Coronavirus

A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

State expands unemployment benefits

Workers may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits.

A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

9 new cases, 2 on peninsula

Cases in Anchor Point and Homer were reported at Friday’s press conference.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic
South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic
Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

2 new COVID-19 cases announced at South Peninsula Hospital

One case is from community transmission, the other still under investigation

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Staff with the Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness Center and the Seldovia Village Tribal Administration conduct free COVID-19 testing in Seldovia, Alaska on April 29, 2020. (Photo courtesy Laurel Hilts/Seldovia Village Tribe)

Seldovia tests half of its community in 1 day

Free COVID-19 testing was available to all of the residents in their community.

Staff with the Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness Center and the Seldovia Village Tribal Administration conduct free COVID-19 testing in Seldovia, Alaska on April 29, 2020. (Photo courtesy Laurel Hilts/Seldovia Village Tribe)
Dine-in option proves a mixed bag for area restaurants

Dine-in option proves a mixed bag for area restaurants

Area restaurants struggle to overcome challenges as state mandates are lifted.

Dine-in option proves a mixed bag for area restaurants
Dunleavy: Virus isn’t going anywhere

Dunleavy: Virus isn’t going anywhere

“The more we learn about this virus, it appears it’s going to be with us for some time.”

Dunleavy: Virus isn’t going anywhere
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion file                                 Emerald Miller receives her high school diploma from her parents at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Connections home-school program graduation ceremony May 23, 2019, in Soldotna.

Schools look for “meaningful alternatives” to graduations

Schools will observe state health mandates and guidelines in celebrating the class of 2020.

Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion file                                 Emerald Miller receives her high school diploma from her parents at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Connections home-school program graduation ceremony May 23, 2019, in Soldotna.
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

State confirms 6 new COVID-19 cases

The case total for Alaska is 351 people, with 228 residents reported as recovered.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
Storybooks, radio connect children isolated in Homer

Storybooks, radio connect children isolated in Homer

The public library in Homer is partnering with a radio station to bring a story hour to preschoolers

Storybooks, radio connect children isolated in Homer

Alaska sees no new COVID-19 cases on Saturday

Total number of cases rests at 339, while 217 have recovered

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Tracing a disease to its origins

It’s an inexact science that is part clinical, part investigative work.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday at her salon Short Cuts on Lake Street in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

State allows some gatherings; businesses begin reopening

Indoor gatherings will be limited to 20 people, or 25% capacity of the site, whichever is smaller.

Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday at her salon Short Cuts on Lake Street in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion                                Pamyua performs at the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna Creek Park in 2019.

Music in the Park returns to its local roots

Chamber hoping to hold music series once public gatherings are allowed.

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion                                Pamyua performs at the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna Creek Park in 2019.
A sign notifying the public of closure of nonessential businesses due to public health mandate 11 can be seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued guidelines allowing nonessential businesses to operate in a limited capacity on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Getting back to business

Mandate offers guidelines for nonessential businesses.

A sign notifying the public of closure of nonessential businesses due to public health mandate 11 can be seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued guidelines allowing nonessential businesses to operate in a limited capacity on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Monday, April 20, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Monday, April 20, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Mark Thiessen / associated press                                 A commercial van with signs on its back windows is driven through downtown Anchorage on Wednesday as part of a caravan of more than 80 vehicles. Participants urged local and state leaders to open up businesses shuttered temporarily while residents were told to stay home. The state will allow some businesses to open Friday, and the city of Anchorage will allow some Monday.

New mandate breaks down reopening protocols

Dunleavy outlines details for nonessential businesses; test criteria loosens

Mark Thiessen / associated press                                 A commercial van with signs on its back windows is driven through downtown Anchorage on Wednesday as part of a caravan of more than 80 vehicles. Participants urged local and state leaders to open up businesses shuttered temporarily while residents were told to stay home. The state will allow some businesses to open Friday, and the city of Anchorage will allow some Monday.
One of the kits used to collect samples that are tested for COVID-19 is seen here at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                One of the kits used to collect samples that are tested for COVID-19 is seen here at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Voices: Dunleavy is no friend to health care

The profound effects of underfunding Alaska’s health care system are just now coming to light.

One of the kits used to collect samples that are tested for COVID-19 is seen here at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)                                One of the kits used to collect samples that are tested for COVID-19 is seen here at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Monday, April 20, 2020, in Juneau. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy unveils plan to disburse $1.25B in federal relief funds

Borough would receive $37 million in community assistance.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Monday, April 20, 2020, in Juneau. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)