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The Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Habor seal pup admitted to Alaska SeaLife Center

The seal was found on a beach near the center

The Alaska SeaLife Center in downtown Seward is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A banner supporting Olympic swimmer Lydia Jacoby hangs outside of First National Bank Alaska in her hometown of Seward on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Local briefs: Jacoby may swim again, ‘Little Mermaid’ and a final rodeo

Jacoby may race in relay medleys The Seward Tsunami Swim Club has announced more watch parties to see the now-famous gold medalist alumna, Lydia Jacoby,… Continue reading

A banner supporting Olympic swimmer Lydia Jacoby hangs outside of First National Bank Alaska in her hometown of Seward on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Photo provided by River City Books River City Books is marked with anti-masking graffiti on Wednesday.

Anti-masking graffiti found at River City Books

River City Books was defaced with anti-mask and anti-COVID-19 vaccine rhetoric after closing time Tuesday, according to owner Peggy Mullen. Wednesday, employees found graffiti writing… Continue reading

Photo provided by River City Books River City Books is marked with anti-masking graffiti on Wednesday.
A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to auction off surplus goods

The City of Soldotna will auction off surplus city goods, vehicles and equipment at an online auction to be held between Aug. 16 and 25.… Continue reading

A new sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Downtown Seward, Alaska is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor declares ‘Seward pride weekend’

A bonfire, a hike to Exit Glacier and a barbeque at Bronson Pavilion are all among the LGBTQ pride festivities planned for this weekend in… Continue reading

Downtown Seward, Alaska is seen on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are likely spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska COVID numbers keep rising

Alaska saw its largest single-day COVID-19 case increase since January on Wednesday, when the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 376 new resident… Continue reading

COVID-19 cases are rising and health officials say new variants are likely spurring the increase, even among the vaccinated. But health officials note the majority of hospitalizations and deaths are occurring in unvaccinated people. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Characters from the "Little Mermaid" wave to the crowd from the Triumvirate Theatre float during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Progress on parade

The Progress Days Parade was held Saturday in Soldotna.… Continue reading

Characters from the "Little Mermaid" wave to the crowd from the Triumvirate Theatre float during the Soldotna Progress Days parade on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska.

State seeks funding for Funny River boat launch

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources is working to secure funding for the construction of a boat launch on the Funny River side of the… Continue reading

Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion The Kenai River can be seen from the Funny River Campground on Sunday, June 23, 2019, in Funny River, Alaska.
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COVID-19 cases remain high in area

Every region of Alaska was considered to be at “intermediate” or “high” COVID-19 risk level, based on its respective average daily cases for the last… Continue reading

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Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Soldotna library seeks to beef up reading programs

The Soldotna Public Library will use a $2,200 donation from the Soldotna Library Friends to bolster reading programs, pending approval by the Soldotna City Council… Continue reading

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska.
Scaffolding is erected around the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Parishioners largely welcomed back to in-person church services

One serious point of contention during the coronavirus pandemic, amid many, has been the fate of in-person church services. Some have been adamant about discontinuing… Continue reading

Scaffolding is erected around the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 20, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Kenai OKs objection to EEZ closure

The Kenai City Council unanimously passed legislation during their July 7 meeting stating their opposition to the closure.

The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
A Zoom teleconference screen can be seen behind Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre president, as he speaks to the Kenai City Council, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The council agreed last week to continue offering Zoom services during meetings. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

After debate, Kenai City Council continues Zoom services

The city was the latest peninsula municipality to mull the future of Zoom access.

A Zoom teleconference screen can be seen behind Joe Rizzo, Triumvirate Theatre president, as he speaks to the Kenai City Council, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The council agreed last week to continue offering Zoom services during meetings. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Bears walk along Skilak Lake Road on Monday, June 14, 2021 near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Bears and dogs don’t mix

The best way to enjoy bear country with pups is by keeping them close.

Bears walk along Skilak Lake Road on Monday, June 14, 2021 near Skilak Lake, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna is now offering COVID-19 vaccines with no appointment necessary. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A choice between getting COVID or getting the vaccine’

Officials encourage vaccines as cases climb and more die of the virus

A clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna is now offering COVID-19 vaccines with no appointment necessary. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A fisher holds a reel on the Kenai River near Soldotna on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai and Kasilof kings limited to catch and release

Kings are passing through the Kenai River at a lower rate than needed to attain the escapement goal.

A fisher holds a reel on the Kenai River near Soldotna on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A dipnetter wrangles a salmon North Kenai Beach on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

It’s that time again

Weekend rain didn’t stop dipnetters

A dipnetter wrangles a salmon North Kenai Beach on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
A sign indicates the turn for Jim’s Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

4 rescued after boat breaks loose

The boat broke loose and drifted away from a small island on the Kenai River.

A sign indicates the turn for Jim’s Landing on Skilak Lake Road on Sunday, June 13, 2021 near Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Voters fill out ballots in voting booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Municipal election season to kick off

Filing periods for local elections begin in August.

Voters fill out ballots in voting booths at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Brtini Siekaniec’s peony painting is part of an exhibit opening Friday, July 2, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer, Alaska. It also will be on the label for Grace Ridge’s Imperial White beer made especially for the 2021 Homer Peony Festival.(Photo provided)

‘City of Peonies’ celebrates 2nd annual peony festival

The Homer Chamber of Commerce is hosting the second annual Homer Peony Celebration July 9-24.

Brtini Siekaniec’s peony painting is part of an exhibit opening Friday, July 2, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer, Alaska. It also will be on the label for Grace Ridge’s Imperial White beer made especially for the 2021 Homer Peony Festival.(Photo provided)