State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin speaks during a press briefing by the Alaska State Department of Public Health on Dec. 16, 2021. (Screenshot)

‘Yes, this pandemic will end’

But it’s going to take proactive work, health officials say

State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin speaks during a press briefing by the Alaska State Department of Public Health on Dec. 16, 2021. (Screenshot)
Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Oct. 26. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials.

Council OKs library grant at the center of censorship controversy

The new council gave unanimous approval to the legislation on Wednesday.

Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Oct. 26. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials.
Rep. Ben Carpenter facilitates a town hall in Nikiski, Alaska, about a new cold weather shelter in the community on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Organizers respond to community concerns over Nikiski shelter

The shelter is located off the Kenai Spur Highway in Nikiski and has been years in the making.

Rep. Ben Carpenter facilitates a town hall in Nikiski, Alaska, about a new cold weather shelter in the community on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen here at an Aug. 16, 2021 news conference. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Governor revisits proposal to divide DHSS

The move would create a Department of Health and a Department of Family and Community Services.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is seen here at an Aug. 16, 2021 news conference. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
From left, Sophia Micciche, Luci Micciche and Terri Burdick perform during the Triumvirate Theatre’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lioin, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Triumvirate brings Narnia to life

The acclaimed tale follows four siblings who discover a snowy fantasy world beyond the doors of an antique wardrobe.

From left, Sophia Micciche, Luci Micciche and Terri Burdick perform during the Triumvirate Theatre’s rehearsal of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lioin, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Image via State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

‘Urgent’ need to address youth mental health in Alaska

In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for young adults ages 15 to 24 in Alaska.

Image via State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about the proposed State of Alaska fiscal year 2023 operating and capital budget on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy releases $11 billion budget plan

The Kenai Bluff Stabilization project is among those that would receive funding

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about the proposed State of Alaska fiscal year 2023 operating and capital budget on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Eastern peninsula COVID cases decline

COVID cases on the eastern peninsula have been rapidly declining since late September.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A GoFundMe page created to help Mathany Satterwhite after her house burned down features a photo of the log cabin on fire. (Screenshot)

House fire victims thankful to be alive

A GoFundMe is taking donations for the victims

A GoFundMe page created to help Mathany Satterwhite after her house burned down features a photo of the log cabin on fire. (Screenshot)
The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

City of Homer joins Upper Cook Inlet fishing closure litigation

City council voted to submit an amicus brief concerning the closure

The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Kenai Watershed Forum Education Specialist Megan Pike, left, explains how rivers impact their surroundings during a demonstration given at the Donald E. Gilman River Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘You’re in this watershed’

Demonstration table shows how water affects peninsula geography.

Kenai Watershed Forum Education Specialist Megan Pike, left, explains how rivers impact their surroundings during a demonstration given at the Donald E. Gilman River Center on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is photographed on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Skating recital returns after almost 2 years

The skating recital is a full-costume performance to music.

The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex is photographed on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A polar bear is displayed inside of the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Airport in final phases of sand storage project

The approximately 5,600-square-foot building is slated for completion in the spring or summer of 2022.

A polar bear is displayed inside of the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC’s board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking ‘why?’ (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell was fired as CEO on Dec. 10 by APFC’s board, a decision which has lawmakers and others asking ‘why?’ (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the “People First Iniative,” a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 press conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

‘This state should be involved in the safety of its people’

Governor unveils effort to tackle domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness

Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the “People First Iniative,” a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 press conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
This Sept. 7, 2007, file photo shows Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” docked in Seward, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, proposed $5 million in new funding for Alaska’s tourism industry with money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)

State seeks to give tourism boost with federal funds

The funds, from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, will be included in the governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget.

This Sept. 7, 2007, file photo shows Royal Caribbean’s “Radiance of the Seas” docked in Seward, Alaska. Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, proposed $5 million in new funding for Alaska’s tourism industry with money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz, File)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Group highlights risks of constitutional convention

The process would be contentious and costly, the group said.

Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If voters choose to have a constitutional convention next year, the state’s foundational document could be rewritten entirely. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sabine Poux anchors KDLL’s evening news show on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. KDLL will add a reporter to its staff through the Report for America program. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

A new voice for the peninsula

New radio reporter to bring expanded community news coverage.

Sabine Poux anchors KDLL’s evening news show on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. KDLL will add a reporter to its staff through the Report for America program. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska reports its 1st omicron case

The case was reported in an Anchorage resident who had tested positive for the virus after traveling internationally.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
(Black Press File)

Alternatives sought for tobacco-related school suspensions

Tobacco policy violations accounted for more than 1,800 days lost from school in Alaska in the 2018-2019 school year.

(Black Press File)