Informatin about Cook Inletkeeper is displayed next to artwork for sale as part of the “ART Sale 258” at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Artists raise awareness about inlet lease sale

The proposed Lease Sale 258 includes about 224 blocks covering more than 1 million acres of seafloor.

Informatin about Cook Inletkeeper is displayed next to artwork for sale as part of the “ART Sale 258” at the Cook Inletkeeper Community Action Studio on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Central Peninsula Hospital Pharmacy Technician Jessica Hulet rolls a cart carrying doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine into Central Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

1 year after vaccine, push against virus continues

A Toyota Sienna minivan delivered the peninsula’s first COVID shots to Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna on Dec. 16 last year.

Central Peninsula Hospital Pharmacy Technician Jessica Hulet rolls a cart carrying doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine into Central Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Jacquelynn Tomrdle, left, and Nicole Murphy, right, present on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Students in Transition program at the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors award ceremony at Kenai Catering on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Happiest time’

Realtors donate holiday gifts to at-risk kids.

Jacquelynn Tomrdle, left, and Nicole Murphy, right, present on behalf of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Students in Transition program at the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors award ceremony at Kenai Catering on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) consult during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara)

Assembly approves sweeping changes to planning commission

The changes come after months of contention over the process for approving new members to the commission.

Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) consult during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara)
The film “Finding Balance” directed by Santino “Tino” Martirano will be featured in the upcoming Backcountry Film Festival hosted by Tsalteshi Trails Association at the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday. (Courtesy of David Julian and the Winter Wildlands Alliance)

Tsalteshi to feature films from Backcountry Film Festival at meeting

The films range from extreme sports to outdoor winter hobbies, while also promoting sustainable recreation.

The film “Finding Balance” directed by Santino “Tino” Martirano will be featured in the upcoming Backcountry Film Festival hosted by Tsalteshi Trails Association at the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday. (Courtesy of David Julian and the Winter Wildlands Alliance)
Snow on Heath Street is blown into a truck, which will later be dumped near Public Works. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Storm wallops Homer

Blizzard clogged roads, shut down school and buried southern peninsula.

Snow on Heath Street is blown into a truck, which will later be dumped near Public Works. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Missing hunter found dead in Whittier

The man and a companion were hunting deer and seals on Esther Island in Prince William Sound, troopers said.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A truck carries snow recently plowed in Homer, Alaska, on Dec. 7, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Another winter storm heads toward peninsula

A winter storm warning was issued Thursday

A truck carries snow recently plowed in Homer, Alaska, on Dec. 7, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Assembly Vice President Brent Hibbert prepares to vote on legislation during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly nixes in-person Seward, Homer meetings

Supporters said the meetings offer the opportunity for assembly members to make important in-person connections.

Assembly Vice President Brent Hibbert prepares to vote on legislation during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Astronaut Candidate Deniz Burnham, of ASCAN Class of 2021, poses for an official photo on Dec. 3, 2021. (Robert Markowitz / NASA)
Astronaut Candidate Deniz Burnham, of ASCAN Class of 2021, poses for an official photo on Dec. 3, 2021. (Robert Markowitz / NASA)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

1 hunter dead, another missing after boat hits rough seas off Whittier

The pair were reportedly hunting on Wednesday on Esther Island in Prince William Sound.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Debris from a large natural avalanche that occurred Monday, Dec. 6, can be seen along the Seward Highway. (Photo courtesy Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center)

Winter weather brings hazardous conditions to peninsula

On Tuesday, the Chugach Avalanche Center announced “very dangerous avalanche conditions.”

Debris from a large natural avalanche that occurred Monday, Dec. 6, can be seen along the Seward Highway. (Photo courtesy Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center)
A joint investigation between the FBI and Canadian law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of a Canadian man for cybercrimes on Nov. 30, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Canadian man indicted in international cybercrime case

His attacks targeted State of Alaska computers as well as Canadian ones.

A joint investigation between the FBI and Canadian law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of a Canadian man for cybercrimes on Nov. 30, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital puts vaccine mandates on hold

A federal lawsuit challenging the ruling has temporarily blocked its enforcement.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
The remains of the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski are seen on Feb. 22.

Triumvirate awarded $1 million to replace destroyed building

Triumvirate’s former building burned down Feb. 20.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
The remains of the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski are seen on Feb. 22.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Lawmakers, school board talk Juneau priorities

Lawmakers were invited for an “open discussion” about the upcoming legislative session.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.