In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. “And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens,” Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska records most daily COVID cases amid health care strain

By Mark Thiessen Associated Press ANCHORAGE — Alaska on Wednesday reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital… Continue reading

In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. “And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens,” Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Dividend payments expected in 30 days

Payments of $1,100 set for mid-October

Alaskans pick up and turn in Permanent Fund Dividend applications at the Department of Revenue office in the State Office Building in March 2011. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna to allow voters to fix affidavits

About 16 absentee ballots were rejected due to a variety of reasons in the 2020 elections.

A vote-by-mail ballot box is photographed at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska, in October 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital ‘dealing with’ overcapacity

Central Peninsula Hospital was operating at a 112% occupancy rate Wednesday morning.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
In this Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, file photo, a syringe containing a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits in a container during a vaccine clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, implemented crisis standards of care, prioritizing resources and treatments to those patients who have the potential to benefit the most.(Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool, File)

Alaska’s largest hospital implements crisis care standards

The emergency room is overflowing at Providence, with patients wait for hours in their cars to see a doctor for emergency care.

In this Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, file photo, a syringe containing a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits in a container during a vaccine clinic at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Overwhelmed by a surge in COVID-19 patients, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, implemented crisis standards of care, prioritizing resources and treatments to those patients who have the potential to benefit the most.(Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool, File)
Afghan refugees line up for food in a dining hall at Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Village, in New Mexico, where they are being housed, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Between 50 to 100 Afghans refugees are set to relocate to Alaska through the Catholic Social Services Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services’ resettlement program in Anchorage. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Afghan refugees to make their way to Alaska

People can send welcome letters or purchase items from the organization’s Amazon wish list if they want to give from afar.

Afghan refugees line up for food in a dining hall at Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Village, in New Mexico, where they are being housed, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Between 50 to 100 Afghans refugees are set to relocate to Alaska through the Catholic Social Services Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services’ resettlement program in Anchorage. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

7 more COVID deaths reported Tuesday

Deaths of 6 residents, 1 nonresident reported

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Senators converse during an At Ease in a floor session of the Alaska State Senate on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Senators passed a budget bill with a Permanent Fund Dividend of $1,100, but there’s disagreement over the fund sources that may lead to legal action. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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)

School board approves employee contracts, pay raises for school nurses

88% of KPEA’s voting members approved their contract and 99% of KPESA’s voting members approved their contract.

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)
Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in her office at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Hannan apologized Sunday for saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Democratic lawmaker apologizes after Nazi comment

JUNEAU — A member of the Alaska Legislature has apologized for saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.” State Rep. Sara Hannan, a Democrat from… Continue reading

Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, speaks in her office at the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Hannan apologized Sunday for saying Nazi experimentation on prisoners “produced results.” (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

FBI responds to abandoned explosive found on Sterling Highway

The dynamite was likely left from previous road construction in the area, troopers said.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A protester stands outside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin building in Soldotna on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Parents divided on masks

Some parents said they will keep their kids home if masks are required; others say they’ll keep their kids home if masks aren’t required.

A protester stands outside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin building in Soldotna on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Brie Drummond speaks in support of mask mandates on Monday, Sept. 13, for the Kenai Peninsula School Board meeting at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. During a work session before the meeting, the district presented revisions to its COVID-19 mitigation protocols. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

School district revises COVID-19 mitigation plans

The revisions come as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Alaska and on the Kenai Peninsula.

Brie Drummond speaks in support of mask mandates on Monday, Sept. 13, for the Kenai Peninsula School Board meeting at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. During a work session before the meeting, the district presented revisions to its COVID-19 mitigation protocols. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Serving up a passion for wellness, local foods

8th annual Harvest Moon Festival focuses on sustainability, locally sourced foods and food security.

Volunteers work the fermentation station at the Harvest Moon Local Food Festival at Soldotna Creek Park on Sept. 14, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

1 new COVID death pushes Alaska to 445

The state announced another 1,473 positive COVID cases over the weekend.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Officials: It’s time for the flu shot

State Epidemiologist Joe McLaughlin said there are some similarities with the flu and COVID-19 viruses.

Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska state Sens. Bert Stedman, left, and Natasha von Imhof listen during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Legislators are meeting in a special session, which is expected to end Tuesday. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

PFD unsettled as special session nears end

Legislators have spent most of this year in regular or special legislative sessions, with this year’s payout unresolved.

Alaska state Sens. Bert Stedman, left, and Natasha von Imhof listen during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Legislators are meeting in a special session, which is expected to end Tuesday. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
A bill aimed at helping Alaska’s hospitals died Monday after provisions were added by lawmakers barring vaccine mandates. In this file photo, a nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
A bill aimed at helping Alaska’s hospitals died Monday after provisions were added by lawmakers barring vaccine mandates. In this file photo, a nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
Dan Nelson stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dan Nelson stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings is running unopposed for a seat on the Soldotna City Council. (courtesy photo)
Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings is running unopposed for a seat on the Soldotna City Council. (courtesy photo)