Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)

Lawmaker shares photo comparing media and medical officials to Nazi war criminals

Republican Ron Gillham represents the Kenai-Soldotna area in the Alaska State House of Representatives.

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Clarion file/courtesy)
Former Democratic U.S. senator Mike Gravel gestures while talking to “Occupy” activists at Lindenhof square in Zurich, Switzerland, in this Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, file photo. Gravel, a former U.S. senator from Alaska who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record and confronted Barack Obama about nuclear weapons during a later presidential run, has died. He was 91. Gravel, who represented Alaska as a Democrat in the Senate from 1969 to 1981, died Saturday, June 26, 2021. Gravel had been living in Seaside, California, and was in failing health, said Theodore W. Johnson, a former aide. (AP Photo/Keystone, Steffen Schmidt, File)

Former Alaska senator Mike Gravel dies at 91

Gravel, who represented Alaska as a Democrat in the Senate from 1969 to 1981, died Saturday.

Former Democratic U.S. senator Mike Gravel gestures while talking to “Occupy” activists at Lindenhof square in Zurich, Switzerland, in this Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, file photo. Gravel, a former U.S. senator from Alaska who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record and confronted Barack Obama about nuclear weapons during a later presidential run, has died. He was 91. Gravel, who represented Alaska as a Democrat in the Senate from 1969 to 1981, died Saturday, June 26, 2021. Gravel had been living in Seaside, California, and was in failing health, said Theodore W. Johnson, a former aide. (AP Photo/Keystone, Steffen Schmidt, File)
A sign and road blocker at the head of the Hidden Creek Trail on Skilak Lake Road warns people about bear activity on Sunday, June 13, 2021 in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bear bites hiker on Upper Kenai River Trail

The hiker was approximately a mile from the trailhead with a border collie off leash.

A sign and road blocker at the head of the Hidden Creek Trail on Skilak Lake Road warns people about bear activity on Sunday, June 13, 2021 in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Selma Casagranda, a recent Seward High School graduate and lifelong resident of Seward, stands in front of her former school on May 25, 2021. (Young Kim for The Hechinger Report)
Selma Casagranda, a recent Seward High School graduate and lifelong resident of Seward, stands in front of her former school on May 25, 2021. (Young Kim for The Hechinger Report)
Project Homeless Connect organizers provide services on Jan. 23, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska, during the annual outreach event. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Clarion file)

Soldotna works to connect homelessness groups to funding

More than 250 grant opportunities were evaluated before the final selections were made.

Project Homeless Connect organizers provide services on Jan. 23, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska, during the annual outreach event. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Clarion file)
Ventis Plume tends to his fire at the end of his 10-day setnet trip at the Kasilof River State Recreational Site in Kasilof, Alaska, on June 25, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting: It’s a go

The Kasilof River is open for personal use dipnetting through Aug. 7

Ventis Plume tends to his fire at the end of his 10-day setnet trip at the Kasilof River State Recreational Site in Kasilof, Alaska, on June 25, 2021. (Camille Botello / 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)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to end Zoom access for meetings

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney wrote in a June 23 memo to the council that the need for video conferencing had decreased.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Addie Moore, 7, of Soldotna leads sweeper Will Smith, 12, of Kenai and Landen Showalter, 12, of Soldotna in the kids ramble at the Soldotna Cycle Series on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Tsalteshi Trails. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Tsalteshi Trails to receive 100WWC donation

The Tsalteshi Trails Association is set to receive the most recent 100 Women Who Care charity donation —approximately $7,000. The association has needed support for… Continue reading

Addie Moore, 7, of Soldotna leads sweeper Will Smith, 12, of Kenai and Landen Showalter, 12, of Soldotna in the kids ramble at the Soldotna Cycle Series on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Tsalteshi Trails. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
This June 8, 2021, file photo shows the Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FIle)

Supreme Court sides with Alaska Natives in COVID-19 aid case

The $2.2 trillion legislation earmarked $8 billion for “Tribal governments” to cover expenses related to the pandemic.

This June 8, 2021, file photo shows the Supreme Court in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FIle)
In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Will Alaska financing program ease eviction woes?

As of June 7, roughly 3.2 million people in the U.S. said they face eviction in the next two months.

In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, told reporters on Friday she was optimistic a deal with the House minority caucus would be reached by Monday. Both Stutes and Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, declined to give details on the deal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
House Speaker Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak, told reporters on Friday she was optimistic a deal with the House minority caucus would be reached by Monday. Both Stutes and Minority Leader Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, declined to give details on the deal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, spoke on the first day of the year’s second special session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Kiehl said he was not happy to be there. Gov. Mike Dunleavy brought lawmakers back to Juneau to fix what he called a defective budget but legal questions remain unresolved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers optimistic but vague about budget negotiations

Speaker said talks have improved, decline to give details

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, spoke on the first day of the year’s second special session of the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Kiehl said he was not happy to be there. Gov. Mike Dunleavy brought lawmakers back to Juneau to fix what he called a defective budget but legal questions remain unresolved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Nikiski Fire Station #2, seen here on July 15, 2019 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Firefighter’s last call

Loved ones to hold open memorial service for former Nikiski fire chief Billy Harris

Nikiski Fire Station #2, seen here on July 15, 2019 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Peninsula youth participate in Lemonade Days in June 2017. (Photo provided by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)

Sweet and savvy

Kids get business training through lemonade stands

Peninsula youth participate in Lemonade Days in June 2017. (Photo provided by the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell urged lawmakers to pass a budget before the state government shuts down on July 1, even though APFC employees are considered essential. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks to the House Finance Committee on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Rodell urged lawmakers to pass a budget before the state government shuts down on July 1, even though APFC employees are considered essential. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna closes out CARES funds, prepares for ARPA funds

The American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden.

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney (right) presents Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis with a proclamation on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor sets Soldotna Businesses Appreciation Days for July

The proclamation praises the efforts of the Soldotna Chamber to support city businesses.

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney (right) presents Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis with a proclamation on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Both doses ‘critically important’ as Delta variant spreads

In Alaska, there have been a total of 13 delta cases detected, with nine of them spotted in the last week.

Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)