Ashlyn O'Hara

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)

Almost 1 in 4 borough residents has at least one vaccine dose

59% of borough residents 65 and older have received at least one dose.

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)
Soldotna Professional Pharmacy owner Justin Ruffridge (left) speaks to Dan Nelson, emergency manager of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. OEM has partnered with the local pharmacy to host large vaccination clinics on the peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More than 1,000 residents vaccinated in weekend clinics

About 29.9% of borough residents 16 and older have received at least one dose

Soldotna Professional Pharmacy owner Justin Ruffridge (left) speaks to Dan Nelson, emergency manager of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. OEM has partnered with the local pharmacy to host large vaccination clinics on the peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 98 new cases yesterday

Affected peninsula communities include Anchor Point, Homer, Kenai and Other North

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A 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 welcome 41 new trees

The move is part of a yearslong effort

A sign welcoming people to the City of Soldotna is photographed on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

1 in 3 Alaskans 16 and older have at least 1 vaccine dose

The milestone comes on the one-year anniversary of Alaska’s first COVID-19 case

A sticker given out at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic hosted by the Kenai Fire Department in Kenai, Alaska, is seen on March 13, 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)

Local lawmakers pursue priorities in Juneau

Of the central peninsula’s three legislative representatives, only bills sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche have been heard in committee.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
Newly elected Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Sen. David Wilson, R-Wasilla, after being unanimously elected to the position on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire, Pool)
A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska. State Rep. Gary Knopp, an Alaska state lawmaker, was involved in the July midair collision that killed seven people. (Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion)

Family of those killed in 2020 plane crash sue Knopp estate and widow, among others

The midair collision resulted in the deaths of seven people

A plane rests in brush and trees after a midair collision outside of Soldotna, Alaska. State Rep. Gary Knopp, an Alaska state lawmaker, was involved in the July midair collision that killed seven people. (Jeff Helminiak / Peninsula Clarion)
Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)

Vaccinated Heritage Place residents now able to hug, touch visitors

The change comes after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance.

Tables in the dining room of the Heritage Place Skilled Nursing facility are arranged for social distancing. (Photo courtesy Sandi Crawford)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 238 new cases yesterday

Affected peninsula communities include Seward, Kenai and Soldotna

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink addresses members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, March 11 in Alaska. (Screenshot)

Health officials emphasize importance of vaccinations

About 26.9% of peninsula residents 16 and older have received at least one dose

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink addresses members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, March 11 in Alaska. (Screenshot)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Tracy Silta (left) administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to Melissa Linton during a vaccine clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, Feb. 26 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Local officials look forward to easier vaccine process

A large number of available appointments was likely due to confusion about who was eligible, according to administrators.

Tracy Silta (left) administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to Melissa Linton during a vaccine clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, Feb. 26 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A slash pile containing non-organic construction debris is seen at the Snug Harbor Slash Disposal site on Sept. 22, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Lang Management)

State to reimburse borough for slash disposal

The disposal site saw more use in 2020 due to a statewide burn suspension enacted during the 2020 wildland fire season.

A slash pile containing non-organic construction debris is seen at the Snug Harbor Slash Disposal site on Sept. 22, 2020 in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough Lang Management)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 150 new cases

Affected peninsula communities include Nikiski and Soldotna.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Meghan Barker presents information about Pebble Mine during a remote series on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Screenshot)

Conservation group explores future of Pebble Mine in virtual discussion

The group is seeking long-term protections for the region.

Meghan Barker presents information about Pebble Mine during a remote series on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (Screenshot)
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska, provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Love, INC in Soldotna, Alaska, provides homelessness prevention and housing services to people on the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Express Map Viewer website homepage. (Screenshot)

Borough to do aerial survey of peninsula

The last time the borough conducted a general capture of imagery was in 2012 and 2013 for the western Kenai Peninsula.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Express Map Viewer website homepage. (Screenshot)
A display at Heritage Place in Soldotna, Alaska, shows residents during the coronovirus pandemic. (Photo provided by Aud Walaszek/Peninsula Clarion)

‘No longer on edge’

Vaccination efforts offer morale boost to peninula seniors

A display at Heritage Place in Soldotna, Alaska, shows residents during the coronovirus pandemic. (Photo provided by Aud Walaszek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

DHSS: 91 new cases yesterday

Three cases were reported on the peninsula

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses Alaskans during a remote press conference on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Dunleavy announced that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Alaskans who want it. (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses Alaskans during a remote press conference on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Dunleavy announced that the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all Alaskans who want it. (Screenshot)