Camille Botello

In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

NOAA beluga viewing festival canceled due to COVID concerns

The “Belugas Count!” event was supposed to be held on Sept. 11.

In this September 2017 file photo from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, beluga whales arch their backs through the surface of the water. Of Alaska’s five distinct beluga whale populations, only Cook Inlet’s is listed as endangered. (Courtesy the Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. An audience filled half the lawn and the majority of the beer and wine garden as others purused the food and artisan vendors. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Music in the park ends as summer winds down

The Levitt AMP series was canceled last year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Shonathin Hoskins opens at the season’s first Levitt Amp music series in Soldotna Creek Park on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. An audience filled half the lawn and the majority of the beer and wine garden as others purused the food and artisan vendors. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Cattle Noromectin is sold at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayor promotes debunked COVID treatments

Pierce defends ivermectin as potential virus med, proposes local clinical trials

Cattle Noromectin is sold at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on COVID screening processes in Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Central Peninsula Hospital breaks records for most COVID patients at one time

Central Peninsula Hospital surpassed its record for the most COVID inpatients it has seen in a single day, spiking up to 20 by the end… Continue reading

A sign instructing patients and visitors on COVID screening processes in Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the full FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Pfizer’s COVID vaccine gets full FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday for people 16 and older, according to a press release… Continue reading

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the full FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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 debunk COVID vaccine misinformation

State doctors say ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine aren’t effective at treating COVID-19.

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)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

‘We have tools, let’s please try to use them’

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said the surge has imposed challenges on hospitals and health care workers.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
A sign at Main Street Tap and Grill on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 alerts customers of a temporary closure due to a staff shortage and COVID-19 cases. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Businesses balance COVID during summer surge

Doors start closing again due to increasing peninsula case counts.

A sign at Main Street Tap and Grill on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 alerts customers of a temporary closure due to a staff shortage and COVID-19 cases. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State cases numbers remain high

686 COVID cases reported statewide on Thursday

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)

State to offer 3rd dose for immunocompromised, boosters likely to follow

Safeway issued a press release on Thursday stating that additional doses are available at its pharmacies.

Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

4 new deaths, more than 600 new cases statewide

83 resident cases and four nonresident cases were reported on the peninsula.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, on the COVID-19 response and vaccination program. U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, on the COVID-19 response and vaccination program. U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks on the state of the Alaska Permanent Fund at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CEO: Permanent fund sees record returns

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell gave a presentation at the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chamber luncheon Wednesday.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks on the state of the Alaska Permanent Fund at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Darion and Karl Nusunginya get their photo taken before their first day of first grade at Sterling Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Darion and Karl Nusunginya get their photo taken before their first day of first grade at Sterling Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current 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)

Hospital ‘extremely busy’ as COVID patients surge

There were 14 COVID patients admitted as of Tuesday afternoon.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current 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)
Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020 in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge wraps up work on new trail

A new trail connecting the Burney’s and Hideout routes is set to be finished toward the end of September.

Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020 in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

More than 1,000 cases reported over the weekend

The new case count includes 147 resident cases on the peninsula and 12 more nonresident cases under investigation.

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

Increased Trooper presence expected through Labor Day

The announcement comes after multiple vehicle accidents on the central peninsula have recorded both injuries and fatalities.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A demonstrator stands at the “Y” intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways in Soldotna on Saturday, Aug. 14 to protest mandatory COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation protocols. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Demonstrators protest COVID-19 vaccine and mitigation mandates

The state has neither imposed a mask nor a vaccine mandate throughout the course of the pandemic.

A demonstrator stands at the “Y” intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways in Soldotna on Saturday, Aug. 14 to protest mandatory COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation protocols. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)