Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

4 peninsula schools require universal masking

Seward Elementary on Monday joined Port Graham School, Susan B. English School and Tebughna School in requiring masks due to a number of COVID-19 cases.

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education attend a meeting on Monday, July 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Officials: Kids at risk for respiratory illnesses

Although a child hasn’t been admitted as an inpatient for COVID at the facility, there have been multiple kids who have tested positive.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Staff adapts as COVID patients inundate hospital

As of Monday morning, there were 21 COVID inpatients, with 7 of them in the intensive care unit and 1 on a ventilator.

A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.

Murkowski pushes to reauthorize heritage site

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is one of only 55 NHAs in the United States.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion 
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.
Officials with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the State of Alaska participate in an online Q&A session regarding COVID-19 mitigation and the safe return of students to schools. (Screenshot)
Officials with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the State of Alaska participate in an online Q&A session regarding COVID-19 mitigation and the safe return of students to schools. (Screenshot)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State, peninsula COVID-19 cases continue to surge

More than 3,500 COVID-19 cases were reported in Alaska over the last week.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Jason Davis (Photo by Sara Erickson)

Davis appointed to Homer City Council

Jason Davis was sworn in on Monday to serve in the interim position on the Homer City Council.

Jason Davis (Photo by Sara Erickson)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska at the store on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. Troopers were searching for the alleged shooter, Bret Herrick, 60. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Trooper’s gun malfunctioned in Anchor Point shooting

The shooting happened when trooper Bruce Brueggeman attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

Alaska State Troopers investigate a shooting scene on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at the Anchor Point Warehouse in Anchor Point, Alaska at the store on the Sterling Highway in which an Alaska State Trooper was shot. Troopers were searching for the alleged shooter, Bret Herrick, 60. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna OKs 2-year contract with Brown Bears

The hockey team has used the sports complex as their home facility since 2007.

The Kenai River Brown Bears salute seats mostly empty due to coronavirus mitigation measures after a victory over the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A bathymetric map shows the depth of John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski. (Photo from Alaska Lake Database)

John Hedberg Lake to be stocked with rainbow trout

The state announced last month it was considering stocking the Nikiski lake with trout.

A bathymetric map shows the depth of John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski. (Photo from Alaska Lake Database)
The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities mull use of relief funds

ARPA funds are in addition to money received through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)

Hospital opens overflow unit as COVID inpatients reach 24

The state reported 730 new COVID-19 new cases on Thursday

Most regions in Alaska were at “high” COVID-19 risk level on Thursday. (Screenshot via DHSS)
A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Kenai Refuge crew called to Washington wildfires

It’s not uncommon to send crews to other wildlife refuges to aid with fire containment.

A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)
In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

NOAA beluga viewing festival canceled due to COVID concerns

The “Belugas Count!” event was supposed to be held on Sept. 11.

In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Bypass project completion date pushed back

The project aims to reduce congestion on the Sterling Highway through Cooper Landing.

A section of trees are cleared to make way for the Cooper Landing Bypass, on Aug. 10, 2021, in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna City Council stands by Farnsworth-Hutchings as planning pick

The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed in monthslong recruitment and appointment process.

Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

60 peninsula COVID cases, 2 Soldotna deaths reported

They include a Soldotna man in his 40s and a nonresident woman in her 70s who died in Soldotna.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to the crowd in Seward during a celebratory parade on Aug. 5.

Jacoby honored by Seward City Council

The 17-year-old, a senior at Seward High School, won a gold medal for Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to the crowd in Seward during a celebratory parade on Aug. 5.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Kenai Peninsula reports 101 new cases

That includes 70 resident cases on the central peninsula.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)