Kenai Vice Mayor Bob Molloy is seen in the Kenai City Council chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 20 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai extends disaster declaration

The declaration is now set to expire on Feb. 28

Kenai Vice Mayor Bob Molloy is seen in the Kenai City Council chambers on Wednesday, Jan. 20 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

Borough positivity rate dips below 2%

203 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Alaska on Thursday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
Kenai City Mayor Brian Gabriel speaks to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Jan. 20, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Chamber, elected officials gather for meet and greet

About 30 people attended the luncheon, which still had certain COVID-19 mitigation measures in place.

Kenai City Mayor Brian Gabriel speaks to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Jan. 20, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Commercial fishing vessels are seen on the Kenai River on July 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to ask feds for fishery disaster declaration

The year saw fewer and smaller fish, as well as lower-priced fish

Commercial fishing vessels are seen on the Kenai River on July 10, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
This undated aerial file photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a herd of caribou on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, signaled plans to place a temporary moratorium on oil and gas lease activities in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after the Trump administration issued leases in a remote, rugged area considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich’in. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP, File)

Biden plans temporary halt of oil activity in Arctic refuge

Issuing leases had been a priority of the Trump administration following a 2017 law calling for lease sales

  • Jan 20, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
This undated aerial file photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a herd of caribou on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, signaled plans to place a temporary moratorium on oil and gas lease activities in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after the Trump administration issued leases in a remote, rugged area considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich’in. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP, File)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

State adds 24 resident deaths to COVID count, with 1 recent

23 deaths were from death certificate reviews over the past several months

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion

Eastern peninsula schools drop to medium risk

When a school or region shifts to medium risk, all students will be allowed to return to on-site learning every day with enhanced COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
An entrance to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex as seen in November 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna moves forward with sports complex renovations

The city council last year approved $1.5 million for maintenance and renovations at the sports complex.

An entrance to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex as seen in November 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, in Juneau. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)

Senate organizes Republican majority; Micciche elected president

Micciche’s election as Senate president was held by voice vote, with no one dissenting.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, has his picture taken by a fellow senator after being unanimously elected on the first day of the 32nd Alaska Legislature on Tuesday, in Juneau. (Peter Segall/The Juneau Empire via AP, Pool)
Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)

Goose Creek inmate dies

It’s the first inmate death of 2021

Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Corrections)
Alaska State Troopers

Man arrested after car, foot chase in Nikiski

An Anchorage man was arrested in Nikiski on Sunday following a high-speed car chase and a two-hour foot pursuit by a K-9 unit, according to… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

4 new peninsula COVID cases

130 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Alaska on Tuesday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
4th Avenue Park is seen on Tuesday, Jan. 19 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to formally own park it’s been maintaining for decades

Formal ownership of the park has changed hands several times

4th Avenue Park is seen on Tuesday, Jan. 19 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
File

Dunleavy appoints new attorney general

Sniffen held the position in an acting capacity following the resignation of Kevin Clarkson.

  • Jan 18, 2021
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
File
A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Changes proposed to pending ‘shop local’ program in Kenai

Changes to the program have been proposed by city council members, city administration and the public

A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to consider extension of disaster declaration

If approved, the declaration would be extended to Feb. 28

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
AP Photo / Becky Bohrer 
Welcome bags and plexiglass dividers placed around their desks await lawmakers on the Alaska House floor in Juneau. The committee was among several that had scheduled meetings Monday, the last day before the new Legislature is set to convene Tuesday.

Alaska Legislature to convene amid budget, virus concerns

Neither the House nor the Senate has organized majorities.

  • Jan 18, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP Photo / Becky Bohrer 
Welcome bags and plexiglass dividers placed around their desks await lawmakers on the Alaska House floor in Juneau. The committee was among several that had scheduled meetings Monday, the last day before the new Legislature is set to convene Tuesday.
New signage at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Jan 15, 2020, reminds visitors of health mitigation strategies. Committees from the previous legislature had their final meetings Monday as the new session starts Tuesday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State will audit CARES Act funding

Public money, public information.

New signage at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Jan 15, 2020, reminds visitors of health mitigation strategies. Committees from the previous legislature had their final meetings Monday as the new session starts Tuesday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

More than 55,000 Alaskans have received initial vaccine

DHSS announced 153 new COVID-19 cases in Alaska on Monday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)