The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Gated communities ordinance amended, passed

Under the ordinance, residents and property developers could apply to set up a private street or subdivision.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                The Orca Theater in Kalifornsky is shuttered on Wednesday. Movie theaters, gyms and other businesses closed down due to the new coronavirus will be allowed to reopen Friday.

Alaska businesses allowed to reopen Friday

Cloth face coverings are strongly encouraged when going out in public.

Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion                                The Orca Theater in Kalifornsky is shuttered on Wednesday. Movie theaters, gyms and other businesses closed down due to the new coronavirus will be allowed to reopen Friday.
Lawmakers could be headed back to Juneau if the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee doesn’t approve the governor’s plans for allocating federal COVID-19 relief money. Some legislators say there are legal complications with the process chosen by the governor. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Lawmakers scrap critical meeting on relief funds

It’s been postponed to Monday

Lawmakers could be headed back to Juneau if the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee doesn’t approve the governor’s plans for allocating federal COVID-19 relief money. Some legislators say there are legal complications with the process chosen by the governor. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
COVID-19. (CDC)

Anchor Point man is 10th Alaskan to die from COVID-19

In addition to this 10th death, the state reported one new case of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion file                                 John O’Brien, superintendent for the Kenai Peninsula School District.

School superintendent to retire next year

The school board has already begun the superintendent recruitment process.

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion file                                 John O’Brien, superintendent for the Kenai Peninsula School District.
COVID-19. (CDC)

1 new COVID-19 case announced Tuesday

The state total is 371 positive cases.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Firefighters from the Kenai-Kodiak Area State Forestry office extinguish a small grass fire started by an escaped campfire on the Kenai Peninsula on May 3, 2020. (Kyle McNally/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Crews respond to fires across state as burn ban goes into effect

Everything from illegal debris burns to hot chainsaws in dry grass were the culprits of the fires.

Firefighters from the Kenai-Kodiak Area State Forestry office extinguish a small grass fire started by an escaped campfire on the Kenai Peninsula on May 3, 2020. (Kyle McNally/Alaska Division of Forestry)
The May 4, 2020, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy livestream press briefing homepage is seen here. (Screenshot)

Officials discuss CARES spending

State commissioners spoke Monday on how $1.5 billion in federal funding would be spent.

The May 4, 2020, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy livestream press briefing homepage is seen here. (Screenshot)
Hitting the links

Hitting the links

Golfers jump at chance to get back outside

Hitting the links
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)                                COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Peninsula COVID-19 cases grow over weekend

Two more COVID-19 cases were reported Monday, bringing the total number of cases in Alaska to 370. This includes nine people who have died and… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)                                COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Budget estimates down in face of pandemic

The borough finance department has had to adjust projections.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Court reports for May 3, 2020
Court reports for May 3, 2020
A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

State expands unemployment benefits

Workers may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits.

A sign outside of RD’s Barber Shop indicating that they are closed can be seen here in Kenai, Alaska on March 25, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining
Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining
Heather Renner and Tasha Reynolds run and fat bike to the finish line on the Kenai Beach during the 2019 Mouth to Mouth Wild Run & Ride. (Photo courtesy Kaitlin Vadla)

Mouth to Mouth racers to go it alone

Participants in this year’s event will race on their own time and post their results online.

Heather Renner and Tasha Reynolds run and fat bike to the finish line on the Kenai Beach during the 2019 Mouth to Mouth Wild Run & Ride. (Photo courtesy Kaitlin Vadla)
(Photo courtesy of city of Soldotna)

Soldotna council passes pandemic aid programs

“This (pandemic) is affecting everyone.”

(Photo courtesy of city of Soldotna)
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

9 new cases, 2 on peninsula

Cases in Anchor Point and Homer were reported at Friday’s press conference.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic

South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic

“I felt like I needed to come … It was a calling. I had to go.”

South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic
Alaska Division of Forestry                                A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019.

Burn permits suspended starting May 1

Last year, more than 5,000 firefighters were brought north to Alaska to combat wildfires.

Alaska Division of Forestry                                A member of the Gannet Glacier Type 2 Initial Attack Crew uses a drip torch during a burnout operation at the Swan Lake Fire on June 18, 2019.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Additional emergency funds on assembly agenda

An emergency ordinance appropriating $77,000 to the OEM t is being introduced at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)