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Peggy Clements testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly votes against Caribou Island access change

The vote to veto was unanimous

Peggy Clements testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) participate in the assembly’s Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 meeting at the borough assembly chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The assembly voted Tuesday to fund 13 new positions for four fire and EMS service areas. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire and EMS service areas get additional personnel

This includes the 5 positions already slated for the new Western Emergency Services

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) participate in the assembly’s Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 meeting at the borough assembly chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The assembly voted Tuesday to fund 13 new positions for four fire and EMS service areas. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 (Image via CDC)

About 15% of borough residents have at least 1 vaccine dose

Alaska leads the nation in the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose

COVID-19 (Image via CDC)
The homepage of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s new workforce development is seen in a screenshot from Feb. 17, 2021. (Screenshot)

KPEDD unveils workforce development website

The website aims to connect people with resources to help them start a career

The homepage of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s new workforce development is seen in a screenshot from Feb. 17, 2021. (Screenshot)
This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)

Hilcorp seeks to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point

Public comments accepted through March 4

This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)
Actors portraying the Chorus of the Women of Canterbury rehearse on Monday, Feb. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Poetry, history and murder

Kenai Performers takes on T.S. Eliot in its latest show

Actors portraying the Chorus of the Women of Canterbury rehearse on Monday, Feb. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19 (Image via CDC)

Alaska leads nation in vaccine rollout

13,052 doses have been administered in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, including 8,865 initial doses and 4,187 second doses.

COVID-19 (Image via CDC)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

1st KPBSD vaccine clinic to be held next week

The clinics are specifically for district staff

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire's offices on Feb. 16, 2021. Murkowski was in the capital city as part of an annual Presidents Day recess trip that typically includes an address to the Alaska State Legislature. Instead, Murkowski visited with state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Murkowski: Bipartisanship is not dead

Trump still looms large.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire's offices on Feb. 16, 2021. Murkowski was in the capital city as part of an annual Presidents Day recess trip that typically includes an address to the Alaska State Legislature. Instead, Murkowski visited with state lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
In this Oct. 28, 2016, photo provided by the Maniilaq Association, Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. In January 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S. (Maniilaq Association via AP)

Cultural ‘big deal’: Seal oil makes menu at Alaska care home

Seal oil is back on the menu for Inupiat elders.

In this Oct. 28, 2016, photo provided by the Maniilaq Association, Alex Whiting, left, and Cyrus Harris, right, are observed by Chris Sannito, second from left, and Brian Himelbloom, third from left, of the Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center as they trim and clean seal blubber in Kotzebue, Alaska. In January 2021, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation approved seal oil to be served at a Maniilaq elder care home, believed to be a first for seal oil in the U.S. (Maniilaq Association via AP)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough assembly to consider adding 15 fire and EMS positions

The resolution would allow the assembly to use available Fiscal Year 2021 funds to add a total of 15 positions.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Public safety briefs for the week of Feb. 14, 2021

Read the latest.

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Court reports for the week of Feb. 14, 2021

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Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks to colleagues on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Edgmon, who served as speaker of the house in 31st Legislature, was named Monday as a co-chair of the House Finance Committee. A full list of committee assignments is expected soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House on verge of organizing

Not quite there yet.

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks to colleagues on Friday, Feb 12, 2021. Edgmon, who served as speaker of the house in 31st Legislature, was named Monday as a co-chair of the House Finance Committee. A full list of committee assignments is expected soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is seen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Caribou Island residents voice opposition to proposed access changes

The borough assembly will consider a petition to vacate a 100-foot-wide access point on the island

The Kenai Peninsula Borough administration building is seen on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by 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)

Assembly to ask state to fund vehicle removal

The resolution alleges that the state has not enforced their own laws by failing to fund enforcement.

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)
Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefront with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna accepting storefront grant applications

Applications are due March 5

Orange Poppy, one of several businesses that have improved their storefront with the help of Soldotna’s Storefront Improvement Program, is photographed Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. The improvement program awards grants to local businesses wanting to beautify their building’s exterior. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. In a Sunday news conference, Dunleavy discussed the end of Alaska’s longtime COVID-19 disaster declaration and what it means for the state’s response to the virus. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor confident in state’s ability to respond to virus without disaster declaration

“This sun-setting of the declaration is no cause for alarm”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. In a Sunday news conference, Dunleavy discussed the end of Alaska’s longtime COVID-19 disaster declaration and what it means for the state’s response to the virus. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Department of Public Safety commissioner resigns

Price is out.

  • Feb 13, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
Amanda Price, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, center, is surrounded by Department of Public Safety officials during a press conference on her confirmation to the position at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrives at the start of the fifth day of the second impeachment trial of former President Trump, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 at the Capitol in Washington. (Stefani Reynolds/Pool via AP)

7 Republicans vote to convict Trump in impeachment trial

Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted to convict.

  • Feb 13, 2021
  • By ALAN FRAM and BRIAN SLODYSKO Associated Press
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrives at the start of the fifth day of the second impeachment trial of former President Trump, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 at the Capitol in Washington. (Stefani Reynolds/Pool via AP)