There are currently 4,565 active cases of COVID-19 among Alaska residents. 206 of those cases are residents of the Kenai Peninsula, an overall increase of 11 cases from this same time last Monday. Among the current active cases, 70 are in Soldotna, 61 in Kenai, 35 in Homer, and 16 in Sterling.

Hilcorp Alaska began exploring in the Seaview area south of Anchor Point on the Kenai Peninsula in 2015, the company told the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas in the plan of exploration. That accompanied its July 31 application for formation of the Seaview unit.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula spoke with KSRM about openings for their after-school program in some locations, including the opportunity for potential day-camp services if schools are once again forced to shift to 100% Remote Learning. They also have methods of ensuring any family who needs to participate is able to do so.

This benefit is for students who attend school onsite, via 100% remote learning with their Kenai Peninsula Borough School District school, or through Connections Homeschool. The benefit is retroactive to the beginning of the school year in August, so any purchased meals between August 24 and September 18 will be refunded to student accounts.

85% of non-fatal hospitalizations in Alaska’s 65 and older population were due to falls. Also, the most recent total direct cost of older adult falls in Alaska was $48 million. Injuries due to falls are the leading cause of non-fatal hospitalizations in Alaska, age 35 and older.

The Kenai Peninsula’s preliminary unemployment rate sits at 6.8 percent, which is an improvement from July’s 11.7 percent. That is still high enough to mark the highest rate in the Gulf Coast Region, and is worse than Anchorage’s 6.6 percent.

Another loan program is also on the way: “We have a new loan program. As most of you probably know, we’ve got that small loan program where you can loan up to $25,000 for somebody for a business that has been turned down by at least two financial institutions. We’re going to have a new loan program that you’ll be able to go up to around $65,000.”

Rachel Chaffee, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Kenai Executive Director spoke with KSRM News on Thursday, discussing the dinner pick-up program: “We have a free dinner service program. In Kenai, it’s at Kaleidoscope which is kind of handy – it’s right there with parent pick-up… We figured it’s a nice central location for anybody in Kenai. It’s grab-and-go. Anybody who shows up with a child will get a meal.”

For Seward, the heaviest rain will continue through midday Thursday, with a total of two to two-and-a-half inches of rain expected through this afternoon. Additional rainfall of around half in inch is likely on Thursday in the evening. This will lead to elevated water levels in the Resurrection River and other area rivers and streams.