A sign explaining mask policy can be seen at Safeway grocery store in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Officials: New guidance positive sign but Alaskans still at risk

CDC says fully vaccinated people can safely gather without masks.

A sign explaining mask policy can be seen at Safeway grocery store in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

COVID patients overwhelm hospital

Central Peninsula Hospital staff has opened up overflow space and put patients in old maternity wards.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the COVID screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Downtown Seward, Alaska, is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Downtown Seward, Alaska, is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school recently suspended indoor mask requirements for students and staff. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

2 schools suspend indoor mask requirements

Kenai Middle School and Sterling Elementary Schools are no longer requiring face masks in indoor settings for students and staff.

A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school recently suspended indoor mask requirements for students and staff. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to consider purchasing 2 new city vehicles

The vehicles will be used by Soldotna police and animal control.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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 opens up about recent terminal cancer diagnosis

Varsos was named Alaska’s official “state balladeer” in 1994.

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)
Everett Anderson, second grade, shows Principal John DeVolld some of his class work at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Like we’re a Blue Ribbon School every year’

Soldotna Montessori Charter School earns national recognition for high performance.

Everett Anderson, second grade, shows Principal John DeVolld some of his class work at Soldotna Montessori Charter School on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz attends a work session of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai approves election overhaul

The new legislation more closely aligns the city with borough election code.

Kenai City Clerk Jamie Heinz attends a work session of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after a fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The state is seeking federal funding for a project aimed at improving safety along the Sterling Highway between mileposts 82.5 to 94, or between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

State looks to federal funding for Sterling Highway project

The project is aimed at improving highway safety between Sterling and Soldotna.

Traffic moves north along the Sterling Highway shortly after a fatal crash closed the highway for several hours Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The state is seeking federal funding for a project aimed at improving safety along the Sterling Highway between mileposts 82.5 to 94, or between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Taking the final spin

Silver salmon derby wraps up with magic number draw.

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

Kenai to mull funding for water main threatened by erosion

The water main, which runs parallel to the eroding bluff, was described as an “emerging issue” by the city public works director.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

SeaLife Center restarts marine learning classes for kids

“Small Fry School” can be livestreamed on the SeaLife Center’s YouTube channel.

The Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Randy Wells is running for the Seward City Council in the 2021 municipal elections in Seward, Alaska. (Photo via City of Seward)
Randy Wells is running for the Seward City Council in the 2021 municipal elections in Seward, Alaska. (Photo via City of Seward)
Victoria Askin sits in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Victoria Askin

Askin said Kenai’s finances are one of the city’s greatest strengths.

Victoria Askin sits in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Medical Assistant Louis Hubbard administers a COVID-19 test to Rick Dealba on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Aggressively buying more rapid testing materials’

Public health officials work to stay ahead of testing need

Medical Assistant Louis Hubbard administers a COVID-19 test to Rick Dealba on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021 at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
James Duffield. (Courtesy photo)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate James Duffield

Duffield said development of Kenai’s business community, recreational opportunities and waterfront revitalization were issues important to him.

James Duffield. (Courtesy photo)
Deborah Sounart stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Deborah Sounart

She said the skills needed to be a successful band director would translate to those needed to be an effective member of the city council.

Deborah Sounart stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alex Douthit stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 9, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Election 2021: Kenai City Council candidate Alex Douthit

Douthit said he could bring a younger perspective to the council and that his priority would be bettering the city.

Alex Douthit stands in the Peninsula Clarion building on Sept. 9, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Brent Johnson address a small crowd of people during a borough public hearing held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough to consider banning smoking in buildings

Current code only bans smoking in assembly chambers during meetings and session.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Brent Johnson address a small crowd of people during a borough public hearing held Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)