Victoria Petersen

Soldotna United Methodist Church in Soldotna, Alaska, invites worshippers online with a sign seen Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

State: Drive-in, virtual religious services OK

New health alert offers guidelines to local organizations on safe ways to practice their faith.

Soldotna United Methodist Church in Soldotna, Alaska, invites worshippers online with a sign seen Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

All burn permits suspended starting May 1

The suspension aims to mitigate some of the challenges firefighting agencies may face this summer.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
A RavinAir sign can be seen at a kiosk at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The company announced Thursday they were cutting all service by 90%. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ravn shuts down, files for bankruptcy

25 locals who worked for Ravn in the terminal and in cargo were laid off this week.

A RavinAir sign can be seen at a kiosk at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The company announced Thursday they were cutting all service by 90%. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion) (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)(Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Like a number of public buildings, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building in Soldotna is closed.                                Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion

Assembly passes emergency ordinances

The Clerk’s Office set up remote ways for residents to call in and speak on the emergency ordinances.

Like a number of public buildings, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building in Soldotna is closed.                                Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion
The RavnAir kiosk stands empty at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The company announced Thursday they were cutting all service by 90%. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Ravn cuts air service by 90%

The group will maintain service to their “essential” air service communities, including Kenai, Homer.

The RavnAir kiosk stands empty at the Kenai Airport on Thursday, April 2, 2020. The company announced Thursday they were cutting all service by 90%. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and borough administration building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough to hold emergency meeting Friday

The meeting will not be open to the public to enforce social distancing and recent health mandates.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and borough administration building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum presents at a press conference addressing the extension of two mandates issued by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in response to the spread of COVID-19, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy photo)

10 COVID-19 new cases reported, mandates extended

Eatery dine-in services, bars and entertainment venues to be closed indefinitely.

Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum presents at a press conference addressing the extension of two mandates issued by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in response to the spread of COVID-19, on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy photo)
The filing deadline for the Permanent Fund Dividend has been extended from March 31 to April 30.

PFD deadline extended

The official deadline is 11:59 p.m., April 30.

The filing deadline for the Permanent Fund Dividend has been extended from March 31 to April 30.
Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai, Soldotna late payers won’t lose water utilities

The decision to suspend utility penalties was made for the “public’s best interest.”

Kenai City Hall on Feb. 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy presents with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink via teleconference in Anchorage during March 31, 2020 coronavirus press update. (Courtesy photo)

1st Kenai COVID-19 case reported

Gov. Mike Dunleavy also discussed how the state is working to stabilize the economy.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy presents with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink via teleconference in Anchorage during March 31, 2020 coronavirus press update. (Courtesy photo)

HEA rates hike goes into effect

Residents facing financial hardships due to the pandemic will not see their electricity shut off.

Anglers can be seen fishing on the Kenai Peninsula in this undated photo. (Photo by Callie Ian/Courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council)

Trends: Tourism industry takes hit from COVID-19

‘Completely decimated travel in Alaska’

Anglers can be seen fishing on the Kenai Peninsula in this undated photo. (Photo by Callie Ian/Courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council)
The filing deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is March 31.

PFD deadline approaching

The official deadline is 11:59 p.m., Tuesday March 31.

The filing deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is March 31.
A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicates that they are closed until further notice, Kenai, Alaska, on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

‘A battle with an invisible enemy’

Dunleavy says next two weeks are critical to slowing the virus.

A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicates that they are closed until further notice, Kenai, Alaska, on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Shelter in place, in-state travel ban measures announced as COVID-19 cases climb

With the addition of 16 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and news of the first death within the state of Alaska, new health mandates shutting… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file                                Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting Jan. 8, 2019.

Borough budget to take hit

Borough could experience a 30-60% “negative impact” in sales tax revenue due to the global pandemic.

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file                                Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting Jan. 8, 2019.
Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

CPH to accept homemade face masks

There is a shortage of personal protective equipment for health professionals.

Central Peninsula Hospital as seen March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough employee reports possible COVID-19 exposure

The employee did not work in the public.

A sign welcomes employees and visitors at the Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
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Schools prep for online learning

K-12 education across Alaska will be delivered directly to a student’s home.

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Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Monday, March 23, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Alaska reports 1st COVID-19 death

The Alaskan who died, described as a “high-risk older individual,” was in Washington state.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy at a press conference in Anchorage on Monday, March 23, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)