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Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Beluga time

Get out your binoculars: The whales are frolicking in the Kenai River

Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Teresa Becher watches as beluga whales swim up the Kenai River on Saturday, April 24, 2021. She and her volunteer team monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough to hire for 2 dispatch positions

Two state workers are expected to leave their positions at the center within the next month.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
In the past, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System drew out protestors, like those seen here in Juneau in this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, but the governor has backed off cuts, and even partnered with lawmakers to use federal funds to bolster the system. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers, governor propose using $76 million in federal relief for ferries

“That’s the direction we’re going unless something derails it.”

In the past, Gov. Mike Dunleavy's cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System drew out protestors, like those seen here in Juneau in this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, but the governor has backed off cuts, and even partnered with lawmakers to use federal funds to bolster the system. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
David Ross speaks before the Kenai City Council on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai police chief: Crime decreased amid pandemic

The total number of police service calls declined by more than 500.

David Ross speaks before the Kenai City Council on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula cases rising faster than vaccine rates

18.7% positive case increase from last week as CDC and FDA lift J&J pause

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Study analyzes wildfire impact on peninsula

Data suggest wildfires are going to be a persistent problem for Alaskans in the future.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Wildwood Drive to get a makeover

The drive has been called one of the “poorest rated condition roadways” in Kenai.

Potholes are seen on Wildwood Drive on Thursday, April 22 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Almost half of eligible Alaskans have received at least 1 vaccine dose

According to the Department of Health and Social Services, almost half of all eligible Alaskans 16 and older — 48.7%— have received at least one… Continue reading

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
All 12 finalists of the Caring for the Kenai competition recieve their awards at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.

Caring for the Kenai names finalists

The winning idea proposed using beehives to divert local birds from peninsula landfills.

All 12 finalists of the Caring for the Kenai competition recieve their awards at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
Pieces of art are displayed at Cook Inletkeeper’s Community Action Studio on Thursday, April 22 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cook Inletkeeper launches rotating art gallery

The display formally debuted on Earth Day as one of several activities the organization offered at the studio.

Pieces of art are displayed at Cook Inletkeeper’s Community Action Studio on Thursday, April 22 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Youth members of Forever Dance Alaska take part in rehearsal Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the Renee Hendersen Auditorium at Kenai Central High School for the company’s production of “Best of Broadway.” (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Youth dancers get back onstage

Forever Dance Alaska to perform “Moment Like This” showcase this weekend.

Youth members of Forever Dance Alaska take part in rehearsal Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at the Renee Hendersen Auditorium at Kenai Central High School for the company’s production of “Best of Broadway.” (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Seward to stop using Zoom for public meetings

The borough, in contrast, has no plans to phase out Zoom services.

The Soldotna City Council receives a presentation from their auditors on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, via Zoom. (Screenshot)
Billy Adamson (left) and Adam Kiffmeyer scale a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. Homer-based SPITwSPOTS was one of the telecommunications companies awarded CARES money by the Kenai Peninsula Borough as part of an effort to increase public access to the internet. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Cell service to reach Summit Lake area

The assembly allocated between $1.2 and $2 million in CARES Act money to improve public access to the internet through tower site development and infrastructure.

Billy Adamson (left) and Adam Kiffmeyer scale a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. Homer-based SPITwSPOTS was one of the telecommunications companies awarded CARES money by the Kenai Peninsula Borough as part of an effort to increase public access to the internet. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Debbie Brown testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly honors former president Jack E. Brown

Brown represented Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly from 1987 to 2001.

Debbie Brown testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy photo / Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and SkyNRG formed a partnership to advance sustainable aviation fuel made from municipal solid waste, the airline announced, as part of its steps toward making the airline a net-zero emissions industry.

Net-zero emissions, cleaner fuel… and planes that run on waste?

Alaska Airlines announces environmental commitments and efforts.

Courtesy photo / Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and SkyNRG formed a partnership to advance sustainable aviation fuel made from municipal solid waste, the airline announced, as part of its steps toward making the airline a net-zero emissions industry.
Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives discuss an amendment on an education funding bill on Wednesday, April 21, 2021. Some House members are trying to pass a budget specifically for education, a departure from past years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Annette Pankoski testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly approves election measures

The assembly OK’d purchasing new voting equipment.

Annette Pankoski testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State physician briefs Kenai chamber on COVID, vaccines

More contagious variants likely to spread through communities that don’t reach herd immunity

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan, Alaska, a couple of days earlier. The pilots of two Alaskan sightseeing planes that collided in midair couldn’t see the other aircraft because airplane structures or a passenger blocked their views, and they didn’t get electronic alerts about close aircraft because safety systems weren’t working properly. That’s what the staff of the National Transportation Safety board found in their investigation. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP)

NTSB: Obstructed views, lack of alerts caused midair crash

Mountain Air Service pilot Randy Sullivan and his four passengers, and a passenger in a plane owned by Taquan Air were killed.

  • Apr 21, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER and TOM KRISHER Associated Press
  • State News
In this photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks, left, and member Jennifer Homendy stand near the site of some of the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, that was involved in a midair collision near Ketchikan, Alaska, a couple of days earlier. The pilots of two Alaskan sightseeing planes that collided in midair couldn’t see the other aircraft because airplane structures or a passenger blocked their views, and they didn’t get electronic alerts about close aircraft because safety systems weren’t working properly. That’s what the staff of the National Transportation Safety board found in their investigation. (Peter Knudson/NTSB via AP)
A rescued dog sits at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Over $1,000 in donations made to Kenai Animal Shelter

The money will be used to respond to equipment needs and technology improvements.

A rescued dog sits at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)