Members of the Kenai Performers rehearse a scene from “Murder in the Cathedral” at the Kenai Performers black box theater in Soldotna, Alaska, on Jan. 16, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Getting creative

From livestreamed performances to radio, local groups find ways to make art during pandemic

Members of the Kenai Performers rehearse a scene from “Murder in the Cathedral” at the Kenai Performers black box theater in Soldotna, Alaska, on Jan. 16, 2021. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Jean Brockel, left, and Clayton Brockel, right, are seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula College)

KPC receives $1.6 million donation

It’s the largest single donation in the college’s history

Jean Brockel, left, and Clayton Brockel, right, are seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula College)
Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Divided council loosens sports complex protocols

The changes will allow more spectators, more people on the ice and new mask protocols

Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
After violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol today, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., join other senators as they return to the House chamber to continue the joint session of the House and Senate and count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Murkowski on impeachment: ‘I will listen carefully’ to both sides

As for timing, the senator said, “our priority this week must be to ensure safety in Washington, D.C.”

After violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol today, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., join other senators as they return to the House chamber to continue the joint session of the House and Senate and count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

More than 10,000 Alaskans have received both doses of COVID vaccine

The state also reported 11 new hospitalizations and two deaths.

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
In this August photo, Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Young votes against Trump impeachment

Young said a message must be sent “by bringing the perpetrators of violence to justice, and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.

  • Jan 13, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
In this August photo, Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young speaks during a ceremony in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
Photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion 
Photographs on canvas by Mary Frische and Tom Collopy are seen at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Tuesday.

Natural beauty in full focus

Kenai visitor center hosts exhibit featuring images of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Photos by Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion 
Photographs on canvas by Mary Frische and Tom Collopy are seen at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Tuesday.
A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly to mull grant aimed at improving salmon passage

Using a grant, the borough would replace a rotting bridge with a culvert

A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Oil and Gas Association President Kara Moriarty, right, gives a presentation to the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce during a virtual luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brittany Brown, left, and Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis. (Screenshot)

Industry advocate: Oil confronts uncertainty in wake of pandemic

Oil and Gas Association president says it’s too soon to tell if the price of oil will be high enough to return to previous levels of employment and production.

Alaska Oil and Gas Association President Kara Moriarty, right, gives a presentation to the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce during a virtual luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brittany Brown, left, and Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis. (Screenshot)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

More than 35,000 Alaskans have received inital COVID vaccine dose

More than 7,000 have already received both doses of their vaccine

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
The entrance to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services building in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed splitting the department in two to try and spread out the administrative burden, but health care workers and tribal leaders say they weren't consulted on changes and Alaska Natives will likely be negatively impacted. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Health department split would hurt Alaska Natives, leaders say

Tribal leaders say a proposal to break up the Department of Health and Social Services would worsen outcomes.

The entrance to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services building in downtown Juneau on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has proposed splitting the department in two to try and spread out the administrative burden, but health care workers and tribal leaders say they weren't consulted on changes and Alaska Natives will likely be negatively impacted. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

1 dead in Seward highway collision

The car collided with a road grader owned by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kenai man charged with kidnapping, sexual assault

This article contains details about sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing. A Kenai man has been charged with kidnapping and sexual assault following… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

As in-person learning resumes, parents ask for more changes

Many called for allowing students in all grades to resume in-person learning five days a week or for eliminating mask requirements for student athletes while active.

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau, Alaska, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche)

Local lawmakers prefile first bills of 32nd legislature

State Sens. Peter Micciche and Gary Stevens and State Rep. Sarah Vance have prefiled bills

Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau, Alaska, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche)
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion
Kenneth Russell and his dog Ichabod, aka “Icky,” pose for the camera on Jan. 29 during the 2020 Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna.
Kenneth Russell and his dog Ichabod, aka “Icky”, pose for the camera during the 2020 Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Pandemic shifts format of homeless outreach event

Project Homeless Connect this year will be spread out over two weeks and across different locations on the peninsula.

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion
Kenneth Russell and his dog Ichabod, aka “Icky,” pose for the camera on Jan. 29 during the 2020 Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna.
Kenneth Russell and his dog Ichabod, aka “Icky”, pose for the camera during the 2020 Project Homeless Connect event at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska on Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

159 new cases, 10 on peninsula

Affected peninsula communities include Kenai, Homer, Soldotna, Anchor Point and Sterling

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Large vaccine clinics to happen later this month

Clinics are being offered by Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Nikiski Fire/OEM

An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The badge for the Soldotna Police Department.
The badge for the Soldotna Police Department.