News

Chinook salmon jump and swim over a weir in the Cook Slough on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in Silvana, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Marine safety association launches COVID vaccine campaign for commercial fishermen

The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association launched a new COVID-19 vaccination promotional campaign Tuesday, with the goal of encouraging more commercial fishermen to get their… Continue reading

Chinook salmon jump and swim over a weir in the Cook Slough on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in Silvana, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
natural gas

ENSTAR says Kenai smell is harmless

Work by ENSTAR Natural Gas Company caused a smell near Kenai Spur Highway and Main Street Loop in Kenai on Tuesday, the energy company wrote… Continue reading

natural gas
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Man gets 100 years in prison in sexual assault case

The Kenai Superior Court sentenced Kevin Tuckfield, 35, to serve 100 years for sexual assault in the first degree and assault in the third degree… Continue reading

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
FILE - In this May 14, 2013, file photo, the Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington is photographed early in the morning. The Justice Department said Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, that it would work toward providing families of 9/11 victims with more information about the run-up to the attacks as part of a federal lawsuit that aims to hold the Saudi government accountable. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)

Kasilof man indicited for interstate death threats

A Kasilof man arrested earlier this month in connection with sending interstate death threats was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alaska, the United… Continue reading

FILE - In this May 14, 2013, file photo, the Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington is photographed early in the morning. The Justice Department said Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, that it would work toward providing families of 9/11 victims with more information about the run-up to the attacks as part of a federal lawsuit that aims to hold the Saudi government accountable. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File)
A map shows the location of a safety corridor project along the Sterling Highway between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo courtesy of DOT&PF)

State seeks business input for safety corridor

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said Monday it is working with business owners along the Sterling Highway to minimize the impact proposed… Continue reading

A map shows the location of a safety corridor project along the Sterling Highway between Sterling and Soldotna. (Photo courtesy of DOT&PF)
Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)

Alaska reports 4,025 COVID cases over weekend

Alaska had the most per-capita COVID-19 cases in the country again Monday, as the Department of Health and Social Services reported an additional 4,025 new… Continue reading

Alaska state data shows COVID-19 caseloads have far exceeded the winter 2020 surge. (Photo from the Alaska DHSS)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Search for Eagle River hiker ongoing

A 74-year-old hiker who did not arrive at his planned destination was still missing Monday, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers. Gary… Continue reading

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Women's marathon winner Megan Youngren and men's marathon winner Pedro Ochoa run on Bridge Access Road during the Kenai River Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Youngren sets record in Kenai River Marathon

For the second time in nine days, Soldotna’s Megan Youngren, 30, broke a marathon course record held by Palmer’s Christy Marvin. The difference Sunday at… Continue reading

Women's marathon winner Megan Youngren and men's marathon winner Pedro Ochoa run on Bridge Access Road during the Kenai River Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer High School is seen in this undated photo. Homer and Seward area schools are no longer operating with universal indoor masking for staff and students as of Friday. (Homer News file photo)

Masking status varies at peninsula schools

KPBSD uses criteria outlined in revisions to the district’s mitigation plan.

Homer High School is seen in this undated photo. Homer and Seward area schools are no longer operating with universal indoor masking for staff and students as of Friday. (Homer News file photo)
Soldotna City Clerk Shellie Saner (right) swears in Emma Knowles on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna student connects youth to city council

Emma Knowles is the new student representative to the Soldotna City Council.

Soldotna City Clerk Shellie Saner (right) swears in Emma Knowles on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Matt Morse is photographed on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District candidate Matthew Morse

Election 2021

Matt Morse is photographed on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19 death toll spikes due to backlog of data

Health officials struggle to keep up with coronavirus tracking.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Benjamin Miller is pictured on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District candidate Benjamin Miller

Election 2021

Benjamin Miller is pictured on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mike O’Brien checks on his peaches at O’Brien Garden and Trees in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

A taste of autumn

Orchard in Nikiski shares apple harvest.

Mike O’Brien checks on his peaches at O’Brien Garden and Trees in Nikiski, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Ryan Tunks works at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn OՈara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘The first, first responders’

Dispatchers hope service isn’t lost in political dispute

Ryan Tunks works at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn OՈara/Peninsula Clarion)
FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. "And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens," Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Zink: Health care workers face increasing hostility

Health care professionals with the state have borne the brunt of scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have even reported violence on the job, officials… Continue reading

FILE - In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases, a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and began rationing care. When many people become ill at the same time, it overwhelms the state’s health care system. "And then we start to see excess mortality where more people dying from other things such as heart attacks and strokes and car accidents and bear maulings or whatever else happens," Zink said. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic at Evraz Place in Regina on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Saskatchewan’s only children’s hospital is opening its pediatric intensive care unit to younger adults who have COVID-19 as the province runs out of critical care beds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Weekly vaccine lottery winners announced

The Alaska Chamber of Commerce announced the second week’s lottery winners Thursday, as part of the “Give AK a Shot” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program. Ashley… Continue reading

A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic at Evraz Place in Regina on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Saskatchewan’s only children’s hospital is opening its pediatric intensive care unit to younger adults who have COVID-19 as the province runs out of critical care beds. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 7 recent COVID-19 deaths

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported another seven recent COVID-19 deaths Thursday. They were two Fairbanks men over 70, a Palmer man… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020, in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge cancels ‘Fall Fun Day’ due to state of COVID

Peninsula Clarion The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge canceled its weekend “Fall Fun Day” on Saturday because of the continual surge of COVID-19 in Alaska. “Recently… Continue reading

Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020, in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/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)

Nikiski North Star goes to universal masks

Universal indoor masking for staff and students was instituted at Nikiski North Star Elementary School and extended for two weeks at Paul Banks Elementary School… Continue reading

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)