Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

City Council votes to reinstate plastic bag ban

City manager authorized to negotiate Homer Spit lease with Salmon Sisters

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

503 new cases; borough positivity rate hits 14.65%

Affected peninsula communities include Kenai, Other North, Soldotna and Seward

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
In this March 18, 2020 file photo, Thomas Waerner, of Norway, celebrates his win in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska. The world’s most famous sled dog race will go forward in 2021 officials are preparing for every potential contingency now for what the coronavirus and the world might look like in March when the Iditarod starts. It’s not the mushers that worry Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach; they’re used to social distancing along the 1,000 mile trail. The headaches start with what to do with hundreds of volunteers needed to run the race, some scattered in villages along the trail between Anchorage and Nome, to protect them and the village populations. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)

Virus restrictions lead Norwegian champ to drop Iditarod

“I cannot find a way to get the dogs to Alaska.”

  • Nov 23, 2020
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
In this March 18, 2020 file photo, Thomas Waerner, of Norway, celebrates his win in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska. The world’s most famous sled dog race will go forward in 2021 officials are preparing for every potential contingency now for what the coronavirus and the world might look like in March when the Iditarod starts. It’s not the mushers that worry Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach; they’re used to social distancing along the 1,000 mile trail. The headaches start with what to do with hundreds of volunteers needed to run the race, some scattered in villages along the trail between Anchorage and Nome, to protect them and the village populations. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

First COVID vaccines could arrive in Alaska next month

Pfizer announced their COVID-19 vaccine candidate earlier this month, with Moderna not long after

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
File

DHSS encourages COVID-positive Alaskans to do their own contact tracing

In a Monday release, DHSS said that surging COVID-19 cases are creating a data backlog

File

Public input sought on proposed Skilak-area boat launch changes

The public scoping period will last from Dec. 8, 2020 to Jan. 8, 2021

Risk levels

Schools status: Nov. 23

34 KPBSD schools continue to operate 100% remotely through at least Nov. 25

Risk levels
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State COVID officials brief Soldotna City Council in work session

The council was joined by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and State Testing Coordinator Dr. Coleman Cutchins

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wendesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports more than 4,000 cases this week, 357 on peninsula

The state reported 462 new COVID-19 cases on Friday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Seward junior Lydia Jacoby swims in August 2019 at the Speedo Junior National Championships in Stanford, California. (Photo by Jack Spitser)

Improving through challenging times

Seward junior swimmer Jacoby wins national title at U.S. Open

Seward junior Lydia Jacoby swims in August 2019 at the Speedo Junior National Championships in Stanford, California. (Photo by Jack Spitser)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Superintendent John O’Brien (courtesy photo)

Community input requested in superintendent search

The survey will be open until Dec. 7 at 11:59 p.m.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Superintendent John O’Brien (courtesy photo)
Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank
Kenai Peninsula Food Banks staff and volunteers assemble food bags for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna recently at the food bank, near Soldotna.

Food Bank keeps setting records

The food bank distributed 267,000 pounds of food in October.

Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank
Kenai Peninsula Food Banks staff and volunteers assemble food bags for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna recently at the food bank, near Soldotna.
photo illustration

Housing relief program deadlines approaching

The deadline for the Soldotna and borough-wide programs is Monday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.

photo illustration
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 75 new peninsula cases

DHSS reported 505 new cases in Alaska Thursday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Risk levels

Risk levels: Nov. 19

34 schools are operating 100% remotely until Nov. 25

Risk levels
Yearling brown bear cubs near the Russian River Ferry. (Photo by Matt Conner/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Judge delivers victory for opponents of brown bear trapping in refuge

U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason ruled against proposed changes to the refuge’s public use regulations

Yearling brown bear cubs near the Russian River Ferry. (Photo by Matt Conner/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce addresses constituents in a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

Mayors Pierce and Gabriel respond to COVID-19 in separate videos

Gabriel voiced his concern regarding Central Peninsula Hospital, which reached capacity on Monday.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce addresses constituents in a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Bob Letson, former CEO of South Peninsula Hospital. (Homer News file photo)

Former South Peninsula Hospital CEO dies of COVID-19

Bob Letson led several expansions, improvements in nearly 10 years in Homer

Bob Letson, former CEO of South Peninsula Hospital. (Homer News file photo)
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Ballot Measure 2 approved

The measure would end party primaries and institute ranked-choice voting in general elections.

  • Nov 18, 2020
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

551 new COVID-19 cases reported

Wednesday was the fifth day in a row that the state has recorded a daily case increase of more than 550.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)