Sterling Elementary welcomes students on the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Sterling Elementary welcomes students on the first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Cars wait outside Capstone Clinic in Kenai, where COVID-19 testing is being offered, on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. The line at Capstone wound through the nearby Three Bears parking lot. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula sees surge in testing, increased COVID positivity rate

On Tuesday, the peninsula’s positivity rate was 13%, according to state data.

Cars wait outside Capstone Clinic in Kenai, where COVID-19 testing is being offered, on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. The line at Capstone wound through the nearby Three Bears parking lot. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
(Black Press file photo)

Peninsula rental rates some of state’s lowest

The median rent payment on the Kenai Peninsula Borough was about $1,009 in 2020 and about $1,023 in 2021

(Black Press file photo)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot

Schools report more positive COVID-19 cases, more than 1,000 close contacts

Between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1, the district has been made aware of 180 COVID-19 cases, including 25 staff and 155 students.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, center, and Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, right, put questions to Office of Management and Budget Director Neil Steininger during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The Legislature's third special session of the year is dealing mostly with budget issues despite having been called to bring resolution to the state's fiscal deficit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sens. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, center, and Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, right, put questions to Office of Management and Budget Director Neil Steininger during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The Legislature's third special session of the year is dealing mostly with budget issues despite having been called to bring resolution to the state's fiscal deficit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Downtown Seward, Alaska is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward moves ahead with sidewalk repair

The phase addresses sidewalks on the west side of Fifth Avenue, from Washington Street to Adams Street.

Downtown Seward, Alaska is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign advertising free COVID-19 vaccines stands outside Safeway on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign advertising free COVID-19 vaccines stands outside Safeway on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Results of the 2020 census showed a 6% growth in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Census shows slight peninsula population growth

The 2020 census kicked off in January 2020 in Toksook Bay, Alaska.

U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Results of the 2020 census showed a 6% growth in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to repair faulty fire hydrants

The city’s utility department identified 15 hydrants that needed repair or replacement.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Screenshot of the 2021-2022 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunting Regulations handbook (adfg.alaska.gov)

Hunters reminded to research land ownership laws

It is the hunter’s responsibility to understand the different regulations in place for different allotments.

Screenshot of the 2021-2022 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunting Regulations handbook (adfg.alaska.gov)
A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Voter registration deadline Sunday

The municipal election is Oct. 5.

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Alaska officials report 6 new COVID-19 deaths

The deaths included people in their 20s and 30s.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. Due to a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, school in Seward and other areas of the eastern peninsula switched to universal indoor masking this week. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcomes visitors on July 7, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. Due to a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, school in Seward and other areas of the eastern peninsula switched to universal indoor masking this week. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, center, leaves the House chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 following marathon floor sessions that morning and Monday night. The House passed an appropriations bill but not before members of the minority voiced deep objections.
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

4 peninsula schools require universal masking

Seward Elementary on Monday joined Port Graham School, Susan B. English School and Tebughna School in requiring masks due to a number of COVID-19 cases.

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The "gofishak" application, zoomed in to the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)

Find fishing spots with new app

“Gofishak” allows users to filter fishing locations by category, species and access.

The "gofishak" application, zoomed in to the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Officials: Kids at risk for respiratory illnesses

Although a child hasn’t been admitted as an inpatient for COVID at the facility, there have been multiple kids who have tested positive.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Staff adapts as COVID patients inundate hospital

As of Monday morning, there were 21 COVID inpatients, with 7 of them in the intensive care unit and 1 on a ventilator.

A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
From left to right, House Majority Leader Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; House Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla and Reps. Mike Prax, R-North Pole; Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski and George Rauscher, R-Sutton, speak on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives following a floor session on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Lawmakers found themselves debating familiar topics as they worked through amendments to a budget bill. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.

Murkowski pushes to reauthorize heritage site

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is one of only 55 NHAs in the United States.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.