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The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building photographed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Top priorities for CARES funds include businesses, nonprofits, seniors

The borough allocated its nearly $37.5 million in CARES Act dollars toward 24 different projects

The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building photographed on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Mike Barnhill, deputy commisioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, speaks following the drawing of names during the second annual PFD Education Raffle. During the event, state officials and lawmakers wore masks with an education raffle logo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Mike Barnhill, deputy commisioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue, speaks following the drawing of names during the second annual PFD Education Raffle. During the event, state officials and lawmakers wore masks with an education raffle logo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Staff, lawmakers and members of the press gather for the first Senate Judiciary Committee meeting of the 32nd Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. While Senators moved ahead with work, the House of Representatives was once again unable to organize. (Peter Segall /  Juneau Empire)

Deadlock continues as senators forge ahead

Only one member of the House Coalition — a 20-member group of mostly Democrats that also includes independents and a Republican — attended Wednesday’s floor session.

Staff, lawmakers and members of the press gather for the first Senate Judiciary Committee meeting of the 32nd Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. While Senators moved ahead with work, the House of Representatives was once again unable to organize. (Peter Segall /  Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

Borough positivity rate drops below 1%

Four new cases were reported on the peninsula, all in Seward

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
State officials brief members of the media on Tuesday, Jan. 26 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

1st case of UK COVID variant announced

The variant was detected in an Anchorage resident who tested positive last month

State officials brief members of the media on Tuesday, Jan. 26 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

AP sources: Biden to pause oil, gas sales on public lands

Environmental groups hailed the expected moratorium as the kind of bold, urgent action needed to slow climate change.

  • Jan 26, 2021
  • By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press
President Joe Biden answers questions from reporters in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Clayton Holland

Holland to be next superintendent

The board unanimously supported Holland, who will take over from O’Brien later this year

Clayton Holland
This photo shows a sign marking the Division of Motor Vehicles office in the Mendenhall Valley area of Juneau. Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka announced Monday that she was ordering a review of Division of Motor Vehicles’ processes to determine how plates reading “3REICH” were issued. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

State to investigate issuance of offensive license plate

Division of Motor Vehicles plans to investigate the issuance of “3REICH” personalized license plates

  • Jan 26, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
This photo shows a sign marking the Division of Motor Vehicles office in the Mendenhall Valley area of Juneau. Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka announced Monday that she was ordering a review of Division of Motor Vehicles’ processes to determine how plates reading “3REICH” were issued. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
EMT Jason Tauriainen administers a COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the Nikiski Senior Center)
EMT Jason Tauriainen administers a COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of the Nikiski Senior Center)
Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Clayton Holland (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)

Superintendent finalists share experience, visions

Ahead of interviews, the three candidates participated in QAs with the district’s communications director

Pegge Erkeneff (left) virtually interviews Dr. Clayton Holland (right) on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (screenshot)
Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

Homer High has 1st COVID-19 case since reopening

Close contacts have been quarantined; school schedule not interrupted

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 after presiding over yet another floor session in which lawmakers were unable to elect leadership. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer leaves the Alaska House of Representatives chamber Monday, Jan. 25, 2020 after presiding over yet another floor session in which lawmakers were unable to elect leadership. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
File

Seward reminds public about face mask requirement

The city has received complaints about people not adhering to the mask requirement

File
Kenai Peninsula Borough Superintendent John O’Brien (courtesy photo)

School board to interview superintendent candidates

The new superintendent, who will replace Superintendent John O’Brien, will begin serving on July 1.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Superintendent John O’Brien (courtesy photo)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He said he was hopeful about finding a path forward for the state and that he wanted better communication between the Legislature and the public. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘It must be done this year’: Senate president eyes fiscal plan

“We have to solve this problem.”

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, spoke with the Empire in his office at the Capitol on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. He said he was hopeful about finding a path forward for the state and that he wanted better communication between the Legislature and the public. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai passes voucher program to boost small business

The $350,000 program is dubbed “Shop Here all Year in Kenai”

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

Eastern peninsula students to return full time on Monday

Includes Seward Elementary, Seward Middle, Seward High and Moose Pass schools,

Image via Kenai Peninsula School District
Protesters march for women’s rights in Juneau in 2020. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced a bipartisan bill Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 to move forward the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, granting equal legal protection to the sexes, stalled in its ratification stage since 1972. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Murkowski co-sponsors bipartisan bill to affirm ratification of Equal Rights Amendment

Stalled since 1972, the ERA would guarantee equal legal protection to all sexes.

Protesters march for women’s rights in Juneau in 2020. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced a bipartisan bill Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 to move forward the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, granting equal legal protection to the sexes, stalled in its ratification stage since 1972. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Volunteers Bill Kelley and Frank Alioto prepare bags of food to be distributed during the upcoming Project Homeless Connect even at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 23, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

A community effort

Volunteers prepare for Project Homeless Connect

Volunteers Bill Kelley and Frank Alioto prepare bags of food to be distributed during the upcoming Project Homeless Connect even at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 23, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

CPH treating no COVID patients; more than 70,000 vaccinated

Central Peninsula Hospital was treating no patients who were COVID-positive for the first time in months

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)