Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News                                Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Kirko collects his ballot during the primary election on Tuesday at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center polling location in Homer.

Primaries kick off election season

Official election results won’t be available until absentee ballots have been counted and verified

Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News                                Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Kirko collects his ballot during the primary election on Tuesday at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center polling location in Homer.
Kim Lofstedt casts her vote early in Alaska’s Primary Election at Kenai City Hall on Aug. 17, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Voters head to polls for primary election

Several changes will be in place at all polling locations Tuesday.

Kim Lofstedt casts her vote early in Alaska’s Primary Election at Kenai City Hall on Aug. 17, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Court reports for Aug. 16, 2020

Court reports for Aug. 16, 2020

Read the latest reports.

Court reports for Aug. 16, 2020
Public safety briefs for Aug. 16, 2020
Public safety briefs for Aug. 16, 2020
Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 17, 2020

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 17, 2020

Risk levels are based on COVID cases reported in a community and determine how schools will operate.

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 17, 2020
Alaska State Troopers badge

More details released in Hope bear mauling

It may remain unknown whether it was a defensive or predatory attack.

Alaska State Troopers badge
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Peninsula reports 16 new cases in 2 days

The state reported 50 new cases on Monday and 106 new cases Sunday.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign shows people where to vote on Aug. 21, 2018, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Where to vote

Find your polling place

A sign shows people where to vote on Aug. 21, 2018, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Who’s on the ballot?

Who’s on the ballot?

Alaska primary election candidates

Who’s on the ballot?
In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska.The Department of the Interior has approved an oil and gas leasing program within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed the Record of Decision, which will determine where oil and gas leasing will take place in the refuge’s coastal plain. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)

Oil, gas leasing plan in refuge OK’d

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has vowed to protect the refuge.

In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an airplane flies over caribou from the Porcupine Caribou Herd on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska.The Department of the Interior has approved an oil and gas leasing program within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed the Record of Decision, which will determine where oil and gas leasing will take place in the refuge’s coastal plain. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)
The Marathon Petroleum Kenai Refinery. (Photo provided by Marathon Petroleum)

Turnaround promises economic boost

Marathon has safety measures in place for bringing contractors to community

The Marathon Petroleum Kenai Refinery. (Photo provided by Marathon Petroleum)
Xinlan Tanner shows off her Grand Champion Lamb as auctioneer Rayne Reynolds, top right, takes bids during the 4-H Junior Market Drive-in Auction at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds on Aug. 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Bidding farewell

4-H’ers sell livestock at annual auction

Xinlan Tanner shows off her Grand Champion Lamb as auctioneer Rayne Reynolds, top right, takes bids during the 4-H Junior Market Drive-in Auction at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds on Aug. 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Poll worker Dian Martin minds an early voting site in a state office building in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Voting in Alaska will look a bit different amid the coronavirus pandemic, with election officials saying poll workers will be required to wear protective gear, such as masks, and will encourage voters to maintain social distance and wear masks. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Voting in Alaska will look different amid pandemic

The recurring challenge of recruiting election workers has been complicated by the pandemic.

Poll worker Dian Martin minds an early voting site in a state office building in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Voting in Alaska will look a bit different amid the coronavirus pandemic, with election officials saying poll workers will be required to wear protective gear, such as masks, and will encourage voters to maintain social distance and wear masks. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Football jamboree marks return of prep sports

Football jamboree marks return of prep sports

“We watch each day with our fingers crossed hoping there won’t be an explosion of cases.”

Football jamboree marks return of prep sports
In this June 23, 2016 photo, the Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
In this June 23, 2016 photo, the Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, May 1, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State ups unemployment assistance by $300

About 88,000 Alaskans have received unemployment benefits since March 1.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, May 1, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 15, 2020

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 15, 2020

Risk levels are based on COVID cases reported in a community and determine how schools will operate.

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 15, 2020
COVID-19. (CDC)

COVID week in review: 2 deaths, more hospitalizations

Currently 36 COVID-positive patients are hospitalized; four require treatment on a ventilator

COVID-19. (CDC)
High schoolers rise to the eco challenge

High schoolers rise to the eco challenge

Caring for the Kenai selects winners after virtual presentations

High schoolers rise to the eco challenge
Skylar Giordano cuts Ryan Huerta’s hair at RD’s Barber Shop in Kenai on July 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Relief available for local businesses, nonprofits

A number of state and local grant programs have been launched.

Skylar Giordano cuts Ryan Huerta’s hair at RD’s Barber Shop in Kenai on July 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)