A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Black bear killed in Seward

The bear reportedly scratched and attempted to bite the victim’s leg.

A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Rock’n the Ranch spectators listen to live music at the festival in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Carlos Pereira Jr.)
Rock’n the Ranch spectators listen to live music at the festival in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Carlos Pereira Jr.)
Ranger Meredith Baker helps Fredrick Bryant decorate a fish mobile at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on July 6, 2021 for Fish Week. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

‘Family fishy fun’

Kids turn out for a week of tying, casting and reeling.

Ranger Meredith Baker helps Fredrick Bryant decorate a fish mobile at the Kenai Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on July 6, 2021 for Fish Week. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meet on March 2, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

School board grades its performance

An anonymous survey including six board members assigned letter grades between “A” and “F” to the board’s actions in the last year

Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education meet on March 2, 2021, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Several thousand affected by Soldotna power outage

Homer Electric Association said the power outage was caused by a faulty cable.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional material (City of Seward)

Seward offers $50 gift cards to those getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Participating businesses include Harbor Street Creamery, Resurrect Art Coffee House, Forests, Tides Treasures and the Seward Alehouse, among others.

Promotional material (City of Seward)
A sign directing people to the Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

3 new COVID deaths reported; officials encourage vaccines as delta variant spreads

On Friday, the state announced another 108 COVID cases, which included seven on the Kenai Peninsula.

A sign directing people to the Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management walk-in clinic at Soldotna Prep School on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Walt Blauvelt stands on logs near the Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Walt Blauvelt stands on logs near the Central Peninsula Landfill on Thursday, July 1, 2021 near Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Community members affiliated with local organizations participate in Kenai’s annual Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Independence on display

Community celebrates the 4th with parade, candy, celebration

Community members affiliated with local organizations participate in Kenai’s annual Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
Brew 602 in Soldotna hosts one of the pieces of the Kenai River Quilt Tour on July 2, 2021. The tour will take place throughout the month of July. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)

Patchwork tour

Soldotna businesses showcase quilts during annual event

Brew 602 in Soldotna hosts one of the pieces of the Kenai River Quilt Tour on July 2, 2021. The tour will take place throughout the month of July. (Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion)
John Hakla from Eagle River heads back into the water while dipnetting on the North Kenai Beach on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Dipnet area expanded; limits increased on the Kasilof

Dipnetting is only allowed for Alaska residents with personal-use permits.

John Hakla from Eagle River heads back into the water while dipnetting on the North Kenai Beach on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association)
Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Broadcasters group decries lawmaker’s Facebook post

House Rep. Ron Gillham, who represents the Kenai-Soldotna area, posted a meme comparing journalists, medics to Nazis.

A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association)
Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
(Black Press file photo)

Seward to spend cruise grant funds on community child care

Seward was one of six Alaskan communities Norwegian Cruise Line awarded money

(Black Press file photo)
Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna’s mini-grant applications now available

The grants fund civic programs, services, projects and events that contribute to Soldotna residents’ overall quality of life.

Soldotna City Hall on Wednesday, June 24, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)

Reminder: Fireworks banned in Kenai Peninsula Borough

Although a popular Independence Day tradition, the use of fireworks is banned in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. According to the borough code of ordinances, the… Continue reading

Fireworks are displayed during the 2016 Christmas Comes to Kenai celebration. (Kat Sorensen/Clarion file)
A sign warning of a June 28, 2021, bear attack is placed at the head of the Kenai River Trail on Skilak Loop Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Man reunites with pup after bear attack

Jason Umbriaco was hospitalized after the brown bear with two cubs bit him twice Sunday.

A sign warning of a June 28, 2021, bear attack is placed at the head of the Kenai River Trail on Skilak Loop Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on June 30, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Clarion file

State updates roadkill salvage process

The Alaska Department of Public Safety launched a new virtual roadkill salvage database on Thursday.

Clarion file
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Troopers target dangerous driving

Troopers announce “robust” DUI enforcement and increased patrols over July 4 weekend

Alaska State Troopers logo.
COVID-19. (CDC)

School district receives CDC grant for COVID testing

The $1.3 million awarded to the district through the grant is in addition to a third round of ESSER funds.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Seldovia as seen on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The steady rain didn’t stop boats filled with tourists from arriving in town. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Seldovia welcomes visitors to celebrate 4th of July

Visitors are invited to celebrate Independence Day in Seldovia with a day full of activities.

Seldovia as seen on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The steady rain didn’t stop boats filled with tourists from arriving in town. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)