Camille Botello

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID hospitalizations up nearly one-quarter from two weeks ago

Officials say hospitalization and recent death data is the most effective indicator of the prevalence of the virus

 

A participant in the 2019 Disability Pride Celebration in Soldotna Creek Park tries his hand at the dunk tank on July 20, 2019. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Disability Pride event welcomes community

The celebration, which is part of a statewide initiative, will be an event for everyone

 

Alaska State Troopers logo.

Troopers allege Kenai man placed hidden camera in Soldotna gym

The troopers were tipped off about the camera in October 2021, they said

 

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peltola, Begich confirmed for chamber forum

Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce will host the special general election candidates

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Graphic by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Lilly Murray, left, and Stephen Lamm from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank give a ceviche-making demonstration at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Food bank kicks off Progress Days

This year’s fundraiser aims to raise 2 tons of food and fuel for the facility

Lilly Murray, left, and Stephen Lamm from the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank give a ceviche-making demonstration at Soldotna Creek Park on Thursday, July 21, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna Safeways shut down temporarily over tech issue

The Kenai and Soldotna Safeway stores closed unexpectedly Wednesday morning because of some issues in a system update overnight, according to the company. Tairsa Worman,… Continue reading

The Kenai Safeway is seen on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials report rise in COVID cases

This week’s data was collected from July 13 through July 19

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Burn suspension for Kenai Peninsula lifted

People can burn small-scale and large-scale organic debris fires with a valid permit

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Mike the puppy is seen with his mom, Olive, at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

Pups get the spotlight

Denali national park kennels set up “PuppyCam” to follow new additions

Mike the puppy is seen with his mom, Olive, at Denali National Park and Preserve. (Photo courtesy National Park Service)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
Environmental Education and Visitor Services Intern Meredith Baker helps Blake Voss, 3, paint during Fish Week at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Soldotna on Monday.

Fish 101

Kids learn about species local to the watersheds of the central peninsula during Fish Week 2022

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
Environmental Education and Visitor Services Intern Meredith Baker helps Blake Voss, 3, paint during Fish Week at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Soldotna on Monday.
Greg and Teresa Groeneweg pose with their dog Ace, who is wearing a life saver medal Greg received from the Anchorage Fire Department years ago. He said Ace deserves it now more than him, for fighting off a bear. (Courtesy Greg Groeneweg)

Dog rescues couple from charging brown bear

“He’s got the bear … and now he’s going to get killed.”

Greg and Teresa Groeneweg pose with their dog Ace, who is wearing a life saver medal Greg received from the Anchorage Fire Department years ago. He said Ace deserves it now more than him, for fighting off a bear. (Courtesy Greg Groeneweg)
Raymond Bradbury rinses his salmon in the mouth of the Kenai River while dipnetting on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury rinses his salmon in the mouth of the Kenai River while dipnetting on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
(Black Press Media files)

3-digit crisis line to be available starting Saturday

Alaskans with 907 area codes can dial 988 and get connected with a trained crisis counselor through Careline Alaska

(Black Press Media files)
The Alaska State Department of Natural Resources is rescinding the emergency burn suspension for these areas on Thursday, July 14, 2022, citing a decrease in fire danger from recent rain showers. (Image via DNR)

Burn closure to be lifted Thursday

The Alaska State Department of Natural Resources is rescinding the emergency burn closure for campfires on Thursday, citing a decrease in fire danger from recent… Continue reading

The Alaska State Department of Natural Resources is rescinding the emergency burn suspension for these areas on Thursday, July 14, 2022, citing a decrease in fire danger from recent rain showers. (Image via DNR)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Officials still emphasize vaccines as COVID hospitalizations rise

Vaccines still provide the best protection against COVID, according to health officials

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dipnetters fish at North Kenai Beach on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetters wade in

Kenai River personal use salmon fishery opened Sunday

Dipnetters fish at North Kenai Beach on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Nila Sanchez, left, and Alexa Menzel advertise their lemonade business along the Kenai Spur Highway during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Lemonade Day scheduled for this weekend

The goal is for the children to learn entrepreneurial basics

Nila Sanchez, left, and Alexa Menzel advertise their lemonade business along the Kenai Spur Highway during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Community members gather for a meet-and-greet with Sen. Lisa Murkowski at Everything Bagels in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Murkowski takes campaign to Soldotna

The senator emphasized the need for bipartisanship, bringing people together

Community members gather for a meet-and-greet with Sen. Lisa Murkowski at Everything Bagels in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Late-run salmon restrictions in place; dipnetting starts Sunday

Alaska Department of Fish and Game North Kenai sport fishing report

Raymond Bradbury preserves his salmon while dipnetting in the mouth of the Kenai River on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)