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)
Annaleah Karron leads a session during an in-service at Skyview Middle School on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Teachers build bridges to develop skills

Educators gathered to lay the foundation for a year of inter-school collaboration.

Annaleah Karron leads a session during an in-service at Skyview Middle School on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will offer a districtwide 100% Remote Learning option during the 2021-2022 school year. (Image via the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog)

School district offers updated remote learning options

Students learning 100% remotely will not be allowed to return to in-person learning outside of the transfer dates outlined.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will offer a districtwide 100% Remote Learning option during the 2021-2022 school year. (Image via the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District communications blog)
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. (CDC)

More than 1,000 cases reported over the weekend

The new case count includes 147 resident cases on the peninsula and 12 more nonresident cases under investigation.

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

Increased Trooper presence expected through Labor Day

The announcement comes after multiple vehicle accidents on the central peninsula have recorded both injuries and fatalities.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A demonstrator stands at the “Y” intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways in Soldotna on Saturday, Aug. 14 to protest mandatory COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation protocols. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Demonstrators protest COVID-19 vaccine and mitigation mandates

The state has neither imposed a mask nor a vaccine mandate throughout the course of the pandemic.

A demonstrator stands at the “Y” intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways in Soldotna on Saturday, Aug. 14 to protest mandatory COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation protocols. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Communications Director Pegge Erkeneff (left) and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland stand in Holland’s office in the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Friday, Aug. 13 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

No mask mandate, but rules abound

Quarantine, vaccination status and testing part of school district’s layered COVID mitigation plan.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Communications Director Pegge Erkeneff (left) and Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland stand in Holland’s office in the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Friday, Aug. 13 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Dipnetting season ‘generally productive’ for city

The total revenue for the season, which was open from July 10-31, was about $485,600.

Dipnetters camp on North Kenai Beach on July 17, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on February 26, 2019 in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)