A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to welcome 41 new trees

The move is part of a yearslong effort

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

1 in 3 Alaskans 16 and older have at least 1 vaccine dose

The milestone comes on the one-year anniversary of Alaska’s first COVID-19 case

A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)

Local lawmakers pursue priorities in Juneau

Of the central peninsula’s three legislative representatives, only bills sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche have been heard in committee.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska. State Rep. Gary Knopp, an Alaska state lawmaker, was involved in the July midair collision that killed seven people. (Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion)

Family of those killed in 2020 plane crash sue Knopp estate and widow, among others

The midair collision resulted in the deaths of seven people

A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska. State Rep. Gary Knopp, an Alaska state lawmaker, was involved in the July midair collision that killed seven people. (Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion)
Pete Kaiser leaves the Ophir, Alaska, checkpoint with his dog team during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, March 12, 2021. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Dog illness prompts former Iditarod champion to scratch

Pete Kaiser scratched at the McGrath checkpoint.

Pete Kaiser leaves the Ophir, Alaska, checkpoint with his dog team during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, March 12, 2021. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
This photo provided by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers taken March 9, 2021, Doug Ramsey, left, of Sundance Wyoming, poses with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jason Kneier near a hole in the ice of a river in Swentna, Alaska. The two helped pull an 8-year-old boy from the water after he fell into the river. (Alaska Wildlife Troopers via AP)

Troopers, Iditarod volunteer help rescue child from river

“It happened really fast. I was glad I was at the right place at the right time.”

This photo provided by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers taken March 9, 2021, Doug Ramsey, left, of Sundance Wyoming, poses with Alaska Wildlife Trooper Jason Kneier near a hole in the ice of a river in Swentna, Alaska. The two helped pull an 8-year-old boy from the water after he fell into the river. (Alaska Wildlife Troopers via AP)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Vaccinated Heritage Place residents now able to hug, touch visitors

The change comes after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance.

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 238 new cases yesterday

Affected peninsula communities include Seward, Kenai and Soldotna

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Iditarod checkpoint is nestled in a bend in the Iditarod River, in this aerial view Thursday, March 11, 2021, during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Iditarod officials contact tracing after positive virus test

Johnson tested negative on Sunday, when he began the race.

  • Mar 11, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • Iditarod
The Iditarod checkpoint is nestled in a bend in the Iditarod River, in this aerial view Thursday, March 11, 2021, during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink addresses members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, March 11 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

Health officials emphasize importance of vaccinations

About 26.9% of peninsula residents 16 and older have received at least one dose

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink addresses members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, March 11 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor withdraws DHSS split order

Reorganizing the department remains a priority.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Judi Westfall shovels snow at her home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Residents in some parts of Alaska’s largest city woke Thursday to a surprise: up to 18 new inches of snow. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Second winter: Anchorage gets up to 18 inches of fresh snow

The storm, however, caused few headaches in Anchorage.

  • Mar 11, 2021
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
Judi Westfall shovels snow at her home in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, March 11, 2021. Residents in some parts of Alaska’s largest city woke Thursday to a surprise: up to 18 new inches of snow. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature’s uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature’s anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)

Alaska Senate takes action against member over virus rules

Fellow lawmakers say Republican Sen. Lora Reinbold has refused to follow measures meant to guard against COVID-19.

Alaska Senate Secretary Liz Clark, right, holds a copy of the Alaska Legislature’s uniform rules as she talks to Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, center, while Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna and Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer, in the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Reinbold was excluded from most spaces in the Alaska State Capitol until she follows the Legislature’s anti-COVID policies. (James Brooks/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool)
Tracy Silta (left) administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to Melissa Linton during a vaccine clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, Feb. 26 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Local officials look forward to easier vaccine process

A large number of available appointments was likely due to confusion about who was eligible, according to administrators.

Tracy Silta (left) administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to Melissa Linton during a vaccine clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, Feb. 26 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A slash pile containing non-organic construction debris is seen at the Snug Harbor Slash Disposal site on Sept. 22, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Lang Management)

State to reimburse borough for slash disposal

The disposal site saw more use in 2020 due to a statewide burn suspension enacted during the 2020 wildland fire season.

A slash pile containing non-organic construction debris is seen at the Snug Harbor Slash Disposal site on Sept. 22, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Lang Management)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 150 new cases

Affected peninsula communities include Nikiski and Soldotna.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Meghan Barker presents information about Pebble Mine during a remote series on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Screenshot)

Conservation group explores future of Pebble Mine in virtual discussion

The group is seeking long-term protections for the region.

Meghan Barker presents information about Pebble Mine during a remote series on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Screenshot)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file
Service from ferries like the Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020, have become unreliable for coastal communities as year-to-year planning leads to high levels of uncertainty, according to coastal lawmakers.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file
Service from ferries like the Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020, have become unreliable for coastal communities as year-to-year planning leads to high levels of uncertainty, according to coastal lawmakers.
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska, provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska, provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)