Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. River City Books participated in the 2020 shop local program in Soldotna. The city is bringing the program back for a second time this holiday season. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna shop local returns for 2nd year

The city council set aside $350,000 in leftover CARES funds for the program.

Jessie Duke, of Soldotna, browses books with 7-month-old Danny Dommek on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, at River City Books in Soldotna, Alaska. River City Books participated in the 2020 shop local program in Soldotna. The city is bringing the program back for a second time this holiday season. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Set-net rules for Cook Inlet could be eased

The board voted to deliberate on an adopted proposal to amend the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan.

A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

State Trooper arrested on charges of domestic violence

The Wasilla and Kenai police departments investigated the allegations.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough looks to tap rescue funds for projects

About $3.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act was allocated for “pay-go” infrastructure projects.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH sees fewer COVID patients as statewide cases recede

On Monday, there were only 37 total inpatients with fewer than 11 COVID patients.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 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)

Fisherman challenge EEZ closure

The closure affects an area of Cook Inlet 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)
Delana Green fields questions from a panel of judges during a “Spark Soldotna” event at the Lone Moose Lodge on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Taking it to the next level

Local entrepreneurs take their ideas to the ‘Shark Tank’

Delana Green fields questions from a panel of judges during a “Spark Soldotna” event at the Lone Moose Lodge on Friday, Nov. 12, 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.
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District changes substitute requirements amid shortage

The changes are focused on streamlining the application process.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal served as a navigational beacon for generations of mariners. Local volunteers are working to preserve it for future generations of lighthouse enthusiasts. (Courtesy Photo/Matthew York)

Local volunteers work to restore, preserve and share historic lighthouse

The structure is the oldest surviving octagonal frame original lighthouse in the state.

Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal served as a navigational beacon for generations of mariners. Local volunteers are working to preserve it for future generations of lighthouse enthusiasts. (Courtesy Photo/Matthew York)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Murkowski to run in 2022; Trump backs rival

So far, she has outraised her Trump-backed opponent Kelly Tshibaka, according to fundraising reports.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases, hospitalizations down from last week

Alaska still holds the spot for the most COVID cases per capita in the country.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna seeks to create mobile recreation unit

The unit would be funded with roughly $50,000 in grant funds.

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Associated Press
A Utah doctor is accused of lying to get a high-elevation helicopter to rescue him off the tallest mountain in North America and then destroying evidence.

Utah doctor accused of lying for Denali helicopter rescue

Dr. Jason Lance was charged Tuesday with three misdemeanors from his May attempt to summit Denali.

Associated Press
A Utah doctor is accused of lying to get a high-elevation helicopter to rescue him off the tallest mountain in North America and then destroying evidence.
Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council gets rundown on new voting systems

Alaska will be the first U.S. state to hold both an open primary and a ranked choice general election in the same year.

Alaskans for Better Elections Executive Director Jason Grenn presents on upcoming changes to Alaska elections during a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Remembering the costs of war, veterans ring bell for peace

Celebrating Armistice Day, Veterans for Peace honors those lost in wars.

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran’s for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It’s so important that we honor our vets’

Community members gather to honor veterans’ sacrifices.

Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)

New boundaries, shortened terms for local senators after redistricting

The board paired new Alaska State House Districts with Senate districts Wednesday.

The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)