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.
Officials with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the State of Alaska participate in an online Q&A session regarding COVID-19 mitigation and the safe return of students to schools. (Screenshot)
Officials with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the State of Alaska participate in an online Q&A session regarding COVID-19 mitigation and the safe return of students to schools. (Screenshot)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 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)

State, peninsula COVID-19 cases continue to surge

More than 3,500 COVID-19 cases were reported in Alaska over the last week.

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

Davis appointed to Homer City Council

Jason Davis was sworn in on Monday to serve in the interim position on the Homer City Council.

Jason Davis (Photo by Sara Erickson)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, speaks with Reps. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, as members of the House Republican Minority failed to show up for floor session. Divisions over the pace and direction of the special session has delayed legislative work. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Dominique Smith, principal at Health Sciences High and Middle College, a charter school in San Diego, conducts a training session on building relationships, equity and school-based restorative practices for Juneau’s teachers, principals, and other certified staff members on Aug. 12. (Courtesy Photo/Kristin Bartlett, Juneau School District)

Teachers take a turn as students

Training class focuses on equity, restorative practices

Dominique Smith, principal at Health Sciences High and Middle College, a charter school in San Diego, conducts a training session on building relationships, equity and school-based restorative practices for Juneau’s teachers, principals, and other certified staff members on Aug. 12. (Courtesy Photo/Kristin Bartlett, Juneau School District)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot

District dashboard to track COVID cases in schools

More than 60 COVID-19 cases have been reported in 22 district schools.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska at the store on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. Troopers were searching for the alleged shooter, Bret Herrick, 60. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Trooper’s gun malfunctioned in Anchor Point shooting

The shooting happened when trooper Bruce Brueggeman attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska at the store on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. Troopers were searching for the alleged shooter, Bret Herrick, 60. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna OKs 2-year contract with Brown Bears

The hockey team has used the sports complex as their home facility since 2007.

The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A bathymetric map shows the depth of John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski. (Photo from Alaska Lake Database)

John Hedberg Lake to be stocked with rainbow trout

The state announced last month it was considering stocking the Nikiski lake with trout.

A bathymetric map shows the depth of John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski. (Photo from Alaska Lake Database)
The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities mull use of relief funds

ARPA funds are in addition to money received through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy urges Alaskans to help mitigate hospital strain

The strain isn’t necessarily due to a shortage of hospital beds or ventilators, but a shortage of hospital staff.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 from Anchorage, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)

Hospital opens overflow unit as COVID inpatients reach 24

The state reported 730 new COVID-19 new cases on Thursday

Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)