A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Officials debunk COVID vaccine misinformation

State doctors say ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine aren’t effective at treating COVID-19.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog/Screenshot
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

‘We have tools, let’s please try to use them’

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink said the surge has imposed challenges on hospitals and health care workers.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
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)
Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Nikiski Fire Station 3 on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

An investment in safety

Leaders, community celebrate opening of Nikiski Fire Station 3.

Jesse Bjorkman speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Nikiski Fire Station 3 on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign at Main Street Tap and Grill on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 alerts customers of a temporary closure due to a staff shortage and COVID-19 cases. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Businesses balance COVID during summer surge

Doors start closing again due to increasing peninsula case counts.

A sign at Main Street Tap and Grill on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 alerts customers of a temporary closure due to a staff shortage and COVID-19 cases. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Prosecutors vet Tshibaka fishing license case

Kelly Tshibaka received the license during an event on the Kenai River in 2019.

Kelly Tshibaka addresses members of the community at Nikiski Hardware & Supply on Friday, April 9, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Almost 20 people wait in line at a Capstone Clinic pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. The clinic offers same-day testing from noon-7:30 p.m. today and noon-4 p.m. Friday. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).

Homer businesses shut down out of COVID-19 concerns

Numerous businesses close for a day or longer for testing of staff as 400th Alaskan dies of COVID-19.

Almost 20 people wait in line at a Capstone Clinic pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska. The clinic offers same-day testing from noon-7:30 p.m. today and noon-4 p.m. Friday. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).
The Sterling Highway is seen June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai, Soldotna endorse bus pilot program

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe is working to expand public transportation on the central Kenai Peninsula.

The Sterling Highway is seen June 14, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
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)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

State cases numbers remain high

686 COVID cases reported statewide on Thursday

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (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 file)

State to offer 3rd dose for immunocompromised, boosters likely to follow

Safeway issued a press release on Thursday stating that additional doses are available at its pharmacies.

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 file)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

4 new deaths, more than 600 new cases statewide

83 resident cases and four nonresident cases were reported on the peninsula.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)
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.
President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, on the COVID-19 response and vaccination program. U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Joe Biden speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, on the COVID-19 response and vaccination program. U.S. health officials Wednesday announced plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and signs that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks on the state of the Alaska Permanent Fund at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

CEO: Permanent fund sees record returns

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell gave a presentation at the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chamber luncheon Wednesday.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation CEO Angela Rodell speaks on the state of the Alaska Permanent Fund at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Darion and Karl Nusunginya get their photo taken before their first day of first grade at Sterling Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Darion and Karl Nusunginya get their photo taken before their first day of first grade at Sterling Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Hospital ‘extremely busy’ as COVID patients surge

There were 14 COVID patients admitted as of Tuesday afternoon.

A sign instructing patients and visitors on the current screening process is seen in the River Tower of Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020 in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Refuge wraps up work on new trail

A new trail connecting the Burney’s and Hideout routes is set to be finished toward the end of September.

Skilak Lake can be seen from Hideout Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on July 5, 2020 in Alaska. (Photograph by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)