Ashlyn O'Hara

(image via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Soldotna company settles with EPA for $130,000

The company was accused of violating the Safe Drinking Water Act

(image via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai departments aim to save time, money

The city’s “Efficiencies Report” details specific plans from each department on how they saved either time or money.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID update: Senior vacciation rate nears 70% statewide

Nearly one in four eligible Alaska residents — 24.8% — were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Friday. That milestone comes the week after Alaska… Continue reading

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)

Vaccine hesitancy among local health care workers mirrors national trends

CPH will continue to follow up with employees to see if they are interested in being vaccinated.

RN Rachel Verba (right) administers a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Chris Michelson on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Bruce Richards/CPH)
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Commercial fishing vessels are moored near the mouth of the Kenai River on July 10, 2020.

Trends: Peninsula fishermen to enter a defining year

The peninsula’s commercial fishers are entering a time of unknowns.

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Commercial fishing vessels are moored near the mouth of the Kenai River on July 10, 2020.
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Benjamin Jackinsky (left) and Sarah O’Brien work at Already Read on Feb. 19, in Kenai.

Trends: Shop local programs a hit with businesses, consumers

Soldotna was the first city on the peninsula to offer a shop local program, which went live at the end of 2020.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Benjamin Jackinsky (left) and Sarah O’Brien work at Already Read on Feb. 19, in Kenai.
Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council Executive Director Debbie Speakman presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, March 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Trends 2021: Peninsula tourism targeted Alaskans in 2020

It was the year that almost wasn’t for peninsula tourism.

Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council Executive Director Debbie Speakman presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, March 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Trends: Grants on tap for local businesses

Across the peninsula, CARES dollars funded grant programs offering financial relief to residents, workers and businesses.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, helps Doug Weaver, owner of Northern Superior Construction, apply for an AK CARES grant through Credit Union 1 at the KPEDD office in Kenai, Alaska on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Trends: CARES Act a source of relief for borough, city residents

One element of the CARES Act was the Coronavirus Relief Fund, through which the State of Alaska received $1.25 billion.

Tim Dillon, executive director of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, helps Doug Weaver, owner of Northern Superior Construction, apply for an AK CARES grant through Credit Union 1 at the KPEDD office in Kenai, Alaska on July 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Tim Dillon

Trends: KPEDD looks to pandemic for lessons in economic resiliency

Among the projects KPEDD is working on this year are the borough’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and an Economic Resiliency Plan.

Tim Dillon
CDC photo

DHSS: 157 new cases

The new cases bring Alaska’s statewide case total to 61,089.

CDC photo
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Vaccinations continue to climb

More than half of peninsula seniors — 52.30% — are fully vaccinated.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)

Kenai extends disaster declaration to end of May

The declaration was first issued on March 18, 2020 and has since been extended six times.

The Kenai City Council meets on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Kenai, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai shop local program extended 1 month

As of March 3, more than $55,000 in vouchers had already been distributed and more than 50 businesses were signed up to participate.

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Not if, but when’

All of the trees at 3 Friends Dog Park must be removed, report says

Dogs are seen playing at 3 Friends Dog Park on Tuesday, March 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Back in green

St. Patrick’s Day parade returns 1 year after COVID-19 cancellation.

Riders with Alaska C&C Horse Adventures participate in the 30th Annual Sweeney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Wednesday, March 17 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Heritage Place looks to reopen Monday after employee tests positive for COVID-19

A second test taken by the employee came back negative.

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More than 30% of peninsula residents 16 and older have had at least 1 vaccine dose

More than half of peninsula seniors — 51.86% — are fully vaccinated.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Ann Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, answers questions from people on the Kenai Peninsula about COVID-19 during a virtual Q&A session with borough officials on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
Dr. Ann Zink, Alaska chief medical officer, answers questions from people on the Kenai Peninsula about COVID-19 during a virtual Q&A session with borough officials on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Alaska. (Screenshot)
AnnMarie Rudstrom portrays The Pilot during a rehearsal of "Grounded" at the Kenai Performers' black box theater on Monday, March 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Alone in the blue’: Kenai Performers’ one-woman show “Grounded” takes flight Friday

A single chair and one spotlighted actor will tell a story of feminism, war and family beginning this weekend in the Kenai Performers’ production of… Continue reading

AnnMarie Rudstrom portrays The Pilot during a rehearsal of "Grounded" at the Kenai Performers' black box theater on Monday, March 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)