A graph from the Department of Health and Social Services on Oct. 7, 2021 shows COVID-19 cases have dropped since the last week in September. (Photo taken from the DHSS)

Officials ‘cautiously optimistic’ about state COVID trends

Although cases appear to be dropping, officials say Alaska isn’t ‘out of the woods’ yet

A graph from the Department of Health and Social Services on Oct. 7, 2021 shows COVID-19 cases have dropped since the last week in September. (Photo taken from the DHSS)
James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August, 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Hobo Jim, beloved Alaska balladeer, dies after battle with cancer

Just over two weeks ago Varsos went public with his terminal cancer diagnosis.

James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August, 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Screenshot (labor.alaska.gov)

Alaska minimum wage stays stagnant for 2022

Currently, the minimum wage stands at $10.34 hourly.

Screenshot (labor.alaska.gov)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to discuss land management plan Monday

The City of Kenai owns 369 subdivided parcels.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Erosion due to a failing stormwater pipe can be seen near Bryson Avenue in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy City of Kenai)

Bluff erosion project near Bryson Avenue nears completion

A pipe was leaking water through rusty connections.

Erosion due to a failing stormwater pipe can be seen near Bryson Avenue in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy City of Kenai)
Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Unofficial results show low turnout in cities, incumbent losses

All results are unofficial and do not include absentee, questioned and absentee ballots.

Signs direct voters at the Kenai No. 3 precinct for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Sarah Knapp / Homer News 
A voter at city hall in Homer reviews their ballot before submitting it on Tuesday

Southern peninsula adds new faces to assembly, school board

Erickson, Aderhold win council; third race too close to call. Daugharty, Tupper win borough races.

Sarah Knapp / Homer News 
A voter at city hall in Homer reviews their ballot before submitting it on Tuesday
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Booster shots roll out on the peninsula

Health officials recommend consulting with a primary care provider to determine eligibility.

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board OKs COVID sick leave for district staff

The agreement cited “continued uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Otis, the four-time Fat Bear Week champion, fishes at Katmai National Park on Sept. 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)

Katmai announces its hefty champion

Otis, bear 480, was crowned this year’s winner on Tuesday.

Otis, the four-time Fat Bear Week champion, fishes at Katmai National Park on Sept. 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Lian Law, National Parks Service)
(Image courtesy CDC)
(Image courtesy CDC)
Poll worker Joan Seaman helps Joyce Ellestad cast her vote at Kenai No. 1 precinct on Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Poll worker Joan Seaman helps Joyce Ellestad cast her vote at Kenai No. 1 precinct on Oct. 5, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Live municipal election results

The Clarion is tracking municipal election results live. This page will be updated periodically throughout the evening. Blank charts reflect races for which data has… Continue reading

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (front left) and Superintendent Clayton Holland (back right) listen as Board of Education President Zen Kelly (back left) speaks at a board meeting on Monday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Superintendent seeks board input on revisions to district’s COVID protocols

Multiple parents and board members voiced their concerns about the district’s close contact policy.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Assistant Superintendent Kari Dendurent (front left) and Superintendent Clayton Holland (back right) listen as Board of Education President Zen Kelly (back left) speaks at a board meeting on Monday in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
file

Anchorage FBI office launches hate crime reporting program

The program was launched across various digital, print and radio advertisements, as well as on public transportation in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.

file
Signs show support for Soldotna City Council candidates at the intersection of the Sterling Highway and the Kenai Spur Highway on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tuesday’s the day to vote

What you need to know to cast a ballot

Signs show support for Soldotna City Council candidates at the intersection of the Sterling Highway and the Kenai Spur Highway on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
In this Jan. 6, 2021 file photo, supporters of then President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington. A New York mother and son have been charged with theft in aiding the disappearance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s laptop during the Jan. 6 insurrection after the FBI initially raided a home 4,500 miles away in Alaska, looking for the computer. According to court documents, the FBI on Friday, Oct. 1 arrested Maryann Mooney-Rondon, and her son, Rafael Rondon, of Watertown, N.Y. Both also face other charges related to the riot at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

NY mother, son arrested in theft of Pelosi’s laptop

A tip to the FBI led them to the mother and son.

In this Jan. 6, 2021 file photo, supporters of then President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington. A New York mother and son have been charged with theft in aiding the disappearance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s laptop during the Jan. 6 insurrection after the FBI initially raided a home 4,500 miles away in Alaska, looking for the computer. According to court documents, the FBI on Friday, Oct. 1 arrested Maryann Mooney-Rondon, and her son, Rafael Rondon, of Watertown, N.Y. Both also face other charges related to the riot at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion file)

Nurses from Lower 48 arrive at Central Peninsula Hospital

Additional staff are aimed at alleviating strain from COVID-19 surge.

Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion file)
Demonstrators march through Soldotna as part of the national Women’s March “Rally for Abortion Justice” on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘I cannot believe that this has been threatened’

Soldotna demonstrators join national Women’s March in support of abortion rights

Demonstrators march through Soldotna as part of the national Women’s March “Rally for Abortion Justice” on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Cindy Ecklund is running for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s east peninsula seat. (courtesy photo)
Cindy Ecklund is running for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly’s east peninsula seat. (courtesy photo)