Coronavirus

In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Will Alaska financing program ease eviction woes?

As of June 7, roughly 3.2 million people in the U.S. said they face eviction in the next two months.

In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, housing activists erect a sign in Swampscott, Mass. A federal freeze on most evictions is set to expire soon. The moratorium, put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in September, was the only tool keeping millions of tenants in their homes. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna closes out CARES funds, prepares for ARPA funds

The American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden.

Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen speaks at a meeting of the Sodotna City Council on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney (right) presents Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis with a proclamation on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor sets Soldotna Businesses Appreciation Days for July

The proclamation praises the efforts of the Soldotna Chamber to support city businesses.

Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney (right) presents Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shanon Davis with a proclamation on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Both doses ‘critically important’ as Delta variant spreads

In Alaska, there have been a total of 13 delta cases detected, with nine of them spotted in the last week.

Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

No new COVID cases reported on Kenai Peninsula

In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 42% of people 12 and up were fully vaccinated.

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

‘A lot of work to do’: Officials hope for summer bounce in vaccinations

Zink said just six months ago she didn’t think the state would have as much vaccine stock as it does now.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Data show vaccinated people less than 1% likely to get COVID

As of April 30, approximately 101 million people in the U.S. were considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Gavin Hunt, 13, receives his second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the strip mall at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

One shot at a time

Soldotna walk-in clinic offers vaccines on demand.

Nurse Tracy Silta draws a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the walk-in clinic at the strip mall at the intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling Highways in Soldotna, Alaska on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna assistant football coach Eric Pomerleau checks the temperature of sophomore Joseph Whittom before summer workouts Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Masks optional for KPBSD staff, students effective next week

The policy change is in response to updated guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Soldotna assistant football coach Eric Pomerleau checks the temperature of sophomore Joseph Whittom before summer workouts Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at Soldotna High School in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to launch another shop local program

The program would provide vouchers for tourism, travel or hospitality services.

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is seen on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions up and running. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Shaping up, shipping in: Southeast tour companies eagerly readying for shortened season

Even if it’s a short season, it’ll set them up for success in 2022, companies say.

With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions up and running. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage, Alaska. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

CDC: Florida lawsuit imperils summer cruises to Alaska

Alaska estimates that cruising contributes $3 billion a year to the state economy.

The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage, Alaska. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A graph from the Department of Health and Social Service shows how each census region did in the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign, which sought to increase COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May 2021. (Photo provided)

State falls short of 25% vaccination goal

East Aluetians Borough only region to increase vaccinations by 25%

A graph from the Department of Health and Social Service shows how each census region did in the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign, which sought to increase COVID-19 vaccinations by 25% in May 2021. (Photo provided)
Sarah Knapp / Homer News
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, poses for a selfie with Kelly Bolt, right, and Debbie Gardner, who work at WIC, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer.

Dr. Zink visits Homer

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer holds meet-and-greet, visits pop-up clinic on Spit.

Sarah Knapp / Homer News
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, poses for a selfie with Kelly Bolt, right, and Debbie Gardner, who work at WIC, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer.
Mount Redoubt is seen from the Kenai Bluff on July 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Kenai tourism granted more than $400,000 for summer marketing campaign

The grant is designed to encourage Alaskan communities to promote COVID-safe travel in the state this summer.

Mount Redoubt is seen from the Kenai Bluff on July 20, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
A graphic from the Vaccine Materials in Alaska Native Languages project shows a person who was recently vaccinated against COVID-19. Translated from Tlingit to English, it says “I want us to be among each other, that is why I got the shot. I love the people I am with.” (Photo provided)

Vaccine information available in Native languages

The organizations worked in tandem for two months to make the translation project possible.

A graphic from the Vaccine Materials in Alaska Native Languages project shows a person who was recently vaccinated against COVID-19. Translated from Tlingit to English, it says “I want us to be among each other, that is why I got the shot. I love the people I am with.” (Photo provided)
The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna City Council votes to repeal emergency declaration and utility relief

The disaster declaration was enacted on March 19, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sign outside Soldotna City Hall is seen here on July 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management offered the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines at the walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska COVID-19 cases reach lows not seen since last summer

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced 45 new cases on Thursday.

The Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management offered the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines at the walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: Alaska’s tourism industry needs help

Alaska has suffered a triple whammy of no cruise ships, a closed Canadian border and a limited supply of rental cars.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer (courtesy photo)
The Kenai Fire Department offers the Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at its mobile clinic during the first day of the Wednesday Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Wednesday Markets now include free walk-in vaccines

Dr. Anne Zink, chief medical officer for the state, made a trip to Soldotna on Wednesday as part of the “Sleeves Up for Summer” campaign.

The Kenai Fire Department offers the Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines at its mobile clinic during the first day of the Wednesday Market in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)