Billy Adamson scales a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Internet tower construction complete

The borough used CARES Act funds for the project, which aimed to expand internet access

Billy Adamson scales a communications tower on Thursday, Jan. 7 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael van der Veen, second from left an attorney for former President Donald Trump, fist bumps a colleague as the depart on the Senate Subway, on Capitol Hill after the Senate acquitted Trump in his second impeachment trial in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. Trump was accused of inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the acquittal gives him a historic second victory in the court of impeachment. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump acquitted, denounced in historic impeachment trial

Seven Republicans joined all Democrats to convict, but it was far from the two-third threshold required.

  • Feb 13, 2021
  • By LISA MASCARO, ERIC TUCKER and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
Michael van der Veen, second from left an attorney for former President Donald Trump, fist bumps a colleague as the depart on the Senate Subway, on Capitol Hill after the Senate acquitted Trump in his second impeachment trial in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. Trump was accused of inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the acquittal gives him a historic second victory in the court of impeachment. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A Walmart pharmacy manager administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to a patient. (Photo courtesy of Walmart)

Kenai Walmart offering COVID vaccine to eligible groups

Vaccine appointments at Walmart can be scheduled at walmart.com/covidvaccine.

A Walmart pharmacy manager administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to a patient. (Photo courtesy of Walmart)
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, center, sits before the start of a brief House floor session in Juneau, Alaska Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. Rep. Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, was elected speaker on Thursday in a vote coming more than three weeks into the legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Lawmakers don’t extend disaster order, ask Dunleavy for help

Thirty-five of the House’s 40 members have signed letters to Dunleavy supporting a new 30-day declaration.

Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes, center, sits before the start of a brief House floor session in Juneau, Alaska Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. Rep. Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, was elected speaker on Thursday in a vote coming more than three weeks into the legislative session. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

More than 8,000 vaccinated on the peninsula, over 120,000 statewide

15.9% of Alaska’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Cooper Landing School student Linnaea Gossard is named ASTE’s student of the year during a remote ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (Screenshot)

Cooper Landing student named ASTE student of the year

Linnaea Gossard was honored at a surprise ceremony on Friday

Cooper Landing School student Linnaea Gossard is named ASTE’s student of the year during a remote ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (Screenshot)
Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis (courtesy)

Soldotna chamber, shop local program get praise from city

The program resulted in an overall economic impact of around $876,750, chamber says

Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis (courtesy)
Becky Bohrer / Associated Press
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes (center) sits before the start of a brief House floor session in Juneau on Thursday. Rep. Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, was elected speaker on Thursday in a vote coming more than three weeks into the legislative session.

Alaska House elects Kodiak Republican Stutes as speaker

Stutes has been part of a 20-member bipartisan coalition composed largely of Democrats that also includes independents.

  • Feb 11, 2021
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
Becky Bohrer / Associated Press
Alaska House Speaker Louise Stutes (center) sits before the start of a brief House floor session in Juneau on Thursday. Rep. Stutes, a Kodiak Republican, was elected speaker on Thursday in a vote coming more than three weeks into the legislative session.
Kenai Peninsula Food Banks staff and volunteers assemble food bags for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna recently at the food bank near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)

Food bank bag program extended through end of April

The nonprofit was awarded a grant by the Soldotna City Council during their Wednesday meeting

Kenai Peninsula Food Banks staff and volunteers assemble food bags for the cities of Kenai and Soldotna recently at the food bank near Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
State health officials address members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. (Screenshot)

Initial vaccine demand by seniors met, DHSS says

DHSS said a new eligibility tier was opened in part because fewer appointments were being booked by seniors

State health officials address members of the media during a remote press conference on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. (Screenshot)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD to offer vaccine clinics for teachers, staff

Pre-K through 12th grade teachers were eligible to receive the vaccine as of Thursday

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A boarding team member from Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur holds up an allegedly illegally-retained halibut aboard vessel Currency about 12 miles west of Cape Barnabas, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Chandeleur’s boarding team discovered a total of eight allegedly illegally-retained halibut aboard the boat, seized them, and handed them over to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration representative in Kodiak. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Cutter Chandeleur)

Coast Guard issues violation to Homer fishermen for catching halibut out of season

Homer boat was fishing for Pacific cod when Coast Guard patrol found halibut on board

A boarding team member from Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur holds up an allegedly illegally-retained halibut aboard vessel Currency about 12 miles west of Cape Barnabas, Alaska, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Chandeleur’s boarding team discovered a total of eight allegedly illegally-retained halibut aboard the boat, seized them, and handed them over to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration representative in Kodiak. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Cutter Chandeleur)
A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Teachers eligible Thursday to schedule COVID vaccine appointments

The state announced the opening of a new eligibility group on Wednesday

A vial of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen at Central Emergency Services Station 1 on Friday, Dec. 18 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (Screenshot)

186 new cases; state disaster declaration set to expire

Dunleavy said the potential extension of the declaration is in the Legislature’s hands

Gov. Mike Dunleavy during a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (Screenshot)
The Endeavour-Spirit of Independence jack up rig is seen here in early April 2013, at the Cosmopolitan site in lower Cook Inlet near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Smith/Peninsula Clarion)

Comment period, public meetings for oil and gas lease sale are canceled

With Biden’s order pausing oil and gas lease sales, lower Cook Inlet sale is on hold

The Endeavour-Spirit of Independence jack up rig is seen here in early April 2013, at the Cosmopolitan site in lower Cook Inlet near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Smith/Peninsula Clarion)
Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion

Kenai to outsource engineering services for bluff stabilization project

The project aims to stabilized 5,000 of bluff along the north shore of the Kenai River.

Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion
Adam Crum, commissioner of the Alaska state health department, testifies before a state Senate committee on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Crum and other state officials have urged Alaska lawmakers to support Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed extension of a disaster emergency related to COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Questions loom with Alaska COVID-19 declaration set to end

Health and emergency officials warn a failure to extend could restrict the state’s ability to distribute vaccines.

Adam Crum, commissioner of the Alaska state health department, testifies before a state Senate committee on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. Crum and other state officials have urged Alaska lawmakers to support Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed extension of a disaster emergency related to COVID-19. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
COVID-19 (Image via CDC)

15% of Alaskans have received at least 1 vaccine dose

As of Tuesday, more than 110,000 Alaskans had received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine.

COVID-19 (Image via CDC)
Jill Schaefer, the new office director for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s regional office in Soldotna, is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Jeff Turner/Office of the Governor)

Governor opens regional office in Soldotna

The office opened Monday on the second floor of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna.

Jill Schaefer, the new office director for Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s regional office in Soldotna, is seen here in this undated photo. (Courtesy Jeff Turner/Office of the Governor)
The badge for the Soldotna Police Department
The badge for the Soldotna Police Department