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Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council gets rundown on new voting systems

Alaska will be the first U.S. state to hold both an open primary and a ranked choice general election in the same year.

Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Remembering the costs of war, veterans ring bell for peace

Celebrating Armistice Day, Veterans for Peace honors those lost in wars.

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It’s so important that we honor our vets’

Community members gather to honor veterans’ sacrifices.

Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)

New boundaries, shortened terms for local senators after redistricting

The board paired new Alaska State House Districts with Senate districts Wednesday.

The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers nixing in-person meetings in Homer, Seward

Members discussed if the meetings were necessary with public Zoom access available.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Leroy Keene returns home from Desert Storm in 1990 and is welcomed by his wife and daughter. (Photo provided by Leroy Keene)

Veterans to receive Quilts of Valor on Veterans Day

War affects veterans who make it home differently. For one Homer veteran, talking about what happened during his deployment to Vietnam during the height of… Continue reading

Leroy Keene returns home from Desert Storm in 1990 and is welcomed by his wife and daughter. (Photo provided by Leroy Keene)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Murkowski held a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 to promote the provisions related to Alaska included the infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A win for Alaska’

Murkowski celebrates passage of federal infrastructure bill

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Murkowski held a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 to promote the provisions related to Alaska included the infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Chervenak awarded assistant principal of the year

The Kenai Central High School administrator said he was flattered and grateful that the community appreciated his efforts.

Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tomorrow’ starts today

Soldotna High School returns to stage with production of musical “Annie”

The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Finishing touches

High schoolers fill last-minute spot in art center’s mural project.

Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
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Alaska officials consider more charges in Safeway shooting

Police said Joshua Eric Butcher sprayed bullets throughout the Safeway store early Sunday evening.

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A stretch of Kenai Spur Highway can be seen in this August 2019 photo in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

ATVs, other all-purpose vehicles, to be OK on some peninsula roads

The regulations drew safety concerns when first proposed earlier this year.

A stretch of Kenai Spur Highway can be seen in this August 2019 photo in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)

Alaska redistricting board pairings draw criticism

Tuesday’s actions followed pointed exchanges on proposed maps for the area Monday and extended executive sessions.

The Final Redistricting Map approved for the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna area is seen on Nov. 9, 2021. (Map via akredistrict.org)
A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna campgrounds see record use

There were more than 11,100 day uses of campgrounds — the most ever.

A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

28 deaths added to statewide COVID-19 count

The deaths were reported after death certificate review from August through October, with most of the deaths occurring in October.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A spruce bark beetle is seen on the underside of a piece of bark taken from logs stacked near Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Feds fund beetle kill mitigation efforts

The funds were part of $2 million in beetle kill mitigation funds obtained by Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

A spruce bark beetle is seen on the underside of a piece of bark taken from logs stacked near Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House races on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)

Redistricting shifts peninsula rep boundaries

Seward and Kodiak will vote together; Carpenter’s district expands

The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House races on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
A gingerbread house waits to be judged Monday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Break out the gingerbread

Annual contests put kids’ creativity to the test.

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
A gingerbread house waits to be judged Monday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal vaccine mandate looms for CPH employees

The mandate applies to all CPH properties, which includes the hospital, adjoining clinic and Heritage Place.

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