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Rep. Chris Kurka, R-Wasilla, leaves the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, March 19, 2021, after an hour of delays concerning the wording on his mask. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Chris Kurka, R-Wasilla, leaves the chambers of the Alaska House of Representatives on Friday, March 19, 2021, after an hour of delays concerning the wording on his mask. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
(image via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Soldotna company settles with EPA for $130,000

The company was accused of violating the Safe Drinking Water Act

(image via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai departments aim to save time, money

The city’s “Efficiencies Report” details specific plans from each department on how they saved either time or money.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

COVID update: Senior vacciation rate nears 70% statewide

Nearly one in four eligible Alaska residents — 24.8% — were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday. That milestone comes the week after Alaska… Continue reading

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

Vaccine hesitancy among local health care workers mirrors national trends

CPH will continue to follow up with employees to see if they are interested in being vaccinated.

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Benjamin Jackinsky (left) and Sarah O’Brien work at Already Read on Feb. 19, in Kenai.

Trends: Shop local programs a hit with businesses, consumers

Soldotna was the first city on the peninsula to offer a shop local program, which went live at the end of 2020.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Benjamin Jackinsky (left) and Sarah O’Brien work at Already Read on Feb. 19, in Kenai.
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce presents local advocate Nona Safra with an exemplary service award Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Local senior advocate honored for her work

Nona Safra sits on the board of the Alaska Commission on Aging.

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce presents local advocate Nona Safra with an exemplary service award Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
CDC photo

DHSS: 157 new cases

The new cases bring Alaska’s statewide case total to 61,089.

CDC photo
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)

Vaccinations continue to climb

More than half of peninsula seniors — 52.30% — are fully vaccinated.

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)
The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Kenai extends disaster declaration to end of May

The declaration was first issued on March 18, 2020 and has since been extended six times.

The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai shop local program extended 1 month

As of March 3, more than $55,000 in vouchers had already been distributed and more than 50 businesses were signed up to participate.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer office of the Division of Motor Vehicles is seen after hours on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

House subcommittee grills officials on plan to close DMV offices

‘I really doubt it’s going to pass,’ Vance said of governor’s idea to close rural locations

The Homer office of the Division of Motor Vehicles is seen after hours on Monday, March 15, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Not if, but when’

All of the trees at 3 Friends Dog Park must be removed, report says

Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The MV Matanuska awaits repairs at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday as lawmakers at the state Capitol debated whether the Alaska Marine Highway System was actually a highway. A bill that would shape long-term planning for the system passed out of committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bill that would reshape AMHS leadership moves forward

Ideological divide over the word ‘highway.’

The MV Matanuska awaits repairs at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday as lawmakers at the state Capitol debated whether the Alaska Marine Highway System was actually a highway. A bill that would shape long-term planning for the system passed out of committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Back in green

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns 1 year after COVID-19 cancellation.

Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A large tarp hangs in the Homer High School gymnasium to catch water leaking through the roof at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Doug Waclawski)
A large tarp hangs in the Homer High School gymnasium to catch water leaking through the roof at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Doug Waclawski)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Heritage Place looks to reopen Monday after employee tests positive for COVID-19

A second test taken by the employee came back negative.

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)
Members of the community give public testimony about a Homer City Council resolution dealing with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s proposal to repeal the ban on personal watercraft in critical habitat areas of Kachemak Bay during the Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 council meeting at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Conservation groups question Jet Ski regulation process in letter

Environmentalists allege Jet Ski ban repeal was tarnished.

Members of the community give public testimony about a Homer City Council resolution dealing with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s proposal to repeal the ban on personal watercraft in critical habitat areas of Kachemak Bay during the Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 council meeting at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
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)

More than 30% of peninsula residents 16 and older have had at least 1 vaccine dose

More than half of peninsula seniors — 51.86% — are fully vaccinated.

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)
The Juneau School District, it's headquarters seen here in this Juneau Empire file photo, will receive a portion of Alaska's more than $358 million in federal relief money for schools. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
The Juneau School District, it's headquarters seen here in this Juneau Empire file photo, will receive a portion of Alaska's more than $358 million in federal relief money for schools. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)