Alaska road maintenance crews conduct avalanche clearing work along the Seward Highway on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 near Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Wintry weather causes avalanches around Southcentral

At least two avalanches, as well as excessive snow, caused road closures Friday

Alaska road maintenance crews conduct avalanche clearing work along the Seward Highway on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 near Girdwood, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

As COVID cases drop, long-term questions remain

As COVID-19 cases are falling in Alaska and nationwide once again, health officials are pondering what other kinds of health implications survivors of the disease… Continue reading

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
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Local bands to celebrate anti-Valentine’s Day

Now that cupid’s day is in the rearview mirror this year, local bands are reclaiming Saturday as anti-Valentine’s Day. Ben Mattox, the lead singer and… Continue reading

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Richard Dowling poses with a piano. (Photo provided by Richard Dowling)

Performing Arts Society returns with piano concert

After rescheduling for two years and a long trip from the East Coast this week, Richard Dowling is back Saturday for the Performing Arts Society’s… Continue reading

Richard Dowling poses with a piano. (Photo provided by Richard Dowling)
From left, Tiana McGahan, Aaron Hughes, Victor Thompson, McKayla Chadburn and Dawn Rimer keep warm around the fire during the 2020 Frozen RiverFest at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska on Feb. 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Frozen RiverFest returns Saturday

Beer, cider and cocoa around a bonfire — what could be more fitting for a central Kenai Peninsula winter? This year’s Frozen RiverFest will have… Continue reading

From left, Tiana McGahan, Aaron Hughes, Victor Thompson, McKayla Chadburn and Dawn Rimer keep warm around the fire during the 2020 Frozen RiverFest at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska on Feb. 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference on Thursday in Juneau. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy reiterates budget priorities from Juneau

The governor has emphasized public safety, the PFD and education

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference on Thursday in Juneau. (Photo courtesy Kevin Goodman, Office of the Governor)
Kenai City Council member Deborah Sounart deliberates at the body’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member Deborah Sounart deliberates at the body’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly member Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Split assembly voices opposition to proposed statewide sales tax

The resolution approved Tuesday opposes the implementation of a statewide sales tax in Alaska

Assembly member Tyson Cox speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Icy conditions prompt closures across central, southern peninsula

The conditions follow several days of adverse conditions

Freezing rain creates icy conditions on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Management Agent Dakota Truitt presents the borough’s new timber harvesting program to the Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough proposes timber sale, forest plans as part of spruce bark beetle mitigation

The program was presented to the Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly Tuesday

Kenai Peninsula Borough Land Management Agent Dakota Truitt presents the borough’s new timber harvesting program to the Kenai Peninsula Borough assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A health care worker holds a vial of Sotrovimab, a covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment. (ice_blue/Shutterstock)

Officials report new COVID deaths, emphasize early treatment options

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported 27 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, pushing the total to 1,108 Alaska resident deaths since the pandemic… Continue reading

A health care worker holds a vial of Sotrovimab, a covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment. (ice_blue/Shutterstock)
Nathan Erfurth speaks before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Nathan Erfurth speaks before the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce attends the March 2, 2021, borough assembly meeting at the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers at the Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

First meeting of assembly gravel pit group postponed

The group was created to review the borough’s material site permitting codes

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce attends the March 2, 2021, borough assembly meeting at the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers at the Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The forecast shows a wintry mix of precipitation through Feb. 16, 2022. (Photo taken from the National Weather Service Twitter)

Wintry mix headed to Southcentral

A wintry mix is expected in Southcentral Alaska through Wednesday as temperatures warm up, according to the National Weather Service. The warm weather front is… Continue reading

The forecast shows a wintry mix of precipitation through Feb. 16, 2022. (Photo taken from the National Weather Service Twitter)
KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes (left) gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School district budget forums offered this week

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is inviting community members to give input on the district’s fiscal year 2023 budget process through four budget forums… Continue reading

KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes (left) gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

City of Seward says commission was not authorized to solicit public funds for project

The project would create a walking tour of historic properties in Seward

Signs direct visitors at Seward City Hall on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Computers, Wi-Fi available for checkout at Soldotna library

The technology was made available through federal grant funds

Ryanna Thurman uses a holds locker at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/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)

More snow, traffic delays expected for Southcentral

Motorists traveling on some sections of the Seward Highway should expect intermittent traffic delays of up to 45 minutes Wednesday, as state maintenance crews conduct… Continue reading

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)
A DHSS map shows every region of Alaska to be at "high" COVID-19 alert level. (Screenshot)

State reports 1,800 COVID cases over the weekend

The cases include some reported in peninsula communities

A DHSS map shows every region of Alaska to be at "high" COVID-19 alert level. (Screenshot)
Heather Rinke, RaChelle Gruenberg, Sara Bundy and Becky Hart won best costume for "Golden Girls" at the Ski for Women on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Ski for Women sees 83 finishers

It’s not often a drop in the number of finishers at an event like the 18th Ski for Women counts as progress, but an exception… Continue reading

Heather Rinke, RaChelle Gruenberg, Sara Bundy and Becky Hart won best costume for "Golden Girls" at the Ski for Women on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)