Jacob Dye

Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Influenza and RSV declining in Alaska; COVID trends upward

That increase is seemingly driven by the appearance and increasing prevalence of a new subvariant of omicron

Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
The State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin that includes “Syphilis Update — Alaska, 2021.” (Screenshot)

State syphilis epidemic continues; officials urge testing

The number of cases reported in 2021 were 447, a 26.6% increase over the 353 reported in 2020

The State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin that includes “Syphilis Update — Alaska, 2021.” (Screenshot)
A murderous children’s toy is the star of the new horror hit M3GAN. (Photo courtesy Blumhouse Productions)
A murderous children’s toy is the star of the new horror hit M3GAN. (Photo courtesy Blumhouse Productions)
A promotional poster for the first event in the Winter Film Series. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Film Group)

Movie buffs to debut local film series

This first entry is centered on short films

A promotional poster for the first event in the Winter Film Series. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Film Group)
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Weekend ski race to raise funds for food bank

Food Cache Ski Dash will be a 7K, in a freestyle format

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COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: 2nd week of statewide case increase; hospitalizations drop

In the Gulf Coast region one patient was reported hospitalized with COVID-19

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Camaraderie wins at youth competition

More than 100 athletes from around the region gathered to participate

Dakota Butler hangs from a wooden pole by only his wrist as he performs the wrist carry during the Kahtnuht’ana Hey Chi’ula NYO Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at Kenai Middle School in Kenai, Alaska. Butler held on for more than 200 feet, claiming the gold medal in the event. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Motorists travel through the Swan Lake fire burn on the Sterling Highway on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Prescribed fires along Sterling Highway to start this month

Areas most likely areas to experience smoke include Sterling Highway Mileposts 43, 45 and 53

Motorists travel through the Swan Lake fire burn on the Sterling Highway on Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi grad leads eye clinic at PCHS

Throughout her education, Dr. April Walgenbach said she always intended to return to her hometown

Dr. April Walgenbach stands in one of the examination rooms at Peninsula Community Health Services Eye Clinic in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Josiah Burton and Jaylee Webster rehearse "Something Rotten" on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Josiah Burton and Jaylee Webster rehearse "Something Rotten" on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Angie Brennan directs swimmers as they prepare for a workout set during a Top of the World Swimming practice on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. Brennan will be in the water instructing for Adult Learn to Swim. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Adult swim lessons return next month

Adult Learn to Swim is for any non-swimmer or beginner swimmer 18 or older who would like to learn the basics of swimming

Angie Brennan directs swimmers as they prepare for a workout set during a Top of the World Swimming practice on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. Brennan will be in the water instructing for Adult Learn to Swim. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

COVID-19: Statewide cases and hospitalizations up

That makes the largest increase reported since Sept. 14

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Megan Pacer / Homer News file
Grace Fleming of Seward competes in the seal hop March 7, 2020, during the Kachemak Bay Traditional Games, a Native Youth Olympics invitational, at Homer High School.

Native Youth Olympics Invitational to kick off season this weekend

Native Youth Olympics are a series of events derived from traditional Alaska Native feats of athleticism

Megan Pacer / Homer News file
Grace Fleming of Seward competes in the seal hop March 7, 2020, during the Kachemak Bay Traditional Games, a Native Youth Olympics invitational, at Homer High School.
The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee meets on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Advisory Committee supports expansion of wolverine hunting, rejects trapping restrictions

The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee met Monday

The Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee meets on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A rainbow trout is released in a restocking event at the 21st annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration in Kasilof on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Fish and Game taking public comment on stocking plan for local waters

The 2023 Stocking Plan outlines the locations, numbers, sizes and life stages for each species of fish that will be stocked

A rainbow trout is released in a restocking event at the 21st annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration in Kasilof on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
This photo shows the TikTok icon on a phone screen. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Gov. Dunleavy bans TikTok from state devices

Alaska is the 22nd state to take action against the social media platform for perceived security risks

This photo shows the TikTok icon on a phone screen. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Kelsey Shields applies a “Lucy’s Market” sticker to a Cheese of the Month subscription box on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

New month, new cheese

Lucy’s Market launches subscription box for monthly cheese selections

Kelsey Shields applies a “Lucy’s Market” sticker to a Cheese of the Month subscription box on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Lucy’s Market in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcomes travelers to the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State population stagnates; peninsula sees small growth

Population of Alaska remained almost unchanged from July 2021 to July 2022

A sign welcomes travelers to the Kenai Peninsula. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A map of 2023 construction projects on the Kenai Peninsula shared during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the Christian Community Church in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)

State outlines a year of transportation projects at industry forum

Planning Manager David Post gave a presentation covering the department’s Surface Transportation Program

A map of 2023 construction projects on the Kenai Peninsula shared during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the Christian Community Church in Homer, Alaska. (Screenshot)
Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai Peninsula tourists trending older, staying longer

Tourism is bouncing back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic

Visitor guides await travelers at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Thursday, June 20, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion file)