Community News

About Town Crier:

The announcements section of Town Crier is a service provided to individuals, nonprofit agencies and community groups.

Short announcements generally run for two weeks, but are subject to space availability. Notices and obituaries may be edited for length, style and clarity. Events will be listed on the Calendar page.

Send notices to Homer News, 3482 Landings St., Homer 99603, fax to 235-4199 or e-mail to towncrier@homer news.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for Thursday publication.

Military News

Benjamin Berg, the captain of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Roanoke Island, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander on Sept. 1. Lt. Cmdr. Berg took over command of the Roanoke Island in August 2004. He lives in Homer with his wife Lisa and their son Alex.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221 holds a “Thank a Vet, Hug a Vet” contest through Oct. 29. The auxiliary encourages people to thank veterans for their service by giving them hugs. You can then donate a dollar at the VFW post in Anchor Point and sign your name. The person who has the most hugs wins. The VFW also encourages similar contests to be held at local workplaces, with donations to go to veterans organizations.

The VFW Ladies Auxiliary is also sponsoring a “Support Our Troops” drive. Donate items to be sent to troops serving overseas at the Anchor Point VFW Post 10221, the Anchor Point Public Library, the Anchor Point Warehouse and the Homer Safeway. A list of requested items is available at the drop-off locations.

Student News

Erica Thorsrud graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing with a bachelor of science in nursing.

The Alaska chapter of the American Institute of Architects offers scholarships up to $5,000 for Alaskans in at least their junior year at an accredited school of architecture. Apply by Sept. 30. Contact AIA Alaska, P.O. Box 103653, Anchorage AK 99510-3653, or call Laurie Cox at (907) 276-2834.

Announcements

Freelance writer Karen Button presents a report with photos on Iraqi refugee camps in Jordan and the World Tribunal on Iraq in Turkey at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Homer United Methodist Church on East End Road. Button recently returned from the Middle East.

Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays at Homer Christian Church on East End Road. Childcare is provided. For mothers or children infancy to age 5, MOPS supports the needs of mothers as they support the needs of their kids. Call 235-4961.

Childfind offers infant and preschool developmental screening for children ages infancy to age 5. They will be visiting Ninilchik Sept. 9, Port Graham Sept. 14, Homer and Anchor Point Sept. 16, Seldovia Sept. 21, Voznesenka Sept. 23, Kachemak Selo Sept. 23, Razdolna Sept. 23 and Nikolaevsk Sept. 28. Contact phone numbers are Ninilchik, 567-3301; Port Graham, (877) 235-2229; Homer and Anchor Point, 235-6044; Seldovia, 235-7423; Voznesenka, Kachemak Selo and Razdolna, 235-8549, and Nikolaevsk, 235-8972.

Hospice of Homer holds direct care volunteer training starting Sept. 30. The 22-hour training covers subjects such as grief, communication, self-care and pain management. Call 235-6899.

Habitat for Humanity Homer is looking for a family in need of a home. It has a home ready for occupancy. To apply, call 235-6546 or 235-9626.

The Homer Boys & Girls Club has reopened for the school year. After-school hours are from 2:45-6 p.m. The 2005 membership fee is $20 a child. Scholarships are available for qualifying families. Call 235-2772.

Parent to Parent classes are 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday, Sept. 12, 15, 20 and 22 at the Homer Connections office, Paul Banks Elementary School. The video based classes help parents to communicate better and set limits for teenage students. Pre-registration is required. Call Nancy Kleine, 235-3260.

A Caregiver Support Group Meeting is 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Friendship Terrace. Call 235-2295.

Kachemak Bay Campus UAA

Registration is going on for these upcoming classes and workshops: Beginning Drawing, Slam Poetry, Aesthetics, Income Tax Preparation, Biology of Whales, Accounting, Cycles of Nature, Appreciating Opera, American Sign Language Storytelling, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access and Starting a Small Business. Stop by the campus to sign-up.

Kachemak Bay Campus is seeking applications for individuals wishing to serve on the campus’s community advisory board. Submit a letter of interest to the campus director.

Financial assistance applications are available for scholarships, tuition waivers, grants and payment plans. For more information, call 235-7743.

Ferry Schedule

Tuesday, Sept. 13

AR Homer 7:30 a.m. LV 11:55 a.m.

AR Seldovia 1:30 p.m. LV 6 p.m.

AR Homer 7:15 p.m. LV 10:30 p.m.

After leaving Homer, the M/V Tustumena visits Kodiak, Seward, Chenega Bay and Port Lions before returning to Homer on Sept. 17. For last-minute changes, more detailed schedules and information about fares, visit www.akmhs.com or call 235-8449 or (800) 382-9229 outside of Homer.

Obituaries

Edith E. Walker

Former Homer resident Edith Esleen (Sams) Walker, 85, died peacefully Aug. 13, 2005, of cancer at her home in Delta Junction. A memorial service was held Aug. 21, 2005, in Delta Junction.

Edith was born Sept. 26, 1919, in Biddle, Mont. She and her husband, Glenn O. Walker, moved to Homer in 1961. In 1968 they homesteaded in Delta Junction, where they remained. Edith retired as a school custodian after 10 years and as a custodian at the courthouse after 11 years. She was an avid quilter and entered local fairs and won many awards for her quilts. Edith also donated quilts for fund-raisers for her grandchildren. Many family members and friends were recipients of her quilts.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wilson Irvin and Glenn Walker; brothers Marvin “Darky,” Harold and Orville; grandson Danny McCollough; and nephew John Sams.

Edith is survived by her children, Elsie, Carl, Betty, Glenda and stepson Darrell; 18 grandchildren; sisters Darlene, Grace and Pearl; and brother Zeke.

Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home.

Phyllis Jane Bishop

Longtime Homer resident Phyllis Jane Bishop, 84, died Sept. 1, 2005, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer.

A viewing was held Sept. 5, 2005, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Homer, with services and a reception following. She was buried at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery on Diamond Ridge Road. Ray Hillman officiated at the service. Pallbearers were Stephan Bishop, Dan Veerhusen, Will Bishop and Kit Barnett.

Mrs. Bishop was born Nov. 1, 1920. in Lake City, Colo. She received her elementary education in a one-room school house. Her mother taught her during high school and she boarded with a family and also attended Gunnison High School in Gunnison, Colo.

Mrs. Bishop moved to Alaska in 1946 and moved to Homer in 1951. She worked for the Alaska Railroad in Curry and also homesteaded in Clam Gulch. She ran the Inlet Trading Post with her husband from 1954-1973 and then alone until retiring in 1977 to spend time with her grandchildren. She also worked for the school, driving the food delivery truck to Anchor Point, and worked in the cafeteria from 1966-1969.

Her family said, “An adventurer, she said she always got restless in the spring. It was in the spring she came to Alaska with her young daughter to find new opportunities for herself. Her stories of a young Alaska through the eyes of a cheechako have entertained all who have listened. The hardships and struggles she overcame have been an inspiration. She was the strength of our family and loved us with devotion. There is no way to describe how much we will miss her down to earth wisdom, practical advice and uncanny sense of humor.

“Our mother could always look at a situation and bite out a bit of humor. She had a multitude of friends who share our appreciation of her wonderful, unique qualities. Many enjoyed her enthusiasm for pinochle, and say thoughts of her will always bring a smile. When she was given an invitation she only asked, ‘When?’ She loved life.”

Mrs. Bishop was preceded in death by her daughter, Sharon Grey, and husband George Bishop.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Dan and Jane Veerhusen and Will and Tammie Bishop; daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Kit Barnett, all of Homer; grandsons, Justin Bustamante of Portland, Ore., Brison Grey of Seattle, Adam Veerhusen of Homer, Brett Veerhusen of Seattle and Stephen Bishop of Homer; granddaughter, Shelbi Bishop of Homer; sisters, Ruth Wallace of Cortez, Colo., Marion Ashwood of Gunnison, Colo., and Helen Noyes of Phoenix; and a brother Joe Youmans of Powdertown, Colo.

The family prefers memorial donations be sent to the Homer Senior Citizens.

Arrangements were made by the Homer Funeral Home.

Eleanora L. Soplanda

Homer resident Mrs. Eleanora Lanzel Soplanda, 92, died Aug. 18, 2005, at her home with her friends by her side. A celebration of life is 6 p.m. Sept. 16, 2005, at James and Jolayne Soplanda’s home in Anchor Point.

Eleanora was born Dec. 7, 1912, in Chicago, where she was raised and graduated from high school. She moved to Alaska in 1986 where she lived on the Talachulitna River until moving to Anchorage in 1996. In 1998 she moved to Homer where she lived until her death.

The family wrote, “Ellie was a devoted wife and mother. She was a wonderful cook and always made sure that everyone had enough to eat. She taught me how to make her secret recipe for her Bohemian rye bread. She enjoyed gardening and sewing. She often designed her own creations and had a real eye for unique colors and patterns. She made beautiful ‘Alaskan Parkas’ for each member of her family.

“Ellie loved living in Alaska and was very happy when she and her husband, Jimmy, moved to Alaska on a permanent basis. She was thrilled to be close to her son and grandchildren. Ellie lived a long full life and was very active up until just the last couple of years.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Soplanda Sr.

She is survived by her son, James Soplanda Jr. of Anchor Point; daughter, Jean Hayes of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.; daughter in-law, Jolayne Soplanda of Anchor Point; granddaughters Suzie and Judy both of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., Tahlah McAnelly, Emily and Hannah Soplanda, all of Anchor Point; grandsons, Bobby Soplanda of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., Mike Soplanda of Valparaise, Indiana and Jake Soplanda of Anchor Point.

Arrangements were made by the Homer Funeral Home.

Information about fire, police and troopers is taken from public records consisting of logbooks and press releases.

Homer Fire

Aug. 29-Sept. 5

Emergency medical technicians went to 11 calls.

Aug. 30

Firefighters at 2:22 a.m. went to a report of a carbon monoxide detector that had gone off at a Fairview Avenue home. No CO was detected.

Sept. 2

Firefighters at 1:12 p.m. went to a vehicle fire on Chelsy Road off East End Road. The fire was put out. The cause remains under investigation.

Homer Police

Aug. 30

A man at 8:14 a.m. reported someone broke the window on an excavator on Heath Street.

A man at 1:19 p.m. reported the theft of three cords of wood from a Fairview Avenue address that were to be donated to a charity.

Police at 9:11 p.m. stopped a 21-year-old man for a traffic violation and issued him a summons for sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, marijuana.

An employee at 12:19 a.m. reported a man suspected of shoplifting at Safeway.

A man at 1:22 a.m. reported he was assaulted at Karen Hornaday Park.

Aug. 31

A caller at 10:50 a.m. reported a coat was stolen at a Homer Spit Road address.

Police at 11:05 a.m. received the report of an unattended death at a Main Street home.

A woman at 2:47 p.m. reported a driver in a blue dump truck used jake brakes on East End Road.

Police at 8:09 p.m. issued a summons to a 25-year-old woman on the Sterling Highway for failure to provide proof of insurance.

Police at 11:13 p.m. warned a man for riding a skateboard in the roadway on Pioneer Avenue.

Police at 11:13 p.m. issued a summons to a 22-year-old woman on East End Road for failure to provide proof of insurance.

Sept. 1

Police at 12:07 a.m. arrested a 42-year-old woman on the Spit Road for driving under the influence.

A woman at 8:53 a.m. reported a boat with heavy smoke in Kachemak Bay. A harbor officer checked out the boat and determined the crew was sandblasting.

A man at 11:38 a.m. reported he lost his cell phone while out fishing and it might have fallen overboard.

A woman at 3:47 p.m. reported her brother was missing.

A man at 4:40 p.m. reported he lost his wallet on the Spit Road.

Police at 10:22 p.m. issued a summons to a 37-year-old man on the Sterling Highway for driving while license revoked.

A caller at 2:46 a.m. reported a camper with a loud generator on the Spit. Police asked the camper to turn off the generator.

Sept. 2

A woman at 8:31 p.m. reported three boys on top of the roof of Kachemak Center.

Police at 11:18 p.m. arrested a 23-year-old woman on the Spit Road for DUI.

A woman at 11:30 p.m. reported a dead dog in the middle of the Sterling Highway at Baycrest Hill. Police moved the dog to the side of the road and the Animal Control Officer picked up the remains.

Sept. 3

A caller at 1:31 a.m. reported a domestic dispute at a Spit campground. Police arrested a 24-year-old man for violating a restraining order.

Police at 3:20 a.m. arrested a 45-year-old man for DUI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and marijuana possession, sixth-degree.

Police at 4 a.m. arrested a 24-year-old man on Ocean Drive for DUI.

A woman at 4:28 p.m. reported a broken window in the back of her Spit business.

A man at 11:30 p.m. reported a possible gunshot in the Fairview Avenue area. Police determined the sound came from fireworks.

Sept. 4

A caller at 1:16 a.m. reported loud music at a Skagit Circle home. Police warned the residents for disorderly conduct.

A woman at 6:54 p.m. reported someone took her wallet from and vandalized her vehicle while it was parked at a Sterling Highway business.

Sept. 5

A woman at 2:31 a.m. reported someone tried to break into a Spit bar.

A man at 4:38 p.m. reported he lost his wallet somewhere in Homer.

A man at 4:50 p.m. reported he had an argument with a person who would not leave his Sterling Highway home.

A Transportation Security Administration agent at 8:42 p.m. reported finding marijuana in a passenger’s luggage. Police arrested a 57-year-old man for sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.

A woman at 9:50 p.m. reported a bear in the area of Thomas Street.

An employee at 11:14 p.m. reported someone took all the squeegees from a Sterling Highway gas station.

Troopers

Sept. 2

Soldotna Alaska Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement troopers charged a 57-year-old Soldotna man for taking a sub-legal moose near Ninilchik.

Sept. 5

A 36-year-old Homer woman reported to troopers she shot a sub-legal moose near Mile 7 East End Road. The meat was given to a charity and the hunter was issued a summons.

A Ninilchik woman at 5:39 p.m. reported someone took a $200 CD and tape deck from the back seat of her vehicle while it was parked at an Anchor Point business.

Sept. 6

Troopers at 11:54 a.m. came upon a single-truck rollover near Mile 130 Sterling Highway. Troopers allege a Soldotna man driving south lost control of his 2002 Ford truck when in hydroplaned on wet pavement. The truck went into the ditch and rolled onto its side. The driver and his two passengers all wore seat belts and were not injured. Troopers cited the driver for speeding.

Courts

Information regarding courthouse activity is taken from logbooks and court-issued forms and may not contain all details of the final disposition of each case. Case files are available for public review at the courthouse.

Court records show the following actions taken in Homer District Court through Sept. 6:

Cases filed in Criminal Court

Rebecca K. Paul, 52, amended charge, fourth-degree criminal mischief, reduced from third-degree criminal mischief.

Gary Mastolier, 65, concealment of merchandise.

Jessica Swisher, 18, driving while license revoked.

Barbara C. Gregoire, 42, driving under the influence.

Theodore L. McGuire, 34, fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, two counts.

Dagny L. Anderson, 42, motor vehicle liability insurance required.

Julieta Rios, 25, motor vehicle liability insurance required.

Billy Joe Greenstreet Jr., 21, sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.

Jeffery L. Rayburn, 43, second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, felony indictment.

Cases filed in Civil Court

Union Financial v. Randie Adams, debt.

Union Financial v. James Bush, debt.

Union Financial v. Brian Bellamy, debt.

Small Claims

Cornerstone Credit v. Lisa Keene, debt.

City of Kachemak v. Richard Wilkins, debt.

City of Kachemak v. Linda Johnson, debt.