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COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula reports 22 new COVID-19 cases over weekend

On Tuesday, the Kenai Peninsula Borough had an average daily 14-day case rate of 6.18 cases per 100,000 people.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
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)

Expect delays when traveling through Cooper Landing this summer

Work will focus on the first 2 miles of the project, near the west end of the existing alignment.

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)
Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)

Avalanche shuts down section of Seward Highway

The avalanche took place at Mile 45, cutting off peninsula residents’ route to Anchorage.

Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)
This photo provided by the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group shows the scene of a helicopter crash near the Knik Glacier in Alaska on Sunday, March 28, 2021. Federal investigators say the helicopter carrying five passengers on a heli-skiing trip in Alaska crashed into a mountain and then rolled downhill nearly 900 feet. The pilot and four of the five passengers on board died in the crash, including billionaire Petr Kellner, the richest man in the Czech Republic. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash just north of Anchorage on Saturday night. (Lance Flint/Alaska Mountain Rescue Group via AP)

Czech billionaire among 5 killed in helicopter crash

The chartered helicopter was conducting heli-ski operations.

  • Mar 29, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
This photo provided by the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group shows the scene of a helicopter crash near the Knik Glacier in Alaska on Sunday, March 28, 2021. Federal investigators say the helicopter carrying five passengers on a heli-skiing trip in Alaska crashed into a mountain and then rolled downhill nearly 900 feet. The pilot and four of the five passengers on board died in the crash, including billionaire Petr Kellner, the richest man in the Czech Republic. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash just north of Anchorage on Saturday night. (Lance Flint/Alaska Mountain Rescue Group via AP)
Julie Denison, member of the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Incident Management Team, and Beth Wilson, pharmacy technician at Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, sign in Kenai Peninsula resident Lee Sparlin for her COVID-19 vaccine appointment at the Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 23, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities, to expand vaccine efforts with state grant

The state has about $37.5 million available to be distributed to borough and city governments.

Julie Denison, member of the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Incident Management Team, and Beth Wilson, pharmacy technician at Soldotna Professional Pharmacy, sign in Kenai Peninsula resident Lee Sparlin for her COVID-19 vaccine appointment at the Soldotna Prep School in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 23, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka addresses reporters in Anchorage on Sept. 26, 2019. Tshibaka announced plans on Monday, March 29, 2021, to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow Republican, in the 2022 election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Tshibaka announces run for Murkowski’s Alaska Senate seat

Tshibaka posted on social media a copy of her resignation letter as department commissioner.

  • Mar 29, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Alaska Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka addresses reporters in Anchorage on Sept. 26, 2019. Tshibaka announced plans on Monday, March 29, 2021, to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow Republican, in the 2022 election. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. A resolution urging federal action on maritime laws was held up by House Republicans with legal concerns. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

House Republicans balk at cruise ship waiver language

Members don’t want to ask for federal executive order

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. A resolution urging federal action on maritime laws was held up by House Republicans with legal concerns. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

1 in 4 eligible Alaskans fully vaccinated

Nearly 40% — 39.7% — of Alaskans 16 and older had received at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a news conference in Anchorage on Friday, March 26, 2021, to announce the state’s intention to begin management of over 800,000 miles of submerged lands as affirmed in a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a news conference in Anchorage on Friday, March 26, 2021, to announce the state’s intention to begin management of over 800,000 miles of submerged lands as affirmed in a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna identifies hazards in mitigation plan

The city last adopted a hazard mitigation plan in 2016.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, listens to representatives debate a COVID-19 disaster declaration on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

House passes emergency declaration bill

The House Coalition is made of mostly Democrats and independents and is led by Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak.

House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, listens to representatives debate a COVID-19 disaster declaration on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
File

Sterling man sentenced for 2001 sexual assault and kidnapping

The man was sentenced to serve 37 years in prison.

File
Matt Conner (left) and Amber Kraxberger-Linson demonstrate how to tie flies during a remote workshop on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)

A crash course in fly-fishing

The tutorial was presented by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in partnership with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Matt Conner (left) and Amber Kraxberger-Linson demonstrate how to tie flies during a remote workshop on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Pike prey on rearing salmon. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

State, refuge to tackle invasive pike problem

The species threatens native fish populations in the area, including rainbow trout and juvenile salmon.

Pike prey on rearing salmon. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Ryanna Thurman (right) speaks to a library employee at the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna library plans read by the river installation

The library hopes to install a “StoryWalk” in Soldotna Creek Park this summer

Ryanna Thurman (right) speaks to a library employee at the Soldotna Public Library on Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Brett Watson presents the findings of a study he and others conducted through the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Institute of Social and Economic Research on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Screenshot)

Benefits from commercial fishing mostly affect fishers’ hometowns, UAA study finds

The study aimed to answer the question: What are the short-run economic impacts of commercial fisheries on local economies?

Dr. Brett Watson presents the findings of a study he and others conducted through the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Institute of Social and Economic Research on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Screenshot)
Passengers at the Juneau International Airport make their way past signage notifying the public about the state’s travel restrictions on Monday, Nov. 15, 2020. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services released a request for information seeking to determine interest among potential contractors to provide a one-dose vaccine to interested travelers in a secure section of the airports in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and Ketchikan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska health department floats idea of airport vaccinations

Could vaccines be coming to Alaska’s busiest airports?

Passengers at the Juneau International Airport make their way past signage notifying the public about the state’s travel restrictions on Monday, Nov. 15, 2020. Alaska Department of Health and Social Services released a request for information seeking to determine interest among potential contractors to provide a one-dose vaccine to interested travelers in a secure section of the airports in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and Ketchikan. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, listens to representatives debate a COVID-19 disaster declaration on Thursday.

Lawmakers clash on how to manage pandemic

Disaster debate shows deep divisions.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, listens to representatives debate a COVID-19 disaster declaration on Thursday.
This Sunday, April 10, 2011 picture shows a rig and supply vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, off the cost of Louisiana. Thirteen states sued the Biden administration Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to end a suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water and to reschedule canceled sales of offshore leases in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska waters and western states. The Republican-leaning states, led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, seek a court order ending the moratorium imposed after Democratic President Joe Biden signed executive orders on climate change on Jan. 27. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

In shift, oil industry group backs federal price on carbon

The reversal comes as President Joe Biden has made tackling climate change a top priority.

  • Mar 25, 2021
  • By Matthew Daly and Matthew Brown Associated Press
This Sunday, April 10, 2011 picture shows a rig and supply vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, off the cost of Louisiana. Thirteen states sued the Biden administration Wednesday, March 24, 2021 to end a suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water and to reschedule canceled sales of offshore leases in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska waters and western states. The Republican-leaning states, led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, seek a court order ending the moratorium imposed after Democratic President Joe Biden signed executive orders on climate change on Jan. 27. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 145 new cases

Affected peninsula communities include Soldotna with six cases and Kenai with one case.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)