Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion

KPBSD resumes remote learning for new quarter

A decision will be made Tuesday about whether schools will resume onsite learning on Jan. 11

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna are seen on Monday.

Assembly to meet in person following renovations, COVID mitigation measures

Renovations include a new configuration of the assembly dais and audience, and new camera equipment

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna are seen on Monday.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Shanon Davis, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, shows off a stamp card used in the Chamber’s Soldotna Strong Shop Local campaign on July 22, 2020. The City of Kenai is considering launching its own shop local program. (Photo courtesy Shanon Davis)

Kenai to consider shop local program

The program would run from Feb. 1 to Mar. 1 of 2021

Shanon Davis, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, shows off a stamp card used in the Chamber’s Soldotna Strong Shop Local campaign on July 22, 2020. The City of Kenai is considering launching its own shop local program. (Photo courtesy Shanon Davis)
Lady Baltimore, seen here, was injured by gunfire in 2006 and rescued by the Juneau Raptor Center. The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward for information on the shooter of another bald eagle, found on Dec. 22, which had to be euthanized due to its injuries. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center)

Authorities investigate fatal shooting of bald eagle

The otherwise healthy, adult bird had to be euthanized for its injuries.

Lady Baltimore, seen here, was injured by gunfire in 2006 and rescued by the Juneau Raptor Center. The Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward for information on the shooter of another bald eagle, found on Dec. 22, which had to be euthanized due to its injuries. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to begin accepting mini grant applications Jan. 15

Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 15 through Feb. 15, 2021

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion 
From left, Sheryl Christner, Julia Christner, Ruby Eicher and Audrey Christner shop at Kate’s Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna while Kate Mastre rings them up on Saturday.

A holiday ‘blessing’

Local businesses get lifeline with shop local program

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion 
From left, Sheryl Christner, Julia Christner, Ruby Eicher and Audrey Christner shop at Kate’s Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna while Kate Mastre rings them up on Saturday.
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Health care workers wave from inside of Central Peninsula Hospital while awaiting the delivery of the facility’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Dec. 16 in Soldotna.

Virus hits home

A look back at COVID in 2020

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Health care workers wave from inside of Central Peninsula Hospital while awaiting the delivery of the facility’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Dec. 16 in Soldotna.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien, bottom left, gives a presentation to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a virtual luncheon held via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber Executive Director Brittany Brown, top left, moderator Merrill Sikorski, top right, and KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones, bottom right. (Screenshot)

O’Brien optimistic about kids returning to classrooms

At chamber luncheon, the school superintendent shared details on the district’s path forward.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien, bottom left, gives a presentation to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a virtual luncheon held via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber Executive Director Brittany Brown, top left, moderator Merrill Sikorski, top right, and KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones, bottom right. (Screenshot)
Photo courtesy of Alaska VA Healthcare System
Vallerie Card-King, L.CPht, and Bjorn Miller, Pharm D, document and verify the batch numbers of the Moderna Vaccine at the Alaska VA Healthcare System.

6 peninsula locations to offer COVID vaccines to eligible individuals

Qualifications to receive the first dose are outlined by the state’s Phase 1a Tier 3 guidelines

Photo courtesy of Alaska VA Healthcare System
Vallerie Card-King, L.CPht, and Bjorn Miller, Pharm D, document and verify the batch numbers of the Moderna Vaccine at the Alaska VA Healthcare System.
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

HEA to raise rates in 2021

Last quarter the rate was decreased from $0.08113 cents down to its current rate.

The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

374 new cases, state and borough positivity rate drops below 5%

Affected peninsula communities include Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski, Other South

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Tim Quinn looks for birds in Kachemak Bay during the Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Jim Herbert)

Annual Christmas Bird Counts log 4 new species, falls one short of record

Despit COVID-19 restrictions, birders show up for annual December tradition to count birds in Homer.

  • Dec 30, 2020
  • By Dave Erikson For the Homer News
  • Local News
Tim Quinn looks for birds in Kachemak Bay during the Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Jim Herbert)
Covid money stock photo illustration

Extension of CARES Act deadline grants flexibility to local municipalities

The deadline for federal CARES Act dollars to be spent was extended to Dec. 31, 2021

Covid money stock photo illustration
Snow is piled along the Seward Highway near the Hope Highway cutoff in Alaska on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Maintenance station reopened after pressure from community

The announcement came one day after Sen. Peter Micciche, R- Soldotna, penned a letter to the governor

Snow is piled along the Seward Highway near the Hope Highway cutoff in Alaska on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo courtesy of Bruce Richards
UV light disinfection systems are pictured at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

CPH gets disinfecting UV lights

The purchase was intended to help put additional disinfection units in places around the hospital

Photo courtesy of Bruce Richards
UV light disinfection systems are pictured at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

7 new peninsula cases, statewide hospitalizations pass 1,000

Affected comunities include Soldotna, Other North, Kenai and Seward

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
cares photo illustration

Kenai extends deadline for housing relief responses

As of Dec. 24, 72 applicants had not responded when a caseworker reached out to them

cares photo illustration