COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

More than 1,500 new cases, 3 new deaths

Central Peninsula Hospital was operating at 122% capacity on Monday and treating 60 patients.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Relatives of Luis Enrique Rodriguez, who died of COVID-19, visit where he was buried on a hill at the El Pajonal de Cogua Natural Reserve, in Cogua, north of Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Rodriguez died May 14, 2021. Relatives bury the ashes of their loved ones who died of coronavirus and plant a tree in their memory. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

COVID-19’s global death toll tops 5 million

The U.S. alone has recorded over 745,000 lives lost, more than any other nation.

Relatives of Luis Enrique Rodriguez, who died of COVID-19, visit where he was buried on a hill at the El Pajonal de Cogua Natural Reserve, in Cogua, north of Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Oct. 25, 2021. Rodriguez died May 14, 2021. Relatives bury the ashes of their loved ones who died of coronavirus and plant a tree in their memory. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)
A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Seldovia increases sales tax to fund new grader

The tax increase will bump Seldovia’s sales tax during the second and third quarter from 4.5% to 6.5%.

A sign in downtown Seldovia is photographed on Sept. 27, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness book, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai library fundraiser nears $14,000, will conclude next week

The fundraiser was launched in response to a move by the Kenai City Council to delay approval of a library grant.

The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness book, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
The Falcon heavy-lift vessel carrying the jack-up rig Randolph Yost left Kachemak Bay on Monday afternoon, Oct. 25. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Jack-up rig leaves Homer

Oil rig was brought up to drill in upper Cook Inlet in 2016.

The Falcon heavy-lift vessel carrying the jack-up rig Randolph Yost left Kachemak Bay on Monday afternoon, Oct. 25. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A progressive pride flag hangs in Winter Marshall-Allen’s classroom at Homer High School on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 in Homer Alaska. Marshall-Allen was previously asked to take the flag and other symbols displayed in her classroom down, but was allowed to put it back up after filing a grievance with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

‘The school building needs to be a safe haven’

Union forms commission in response to accusations of LGBTQ+ censorship in schools

A progressive pride flag hangs in Winter Marshall-Allen’s classroom at Homer High School on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 in Homer Alaska. Marshall-Allen was previously asked to take the flag and other symbols displayed in her classroom down, but was allowed to put it back up after filing a grievance with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Shopping local is back in Soldotna

The program offers $100 in vouchers to people who spent $200 on discretionary items at participating Soldotna businesses.

Soldotna City Hall is photographed on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Firewood is burned at a campground at Kelly Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska in September 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)

Firewood available from bypass project

Logs are approximately 20 feet long and can be picked up between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. at the end of Langille Road.

Firewood is burned at a campground at Kelly Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska in September 2021. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
The Sterling Highway Bridge can be seen on June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. The city council recently approved a plan to revitalize the downtown Soldotna area from Soldotna Creek Park to the bridge. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Soldotna looks to create ‘main street’ by river

The city on Thursday applied for $360,000 from a federal grant program that would help fund a planning project.

The Sterling Highway Bridge can be seen on June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. The city council recently approved a plan to revitalize the downtown Soldotna area from Soldotna Creek Park to the bridge. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Gary Porter, owner of Bald Mountain Air Service, stands in front of his Twin Otter airplane Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

City Council passes aircraft flat tax rate

The Homer City Council held a public hearing for Ordinance 21-62 concerning a flat tax on aircrafts.

Gary Porter, owner of Bald Mountain Air Service, stands in front of his Twin Otter airplane Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Amelie Bignell, of Soldotna, drops a treat in the bucket of Hayden Jones, of Soldotna, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at a “trunk-or-treat” event at Orca Theatre on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Alaska. Jones was dressed as Vampirina. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

All Halloween all weekend

A sinister performance, pumpkin carving contest, food drive, pet microchip event and multiple trick-or-treats are on the docket.

Amelie Bignell, of Soldotna, drops a treat in the bucket of Hayden Jones, of Soldotna, on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at a “trunk-or-treat” event at Orca Theatre on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Alaska. Jones was dressed as Vampirina. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Bill Elam (center) nominates Brent Hibbert to be president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Johnson elected assembly president; Hibbert to be vice president

Prior to Tuesday, Johnson, who represents Kasilof, served as the assembly’s vice president.

Bill Elam (center) nominates Brent Hibbert to be president of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer Senior Citizen Center residents participated in a worldwide Televeda bingo event to set a Guinness world record on Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Homer senior citizens help break world record

The game was held to fight against social isolation in senior communities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homer Senior Citizen Center residents participated in a worldwide Televeda bingo event to set a Guinness world record on Friday, Oct. 22. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State hospitalizations still on the rise

Despite a decrease in cases, the state is still seeing hospitalization surge.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
The Seward welcome sign is photographed in July 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Seward vice mayor and council member resigns

The council accept the resignation of Tony Baclaan during its Monday night meeting.

The Seward welcome sign is photographed in July 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Ben Mohr watches Kenai River Junior Classic participants head out to fish on the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Mohr resigns as director of KRSA

He has been the executive director of KRSA for nearly three years.

Ben Mohr watches Kenai River Junior Classic participants head out to fish on the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Heather and Hunter Phillips walk through the Kenai Community Library Haunted Hunt with their mom Kumi Phillips on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Scary reads

Spooky literary characters come to life at Kenai library haunted house.

Heather and Hunter Phillips walk through the Kenai Community Library Haunted Hunt with their mom Kumi Phillips on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

11 new deaths reported

Statewide there were 244 COVID-related hospitalizations as of Tuesday, with 37 of them on ventilators.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

After cries of censorship, community raises funds for library

The Kenai City Council voted during its Oct. 20 meeting to postpone acceptance of a $1,500 grant for materials related to health and wellness.

The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A spruce bark beetle is seen on the underside of a piece of bark taken from logs stacked near Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State urges driver caution at Bing’s Landing this week due to work

The work is part of the State of Alaska’s efforts to mitigate the spruce beetle outbreak on the Kenai Peninsula.

A spruce bark beetle is seen on the underside of a piece of bark taken from logs stacked near Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)