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Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers fast track bill to aid health care hiring

Workers are strained.

Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school was one of more than a dozen Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools operating with universal indoor masking due to rising COVID-19 cases. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

More schools go to universal indoor masking

More than 200 students have tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 23.

A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school was one of more than a dozen Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools operating with universal indoor masking due to rising COVID-19 cases. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Cars line up outside of Capstone Clinic’s COVID-19 testing site in Kenai, Alaska on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. The line extended through the Three Bears Grocery parking lot, and past the entrances to O’Reilly Auto Parts and Aspen Extended Stay Suites. Some said they waited for three and a half hours to get tested, and others said the line stretched down and around Walker Lane Tuesday morning. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

2 more deaths at CPH; peninsula reports more than 250 cases over weekend

The hospital is still at 100% capacity.

Cars line up outside of Capstone Clinic’s COVID-19 testing site in Kenai, Alaska on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. The line extended through the Three Bears Grocery parking lot, and past the entrances to O’Reilly Auto Parts and Aspen Extended Stay Suites. Some said they waited for three and a half hours to get tested, and others said the line stretched down and around Walker Lane Tuesday morning. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Borough resolution opposes ‘COVID-19 vaccine segregation’

The legislation does not nullify COVID mandates instituted by the borough’s incorporated communities.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A worker paints a steeple white at the Kenai United Methodist Church on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Coming into the light of God’

Kenai church debuts blue facade

A worker paints a steeple white at the Kenai United Methodist Church on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers Monday with a Coast Guard dive team.

Army and Coast Guard divers team up in Juneau

Getting work done in an ocean far from home.

Courtesy photo / MyKenzie Robertson Army Pfc. Luke McCarty jumps in the water during training for the engineer divers Monday with a Coast Guard dive team.
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Court reports for the week of Sept. 5, 2021

Read the latest

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Police reports for the week of Sept. 5, 2021

Read the latest.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
In this Sept. 1, 2021 file photo, women protest against the six-week abortion ban at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. Even before a strict abortion ban took effect in Texas this week, clinics in neighboring states were fielding more and more calls from women desperate for options. The Texas law, allowed to stand in a decision Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 by the U.S. Supreme Court, bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, typically around six weeks. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP File)

Voices of the Peninsula: I believe in the right to choose

We all deserve the right to choose for ourselves, and our body, what is right for us.

In this Sept. 1, 2021 file photo, women protest against the six-week abortion ban at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. Even before a strict abortion ban took effect in Texas this week, clinics in neighboring states were fielding more and more calls from women desperate for options. The Texas law, allowed to stand in a decision Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 by the U.S. Supreme Court, bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, typically around six weeks. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP File)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Charlie Smith, a National Guard first lieutenant at the time of the 1971 airline crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 1866, talks about the recovery efforts on Aug. 9 — 50 years later.

Half a century on, National Guardsman recalls 1971 airline crash

“They said, we have a job to do and we’ll do it.”

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Charlie Smith, a National Guard first lieutenant at the time of the 1971 airline crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 1866, talks about the recovery efforts on Aug. 9 — 50 years later.
John Osenga stands in the Seward Community Library & Museum on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

John Osenga says he wants to ‘help push something in a positive, forward direction’

Election 2021: Seward City Council

John Osenga stands in the Seward Community Library & Museum on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy City of Kenai Erosion due to a failing storm water pipe can be seen near Bryson Avenue in Kenai, Alaska.

Kenai tackles bluff erosion caused by failing storm pipe

The project is located within a drainage easement between two properties at the end of Bryson Avenue.

Photo courtesy City of Kenai Erosion due to a failing storm water pipe can be seen near Bryson Avenue in Kenai, Alaska.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Nearly 510 cases per 100,000 as statewide COVID alert remains high

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported another 592 positive COVID cases Friday.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Leighton Radner stands in the Seward Community Library & Museum on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Leighton Radner: ‘This has to be fixed’

Election 2021: Seward City Council

Leighton Radner stands in the Seward Community Library & Museum on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in Seward, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consult staff during an at ease during floor debate on Aug. 31, in the middle of the Alaska State Legislature’s third special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said another session is likely, but didn’t say when or where it would be held.

Governor, lawmakers say another special session likely

‘Contemplating the venue.’

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Members of the Alaska House of Representatives consult staff during an at ease during floor debate on Aug. 31, in the middle of the Alaska State Legislature’s third special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy said another session is likely, but didn’t say when or where it would be held.
The Kenai waterfront can be seen from Old Town Kenai on April 27, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to assess feasibility of waterfront development

Development of the city’s waterfront was identified as a priority by the city in its “Imagine Kenai 2030” comprehensive plan.

The Kenai waterfront can be seen from Old Town Kenai on April 27, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Newly vaccinated get chance to win cash

Incentive campaign to grant $49,000 cash and scholarship prizes to weekly winners

A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Vice Mayor and Kenai City Council member Bob Molloy (center), council member Jim Glendening (right), council member Victoria Askin (far right), and council member Henry Knackstedt (far left) participate in a work session discussing the overhaul of Kenai election codes on Wednesday at Kenai City Hall.

Kenai overhauls city’s election code

The restructuring will bring the city code in alignment with the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Kenai Vice Mayor and Kenai City Council member Bob Molloy (center), council member Jim Glendening (right), council member Victoria Askin (far right), and council member Henry Knackstedt (far left) participate in a work session discussing the overhaul of Kenai election codes on Wednesday at Kenai City Hall.
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Officials: Best immunity is through vaccination

Although COVID infection produces antibodies that can help fight the virus, it’s risky to take that chance.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
This graphic shows Homer's inundation zone, which is 50 feet above sea level. Currently, the Public Works campus is at 35 feet in elevation and at risk of flooding if a tsunami hit. (Photo provided by the Public Works Campus Task Force)

Homer task force suggests phased move of public works campus

The campus on the south side of the Sterling Highway near Heath Street lies below the 50-foot tsunami inundation zone.

This graphic shows Homer's inundation zone, which is 50 feet above sea level. Currently, the Public Works campus is at 35 feet in elevation and at risk of flooding if a tsunami hit. (Photo provided by the Public Works Campus Task Force)