This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

2 more COVID deaths reported; COVID cases grow

The state announced 702 new positive COVID cases Friday.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins a wheel to determine the Magic Weight at the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Three Bears grocery store in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Catch the magic silver

Silver salmon derby kicks off next week

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins a wheel to determine the Magic Weight at the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at Three Bears grocery store in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson is running for reelection to his seat on the council. (Courtesy photo)
Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson is running for reelection to his seat on the council. (Courtesy photo)
A firefighter with Central Emergency Services in Soldotna places an American flag in front of the station. Firefighters set over 400 flags in the grass outside CES in Soldotna on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 in honor of the first responders who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Here we stand together’

Central peninsula remembers 9/11 two decades later

A firefighter with Central Emergency Services in Soldotna places an American flag in front of the station. Firefighters set over 400 flags in the grass outside CES in Soldotna on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 in honor of the first responders who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Micah Shields (courtesy photo)
Micah Shields (courtesy photo)
Robert Purcell poses for a photo in November 2001 after he returned from five weeks working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in New York City after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (Homer News file photo)

‘I knew that I was going to end up being a part of this’

Cleaning up, moving forward - Purcell remembers 9/11 20 years later

Robert Purcell poses for a photo in November 2001 after he returned from five weeks working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency in New York City after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (Homer News file photo)
In this March 15, 2021, file photo, Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, speaks to reporters in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska state lawmaker has requested an excusal from the state Senate until mid-January, citing the challenges of traveling to Juneau after she was suspended from flying on Alaska Airlines earlier this year. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool, File)

State lawmaker suspended by airline seeks Senate excusal

Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold on Thursday requested the excusal from Saturday through Jan. 15.

  • Sep 11, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
In this March 15, 2021, file photo, Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold, an Eagle River Republican, speaks to reporters in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaska state lawmaker has requested an excusal from the state Senate until mid-January, citing the challenges of traveling to Juneau after she was suspended from flying on Alaska Airlines earlier this year. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, Pool, File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday he was filing suit against the Biden administration for an Environmental Protection Agency decision to potentially protect Bristol Bay waters under the Clean Water Act. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Gov criticizes Biden admin over Bristol Bay review

The EPA is seeking to reinitiate the process of making a Clean Water Act determination to protect certain waters in Bristol Bay.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at a Aug. 16, news conference, announced Thursday he was filing suit against the Biden administration for an Environmental Protection Agency decision to potentially protect Bristol Bay waters under the Clean Water Act. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Horse ivermectin paste is for sale at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Health officials tackle COVID misinformation

In their weekly press briefing, health officials worked to clarify FDA approval processes and misconceptions about alternative treatments for COVID.

Horse ivermectin paste is for sale at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Linda Cusack (left) and Teri Birchfield (right) test a Dominion voting machine ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New voting machines get test spin

Testing voting equipment has always been open to the public, but was made more accessible due to sweeping election policies approved earlier this year.

Linda Cusack (left) and Teri Birchfield (right) test a Dominion voting machine ahead of the Oct. 5 municipal election on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on 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 file)

‘Controlled chaos’

Health workers approach 18 months caring for COVID patients — and they’re tired.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on 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 file)
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink answers questions from members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State, hospital officials brief assembly on COVID

“The hospital has been over capacity for basically the month of August,” an official said.

Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink answers questions from members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Carmen's Gelato is full of customers before their closing on Labor Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Successful tourist season leaves businesses in need of rest

Homer Spit businesses close down after the Labor Day weekend.

Carmen's Gelato is full of customers before their closing on Labor Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

6 new deaths, 841 cases reported statewide

The peninsula continues to lag behind most other regions in percentage of fully vaccinated.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
An Alaska State Trooper reaches for a grenade on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. The grenade was found by 13-year-old Edith Watts on the family property in Ridgeway. Troopers and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company responded to the scene. (Photo by Edith Watts)

13-year-old finds grenade on Ridgeway property

Alaskas State Troopers and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company responded to the scene.

An Alaska State Trooper reaches for a grenade on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. The grenade was found by 13-year-old Edith Watts on the family property in Ridgeway. Troopers and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company responded to the scene. (Photo by Edith Watts)
Ray Southwell testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in support of legislation opposing government-mandated vaccines on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID divisions shape heated testimony

After raucous meeting, assembly tables resolution on ‘vaccine segregation’.

Ray Southwell testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in support of legislation opposing government-mandated vaccines on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the cast of Kenai Perfomers’ “The Beverly Hillbillies, the Musical” pose in September 2021. (Photo courtesy Terri Burdick)

Performers bring Clampetts to Kenai

“Beveral Hillbillies, the Musical” will premiere this weekend.

Members of the cast of Kenai Perfomers’ “The Beverly Hillbillies, the Musical” pose in September 2021. (Photo courtesy Terri Burdick)
(File)

3-car accident backs up traffic for hours

Officials had to reroute highway traffic around the accident Tuesday morning.

(File)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Pilot crashes outside Tyonek

No injuries have been reported.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Council Member Dave Carey attends a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

City council to consider 9/11 memorial resolution

The resolution would indicate the council’s “support for remembrance” of the terror attacks.

Council Member Dave Carey attends a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)