the road system.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, May 1, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion                                Kenai Cinemas is seen on Monday in Kenai. Kenai Cinemas will reopen Friday, after being closed for two months due to state health mandates.

Theaters cautiously reopen after closure mandates lifted

Movie theaters, bowling alleys, gyms and bingo halls across the state shut their doors March 18.

Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion                                Kenai Cinemas is seen on Monday in Kenai. Kenai Cinemas will reopen Friday, after being closed for two months due to state health mandates.
A screenshot from the Kenai Peninsula College graduation ceremony shows an August 2019 photo of Kenai Peninsula College faculty and staff. The May 7, 2020 ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Screenshot)

‘Resilience and ability to overcome unbelievable odds’

Kenai Peninsula College graduates students from both campuses — virtually

A screenshot from the Kenai Peninsula College graduation ceremony shows an August 2019 photo of Kenai Peninsula College faculty and staff. The May 7, 2020 ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Screenshot)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves borough employee contract

The agreement will last from July 1 until June 20, 2023.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District staff distribute student meal for lunch at Kenai Central High School on March 25, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Meal program won’t continue into the summer

The meal program offered free breakfast and lunch during the week to any district student.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District staff distribute student meal for lunch at Kenai Central High School on March 25, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Gated communities ordinance amended, passed

Under the ordinance, residents and property developers could apply to set up a private street or subdivision.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion file                                 John O’Brien, superintendent for the Kenai Peninsula School District.

School superintendent to retire next year

The school board has already begun the superintendent recruitment process.

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion file                                 John O’Brien, superintendent for the Kenai Peninsula School District.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Budget estimates down in face of pandemic

The borough finance department has had to adjust projections.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
(Photo courtesy of city of Soldotna)

Soldotna council passes pandemic aid programs

“This (pandemic) is affecting everyone.”

(Photo courtesy of city of Soldotna)
Alaska Division of Forestry                                A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019.

Burn permits suspended starting May 1

Last year, more than 5,000 firefighters were brought north to Alaska to combat wildfires.

Alaska Division of Forestry                                A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Additional emergency funds on assembly agenda

An emergency ordinance appropriating $77,000 to the OEM t is being introduced at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets on Tuesdays inside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula

Gated community ordinance passes, to be reconsidered

Residents and property developers could apply to set up a private street or subdivision.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets on Tuesdays inside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion file                                 Emerald Miller receives her high school diploma from her parents at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Connections home-school program graduation ceremony May 23, 2019, in Soldotna.

Schools look for “meaningful alternatives” to graduations

Schools will observe state health mandates and guidelines in celebrating the class of 2020.

Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion file                                 Emerald Miller receives her high school diploma from her parents at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Connections home-school program graduation ceremony May 23, 2019, in Soldotna.
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

State confirms 6 new COVID-19 cases

The case total for Alaska is 351 people, with 228 residents reported as recovered.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
A sign announcing the closure of a Soldotna business due to the new coronavirus can be seen in this April 1 photo. (File)

Development district launches new survey

Information from the surveys will be used to identify the needs of the region.

A sign announcing the closure of a Soldotna business due to the new coronavirus can be seen in this April 1 photo. (File)