Camille Botello

A firefighter with Central Emergency Services in Soldotna places an American flag in front of the station. Firefighters set over 400 flags in the grass outside CES in Soldotna on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 in honor of the first responders who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Here we stand together’

Central peninsula remembers 9/11 two decades later

A firefighter with Central Emergency Services in Soldotna places an American flag in front of the station. Firefighters set over 400 flags in the grass outside CES in Soldotna on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 in honor of the first responders who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Horse ivermectin paste is for sale at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Health officials tackle COVID misinformation

In their weekly press briefing, health officials worked to clarify FDA approval processes and misconceptions about alternative treatments for COVID.

Horse ivermectin paste is for sale at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

‘Controlled chaos’

Health workers approach 18 months caring for COVID patients — and they’re tired.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on COVID-19 screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Members of the cast of Kenai Perfomers’ “The Beverly Hillbillies, the Musical” pose in September 2021. (Photo courtesy Terri Burdick)

Performers bring Clampetts to Kenai

“Beveral Hillbillies, the Musical” will premiere this weekend.

Members of the cast of Kenai Perfomers’ “The Beverly Hillbillies, the Musical” pose in September 2021. (Photo courtesy Terri Burdick)
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3-car accident backs up traffic for hours

Officials had to reroute highway traffic around the accident Tuesday morning.

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Alaska State Troopers logo.

Pilot crashes outside Tyonek

No injuries have been reported.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Cars line up outside of Capstone Clinic’s COVID-19 testing site in Kenai, Alaska on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. The line extended through the Three Bears Grocery parking lot, and past the entrances to O’Reilly Auto Parts and Aspen Extended Stay Suites. Some said they waited for three and a half hours to get tested, and others said the line stretched down and around Walker Lane Tuesday morning. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Cars line up outside of Capstone Clinic’s COVID-19 testing site in Kenai, Alaska on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. The line extended through the Three Bears Grocery parking lot, and past the entrances to O’Reilly Auto Parts and Aspen Extended Stay Suites. Some said they waited for three and a half hours to get tested, and others said the line stretched down and around Walker Lane Tuesday morning. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Nearly 510 cases per 100,000 as statewide COVID alert remains high

The state Department of Health and Social Services reported another 592 positive COVID cases Friday.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Soldotna's Gehret Medcoff rushes against Service at Justin Maile Field on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi football returns home by topping Service

The Soldotna football team topped Service 48-34 at Justin Maile Field on Friday as the Stars’ first home game of the season came on Week… Continue reading

Soldotna's Gehret Medcoff rushes against Service at Justin Maile Field on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Newly vaccinated get chance to win cash

Incentive campaign to grant $49,000 cash and scholarship prizes to weekly winners

A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Officials: Best immunity is through vaccination

Although COVID infection produces antibodies that can help fight the virus, it’s risky to take that chance.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Cars wait outside Capstone Clinic in Kenai, where COVID-19 testing is being offered, on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. The line at Capstone wound through the nearby Three Bears parking lot. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula sees surge in testing, increased COVID positivity rate

On Tuesday, the peninsula’s positivity rate was 13%, according to state data.

Cars wait outside Capstone Clinic in Kenai, where COVID-19 testing is being offered, on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. The line at Capstone wound through the nearby Three Bears parking lot. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The “Reindeer Man” exhibit featuring work by Kenai Art Center Executive Director Alex Rydlinski can be seen on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alex Rydlinski)

From birth to slaughter

Kenai Art Center exhibit chronicles a reindeer’s life

The “Reindeer Man” exhibit featuring work by Kenai Art Center Executive Director Alex Rydlinski can be seen on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alex Rydlinski)
A sign advertising free COVID-19 vaccines stands outside Safeway on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

4 more COVID deaths statewide; hospital ICU full

Another 801 cases were reported statewide.

A sign advertising free COVID-19 vaccines stands outside Safeway on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Screenshot of the 2021-2022 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunting Regulations handbook (adfg.alaska.gov)

Hunters reminded to research land ownership laws

It is the hunter’s responsibility to understand the different regulations in place for different allotments.

Screenshot of the 2021-2022 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunting Regulations handbook (adfg.alaska.gov)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Alaska officials report 6 new COVID-19 deaths

The deaths included people in their 20s and 30s.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Officials: Kids at risk for respiratory illnesses

Although a child hasn’t been admitted as an inpatient for COVID at the facility, there have been multiple kids who have tested positive.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Staff adapts as COVID patients inundate hospital

As of Monday morning, there were 21 COVID inpatients, with 7 of them in the intensive care unit and 1 on a ventilator.

A sign instructs patients and visitors on the COVID-19 screening process in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska on April 7, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)
The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News file)

DOT seeks public comment on summer Marine Highway schedule

The public comment period is open through Aug. 31.

The M/V Tustumena comes into Homer after spending the day in Seldovia in 2010. (Homer News file)
A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)

Kenai Refuge crew called to Washington wildfires

It’s not uncommon to send crews to other wildlife refuges to aid with fire containment.

A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019. Just as fire squads from other wildlife refuges in the Lower 48 came up to help with the 2019 fire, fire crews from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge are now helping fight fires in the Lower 48. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Forestry)