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)
Annaleah Karron leads a session during an in-service at Skyview Middle School on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Teachers build bridges to develop skills

Educators gathered to lay the foundation for a year of inter-school collaboration.

Annaleah Karron leads a session during an in-service at Skyview Middle School on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Associated Press
Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker wants his old job back.
In this Nov. 13, 2018 file photo, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker poses in his office at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Walker announced plans Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, to run for governor again and said his former labor commissioner, Heidi Drygas, would be his running mate. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Walker to seek governor’s office again

Walker dropped his 2018 reelection bid shortly before that year’s election.

Associated Press
Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker wants his old job back.
In this Nov. 13, 2018 file photo, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker poses in his office at the state Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Walker announced plans Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, to run for governor again and said his former labor commissioner, Heidi Drygas, would be his running mate. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will offer a districtwide 100% Remote Learning option during the 2021-2022 school year. (Image via the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog)

School district offers updated remote learning options

Students learning 100% remotely will not be allowed to return to in-person learning outside of the transfer dates outlined.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will offer a districtwide 100% Remote Learning option during the 2021-2022 school year. (Image via the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog)
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)
A roadside sign welcomes drivers to Nikiski, Alaska, on Jan. 7, 2019. (Clarion file)

Nikiski soil treatment facility on track for approval

The facility would be located near Mile 27.5 of the Kenai Spur Highway in Nikiski.

A roadside sign welcomes drivers to Nikiski, Alaska, on Jan. 7, 2019. (Clarion file)
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)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Communications Director Pegge Erkeneff (left) and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland stand in Holland’s office in the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Friday, Aug. 13 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

No mask mandate, but rules abound

Quarantine, vaccination status and testing part of school district’s layered COVID mitigation plan.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Communications Director Pegge Erkeneff (left) and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland stand in Holland’s office in the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Friday, Aug. 13 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting season ‘generally productive’ for city

The total revenue for the season, which was open from July 10-31, was about $485,600.

Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
The badge for the Kenai Police Department
The badge for the Kenai Police Department
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

Cases trending up as school year approaches

The state is also seeing a shift in the age range of people testing positive for COVID-19, according to state health officials.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this file photo. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)

PFD payments sticking point for Alaska special session

The agenda for the special session starting Monday doesn’t include an appropriations bill for a dividend.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this file photo. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire file)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Participants burn an example of a commercial garment that led to a now-settled intellectual property lawsuit in a ceremony commemorating the settlement with the fashion company on Friday.
Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center 
A rescued sea otter is given treatment at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward last week.

SeaLife Center rescues abandoned otter pup from Seldovia

A family camping on a Seldovia beach found the otter stranded there.

Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center 
A rescued sea otter is given treatment at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward last week.
A county map of the United States and Puerto Rico shows percentage change in population 2010 to 2020. (Associated Press)

Census figures show Mat-Su gains most new residents

The sprawling borough gained 18,086 residents between 2010 and 2020.

A county map of the United States and Puerto Rico shows percentage change in population 2010 to 2020. (Associated Press)
Council member Dave Carey attends a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna reinstates mask requirement in city buildings

The new policy, which was authorized by the Soldotna City Council during the council’s Wednesday night meeting, takes effect on Monday, Aug. 16 and applies to all city facilities.

Council member Dave Carey attends a meeting of the Soldotna City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This Jan. 18, 2020, photo shows people preparing to get on a Ravn Connect airplane at the airport in Bethel, Alaska, for a flight to Toksook Bay. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Ravn customers now able to use Alaska Airlines miles

Customers will have the option to choose Alaska Airlines as a loyalty program option when booking Ravn flights.

This Jan. 18, 2020, photo shows people preparing to get on a Ravn Connect airplane at the airport in Bethel, Alaska, for a flight to Toksook Bay. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)