Camille Botello

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Almost 40% Alaskans 16 and up fully vaccinated

About 39.9% peninsula residents have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Todd Duwe hands a food box to Brad Nyquist as Mark Larson looks on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska. The church volunteers were distributing food from the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program, delivered by the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Weekly food bank distribution transitioning to monthly

Food bank will return to monthly boxes as CARES funding dries up.

Todd Duwe hands a food box to Brad Nyquist as Mark Larson looks on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna, Alaska. The church volunteers were distributing food from the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program, delivered by the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink provides data for a COVID-19 briefing via Zoom on Thursday, April 15, 2021. The data show a decrease in COVID-19 infections as the percent of people vaccinated increases.

DHSS reports 20 new COVID deaths

Nineteen of the fatalities were reported after death certificate review

Alaska State Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink provides data for a COVID-19 briefing via Zoom on Thursday, April 15, 2021. The data show a decrease in COVID-19 infections as the percent of people vaccinated increases.
The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Libraries prepare for summer programming

Once COVID-19 becomes less of a concern, the Soldotna library will try to bring back more in-person events.

The entrance to Soldotna Public Library is seen on Thursday, March 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Coronavirus cases in the Kenai Peninsula Borough taken from the State Department of Health and Social Servies on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
Coronavirus cases in the Kenai Peninsula Borough taken from the State Department of Health and Social Servies on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.
An art show featuring works by Indigenous artist Penni Anne Cross will take place at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center from April 17 to May 20, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Promotional image)

Kenai visitor center to showcase work by Indigenous artist

Local businessman Robert Favretto wanted to showcase Cross’ art after he recovered it from the late artist’s house last summer.

An art show featuring works by Indigenous artist Penni Anne Cross will take place at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center from April 17 to May 20, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Promotional image)
In this March 25 file photo, a box of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is shown in a refrigerator at a clinic in Washington state. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Single-dose COVID shot on pause

Six severe blood clots were reported in relation to Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine.

In this March 25 file photo, a box of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is shown in a refrigerator at a clinic in Washington state. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Public Health Nurse Andrea Hooper prepares to administer the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to Denny Thomas at the United Methodist Church in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, April 12, 2021. Public Health teamed up with the church to offer vaccines during its weekly food distribution event.

United Methodist Church hosts vaccine pop-up clinic during food pickup

After a federal pause of Johnson Johnson vaccine rollout, the clinic will host a Moderna clinic next week.

Public Health Nurse Andrea Hooper prepares to administer the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to Denny Thomas at the United Methodist Church in Kenai, Alaska on Monday, April 12, 2021. Public Health teamed up with the church to offer vaccines during its weekly food distribution event.
Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Live music returning to Soldotna this summer

The series will kick off with performances by Zen Trembles and opener Shonathin Hoskins.

Resonant Rogues perform at Soldotna Creek Park during the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 1st COVID death this month

The state announced 365 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Ana Scollon and Kaitlin Vadla collaborate at The Goods store in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 9, 2021. They are hosting an Earth Day celebration at the zero-waste store Thursday, April 22, 2021 through Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Photo by Camille Botello)

‘Part of something much bigger than myself’

Group organizes sidewalk sale, discounts and art gallery for Earth Day.

Ana Scollon and Kaitlin Vadla collaborate at The Goods store in Soldotna, Alaska, on Friday, April 9, 2021. They are hosting an Earth Day celebration at the zero-waste store Thursday, April 22, 2021 through Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Photo by Camille Botello)
Sockeye salmon. (Photo via Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

Sockeye runs on Kenai and Kasilof predicted to be less than 20-year average

The sockeye fishery opens the third Monday in June or June 19, whichever comes last.

Sockeye salmon. (Photo via Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Kenai Peninsula cases continue rise

State reports more than 1,200 new COVID cases this week

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dr. Cheryl Siemers, the new director of Kenai Peninsula College, is seen in this undated photo. She begins her term on Monday, June 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo)

Cheryl Siemers to lead Kenai Peninsula College

Gary Turner is the current KPC director, and will be stepping down in June.

Dr. Cheryl Siemers, the new director of Kenai Peninsula College, is seen in this undated photo. She begins her term on Monday, June 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Health care providers urge Alaskans to get vaccinated, and quickly

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 28.4% of Alaskans 16 and up are fully vaccinated against the disease.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The surface of Cook Inlet waters can be seen on Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Alaska. A Hilcorp pilot reported a natural gas leak in the Cook Inlet off the shore of Nikiski, Alaska on Thursday. (Alaska Department of Environment Conservation)

Hilcorp ordered to replace pipeline that leaked in Cook Inlet

The size of the leak is reported to be between 75,000 and 150,000 cubic feet a day.

The surface of Cook Inlet waters can be seen on Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Alaska. A Hilcorp pilot reported a natural gas leak in the Cook Inlet off the shore of Nikiski, Alaska on Thursday. (Alaska Department of Environment Conservation)
Samuel Anderson examines artwork up for bid while on shift at Veronica’s Cafe on April 7, 2021. The Kenai Fine Art Center and KDLL Public Radio are auctioning off local art through the month of April. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

KDLL, Fine Art Center team up for art auction

The pieces up for bid are on display at Veronica’s Cafe in Old Town Kenai.

Samuel Anderson examines artwork up for bid while on shift at Veronica’s Cafe on April 7, 2021. The Kenai Fine Art Center and KDLL Public Radio are auctioning off local art through the month of April. (Photo by Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Variants detected in Alaska as COVID-19 cases increase

The new case count includes 15 on the Kenai Peninsula.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)

As days get warmer, avalanche danger heightens

Drivers and backcountry hikers should exercise caution this time of year.

Snow and debris from an avalanche can be seen near Mile 45 on the Seward Highway on Monday, March 29, 2021. An avalanche shut down traffic on both sides Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Goldie Shealy)
A moose traverses a residential backyard in July 2020 in Kalifornsky, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

As spring comes back to the peninsula, so do bears and moose

Seminar encourages a safe coexistence between Alaskans and wildlife this spring.

A moose traverses a residential backyard in July 2020 in Kalifornsky, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)