News

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

District nixes contact tracing for schools with universal masking

When a school moves to universal masking, nurse and staff time is “no longer dedicated” to contact tracing

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Teea Winger testifies in opposition to universal masking in schools during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

School mask policies frustrate some community members

To mask or not to mask? The question continues to cause headaches within the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, where the debate has raged almost… Continue reading

Teea Winger testifies in opposition to universal masking in schools during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
COVID

Masks made available as COVID cases remain high

The central peninsula is offering more free COVID-19 mitigation measures now, as cases in Alaska are still at an all-time high. Kenai Public Health Nurse… Continue reading

COVID
KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent presents an update on the district’s strategic plan during a board of education work session on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)

District developing 5-year plan for schools

The plan will be informed by data collected via surveys distributed throughout the district community

KPBSD Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent presents an update on the district’s strategic plan during a board of education work session on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Firm updates council on efforts to market Kenai to visitors

During 2021, the company seized opportunities to highlight local businesses and promoted relocation to Kenai

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The state of Alaska remains in high-alert level for COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

More than 3,000 new COVID cases statewide

The cases were reported over the weekend

The state of Alaska remains in high-alert level for COVID-19 cases on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. (Image via Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘Work, actual work’ is underway in the state Senate

It may take a special session.

Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich’s office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Alcohol industry overhaul bill heads to Senate floor

A key focus of the bill is the consolidation of Alaska’s existing licensing and permitting regulations.

Kenai Peninsula residents eat inside Kenai River Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska, on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to lobby state for $87 million for local projects

The projects include funds for a new fire station, school district relocation and flood mitigation

Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) Soldotna Prep School is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019 in Soldotna, Alaska. Relocating the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District administration to the location is one of the projects for which the borough is seeking state funds. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Hidden, Engineer and Skilak lakes in Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area can be seen from Hideout Hill in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 17, 2021. The refuge is celebrating its 80th winter. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating in the snow

Refuge announces February activities

The Hidden, Engineer and Skilak lakes in Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area can be seen from Hideout Hill in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 17, 2021. The refuge is celebrating its 80th winter. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council OKs grant funds for COVID leave, testing for city employees

The grant funds were made available under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials: State cases may be reaching plateau

New infections are trending downward nationwide

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

As Exit Glacier recedes, park seeks new management plan

The glacier has retreated by about 2,300 feet in the last 13 years

A sign along a trail to Exit Glacier marks the spot to where the toe of the glacier reached in 2010, photographed on June 22, 2018. The glacier has receded so much the National Park Service is reconceiving its plan management. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Spruce trees and covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Kalfornsky, Alaska. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Thursday, citing hazardous conditions due to increased snowfall and heavy wind gusts. (Photo by Peninsula Clarion staff)

Weather service issues advisory for snow, wind

The worst conditions on Thursday were expected to be between Nikiski and Anchor Point

Spruce trees and covered with snow on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Kalfornsky, Alaska. The National Weather Service issued another winter weather advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula on Thursday, citing hazardous conditions due to increased snowfall and heavy wind gusts. (Photo by Peninsula Clarion staff)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski ahead in campaign funds; Tshibaka brings in local money

U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka continues to report financial support from residents of the Kenai Peninsula, but falls behind incumbent Lisa Murkowski overall. That’s per… Continue reading

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly forms committee for gravel pit regs

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to further table legislation that would overhaul the sections of borough code that address the regulation of material… Continue reading

Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Gillham says he’s doing well after heart attack

The lawmaker said he began having discomfort late last Wednesday

Rep. Ron Gillham is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
The Seward Boat Harbor can be seen on Sept. 24, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

New seafood processor to set up shop in Seward

Bornstein Seafoods has taken over Polar Seafood’s lease on the east side of Resurrection Bay

The Seward Boat Harbor can be seen on Sept. 24, 2021, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.

School district, borough begin budget talks

Fiscal year 2023 begins on July 1, 2022

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion KPBSD Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Oct. 8, 2021.
The newly renovated historic Kenai Jail is seen at the Kenai Art Center on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Beer, bars and ink

Kenai Art Center debuts renovated jail with printmaking show and custom ale

The newly renovated historic Kenai Jail is seen at the Kenai Art Center on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)