Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz attends a work session of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai approves election overhaul

The new legislation more closely aligns the city with borough election code.

Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz attends a work session of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after a fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The state is seeking federal funding for a project aimed at improving safety along the Sterling Highway between mileposts 82.5 to 94, or between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

State looks to federal funding for Sterling Highway project

The project is aimed at improving highway safety between Sterling and Soldotna.

Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after a fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The state is seeking federal funding for a project aimed at improving safety along the Sterling Highway between mileposts 82.5 to 94, or between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Taking the final spin

Silver salmon derby wraps up with magic number draw.

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to mull funding for water main threatened by erosion

The water main, which runs parallel to the eroding bluff, was described as an “emerging issue” by the city public works director.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Courtesy Photo / Molly Pressler Collection 
Japanese-Americans interned in Alaska in World War II are shown in this photo at a camp in New Mexico where they endured the majority of the war.

Research into interned Japanese-Americans in Alaska receives grant support

104 Japanese-Americans were interned from Alaska at the outset of WWII.

Courtesy Photo / Molly Pressler Collection 
Japanese-Americans interned in Alaska in World War II are shown in this photo at a camp in New Mexico where they endured the majority of the war.
The Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

SeaLife Center restarts marine learning classes for kids

“Small Fry School” can be livestreamed on the SeaLife Center’s YouTube channel.

The Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Randy Wells is running for the Seward City Council in the 2021 municipal elections in Seward, Alaska. (Photo via City of Seward)
Randy Wells is running for the Seward City Council in the 2021 municipal elections in Seward, Alaska. (Photo via City of Seward)
Victoria Askin sits in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Victoria Askin

Askin said Kenai’s finances are one of the city’s greatest strengths.

Victoria Askin sits in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum address the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Crum on Thursday discussed a cyber attack that had compromised Alaskans' information. Crum said because of an ongoing criminal investigation the entity responsible for the attack and the exact information compromised could not be revealed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum address the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Crum on Thursday discussed a cyber attack that had compromised Alaskans' information. Crum said because of an ongoing criminal investigation the entity responsible for the attack and the exact information compromised could not be revealed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Medical Assistant Louis Hubbard administers a COVID-19 test to Rick Dealba on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Aggressively buying more rapid testing materials’

Public health officials work to stay ahead of testing need

Medical Assistant Louis Hubbard administers a COVID-19 test to Rick Dealba on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
James Duffield. (Courtesy photo)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate James Duffield

Duffield said development of Kenai’s business community, recreational opportunities and waterfront revitalization were issues important to him.

James Duffield. (Courtesy photo)
Deborah Sounart stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Deborah Sounart

She said the skills needed to be a successful band director would translate to those needed to be an effective member of the city council.

Deborah Sounart stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alex Douthit stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 9, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Alex Douthit

Douthit said he could bring a younger perspective to the council and that his priority would be bettering the city.

Alex Douthit stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 9, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
File

DHSS cyberattack may have breached patient information

The breach was caused by a highly sophisticated cyberattack and involves an unknown number of individuals.

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

Health official: Alaska facing sharp surge in COVID-19 cases

Alaska has one of the highest case rates in the nation right now.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Brent Johnson address a small crowd of people during a borough public hearing held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough to consider banning smoking in buildings

Current code only bans smoking in assembly chambers during meetings and session.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Brent Johnson address a small crowd of people during a borough public hearing held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Ethan Benton (left) and Laura Walters of Kodiak win the vaccine lottery for the Alaska Chamber's week one vaccine lottery giveaway "Give AK a Shot." (Screenshot)

State names winners in 1st vaccine lottery

A Valdez and Kodiak resident took home checks for $49,000 each.

Ethan Benton (left) and Laura Walters of Kodiak win the vaccine lottery for the Alaska Chamber's week one vaccine lottery giveaway "Give AK a Shot." (Screenshot)