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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy urges Alaskans to help mitigate hospital strain

The strain isn’t necessarily due to a shortage of hospital beds or ventilators, but a shortage of hospital staff.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)

Hospital opens overflow unit as COVID inpatients reach 24

The state reported 730 new COVID-19 new cases on Thursday

Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)
The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News file)

DOT seeks public comment on summer Marine Highway schedule

The public comment period is open through Aug. 31.

The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News file)
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. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Kenai Refuge crew called to Washington wildfires

It’s not uncommon to send crews to other wildlife refuges to aid with fire containment.

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. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)
In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

NOAA beluga viewing festival canceled due to COVID concerns

The “Belugas Count!” event was supposed to be held on Sept. 11.

In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bypass project completion date pushed back

The project aims to reduce congestion on the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing.

A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna City Council stands by Farnsworth-Hutchings as planning pick

The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed in monthslong recruitment and appointment process.

Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

60 peninsula COVID cases, 2 Soldotna deaths reported

They include a Soldotna man in his 40s and a nonresident woman in her 70s who died in Soldotna.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The campaign aimed at recalling Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says it is ceasing that effort, with a gubernatorial election looming next year. The Recall Dunleavy group says as of Saturday, Aug. 21, it had gathered 62,373 signatures, shy of the 71,252 needed for a recall election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Effort to recall Alaska governor dropped after 2-year push

The group’s chair called on Alaskans to “rededicate their efforts to denying” Dunleavy another term.

  • Aug 25, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Meda DeWitt, left, Vic Fischer, middle, and Aaron Welterlen, leaders of an effort to recall Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, lead about 50 volunteers in a march to the Alaska Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska. The campaign aimed at recalling Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says it is ceasing that effort, with a gubernatorial election looming next year. The Recall Dunleavy group says as of Saturday, Aug. 21, it had gathered 62,373 signatures, shy of the 71,252 needed for a recall election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to the crowd in Seward during a celebratory parade on Aug. 5.

Jacoby honored by Seward City Council

The 17-year-old, a senior at Seward High School, won a gold medal for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to the crowd in Seward during a celebratory parade on Aug. 5.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Kenai Peninsula reports 101 new cases

That includes 70 resident cases on the central peninsula.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. An audience filled half the lawn and the majority of the beer and wine garden as others purused the food and artisan vendors. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Music in the park ends as summer winds down

The Levitt AMP series was canceled last year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. An audience filled half the lawn and the majority of the beer and wine garden as others purused the food and artisan vendors. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers and members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team respond at a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska, on the Sterling Highway. An Alaska State Trooper was shot and is in fair condition at an Anchorage hospital. Troopers arrested the suspect, Bret Herrick, 60, on Tuesday morning, Aug. 24, 2021. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Troopers arrest man wanted in Anchor Point shooting

The man will be charged with first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault.

Alaska State Troopers and members of the Special Emergency Reaction Team respond at a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska, on the Sterling Highway. An Alaska State Trooper was shot and is in fair condition at an Anchorage hospital. Troopers arrested the suspect, Bret Herrick, 60, on Tuesday morning, Aug. 24, 2021. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Cattle Noromectin is sold at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayor promotes debunked COVID treatments

Pierce defends ivermectin as potential virus med, proposes local clinical trials

Cattle Noromectin is sold at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The view from Eielson visitor center in Denali National Park. (File photo)

Bear attacks hiker in Denali

The man was hiking alone in dense fog in the Thoroughfare Pass area of the park.

The view from Eielson visitor center in Denali National Park. (File photo)
Parents on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, pick up students at Chapman School in Anchor Point, Alaska, after a shooting about a half mile north on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. The school was on lockdown while troopers searched for the alleged shooter, Bret Herrick, 60. An Alaska State Trooper stands by. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Troopers arrest wanted man on Tuesday morning

Injured trooper is in fair condition at Anchorage hospital; Chapman School closed for Tuesday.

Parents on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, pick up students at Chapman School in Anchor Point, Alaska, after a shooting about a half mile north on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. The school was on lockdown while troopers searched for the alleged shooter, Bret Herrick, 60. An Alaska State Trooper stands by. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting of a trooper at the Anchor Point Warehouse on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/ Homer News)

Anchor Point shooting injures trooper

A 60-year-old Anchor Point man wanted in connection to the shooting

Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting of a trooper at the Anchor Point Warehouse on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/ Homer News)
Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Legislators aim to finish budget, find fiscal solutions

Less than 30 days.

Rep. Ivy Sponholz, D-Anchorage, left, listens as Legislative Finance Director Alexei Painter gives a presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Lawmakers have less than 30 days to try and both complete the state’s budget and find resolution on the state’s long term fiscal problems. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough encourages voters to participate in municipal election

Kenai, Soldotna, Seward and Homer city councils as well as school district and assembly have seats open.

A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly OKs purchase of training mannequins

The equipment would be used in day-to-day training for the purpose of learning new medical techniques.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)