COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

More omicron cases reported

Alaska will no longer offer testing at airports in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau beginning Feb. 1.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Matanuska delayed as repair work continues

Jan. 24 sailing to Bellingham canceled.

This photo shows the stern of the MV Matanuska on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council to consider additional funds for dog park

The additional $65,000 would be support design and construction needs

Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Shortest day behind us, peninsula gaining light

The central peninsula received less than six hours of daylight during the winter solstice on Tuesday, which officially marked the end of fall. While the… Continue reading

A sticker promoting COVID mitigation measures is photographed at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Clarion file)

COVID, year 2

Vaccines, new strains, protests and hospital overflows marked 2021’s volatile year

A sticker promoting COVID mitigation measures is photographed at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (Clarion file)
The Homer Police Station as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Man killed in Tuesday crash

Single-vehicle crash on Sterling Highway killed Drew Brown, 25, after he was thrown from truck.

The Homer Police Station as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A beach on the eastern side of Cook Inlet is photographed at Clam Gulch, Alaska, in June 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

High clam mortality rate forces closure on east Cook Inlet next year

The closure prohibits harvesting any clam species from the mouth of the Kenai River to the southernmost tip of the Homer Spit.

A beach on the eastern side of Cook Inlet is photographed at Clam Gulch, Alaska, in June 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)

Soldotna to receive funds from state fish tax program

The amount of money received this fiscal year will be determined, in part, by population.

A man fishes in the Kenai River on July 16, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion/file)
A graphic shows the enrollment numbers for the Kenai Peninsula School District from 2016 to 2021. (Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara)
A graphic shows the enrollment numbers for the Kenai Peninsula School District from 2016 to 2021. (Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara)
Certified nursing assistant KaDaisjah Roberts, left, and nurse Debbie Aubin, right, work at the “Y” vaccine clinic in Soldotna on Dec. 22, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘An enormous help’

Alaska’s temporary health care workers head home after COVID surge

Certified nursing assistant KaDaisjah Roberts, left, and nurse Debbie Aubin, right, work at the “Y” vaccine clinic in Soldotna on Dec. 22, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

Municipalities still working to oppose EEZ closure

The waters in question run from south of Kalgin Island to about Anchor Point

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
This chart in the Dec. 13, 2021, Homer City Manager’s Report shows a general increasing trend for third-quarter sales tax revenues. Revenues declined for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but set a record for 20201. (Chart by City of Homer Finance Department)

Homer sets record for sales tax revenues

Third-quarter sales taxes are 85% of projected revenues for budget.

This chart in the Dec. 13, 2021, Homer City Manager’s Report shows a general increasing trend for third-quarter sales tax revenues. Revenues declined for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but set a record for 20201. (Chart by City of Homer Finance Department)
A sign advertising job openings is seen at the Soldotna Post Office on June 27, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Region sees some economic recovery; job numbers still lag overall

The Kenai Peninsula reported 500 more jobs in November 2021 compared to November 2020.

A sign advertising job openings is seen at the Soldotna Post Office on June 27, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
usda.gov

Feds fund peninsula energy efficiency efforts

The initiative is part of the Build Back Better agenda under the Biden-Harris administration.

usda.gov
Drew Slegers, a fourth grader at Soldotna Elementary, snowshoes on Headquarters Lake just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Solstice snowshoe

Celebrating 80 years of refuge

Drew Slegers, a fourth grader at Soldotna Elementary, snowshoes on Headquarters Lake just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital full as omicron threat looms

The facility was operating at 106% Monday, even without a lot of COVID hospitalizations.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Sara Bieber, Gulf Coast manager of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, speaks to the Central Peninsula Young Professionals at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Workforce rep offers insight to young entrepreneurs

The group aims to connect entrepreneurs aged 21 to 39 with the resources they need to build and grow their enterprises.

Sara Bieber, Gulf Coast manager of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, speaks to the Central Peninsula Young Professionals at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
(Screenshot courtesy of the Alaska Earthquake Center)

Magnitude 5.9 quake shakes southcentral

The epicenter was seven miles west of Iliamna Volcano

(Screenshot courtesy of the Alaska Earthquake Center)
Homer Volunteer Fire Department firefighters respond to a natural gasline break on Lake Street at the Beluga Lake causeway at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Gasline break shuts down Homer street

Road over lake was closed in both directions.

Homer Volunteer Fire Department firefighters respond to a natural gasline break on Lake Street at the Beluga Lake causeway at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases down, but officials urge vaccination against omicron

The state reported an average of 159.1 cases per 100,000 people across the state cumulatively over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)