Kenai Peninsula

Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)

As days get warmer, avalanche danger heightens

Drivers and backcountry hikers should exercise caution this time of year.

Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)
A moose traverses a residential backyard in July 2020 in Kalifornsky, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

As spring comes back to the peninsula, so do bears and moose

Seminar encourages a safe coexistence between Alaskans and wildlife this spring.

A moose traverses a residential backyard in July 2020 in Kalifornsky, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

200 vaccine appointments available

More than 200 COVID-19 vaccination appointments were available across multiple central peninsula clinics as of Monday at 6 p.m. according to PrepMod, the online portal… Continue reading

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kasilof River can be seen in June 2019. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources will acquire 309 acres of habitat along the river with funding from a federal conservation grant. (Clarion file)

State to acquire Kasilof wetlands for preservation project

The project in Kasilof will protect 283 acres of coastal wetland habitat in the Kasilof River Flats.

The Kasilof River can be seen in June 2019. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources will acquire 309 acres of habitat along the river with funding from a federal conservation grant. (Clarion file)
An area cleared for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Expect delays when traveling through Cooper Landing this summer

Work will focus on the first 2 miles of the project, near the west end of the existing alignment.

An area cleared for the Cooper Landing Bypass Project can be seen below Slaughter Ridge in Cooper Landing, Alaska, on July 18, 2020. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)

Avalanche shuts down section of Seward Highway

The avalanche took place at Mile 45, cutting off peninsula residents’ route to Anchorage.

Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)
Matt Conner (left) and Amber Kraxberger-Linson demonstrate how to tie flies during a remote workshop on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)

A crash course in fly-fishing

The tutorial was presented by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in partnership with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Matt Conner (left) and Amber Kraxberger-Linson demonstrate how to tie flies during a remote workshop on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Pike prey on rearing salmon. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

State, refuge to tackle invasive pike problem

The species threatens native fish populations in the area, including rainbow trout and juvenile salmon.

Pike prey on rearing salmon. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Kaitlin Vadla, Kenai regional director of Cook Inletkeeper, facilitates the final community Drawdown: Climate Series event, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

DIY save the planet: Cook Inletkeeper unveils ‘Climate ActionKit’

The kit is an all-in-one guide to saving the planet through community action

Kaitlin Vadla, Kenai regional director of Cook Inletkeeper, facilitates the final community Drawdown: Climate Series event, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council Executive Director Debbie Speakman presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, March 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Trends 2021: Peninsula tourism targeted Alaskans in 2020

It was the year that almost wasn’t for peninsula tourism.

Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council Executive Director Debbie Speakman presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, March 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Joseph Lee, of Idaho, backed by Ivan Zarate, of Arizona, and Abiud Zarate, of Baja California, Mexico, arrange fish so their heads can be chopped off by a guillotine-style machine Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Pacific Star Seafoods in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, assembly urge US Commerce Secretary to veto EEZ closure

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to reccomend the closure last December.

Joseph Lee, of Idaho, backed by Ivan Zarate, of Arizona, and Abiud Zarate, of Baja California, Mexico, arrange fish so their heads can be chopped off by a guillotine-style machine Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Pacific Star Seafoods in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
(Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Applications to bait refuge black bears now available

Application requests and submissions will be done via phone or email due to COVID-19

(Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Daniel Saxton demonstrates how to use a draw knife during the Kenai Wildlife Refuge’s remote Speaker Series on cabins on Friday, Feb. 26 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

‘Everyone has a cabin’: Refuge explores history and nature of public use cabins on the Kenai

Dan Saxton also demonstrated how to use a draw knife during the presentation

Daniel Saxton demonstrates how to use a draw knife during the Kenai Wildlife Refuge’s remote Speaker Series on cabins on Friday, Feb. 26 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
A spruce tree showing heavy damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion file)
A spruce tree showing heavy damage from spruce bark beetles stands on Saturday, April 28, 2018 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ben Boetttger/Peninsula Clarion file)
The homepage of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s new workforce development is seen in a screenshot from Feb. 17, 2021. (Screenshot)

KPEDD unveils workforce development website

The website aims to connect people with resources to help them start a career

The homepage of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s new workforce development is seen in a screenshot from Feb. 17, 2021. (Screenshot)
COVID-19 (Image via CDC)

15% of Alaskans have received at least 1 vaccine dose

As of Tuesday, more than 110,000 Alaskans had received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine.

COVID-19 (Image via CDC)
Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Fish and Game issues preemptive restrictions on king salmon fishing

Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game has issued several preemptive restrictions on king salmon fishing in Cook Inlet waters in an attempt to protect the… Continue reading

Terry Umatum of Anchorage takes a deep breath after landing his Anchor River king salmon on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
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.
Bill Holt sits in the maintenance shed at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Holt retires as facilities and equipment manager on Friday. He started working at the trails in the winter of 1993-94. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Time to be a beginner again’

Holt steps away from Tsalteshi after over 25 years of driving the expansion and refinement of trails

Bill Holt sits in the maintenance shed at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Holt retires as facilities and equipment manager on Friday. He started working at the trails in the winter of 1993-94. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
Central Peninsula Hospital Pharmacy Technician Jessica Hulet rolls a cart carrying doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine into Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna on Wednesday.

1st vaccines arrive on peninsula

975 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine were transported from Anchorage to Soldotna Wednesday morning.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion
Central Peninsula Hospital Pharmacy Technician Jessica Hulet rolls a cart carrying doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine into Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna on Wednesday.