Kenai Peninsula Borough

Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink answers questions from members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State, hospital officials brief assembly on COVID

“The hospital has been over capacity for basically the month of August,” an official said.

Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink answers questions from members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ray Southwell testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in support of legislation opposing government-mandated vaccines on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

COVID divisions shape heated testimony

After raucous meeting, assembly tables resolution on ‘vaccine segregation’.

Ray Southwell testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in support of legislation opposing government-mandated vaccines on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at the George A. Navarre Admin Building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Borough resolution opposes ‘COVID-19 vaccine segregation’

The legislation does not nullify COVID mandates instituted by the borough’s incorporated communities.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27, 2021. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Results of the 2020 census showed a 6% growth in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Census shows slight peninsula population growth

The 2020 census kicked off in January 2020 in Toksook Bay, Alaska.

U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Results of the 2020 census showed a 6% growth in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough, cities mull use of relief funds

ARPA funds are in addition to money received through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The Soldotna City Council meets on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna City Council stands by Farnsworth-Hutchings as planning pick

The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed in monthslong recruitment and appointment process.

Then-mayoral candidate Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce participate in a forum on Sept. 9, 2020 in Kenai. The City of Soldotna and borough have clashed over the recommendation to appoint Farnsworth-Hutchings to the borough planning commission. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Cattle Noromectin is sold at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough mayor promotes debunked COVID treatments

Pierce defends ivermectin as potential virus med, proposes local clinical trials

Cattle Noromectin is sold at Kenai Feed and Supply on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Borough encourages voters to participate in municipal election

Kenai, Soldotna, Seward and Homer city councils as well as school district and assembly have seats open.

A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Assembly OKs purchase of training mannequins

The equipment would be used in day-to-day training for the purpose of learning new medical techniques.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
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, Kenai to mull partnership for 911 dispatch services

Queen floated the idea of partnering with Kenai to offer dispatch services.

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)
Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai signs onto beetle funding request

The peninsula’s latest spruce bark beetle outbreak has impacted more than 1 million acres in Southcentral Alaska.

Spruce trees infested with beetles can be seen on July 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska.

City, borough and school board seats up for grabs

The candidate filing period for people interested in running for seats open in the Oct. 5 municipal election closed Monday.

A “Vote Here” sign is seen at the City of Kenai building on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Kenai, Alaska.
Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Mayor blasts hospital over COVID-19 treatment

Pierce shared anecdotes about what he believed was ineffective emergency room treatment.

Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2018. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
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)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough sales tax revenue higher than anticipated

The borough said it planned conservatively in anticipation of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
To avoid accidental 911 calls, Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency advises a number a measures, including not putting smartphones in vehicle cup holders. (File)

Emergency management seeks to reduce accidental 911 calls

According to OEM, 98% of accidental 911 calls are the result of smartphone and smart device technology.

To avoid accidental 911 calls, Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency advises a number a measures, including not putting smartphones in vehicle cup holders. (File)
Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough seeks to change planning commission selection process

Traditionally, cities have advertised for their vacant seat on the commission, with applications forwarded to the city council for review

Mayor Charlie Pierce speaks at a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
State data shows the current COVID-19 spike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (Image via the Department of Health and Social Services)
State data shows the current COVID-19 spike in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. (Image via the Department of Health and Social Services)
Richard Derkevorkian speaks at a borough and district work session on Tuesday, March 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly rejects 3-minute time limit for member comments

The ordinance would have limited assembly members’ closing comments to three minutes during assembly meetings.

Richard Derkevorkian speaks at a borough and district work session on Tuesday, March 2 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The United States’ women’s 4x100-meter medley relay team, Regan Smith, Lydia Jacoby, Torri Huske and Abbey Weitzeil, celebrates at the podium after winning the silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Jacoby honored with resolution, parade

Jacoby, 17, is a rising senior at Seward High School and won a gold medal for Team USA.

The United States’ women’s 4x100-meter medley relay team, Regan Smith, Lydia Jacoby, Torri Huske and Abbey Weitzeil, celebrates at the podium after winning the silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)