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Soldotna High School English teacher Nicole Hewitt teaches her students remotely from her empty classroom at Soldotna High School on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Everyone is learning a new way to learn’

Teachers, students adapt to online school during pandemic

Soldotna High School English teacher Nicole Hewitt teaches her students remotely from her empty classroom at Soldotna High School on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Thursday, April 9, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

8th Alaskan dies of COVID-19, Kenai reports its 3rd case

11 new cases reported Saturday, bringing state total to 257

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Thursday, April 9, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
A kit used to collect samples that are tested for COVID-19 is seen at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula receives federal aid to tackle COVID-19 pandemic

Several local organizations are receiving financial help and resources to boost area public health capabilities and increase testing capacities. The federal government recently sent the… Continue reading

A kit used to collect samples that are tested for COVID-19 is seen at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
1st wildfire of season sparked near Homer

1st wildfire of season sparked near Homer

State Forestry firefighters received a call regarding a fire off East Hill Road on Wednesday.

1st wildfire of season sparked near Homer
A sign announcing the closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools at K-Beach Elementary can be seen on March 26, 2020, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Educators raise concerns about virtual school contract

The state entered into a half-million dollar contract with an online school.

A sign announcing the closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools at K-Beach Elementary can be seen on March 26, 2020, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Pastor Meredith Harber of Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen here giving a sermon on Facebook live on March 29, 2020. (Screenshot by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Scattered, but not shattered’

Churches find ways to celebrate Easter holiday amid lockdown

Pastor Meredith Harber of Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen here giving a sermon on Facebook live on March 29, 2020. (Screenshot by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum speaks during a Tuesday, April 7, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State extends school closure through academic year

9 new cases, but no new deaths or hospitalizations reported Thursday

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum speaks during a Tuesday, April 7, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
In this Monday, March 2, 2020, file photo, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum addresses the state’s coronavirus preparedness at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has placed surgical abortions on a list of procedures that could be postponed to help conserve personal protective equipment for health care workers amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Dunleavy says abortion decision not political

“The decisions right now are broad, and they’re hard.”

In this Monday, March 2, 2020, file photo, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum addresses the state’s coronavirus preparedness at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. The state of Alaska has placed surgical abortions on a list of procedures that could be postponed to help conserve personal protective equipment for health care workers amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Fishermen trying to salvage season amid COVID-19 pandemic

Facing an uncertain future as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, Alaska’s commercial fishing industry is looking ahead to the upcoming season with determination to salvage… Continue reading

Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A sign announcing the closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools at K-Beach Elementary can be seen on March 26, 2020, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

School board passes budget

It’s unclear how the global pandemic will impact the district’s bottom line.

A sign announcing the closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools at K-Beach Elementary can be seen on March 26, 2020, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Server Taleasha Shane of Soldotna swaps out growlers with a customer Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska. Shane has worked for the brewery for about four years and said business has been picking up in the last week. “The community is awesome. They’ve been tipping well. They know the servers are losing customers and money. It’s hard.” (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Crafty survival

Local craft brewers adjust to coronavirus restrictions

Server Taleasha Shane of Soldotna swaps out growlers with a customer Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna, Alaska. Shane has worked for the brewery for about four years and said business has been picking up in the last week. “The community is awesome. They’ve been tipping well. They know the servers are losing customers and money. It’s hard.” (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Friday, April 3, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Officer of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Zink: Assume virus is in communities

Alaska reports 1 death, 13 new cases

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink on Friday, April 3, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Officer of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Soldotna United Methodist Church in Soldotna, Alaska, invites worshippers online with a sign seen Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

State: Drive-in, virtual religious services OK

New health alert offers guidelines to local organizations on safe ways to practice their faith.

Soldotna United Methodist Church in Soldotna, Alaska, invites worshippers online with a sign seen Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

All burn permits suspended starting May 1

The suspension aims to mitigate some of the challenges firefighting agencies may face this summer.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Beaver Loop to close for construction next week

Beaver Loop to close for construction next week

Beaver Loop Road to be closed 6 a.m. Monday, April 13 until 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

Beaver Loop to close for construction next week
photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion                                Emergency room technician Angie Sulley (left) and nurse Marcie Duncan put on the personal protective equipment necessary for interacting with patients suspected of having COVID-19 in the ambulance bay outside of the emergency department at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna on Tuesday.

‘There’s no book for this’

Central Peninsula Hospital preps for new coronavirus

photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion                                Emergency room technician Angie Sulley (left) and nurse Marcie Duncan put on the personal protective equipment necessary for interacting with patients suspected of having COVID-19 in the ambulance bay outside of the emergency department at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna on Tuesday.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on the budget on April 7, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. He later met with reporters to speak about 22 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)

Alaska sees surge in COVID-19 cases

No new deaths or hospitalizations

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on the budget on April 7, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. He later met with reporters to speak about 22 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)
A RavinAir sign can be seen at a kiosk at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The company announced Thursday they were cutting all service by 90%. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ravn shuts down, files for bankruptcy

25 locals who worked for Ravn in the terminal and in cargo were laid off this week.

A RavinAir sign can be seen at a kiosk at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The company announced Thursday they were cutting all service by 90%. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy (center) speaks with Edward Graham (left) of Samaritan’s Purse, as two other Samaritan’s Purse staff members watch. Dunleavy met the crew and staff of the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport as they offloaded thousands of pounds of medical supplies bound for rural Alaska.

4th COVID-19 case reported in Soldotna

Over the weekend, there were three deaths of Alaska residents due to COVID-19 reported by the state.

Photo courtesy Office of the Governor                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy (center) speaks with Edward Graham (left) of Samaritan’s Purse, as two other Samaritan’s Purse staff members watch. Dunleavy met the crew and staff of the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport as they offloaded thousands of pounds of medical supplies bound for rural Alaska.
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Sixth COVID-19 death reported for Alaska

The latest death is of a 71-year-old Anchorage resident.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)