City Counselor Pamela Parker agreed with the closures, saying Soldotna should do more: “You think 25 cases a day doesn’t sound like a lot? We don’t have that many people around here! So, I would like to see us be that group that actually stands up in this state and says, ‘We’re going to do something about this. We’re going to put our foot down.'”

Mayor Pierce further clarified that PTO will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but that Saner is not wrong in the formation of the new PTO policy: “Before COVID, we would have never questioned, nor would we have ever put any restraints on people traveling. Today, when you travel, you take two weeks off, you might wind up with a month off. What we’re saying is that we might not be able to do without you for a month. There’s important functional positions that have to be staffed.”

Despite employing many of the same people, McKinney is aware that the previous iteration of Ravn did not have a glowing reputation for customer service. He said that one of the primary areas of focus will be to earn the trust of Ravn’s patrons: “We put the entire staff – pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, you name it – through customer service training because in some way, shape, or form, everybody serves the customer here. If we don’t serve the customer, we’ll go the way of old Ravn.”

Representative Don Young’s Twitter account was updated a little after 12:00 p.m. to reflect that Young is feeling strong, working from home, and asking for privacy.

He did not issue an economic shutdown similar to that of this Spring, nor did he issue any new health mandates. Rather, he implored businesses and Alaskans alike to adopt a similar common-sense attitude when it comes to “sacrificing a little more by changing your daily routines” to focus on safety.

For flights from Kenai to Anchorage, the first booking is available on Monday, November 16, at a cost of $79. Flights are available throughout next week, with the exception of Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The airline is allowing up to two checked bags at a combined maximum weight of 50 pounds.

For every $200 spent shopping in Soldotna, participants will receive two $50 vouchers to spend at local participating businesses by the end of the year. $100,000 has been earmarked to bolster the program.

The Commission postponed the public hearing for the rezoning to December 1, to allow citizens to offer input. They will be holding a work session on November 17 at 6:00p.m. Any interested participants are asked to e-mail planning@cityofseward.net for more details on how to become involved.

The Kenai City Council is accepting letters of interest and resumes from residents of Kenai to fill the seat. In the public notice of the opening, the council offers a job description of a City Council Member: “Responsibilities include enacting laws that govern the City, adopting the annual budget, and appropriating funds to provide city services. The City Council also establishes policies executed through administration.”

Once drivers are on the road in a vehicle equipped with the appropriate emergency kit, careful driving is a must. As temperatures continue to swing below zero and into the teens, roadways on the Kenai have the potential to ice over quickly.