Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)

Knopp’s name to remain on Aug. 18 primary ballot

Should he win, the Alaska Republican Party will be able to petition for a replacement candidate.

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)
Image via Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Board OKs $5-per-hour raise for school nurses

The increase in pay is set to expire at the end of 2020-2021 school year.

Image via Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna High School English teacher Nicole Hewitt teaches her students remotely from her empty classroom at Soldotna High School on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Education commissioner talks school start

State reports 66 new COVID-19 cases

Soldotna High School English teacher Nicole Hewitt teaches her students remotely from her empty classroom at Soldotna High School on Monday, April 6, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
John Webster and Duane Jennings with the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank unload a truck at the food bank just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Food Bank sees major uptick in demand

Nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of year undergoes changes due to pandemic

John Webster and Duane Jennings with the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank unload a truck at the food bank just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, is seen here reviewing his proposed changes to the Alaska Legislature regarding the AK CARES funds for small businesses at the KPEDD office in Kenai, Alaska, on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

States expands small business grants

The AK CARES Grant program is being modified in response to calls for changes.

Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, is seen here reviewing his proposed changes to the Alaska Legislature regarding the AK CARES funds for small businesses at the KPEDD office in Kenai, Alaska, on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (CDC)

State reports 1 new COVID death, no new peninsula cases

The person who died was an Anchorage man who was in his 70s.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 3

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 3

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. 3
A fire crew can be seen here at a containment line for the Swan Lake Fire in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)

Fire crew’s departure highlights different wildfire season

With fire season winding down, state sends firefigthers south

A fire crew can be seen here at a containment line for the Swan Lake Fire in this undated photo. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management)
File

Seward extends emergency restrictions

Emergency ordinance 2020-009 was adopted unanimously by the city council on July 27.

File
Photos by Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion                                 Part of a newly installed interagency public lands display at the Kenai Municipal Airport.

Kenai airport gets public lands display

The murals stretch from floor to ceiling in the ticketing area of the newly remodeled airport.

Photos by Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion                                 Part of a newly installed interagency public lands display at the Kenai Municipal Airport.
Image via Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 1

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

Image via Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Rep. Gary Knopp is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Jayme Jones)

Lawmakers remember colleague killed in crash

State Rep. Gary Knopp, who represented Kenai-Soldotna area, was one of seven people killed Friday.

Rep. Gary Knopp is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Jayme Jones)

COVID week in review: Cases climb; state reports new deaths

18 new hospitalizations and four deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported this week.

Rep. Gary Knopp killed in plane crash

Rep. Gary Knopp killed in plane crash

The mid-air plane crash occurred in Soldotna Friday morning.

Rep. Gary Knopp killed in plane crash
A screengrab of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintedent John O’Brien announcing in a Thursday, July 30, 2020 video that masks will be required in school buildings this fall, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Schools to require masks, face coverings

Masks are now mandatory for all staff and students in third grade and higher.

A screengrab of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintedent John O’Brien announcing in a Thursday, July 30, 2020 video that masks will be required in school buildings this fall, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
District alert levels

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: July 30

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

District alert levels
Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)

‘Fish on’

Silver Salmon Derby pushes forward despite pandemic

Silver salmon hang in the Seward Boat Harbor during the 2018 Seward Silver Salmon Derby. (Photo courtesy of Seward Chamber of Commerce)
Alaska State Troopers badge

Man found dead after apparent bear mauling

Troopers received a report that a Hope man who set out to clear a trail had not returned home.

Alaska State Troopers badge

Syphilis rates double between 2018 and 2019

“This is the largest number of syphilis cases that we have ever had reported in one year.”

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Experts urge caution as COVID cases rise

Alaska saw 120 new COVID-19 cases, three additional hospitalizations and one new death.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)