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Even an old fishing net can still catch fish, or as happened Nov. 23 a great horned owl. Alaska State Troopers in Nanwalek on another matter found a great horned owl entangled in a fishing net covering a garden at an unoccupied home. Troopers said the owl hung upside down and the net was wrapped around its neck and wings. With the help of Ephim Moonin, Trooper Bryan Barlow cut the owl free and secured it in a milk crate and then put it in a box for transportation to Homer. In Homer, troopers contacted the Homer Veterinarian Clinic about evaluating the owl for injuries. The clinic contacted Charlotte Adamson of the Marine Wildlife Rescue Team, who picked up the owl. She told troopers on Nov. 25 she removed the rest of the net and would have the owl taken back to Nanwalek to be released. Troopers thanked Moonin, Adamson and Homer Veterinary Clinic for their help.

A Safeway employee on Nov. 29 reported to police that she suspected a man was shoplifting. According to a criminal complaint, the employee alleged she saw Clayton McCartney, 18, of Somers, Mont., with a maple bar doughnut. She said when she confronted him, he told her he wanted a free donut and did not have the 59 cents to pay for it. Police allege he told them he took the doughnut and ate half of it. Police summonsed McCartney for concealment of merchandise.

Alaska State Troopers on Nov. 30 received a report of domestic violence. According to a court criminal complaint, a 39-year-old woman alleged her 55-year-old husband grabbed her by the neck and tried to choke her, causing her pain. A witness in another room heard the couple arguing, and when he went into the room, saw the man holding her by the neck. Police allege the husband and wife were intoxicated. Troopers arrested the man, William John Coila Jr., for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence. He was also arrested for driving under the influence after a Homer police officer saw Coila driving a Ford pickup truck. Police allege Coila failed field-sobriety tests and had a .159 blood-alcohol level.

In an incident last August, Coila was alleged to have been the victim of domestic violence himself when he told troopers his wife shot at him near their Fox River cabin. Troopers on four-wheelers and in a helicopter went to the cabin and arrested the woman. Coila later said his wife had been target shooting and did not intend to shoot at him.

A Homer woman on Nov. 25 told police a 43-year-old man against whom she had a stalking protective order contacted her by sending her an Internet instant message. In a criminal complaint, the woman alleged the man said he wanted to meet with her at Bishop's Beach before leaving town. Police read the IM log and went to Bishop's Beach and saw the suspect driving west on Bunnell Avenue and talking on a cell phone. The woman said she had just received a phone call from the man. Police allege the man told them he knew of the stalking protective order and that he communicated with her while it was in effect. Police arrested the man, Robert D. Howard, 43, for violating a protective order. Homer Police Lt. Randy Rosencrans said it was one of the first arrests for violating a stalking protective order under a new law allowing protective orders from alleged stalkers.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michaela@homernews.com.