Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘It’s so important that we honor our vets’

Community members gather to honor veterans’ sacrifices.

Chaplain Mike Meredith speaks at the Veterans Day celebration at Leif Hansen Memorial Park on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State COVID deaths rise above 800

Central Peninsula Hospital had fewer than 11 COVID hospitalizations and was operating at 86% capacity.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Dianne Spence-Chorman’s “Fig Study” is one of the works showing in the Homer Council on the Arts “Fun wtih 5x7” show through Dec. 22, 2021, at the gallery in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Fun with 5×7’ offers affordable art

HCOA annual art show presents art in a variety of media, all in 5x7 format.

Dianne Spence-Chorman’s “Fig Study” is one of the works showing in the Homer Council on the Arts “Fun wtih 5x7” show through Dec. 22, 2021, at the gallery in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)

New boundaries, shortened terms for local senators after redistricting

The board paired new Alaska State House Districts with Senate districts Wednesday.

The 2021 Board Proclamation for the Kenai Peninsula shows the redistricting plan adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board on Nov. 10, 2021. (akredistrict.org)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly considers nixing in-person meetings in Homer, Seward

Members discussed if the meetings were necessary with public Zoom access available.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly President Brent Johnson presides over a meeting of the assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Leroy Keene returns home from Desert Storm in 1990 and is welcomed by his wife and daughter. (Photo provided by Leroy Keene)

Veterans to receive Quilts of Valor on Veterans Day

War affects veterans who make it home differently. For one Homer veteran, talking about what happened during his deployment to Vietnam during the height of… Continue reading

Leroy Keene returns home from Desert Storm in 1990 and is welcomed by his wife and daughter. (Photo provided by Leroy Keene)
Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Chervenak awarded assistant principal of the year

The Kenai Central High School administrator said he was flattered and grateful that the community appreciated his efforts.

Kenai Central High School Assistant Principal Will Chervenak speaks during graduation on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. Chervenak won the Alaska Region III assistant principal of the year honor on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Tomorrow’ starts today

Soldotna High School returns to stage with production of musical “Annie”

The case of “Annie” rehearses at Soldotna High School on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Finishing touches

High schoolers fill last-minute spot in art center’s mural project.

Tatihana DeHoyos cuts out the centerpiece stencil for the Kenai Alternative High School’s mural installation at the Kenai Art Center on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
A stretch of Kenai Spur Highway can be seen in this August 2019 photo in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)

ATVs, other all-purpose vehicles, to be OK on some peninsula roads

The regulations drew safety concerns when first proposed earlier this year.

A stretch of Kenai Spur Highway can be seen in this August 2019 photo in Soldotna, Alaska. (Clarion file)
A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna campgrounds see record use

There were more than 11,100 day uses of campgrounds — the most ever.

A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

28 deaths added to statewide COVID-19 count

The deaths were reported after death certificate review from August through October, with most of the deaths occurring in October.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
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)

Feds fund beetle kill mitigation efforts

The funds were part of $2 million in beetle kill mitigation funds obtained by Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

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)
The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House races on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)

Redistricting shifts peninsula rep boundaries

Seward and Kodiak will vote together; Carpenter’s district expands

The 2021 Final Redistricting Map features newly drawn boundaries for Alaska State House races on the Kenai Peninsula. (akredistrict.org/Screenshot)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
A gingerbread house waits to be judged Monday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

Break out the gingerbread

Annual contests put kids’ creativity to the test.

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
A gingerbread house waits to be judged Monday at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Federal vaccine mandate looms for CPH employees

The mandate applies to all CPH properties, which includes the hospital, adjoining clinic and Heritage Place.

Central Peninsula Hospital is seen in Soldotna on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, right, participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Standoff over planning commission appointment continues

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce said he will not appoint Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings to the commission.

Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings, left, and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce, right, participate in a mayoral candidate forum hosted by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 9, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Protesters demonstrate outside of Central Peninsula Hospital on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. The group was advocating for the use of ivermectin as a treatment option for a COVID-19 patient hospitalized at CPH. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Protesters gather at CPH, seeking ivermectin treatment for patient

The CPH director of external affairs said the hospital does not treat COVID-19 with ivermectin because it has not been approved by the FDA for that purpose.

Protesters demonstrate outside of Central Peninsula Hospital on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. The group was advocating for the use of ivermectin as a treatment option for a COVID-19 patient hospitalized at CPH. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Cases dropping but state still in the red zone

The DHSS reported on Friday 870 new COVID cases across the state.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include kids ages 5 to 11 this week. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kids get the shot

Peninsula begins vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds for COVID-19 following CDC approval earlier this week.

Nurse Sherra Pritchard gives Madyson Knudsen a bandage at the Kenai Public Health Center after the 10-year-old received her first COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to include kids ages 5 to 11 this week. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)