The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault received a donation of 35 laptop computers and tablets for distribution to shelter programs who house large numbers of school-aged children and had the most need for additional computer equipment for virtual classes. 

The Central peninsula reaches the High risk mark when 52 active COVID-19 cases are counted from the Department of Health and Social Services on a rolling 14-day count. Both Central and Eastern remain at a safe Medium mark, pending any uptick in numbers.

Small and large-scale brush burning and the use of burn barrels are prohibited during a burn permit suspension. The Division of Forestry asks all residents on the Kenai and the Mat-Su Valley to adhere to the burn suspension to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

Seven of the cases were residents of Soldotna, four residents of Kenai, three were residents of Sterling, two Homer residents, and one resident out of both Seward and Anchor Point.

The student day for some of the 42 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools has been adjusted. The change in start or end time decision was determined on a school-by-school basis with district administration, site administration, and in consultation with Apple Bus.

The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for critical wildfire activity. The Kenai and Kodiak areas are included.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is aiming to make setting up the return to school easy for students and parents. Returning Student Update Forms, intended to streamline the annual required paperwork, are asked to be completed today, August 14.

Alaska State Troopers Director Colonel Bryan Barlow: “Our goal is to encourage everyone on our highways to use good judgment and get home alive. Our troopers will be out in force to make sure impaired drivers are taken off the road and held accountable.”

The City Council has approved the use of up to $50,000 in federal CARES Act money to pay for the marketing grant program. The marketing and online assistance is in addition to the City’s earlier grant program that disbursed more than $2.2 million in CARES Act money to local businesses and nonprofits.