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In this March 2021 photo provided by Pfizer, vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for packaging at the company’s facility in Puurs, Belgium. Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday, July 8, 2021, that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. (Pfizer via AP)

COVID cases continue to rise, delta variant confirmed on peninsula

Alaska saw 465 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, while more regions continue to break into the high risk threshold. In a press briefing last… Continue reading

In this March 2021 photo provided by Pfizer, vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for packaging at the company’s facility in Puurs, Belgium. Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday, July 8, 2021, that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. (Pfizer via AP)
Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)

State mulls stocking Hedberg Lake

The State of Alaska is considering a proposal to stock John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski with rainbow trout starting in 2022, according to a release… Continue reading

Rainbow trout caught in Lone Lake. (Mike Benbow, file)
Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Pierce, new chief of staff outline policy agenda

“A problem solver.” That’s how Aaron Rhoades describes himself. He’s a lifelong Alaskan with experience in gas and municipal government. He’s also Kenai Peninsula Borough… Continue reading

Aaron Rhoades and Charlie Pierce stand in a conference room in the George A. Navarre Borough Administration Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district uses COVID funds for summer programs

Flying drones, tie-dye and esports were among the activities offered at programs hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District this summer. The school district… Continue reading

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game closes king salmon sport fishing

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an emergency order closing both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, as well as Cook Inlet north of… Continue reading

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Driver in custody after fatal rollover crash

A car accident in Soldotna over the weekend involving four people resulted in a fatality and a second-degree murder charge, among others, according to a… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Stephen Lamm and Lilly Murray film a culinary video for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's healthy lifestyle eating promotional program Monday, July 19, 2021, at the food bank diner just outside of Soldotna. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Food Bank aims to collect 1 ton of goods

The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is preparing for its Progress Days donation drive Thursday. Volunteers are aiming to raise 1 ton of food in one… Continue reading

Stephen Lamm and Lilly Murray film a culinary video for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank's healthy lifestyle eating promotional program Monday, July 19, 2021, at the food bank diner just outside of Soldotna. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Area residents donate to Tshibaka

Peninsula residents are among those contributing financially to the campaign of Kelly Tshibaka, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lisa… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Resting her case

Borough attorney retires after more than 25 years

Colette Thompson stands near a bookshelf in her office at the George A. Navarre Borough Building on Thursday, July 15, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The badge for the Kenai Police Department

Vehicle accident kills 3

Staff report Three people died in a two-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon at Mile 15 of the Kenai Spur Highway, according to a press release from… Continue reading

The badge for the Kenai Police Department
RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)

COVID cases rise on peninsula

As COVID-19 vaccination rates stagnate, case numbers on the Kenai Peninsula increase and the COVID delta variant continues to spread in Alaska, Central Peninsula Hospital… Continue reading

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)
An area cleared for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Snug Harbor drivers will see delays

Travelers through Cooper Landing should expect traffic delays on Snug Harbor Road and along the Sterling Highway in Cooper Landing throughout the summer due to… Continue reading

An area cleared for the Cooper Landing bypass project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Onlookers await the passing of parade floats at the Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska on July 27, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Progress Days set to start Wednesday

The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center has released its schedule for the upcoming Progress Days extravaganza, which starts Wednesday. It is the first… Continue reading

Onlookers await the passing of parade floats at the Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska on July 27, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Hikers look at the Harding Icefield in August 2015 in Kenai Fjords National Park, just outside of Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Hiker, 74, injured on Harding Icefield Trail

A 74-year-old man suffered suspected head, neck and spinal injuries in a fall while hiking on the Harding Icefield Trail on Thursday afternoon, according to… Continue reading

Hikers look at the Harding Icefield in August 2015 in Kenai Fjords National Park, just outside of Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Penny Vadla speaks at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board sets goals for year

During the 2021-22 school year, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will focus on developing the district’s five-year strategic plan, building strong… Continue reading

Penny Vadla speaks at a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Lisa Stengel of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, weighs a halibut on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Coal Point Seafoods in Homer, Alaska, that she caught with a pole spear while free diving in Kachemak Bay. If verified, the 71.4-pound halibut would be the International Underwater Spearfishing Association world record for a Pacific halibut caught be a woman using a pole spear. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Florida woman sets record for halibut caught with a pole spear.

Stengel speared big halibut while free diving in Kachemak Bay.

Lisa Stengel of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, weighs a halibut on Monday, July 12, 2021, at Coal Point Seafoods in Homer, Alaska, that she caught with a pole spear while free diving in Kachemak Bay. If verified, the 71.4-pound halibut would be the International Underwater Spearfishing Association world record for a Pacific halibut caught be a woman using a pole spear. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna plans capital improvements

Better downtown parking, more greenspace at Riverview Park, rubber mulch at Farnsworth Park and improvements to ARC Lake are among the projects the City of… Continue reading

Kyle Kornelis speaks at a public meeting about the Runway 7-25 Rehabilitation Project on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District plans to comply with Title IX

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education will hold off on bringing the district into compliance with new federal Title IX guidance. The… Continue reading

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Koebryn and Summer Lazenby stand in front of camping gear at Summer's house on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘See Alaska like an Alaskan’

Mother-son team opens camping equipment rental business

Koebryn and Summer Lazenby stand in front of camping gear at Summer's house on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Heritage Place closes to visitors after 2 employees test positive for COVID in last week

The Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility was forced to close to visitors twice in one week after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19, the… Continue reading

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)