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)
Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion                                Dipnetters line North Kenai Beach in Kenai on July 20.

Dipnetters flock to peninsula despite pandemic

“… a lot of people ended up staying in the state and coming here for their vacations.”

Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion                                Dipnetters line North Kenai Beach in Kenai on July 20.

Mayor, city council, assembly seats on 2020 ballot

The filing period for municipal elections closes on Aug. 17

Soldotna’s Jersey Truesdell prepares to loft a pass in a scrimmage against Chugiak on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Prep sports competitions return

Saturday’s football jamboree will look different due to mitigation policies

Soldotna’s Jersey Truesdell prepares to loft a pass in a scrimmage against Chugiak on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 13, 2020

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels: Aug. 13, 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. 13, 2020
Getting back onstage

Getting back onstage

Kenai Performers returns with ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’

Getting back onstage
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai offering marketing grants

The city council set aside $50,000 of the CARES Act funds to pay for the new program.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Tom Kato, 41, left Branding Iron Bar and Grill in Keremeos feeling uneasy and frustrated after spotting two stickers displaying white power symbols and the words “It’s OK to be white.” The bar’s owner has since said he will not take down the stickers. (Contributed)

White pride stickers at Keremeos pub leaves group uneasy and angry

The ‘OK’ hand gesture is a known hate-symbol

Tom Kato, 41, left Branding Iron Bar and Grill in Keremeos feeling uneasy and frustrated after spotting two stickers displaying white power symbols and the words “It’s OK to be white.” The bar’s owner has since said he will not take down the stickers. (Contributed)
Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic

Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic

Henry is accused of killing Mark Matthews, who at 61 years old was found dead on July 28, 2013.

Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic
Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

Back to school

Principals discuss what reopening will look like at local schools

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)
Cook Inlet can be seen through the window of a Ravn aircraft in October 2019. RavnAir Group declared bankruptcy in April. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula gets a new Ravn

CEO aims to have flights by September

Cook Inlet can be seen through the window of a Ravn aircraft in October 2019. RavnAir Group declared bankruptcy in April. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)