COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Amid steep rise in COVID-19 cases, officials see reasons for optimism

COVID cases increased 145% from this week to last week, according to state data.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Photo by Haley Ritchie/Yukon News
Birders Jenny Trapnell and Jim Hawkings participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, on Dec. 26 — part of the worldwide count that included Homer.

9,900 birds reported during Homer Christmas Bird Count

The count identified 71 species on Dec. 18, 2021.

Photo by Haley Ritchie/Yukon News
Birders Jenny Trapnell and Jim Hawkings participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, on Dec. 26 — part of the worldwide count that included Homer.
State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Micciche briefs community ahead of session

Micciche seeks path forward on budget, looks to pass legislation on fishing permits, alcohol regulations

State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Chairs at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly chambers are decorated with paper cutouts on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. The cutouts were intended to represent Central Peninsula Hospital patients who died of COVID-19. During public testimony given Tuesday, several members of the public expressed the desire for alternative treatments for COVID-19 and protested CPH’s treatment methods. (Photo courtesy Katherine Uei)

Assembly approves state health grant

The money was made available under a grant program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairs at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly chambers are decorated with paper cutouts on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. The cutouts were intended to represent Central Peninsula Hospital patients who died of COVID-19. During public testimony given Tuesday, several members of the public expressed the desire for alternative treatments for COVID-19 and protested CPH’s treatment methods. (Photo courtesy Katherine Uei)
A sign advertising testing for COVID-19 is seen at Capstone Clinic in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Testing ‘key component’ as COVID cases spike

There was a 145% increase in COVID cases from the week of Dec. 22 to the week of Dec. 29.

A sign advertising testing for COVID-19 is seen at Capstone Clinic in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Cars drive along the Kenai Spur Highway near Eagle Rock Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2021 near Kenai, Alaska. The highway will be widened under a state transportation project. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

2nd phase of project to widen Kenai Spur to start this summer

The first phase of the project widened the highway between Swires Road and Eagle Rock Drive

Cars drive along the Kenai Spur Highway near Eagle Rock Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2021 near Kenai, Alaska. The highway will be widened under a state transportation project. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Internet cables (Peninsula Clarion file)

ACS outage restored after phones, internet go down

The company isolated a fiber issue between Kenai and Soldotna

Internet cables (Peninsula Clarion file)
Birds grow at Dana Armstrong’s farm in Nikiski, Alaska. Armstrong is the director of the Kenai Peninsula Poultry Project — a 501(c)3 organization with the goal of providing healthy poultry options for central peninsula residents in need. (Courtesy of Dana Armstrong)

Local farmer aims to donate poultry to residents in need

She said she will process and donate both live poultry and cuts of meat to the local food banks and church pantries.

Birds grow at Dana Armstrong’s farm in Nikiski, Alaska. Armstrong is the director of the Kenai Peninsula Poultry Project — a 501(c)3 organization with the goal of providing healthy poultry options for central peninsula residents in need. (Courtesy of Dana Armstrong)
A DHSS graphic shows most regions of Alaska to be at high alert level as of Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. (Screenshot)

2022 kicks off with a rush of COVID cases

More than 2,800 cases reported over last five days

A DHSS graphic shows most regions of Alaska to be at high alert level as of Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. (Screenshot)
A Ravn Airlines plane arrives in Anchorage to transport passengers to Kenai after more than two hours of delay on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Windy conditions delayed flights to and from the peninsula over the weekend. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)”

Severe winds hammer Southcentral

The winds caused flight cancellations, power outages and local road closures

A Ravn Airlines plane arrives in Anchorage to transport passengers to Kenai after more than two hours of delay on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Windy conditions delayed flights to and from the peninsula over the weekend. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)”
Alaska State Troopers logo.

State to test AMBER Alert System next week

The system is mean to help rescue abducted children

Alaska State Troopers logo.
The homepage of KPBSD’s new website. (Screenshot)

School district soliciting feedback on new website

The redesign is meant to make the site more accessible and responsive

The homepage of KPBSD’s new website. (Screenshot)
A map shows 7-day COVID-19 case rates per 100,000 people by borough and census area, as of Dec. 29. (Screenshot from Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

7-day COVID rates creeping up

The state announced nearly 1,000 new cases reported in Alaska from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28

A map shows 7-day COVID-19 case rates per 100,000 people by borough and census area, as of Dec. 29. (Screenshot from Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
Pike prey on rearing salmon. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Fish retention at some peninsula lakes restricted in 2022 due to pike impacts

Restrictions exist for East and West Mackey, Sevena, Union, Derks and Stormy lakes in 2022

Pike prey on rearing salmon. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Industry outlook forum kicks off next week

The annual forum is put on by the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon sits in his office on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 north of Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)

Power restored in Soldotna after outage that affected 7,000

The company was still repairing some single outages Wednesday.

A screenshot from around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 shows the location of reported power outages experienced by members of Homer Electric Association. (Screenshot)
Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Here to keep the promise’

New clinic serving peninsula veterans opens in Soldotna

Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the Soldotna Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska reports nearly 1,000 new COVID cases

Six cases of the omicron variant have been detected in Alaska.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New rules kick in for all-purpose vehicles Saturday

ATVS, other all-purpose vehicles allowed on certain roads starting Jan. 1.

The sun sets on a backroad near Kalifornsky Beach Road on Dec. 21, 2021. New regulations allowing all-purpose vehicles on some roads go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)

Fireworks banned in most places on peninsula

The City of Kenai allows use for a 48-hour period over the New Year’s holiday.

Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)