Camille Botello

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

2 new COVID deaths reported as cases decline

The deaths pushed the total number of statewide deaths to 812 since the pandemic began.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
The intersection of Willow Street and the Kenai Spur Highway shows the stoplights were out Wednesday night as approximately 2,700 people experienced a Homer Electric Association power outage. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Outage knocks out power to much of Kenai

Power had been restored by about 9 p.m.

The intersection of Willow Street and the Kenai Spur Highway shows the stoplights were out Wednesday night as approximately 2,700 people experienced a Homer Electric Association power outage. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Children wave as Santa Claus arrives on top of a firetruck Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Time for the season

Kenai rolls out holiday events

Children wave as Santa Claus arrives on top of a firetruck Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Carolyn Massey paints 10-year-old Kenny Smith’s hand to add to the helping hands tree at the Children’s Advocacy Center on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Helping hands

Children’s services organization celebrates World Children’s Day with outreach event.

Carolyn Massey paints 10-year-old Kenny Smith’s hand to add to the helping hands tree at the Children’s Advocacy Center on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Statewide COVID cases continue to drop; 7 new deaths

The state has an estimated rolling average of 381.9 cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Set-net rules for Cook Inlet could be eased

The board voted to deliberate on an adopted proposal to amend the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan.

A sockeye salmon’s tail protrudes above the edge of a bin on a setnet site July 11, 2016 near Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

State Trooper arrested on charges of domestic violence

The Wasilla and Kenai police departments investigated the allegations.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH sees fewer COVID patients as statewide cases recede

On Monday, there were only 37 total inpatients with fewer than 11 COVID patients.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer’s Gracie Gummer goes up for a kill against Kenai blockers Calani Holmes and Emma Beck during the 3A state volleyball consolation game at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai takes 2nd, Homer nabs 3rd at state volleyball

By CAMILLE BOTELLO Peninsula Clarion The Kenai Kardinals volleyball team fell narrowly to the Valdez Buccaneers in an exhaustive five-game series to take home second… Continue reading

Homer’s Gracie Gummer goes up for a kill against Kenai blockers Calani Holmes and Emma Beck during the 3A state volleyball consolation game at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases, hospitalizations down from last week

Alaska still holds the spot for the most COVID cases per capita in the country.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It’s so important that we honor our vets’

Community members gather to honor veterans’ sacrifices.

Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Chervenak awarded assistant principal of the year

The Kenai Central High School administrator said he was flattered and grateful that the community appreciated his efforts.

Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tomorrow’ starts today

Soldotna High School returns to stage with production of musical “Annie”

The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Finishing touches

High schoolers fill last-minute spot in art center’s mural project.

Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

28 deaths added to statewide COVID-19 count

The deaths were reported after death certificate review from August through October, with most of the deaths occurring in October.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
A gingerbread house waits to be judged Monday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Break out the gingerbread

Annual contests put kids’ creativity to the test.

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
A gingerbread house waits to be judged Monday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal vaccine mandate looms for CPH employees

The mandate applies to all CPH properties, which includes the hospital, adjoining clinic and Heritage Place.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases dropping but state still in the red zone

The DHSS reported on Friday 870 new COVID cases across the state.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include kids ages 5 to 11 this week. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids get the shot

Peninsula begins vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds for COVID-19 following CDC approval earlier this week.

Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include kids ages 5 to 11 this week. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)