Coronavirus

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District and University of Alaska’s Center for Economic Development participate in a forum on Alaska’s economic future on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Screenshot by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Researchers: Recovery may come faster to peninsula

Peninsula’s diversity a strength amid economic struggle

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District and University of Alaska’s Center for Economic Development participate in a forum on Alaska’s economic future on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Screenshot by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly are seen on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH doctor briefs assembly on COVID vaccine

A large portion of the presentation focused on combating misinformation surrounding the vaccine

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly are seen on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)

Who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine right now?

Find out if you qualify and where to go

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson (left) on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. (Photo courtesy Austin McDaniel, Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy pushes budget in virtual town hall

Dunleavy’s budget would draw about $6 billion from the Permanent Fund’s Earnings Reserve Account

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the public during a virtual town hall on Sept. 15, 2020 in Alaska. (Photo courtesy Austin McDaniel, Office of the Governor)
Tim Dillon, executive director of KPEDD, presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula one of top recipients of small business relief funds

Just under $50 million in grant funds were distributed to businesses in the area

Tim Dillon, executive director of KPEDD, presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Graphic by Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion
COVID-19. (Image via CDC)

COVID cases continue downward trend

The peninsula reported 10 new cases Tuesday

COVID-19. (Image via CDC)
A vial of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaskans 65 and older next in line for COVID-19 vaccine

Alaskans ages 65 and older can begin scheduling appointments for Jan. 11 on Jan. 6

A vial of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion

KPBSD resumes remote learning for new quarter

A decision will be made Tuesday about whether schools will resume onsite learning on Jan. 11

Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna are seen on Monday.

Assembly to meet in person following renovations, COVID mitigation measures

Renovations include a new configuration of the assembly dais and audience, and new camera equipment

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
Renovations made to the Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers in Soldotna are seen on Monday.
Shanon Davis, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, shows off a stamp card used in the Chamber’s Soldotna Strong Shop Local campaign on July 22, 2020. The City of Kenai is considering launching its own shop local program. (Photo courtesy Shanon Davis)

Kenai to consider shop local program

The program would run from Feb. 1 to Mar. 1 of 2021

Shanon Davis, executive director of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, shows off a stamp card used in the Chamber’s Soldotna Strong Shop Local campaign on July 22, 2020. The City of Kenai is considering launching its own shop local program. (Photo courtesy Shanon Davis)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to begin accepting mini grant applications Jan. 15

Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 15 through Feb. 15, 2021

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion 
From left, Sheryl Christner, Julia Christner, Ruby Eicher and Audrey Christner shop at Kate’s Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna while Kate Mastre rings them up on Saturday.

A holiday ‘blessing’

Local businesses get lifeline with shop local program

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion 
From left, Sheryl Christner, Julia Christner, Ruby Eicher and Audrey Christner shop at Kate’s Flowers and Gifts in Soldotna while Kate Mastre rings them up on Saturday.
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Health care workers wave from inside of Central Peninsula Hospital while awaiting the delivery of the facility’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Dec. 16 in Soldotna.

Virus hits home

A look back at COVID in 2020

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Health care workers wave from inside of Central Peninsula Hospital while awaiting the delivery of the facility’s first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines on Dec. 16 in Soldotna.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien, bottom left, gives a presentation to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a virtual luncheon held via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber Executive Director Brittany Brown, top left, moderator Merrill Sikorski, top right, and KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones, bottom right. (Screenshot)

O’Brien optimistic about kids returning to classrooms

At chamber luncheon, the school superintendent shared details on the district’s path forward.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien, bottom left, gives a presentation to members of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce during a virtual luncheon held via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020. Also pictured: Kenai Chamber Executive Director Brittany Brown, top left, moderator Merrill Sikorski, top right, and KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones, bottom right. (Screenshot)
Photo courtesy of Alaska VA Healthcare System
Vallerie Card-King, L.CPht, and Bjorn Miller, Pharm D, document and verify the batch numbers of the Moderna Vaccine at the Alaska VA Healthcare System.

6 peninsula locations to offer COVID vaccines to eligible individuals

Qualifications to receive the first dose are outlined by the state’s Phase 1a Tier 3 guidelines

Photo courtesy of Alaska VA Healthcare System
Vallerie Card-King, L.CPht, and Bjorn Miller, Pharm D, document and verify the batch numbers of the Moderna Vaccine at the Alaska VA Healthcare System.
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

374 new cases, state and borough positivity rate drops below 5%

Affected peninsula communities include Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski, Other South

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Covid money stock photo illustration

Extension of CARES Act deadline grants flexibility to local municipalities

The deadline for federal CARES Act dollars to be spent was extended to Dec. 31, 2021

Covid money stock photo illustration
Photo courtesy of Bruce Richards
UV light disinfection systems are pictured at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

CPH gets disinfecting UV lights

The purchase was intended to help put additional disinfection units in places around the hospital

Photo courtesy of Bruce Richards
UV light disinfection systems are pictured at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)