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Elia Samuelson, left, of Bethel is announced as the winner of a $49,000 scholarship for the third week of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. His mother Carol also won $10,000 cash. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Fairbanks man, Bethel teen win this week’s vaccine lottery

“Give AK a Shot” awards funds to one newly vaccinated adult resident and one newly vaccinated child resident.

Elia Samuelson, left, of Bethel is announced as the winner of a $49,000 scholarship for the third week of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. His mother Carol also won $10,000 cash. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The very first FreeWire ultrafast Electric Vehicle charger in Alaska was installed at AJ's Steakhouse last week. The charging station is the first of nine EV charging stations that will connect Homer to Fairbanks. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Fast-charging station for electric vehicles installed at AJ’s OldTown Steakhouse

New charging station installed with grant support from Alaska Energy Authority.

The very first FreeWire ultrafast Electric Vehicle charger in Alaska was installed at AJ's Steakhouse last week. The charging station is the first of nine EV charging stations that will connect Homer to Fairbanks. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Version 3 of the Alaska Redistricting Board’s proposal for the Kenai Peninsula keeps intact most of District 31, now called District 6, but puts the Fritz Creek and Fox River areas into a new District 5 that includes the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and Kodiak Island. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Redistricting Board)

Board seeking input on maps redrawing state, peninsula legislative districts

The Alaska State Redistricting Board will collect public input on six maps.

Version 3 of the Alaska Redistricting Board’s proposal for the Kenai Peninsula keeps intact most of District 31, now called District 6, but puts the Fritz Creek and Fox River areas into a new District 5 that includes the southern shore of Kachemak Bay and Kodiak Island. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Redistricting Board)
KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Building opportunity from the ground up

Development district works with local operations to hone goals, find funding.

KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
(Image courtesy CDC)

State reports dwindling monoclonal antibody supply

Some shipments on backorder started to arrive Thursday, but supplies are still limited.

(Image courtesy CDC)
Christine Hill cuts out yellow Stars of David before an Anchorage Assembly meeting where the body heard public testimony from people about a proposed mask mandate on Wednesday in Anchorage. Hill, who is opposed to a mask mandate, had printed out the stars at home and was handing them out for others to wear during the meeting. She said she wore a star as a comparison to the oppression and genocide of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson apologized Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, for his comments supporting some residents’ use of Holocaust imagery to liken a proposed citywide mask mandate to the oppression of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Bronson apologizes for backing use of Holocaust imagery

He defended the use of the yellow stars, with the words “Do not comply,” worn by some attendees opposing the mask mandate.

Christine Hill cuts out yellow Stars of David before an Anchorage Assembly meeting where the body heard public testimony from people about a proposed mask mandate on Wednesday in Anchorage. Hill, who is opposed to a mask mandate, had printed out the stars at home and was handing them out for others to wear during the meeting. She said she wore a star as a comparison to the oppression and genocide of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson apologized Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, for his comments supporting some residents’ use of Holocaust imagery to liken a proposed citywide mask mandate to the oppression of Jewish people in Nazi Germany. (Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Community members participate in a walk-in at Seward Elementary School on Monday, Sept. 27 in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Erfurth)

Seward walk-in supports COVID mitigation strategies

In a post shared to the KPEA Facebook page Monday, the group reiterated the shortcomings of the district’s current mitigation plan.

Community members participate in a walk-in at Seward Elementary School on Monday, Sept. 27 in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Erfurth)
Tables and chairs are set up outside of Everything Bagels on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn OՈara/Peninsula Clarion)

Outdoor dining expands in Soldotna

Opportunities to dine outdoors in Soldotna just became a lot more plentiful. That’s thanks to a program offered by the City of Soldotna that offered… Continue reading

Tables and chairs are set up outside of Everything Bagels on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn OՈara/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Students struggle to hit 50% proficiency locally, statewide

Yearly standardized testing results for Alaska’s third through ninth grade students show higher overall proficiency rates in math and English among local students than statewide… Continue reading

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)
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, photographed on Feb. 26, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Former Pop Warner president indicted for fraud, theft

The former president of the nonprofit Kenai Peninsula Pop Warner football club was indicted by a Kenai grand jury on counts of theft and fraudulent… Continue reading

The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, photographed on Feb. 26, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreal at the Residence in Mission (TRIM). (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 1,009 cases, 4 deaths from COVID

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported another four COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, which pushes the statewide total to 546 since the pandemic began.… Continue reading

Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreal at the Residence in Mission (TRIM). (Image courtesy CDC)
A bear feasts on the salmon run at Katmai National Park and Preserve on July 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)

Bears show off full bellies at Katmai for Fat Bear Week

The bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve are preparing to show the world their beefy bodies starting today for this year’s Fat Bear Week.… Continue reading

A bear feasts on the salmon run at Katmai National Park and Preserve on July 13, 2021. (Courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a meeting with members of his cabinet at the Aspen Hotel on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy holds cabinet meeting in Soldotna

Soldotna’s Aspen Hotel hosted Gov. Mike Dunleavy and members of his cabinet Tuesday morning, when the group convened for a routine meeting. The meeting was… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a meeting with members of his cabinet at the Aspen Hotel on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chinook salmon jump and swim over a weir in the Cook Slough on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in Silvana, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Marine safety association launches COVID vaccine campaign for commercial fishermen

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association launched a new COVID-19 vaccination promotional campaign Tuesday, with the goal of encouraging more commercial fishermen to get their… Continue reading

Chinook salmon jump and swim over a weir in the Cook Slough on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in Silvana, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
natural gas

ENSTAR says Kenai smell is harmless

Work by ENSTAR Natural Gas Company caused a smell near Kenai Spur Highway and Main Street Loop in Kenai on Tuesday, the energy company wrote… Continue reading

natural gas
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Man gets 100 years in prison in sexual assault case

The Kenai Superior Court sentenced Kevin Tuckfield, 35, to serve 100 years for sexual assault in the first degree and assault in the third degree… Continue reading

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
FILE - In this May 14, 2013, file photo, the Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington is photographed early in the morning. The Justice Department said Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, that it would work toward providing families of 9/11 victims with more information about the run-up to the attacks as part of a federal lawsuit that aims to hold the Saudi government accountable. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)

Kasilof man indicited for interstate death threats

A Kasilof man arrested earlier this month in connection with sending interstate death threats was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alaska, the United… Continue reading

FILE - In this May 14, 2013, file photo, the Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington is photographed early in the morning. The Justice Department said Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, that it would work toward providing families of 9/11 victims with more information about the run-up to the attacks as part of a federal lawsuit that aims to hold the Saudi government accountable. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)
A map shows the location of a safety corridor project along the Sterling Highway between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo courtesy of DOT&PF)

State seeks business input for safety corridor

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said Monday it is working with business owners along the Sterling Highway to minimize the impact proposed… Continue reading

A map shows the location of a safety corridor project along the Sterling Highway between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo courtesy of DOT&PF)
Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)

Alaska reports 4,025 COVID cases over weekend

Alaska had the most per-capita COVID-19 cases in the country again Monday, as the Department of Health and Social Services reported an additional 4,025 new… Continue reading

Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Search for Eagle River hiker ongoing

A 74-year-old hiker who did not arrive at his planned destination was still missing Monday, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers. Gary… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.