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)
In this photo released by the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard soldiers use a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to removed an abandoned bus, popularized by the book and movie “Into the Wild,” out of its location in the Alaska backcountry Thursday, June 18, 2020, as part of a training mission. Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige, in a release, said the bus will be kept in a secure location while her department weighs various options for what to do with it. (Sgt. Seth LaCount/Alaska National Guard via AP)

‘Into the Wild’ bus likely lands a home at museum

The bus became a beacon for those wishing to retrace the steps of Christopher McCandless.

  • Jul 30, 2020
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Press
  • State News
In this photo released by the Alaska National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard soldiers use a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to removed an abandoned bus, popularized by the book and movie “Into the Wild,” out of its location in the Alaska backcountry Thursday, June 18, 2020, as part of a training mission. Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige, in a release, said the bus will be kept in a secure location while her department weighs various options for what to do with it. (Sgt. Seth LaCount/Alaska National Guard via AP)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID-19 cases continue to rise

Cases are expected to rise given how much Alaskans are social distancing and using face coverings.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Risk levels

Risk levels

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

Risk levels
A female harbor seal pup that was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program on May 4 is seen here in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center fundraising efforts continue

GCI will spearhead a membership drive and contribute $50,000 to the organization.

A female harbor seal pup that was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program on May 4 is seen here in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
‘Up and running again’

‘Up and running again’

Prep practices begin on central peninsula

‘Up and running again’
Anglers practice social distancing on the upper Kenai River in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in late June 2020. (Photo provided by Nick Longobardi/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Kenai River fishing rules tightened

Only unbaited single hooks and artificial lures will be allowed.

Anglers practice social distancing on the upper Kenai River in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in late June 2020. (Photo provided by Nick Longobardi/Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District interprets school risk based on how many cases there were over the past 14 days. (KPBSD)

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels

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

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District interprets school risk based on how many cases there were over the past 14 days. (KPBSD)
Soldotna football players wait in line to get screened by head coach Galen Brantley Jr. before summer workouts Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Prep sports practices begin Wednesday

Practices will start with certain restrictions in place.

Soldotna football players wait in line to get screened by head coach Galen Brantley Jr. before summer workouts Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The number of COVID-19 cases in the City of Red Deer and some other central Alberta communities, including the Town of Sylvan Lake, went up between Monday and Tuesday. (Image courtesy CDC)

Visitors must test before arrival

Nonresidents will not have the option of getting tested for COVID-19 when they arrive in Alaska.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the City of Red Deer and some other central Alberta communities, including the Town of Sylvan Lake, went up between Monday and Tuesday. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Primary voting launches Monday

Early voting, both absentee and in-person, will take place from Aug. 3 to Aug. 17.

A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                A sign directs voters at Soldotna City Hall during the special Field House election on March 5, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Daily school district COVID-19 risk levels

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

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)