Known around the world as "The Eagle Lady," Jean Keene, 85, died in her Spit home Jan. 13. Originally from Minnesota, Keene came to Alaska in 1977, settling in her motorhome at the Homer Spit Campground. During the winter of 1977-1978, she began feeding eagles near her home. The practice attracted attention from eagles, drew photographers and visitors from all corners of the earth that came to photograph Keene and the birds, and stirred opposition from those against the activity. The Homer City Council eventually passed an ordinance banning feeding of eagles and other birds. Keene, however, was granted an exemption that was to last until 2010 or until her death. The red-haired Keene died in her Spit home a small modular structure that was a gift from one of her many admirers with one of the eagles she'd fed sitting just outside a window. Debate over eagle feeding resumed after Keene's death, with a city emergency ordinance authorizing feeding by Keene's longtime assistant, Steve Tarola, to continue until March 27 or until the eagles dispersed naturally. No new permits will be issued. The city ordinance, originally passed in 2006, prohibits the "intentional feeding and baiting of certain predatory and scavenger birds," and provides for a fine of $50-$500 for first-time offenders.

Council decides to put food tax on table

After Kenai Peninsula Borough voters approved a seasonal sales tax exemption on non-prepared food items, and the Homer City Council enacted a similar exemption at the city level, the tax was back on the table. Proposed by council members Dennis Novak and Francie Roberts, an ordinance sought city voters' approval of a 3 percent sales tax on non-prepared foods from Sept. 1 through May 31 each year. If approved by voters during the Oct. 6 municipal election, the tax would go into effect Jan. 1, with half the funds raised going to the city's general fund and the rest divided evenly between the Homer Accelerated Water and Sewer and Homer Accelerated Road and Trail funds.

Refuge manager leaves for D. C. job

Greg Siekaniec, manager of the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, left Homer for Washington, D.C., and a new job. Siekaniec, a 24-year veteran of the refuge system who moved to Homer in 2000 to become the refuge manager, was picked to be senior adviser on refuges to the Fish and Wildlife Service director.

February

Diana Jeska, Homer Community Food Pantry; Kevin DeVaney, senior patrol leader; Erick Paulsrud, assistant senior patrol leader

With more than 850 votes submitted, Chip Duggan was named the Homer Chamber of Commerce 2009 Citizen of the Year and Best Western Bidarka Inn was named the chamber's 2009 Business of the Year, with Doug Johnson, hotel vice president, accepting the award. Owner of Duggan's Waterfront Pub, Duggan gave credit to his employees' for their community involvement. Johnson also recognized his employees' efforts to help neighbors and local businesses. "We've got to lean on each other and help each other out," Johnson said.

Area troopers get new commander

Sgt. Ted Nordgaarden took command of the Alaska State Troopers Anchor Point Post, E Detachment. A graduate from the Alaska Law Enforcement Training in Sitka, Nordgaarden brought 30 years of law enforcement with him, including 26 months of duty as a senior adviser with the U.S. Department of Justice training recruits at the Baghdad Police College, Iraq. Nordgaarden replaced Sgt. Arthur Dunn, who left Anchor Point in November 2008 to take a job with the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement in Anchorage.

City gets in trouble over town square info

Alaska Public Offices Commission determined the city of Homer violated state law when it mailed a two-page brochure entitled "Questions and Answers About Homer Town Square and the new City Hall" to voters prior to a March 25 bond election. In its ruling, the commission said, the brochure "places a 'yes' vote for the project in a more favorable light than a 'no' vote." City Manager Walt Wrede maintained, however, that the intent of the brochure was not to influence the election, but to explain how the $11.8 million project would be planned and financed.

March

PHoto by McKibben Jackinsky With ash falling from Redoubt Volcano, Ninilchik School students wearing dust marks are escorted to buses at the end of the school day.

Homer joined other Alaska coastal communities creating a climate change compact. A Homer gathering was sponsored by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council, with invitees receiving climate change information from a panel of environmental leaders that included Bob Shavelson of Cook Inletkeeper, Deborah Williams of Alaska Conservation Solutions and Chris Rose of Renewable Energy Alaska Project. The goal was to form an agreement they could take to state and federal officials.

HEA members cope with rate hike

Homer Electric Association members staggered under the weight of and sought explanations for a rate hike resulting from a 97.7 percent increase in the wholesale power cost rate adjustment. Some senior citizens reported moving in with their children, homeowners closed off seldom used rooms, energy-efficient renovations were explored and other cost-cutting measures taken as members attempted to make it through the year's coldest months.

Mount Redoubt spews steam, ash

Mount Redoubt kept residents on their toes as plumes of steam were observed, seismic tremors recorded and ashfalls increased. Between March 22-25, the volcano erupted eight times, the biggest explosion sending ash 50,000 feet skyward, and threatening Cook Inlet Pipeline Company's Drift River Terminal, about 22 miles from the mountain's summit, with ash, debris and mud flooding Drift River. The morning of March 26, an eruption sent ash even higher, reaching 65,000 feet, darkening the southern Kenai Peninsula and blanketing it with a fine, gray, abrasive covering.

Anchorage angler wins winter king derby

An Anchorage angler won the 16th annual Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament. Reeling in a 28.5-pound beauty, Robert Say went home $16,683 richer. "I'm speechless," Say said as he was handed the check. It was his sixth year in the tournament. The closest he'd come to winning in past attempts was 14th place.

April <P> HEA rates fall by 18.4 percent

HEA announced an 18.4 percent overall rate drop effective this month, much to the relief of the co-op's 20,000 members. It corresponded with decreasing prices of crude oil, heating oil and natural gas. Due to the decrease for wholesale power HEA purchases from Chugach Electric Association, it was able to bring its wholesale power cost rate adjustment down from 7.9 cents per kilowatt hour to 3.9 cents.

Redoubt still unpredictable

Mount Redoubt kicked off the month with yet another eruption that darkened skies and dumped ash on the southern peninsula, causing the Alaska Volcano Observatory to raise the alert level to "warning" and the aviation color code to red. Although the eruption subsided, the volcano continued to rumble, causing residents to maintain their vigilance as steam and smoke continued rolling out of the mountain. AVO later downgraded the mountain's alert status to "watch" and the aviation code to orange, saying its activity "suggests that a sudden explosive eruption is not imminent," and in September lowered the status to green, meaning the volcano was in a noneruptive state. Mount Redoubt ended the year by getting the last word, however. Increased seismic activity in December caused AVO to recalssify the volcano as yellow, as it once again exhibited signs of elevated unrest.

State plans for East End Road anger many

Local motorists were disappointed to hear that the Alaska Department of Transportation's plans for East End Road focused on a new plan to spend $6.9 million to fix a "sag curve" near Fritz Creek. A public meeting with DOT officials devolved into shouting when Jocelyn Biloon, a state planner, called a proposed bike path along the road a "distraction" that was not crucial to the long-term plan. Mike Hall, project manager, assured the crowd that plans were not cast in stone and encouraged the public to make suggestions. "Homer folks are pretty outspoken," Hall said. "People here have pretty definite views."

ASAA delays rule change for hockey

Proponents of a rule change that would allow high school hockey players from Voznesenka, Razdolna and Kachemak Selo to play on the Homer High School hockey team were disappointed when the Alaska School Activities Association board of directors delayed action. ASAA Executive Director Gary Matthews gave two reasons the board postponed the waver request: It wanted all six regional boards to discuss the issue and it wanted to see something in writing saying the affected schools supported the idea. Principals of all four affected schools had written in support of the proposal, but Matthews said those letters were written before the current board members were around. The issue is scheduled to be discussed by the boards during 2010.

May

Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News May 25, 2009 @ 5:19 p.m. Memorial Day weekend traffic on the Sterling Highway experiences delays due to bridge construction at Ninilchik River.

A wildland fire out East End Road drew a rapid response, caused the evacuation of residents in the area and damaged several homes as it spread across more than 1,000 acres. An emergency Red Cross shelter was set up at Homer High School. Families, friends and local residents pitched in to help where needed, offering shelter, food and clothing. At a community meeting, resident Terry Jones expressed her appreciation to the firefighters. "You kicked the fire off my house. I am eternally grateful for every one of you," she said.

North Fork Road conditions fuel outcry

North Fork Road residents raise a cry over impassable road conditions. School bus operator First Student refused to dispatch buses on the route due to the deteriorating roadway. The Houlihans, who operate Alpenglow Skin Care from their home, said deliveries could not be made. Anchor Point Fire Chief Keith Sullivan was keeping an eye on conditions in case emergencies in the area required a response. Carl High, DOT's peninsula superintendent, described the road as in need of "complete reconstruction and realignment." DOT made some improvements to the road later in the year.

Bridge work coincides with holiday traffic

Emergency responders, charter operators and residents in the Ninilchik area criticized DOT for work being done on bridges across Ninilchik River, Deep Creek and Kasilof River. Plans called for a narrowed single lane of traffic for some, if not all hours of the day, with stoplights and flaggers assisting traffic. The work inconveniently coincided with increased tourist traffic for Memorial Day weekend and the summer season. A meeting between responders, charter captains, business owners and residents brought about a plan to meet traffic needs, while allowing the projects to continue.

City increases water-sewer rates

An ongoing debate over the city of Homer losing money because of its water and sewer system resulted in the city council approving increased water and sewer rates to take effect in August. Developed by Finance Director Regina Harville and other city staff, the "bucket approach" divides costs for the city's three main user groups residential, commercial and bulk users into three areas. Land's End Resort, the city's only bulk water user, was anticipated to take the biggest hit because of the change, with monthly rates under the new plan estimated at $1,389.48. "Knowing our rates are going up substantially is not going to help business, especially in a year like this," said Mike Dye, the resort's chief financial officer.

June

Photo by Michael Armstrong Now that's a big fish A small crowd gathers at the official weigh-in of Tom Youngblood's 354.6-pound halibut, caught last Friday morning. Youngblood is the new derby leader, and a strong contender to win the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby. He caught the fish with Capt. Ron Hurley of In 2 Fishin' Charters on the Sweet T.

After only one year as principal of Homer High School, Rayne Duenas announced her resignation. She credited HHS students for inspiring her to continue her own education. Duenas told the Homer News in an e-mail that she was considering entering the University of Alaska Fairbanks doctoral program in Indigenous Studies and "then move onto law school with an emphasis in maritime law, focusing on systems of sustainability." Moving quickly, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District opened the position for recruitment and hired D. Alan Gee of Snellville, Ga., as the school's head administrator. Gee's resume included six years experience in Alaska, as principal of Wainwright-Alak School in Wainwright and principal of Kodiak Middle School.

Mayor tries to stop water-sewer rate hike

Homer Mayor James Hornaday exercised his veto power, calling to a halt changes the city's water and sewer rate structure approved by the council in May. Saying Homer residents pay the highest taxes in the borough, the mayor added, "Raising the water and sewer rates of the vast majority of the citizens in these difficult times is, in my mind, the last approach that the council should utilize." However, the council overturned the mayor's veto, five voting in favor of the increase and only council member Brian Zak voting against it. Noting the council had looked at water and sewer rates for a long time, council member Beth Wythe said, "It draws me to the conclusion that there is never a good time to cause someone a financial hardship. We are charged with securing your investment, however, and to make sure that the finances of the community are solid."

Arizona angler catches big salmon shark

Joe Pinto of Scottsdale, Ariz., hooked into a 575-pound salmon shark, stretching 8 feet, 7 inches in length, while fishing with Capt. Allen Henderson of Ninilchik Charters. Having had trouble with sharks while his clients were fishing for halibut, Henderson outfitted Pinto with a chunk of cod on a J-hook, attached it to 50 feet of 1,500-pound cable and dropped it overboard. In short order, Pinto had a hit on the line, with 200 feet of line disappearing before he managed to get control of the action. "It was an hour-long struggle with a lot of give and take," the Arizona angler said.

City's finances said to be in 'good shape'

"Good shape" was how Homer City Manager Walt Wrede described the city's overall financial situation, in spite of a downturn in the national economy and rising fuel prices. Wrede summarized for the council a comprehensive annual report filed in June by the city financial department. "The general fund balance did go down in the last year, which is cause for concern, but the two enterprise funds are generating enough money to cover operations." The report is required by law and included a line-by-line analysis of every city asset and liability thorough Fiscal Year 2008.

Homer man catchers derby-winning fish

Tom Youngblood of Homer took and held the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby lead when he caught a 354.6-pound barn-door behemoth near Dogfish Bay. Youngblood caught the winner while fishing with former derby coordinator Linda Winters, now living in Montana. His halibut is the fifth largest fish caught in the history of the derby, and one of only five weighing more than 350 pounds. Youngblood won more than $40,000 for his fish.

July

'Uplift' on beach puzzles scientists

A mysterious 1,000-foot long uplift on the beach below Bluff Point baffled scientists and became a geological attraction. The sudden rise of the tidelands was discovered on the morning of July 3. Land 20-feet high rose up from the seabed and 500-foot long cracks opened up on the bench inland. A Seldovia geologist, Bret "Hig" Higman, speculated that the uplift could have been caused by a reactivation of a 12,000-year-old landslide when a section of the bluff gave way.

Community band director dies in crash

Renda Horn, 63, a retired and beloved music teacher and former director of Inlet Winds, Homer's community band, died July 13 in a floatplane crash on Kluane Lake near Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory, Canada. Horn and her husband Steve Horn had just started a cross-country trip.

More look to renewable energy

Homer homes and businesses looked to renewable energy. Lannie Simpson opened Alaska High Mountain Energy, a business selling solar- and wind-powered products, and Deb Nakada and Michael Limacher were one of several families to install wind turbines at their homes or businesses.

Kachemak Voyager christened

The new Seldovia Village Tribe's ferry, the Kachemak Voyager, was christened in Seattle. The tribe plans to build new docks in Homer and Seldovia and begin service in 2010 of the 150-passenger boat.

August

Woman indicted in son's death

A Kenai grand jury indicted Lisa Ann Petro, 41, for criminally negligent homicide in the death of her son, Ivan Adams, 14, after he died of an apparent drug overdose on Dec. 31, 2008. Petro was alleged to not have sought medical attention for her son after police tried to get in touch with her when her son and two other boys were suspected to have taken Oxycontin and morphine. Petro later told police her son was fine.

Man found dead near Calhoun Trail

A Homer man reported missing for 21 days was found dead by children playing near the Calhoun Trail in downtown Homer on Aug. 5. Stephen Engle, 53, had last been seen when he left the Homer Jail after police took him into protective custody for alcohol intoxication.

Plans for Hoka Hey Challenge announced

A South Dakota group announced plans for the Hoka Hey Challenge, a 7,000-mile motorcycle event that could bring 1,000 riders and their family and friends to Homer on July 4, 2010. The challenge will start in Key West, Fla., and the first rider to arrive in Homer wins a $500,000 prize.

Boy dies in accident at Ninilchik fair

A 9-year-old boy died in an accident at the Ninilchik State Fair on Aug. 21. Mathias Martin of Soldotna was killed when a family milk cow he was leading bolted, dragging him by a rope tied around his waist.

Woman killed in shooting accident

A Homer woman on her first moose hunting trip was killed in a shooting accident on Kalgin Island. Hannah Frye, 18, died of her injuries after Alaska Air National Guard medics took her to Providence Hospital, Anchorage.

September

New governor pays surprise visit to Homer

Gov. Sean Parnell, who succeeded Gov. Sarah Palin after she resigned in July, made a surprise visit to Homer after weather stopped him from flying to Kodiak. Parnell talked to students and teachers at Homer High School.

Draft city budget proposes deep cuts

In a draft 2010 operating budget, Homer City Manager Walt Wrede announced drastic cuts to programs, including not hiring new police and fire department employees, cutting Community Schools and closing the old intermediate school building.

Anchor Point to get natural gas

Enstar announced it will bring natural gas to Anchor Point but not to Homer. In an agreement with Anchor Point Energy, a consortium of oil and gas companies developing the North Fork natural gas field, Anchor Point Energy will build a line to Anchor Point, and Enstar will extend the gas line to Ninilchik.

Council passes wind energy ordinance

The Homer City Council passed an ordinance allowing and regulating wind energy systems in some parts of Homer.

October

Voters pick Roberts, Hogan, Haggerty,

Voters re-elected Homer City Council Member Francie Roberts and elected Kevin Hogan to fill two open seats. Longtime council member Dennis Novak did not run for re-election. In a race for a seat vacated by Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Milli Martin, who could not run because of term limits, water taxi operator Mako Haggerty was elected. City voters defeated a proposition to re-impose a 3-percent year-round sales tax on food. City officials projected the operating fund would lose $325,000 in tax revenues as a result.

Wyatt wins statewide honors for coaching

Mariner football coach Camron Wyatt won Small Schools All State Coach of the Year after he and the Mariners made history by taking the team all the way to state for the small-schools football semifinals.

Homeowner loses appeal to clean up junk

Ocean Drive Loop homeowner Michael Kennedy lost an appeal to the Homer Advisory Planning Commission challenging a city decision ordering him to clean up junk on his property. The city said Kennedy's collection of fishing gear, old cars, trailers and vans is junk. Kennedy's last recourse will be to go to the Homer City Council.

November

Photo by Michael Armstrong Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, speaks at an informal town meeting Tuesday afternoon at Captain's Coffee.

Habitat for Humanity helped Zena Kiana build a new home in Nikolaevsk, the third home on the lower Kenai Peninsula built by the local chapter of the international organization.

Agencies see changes in leadership

New directors or staff settled in at local nonprofits and governmental organizations: Steve Delehanty, the new Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge manager; Terry Shepherd, Center for Alaska Coastal Studies director; Sharon Ford, Homer Chamber of Commerce visitor service manager; Gail Edgerly, Homer Council on the Arts office manager; Diane Converse, Pratt Museum director; Peter Lundscow, Pratt Museum collections manager; and Tommie CarlinSchauer, Kevin Bell Ice Arena manager. Paul Dauphanais was named the new Homer Chamber of Commerce executive director, replacing outgoing director Tina Day.

Community helps family after fire

Alysha and Lionel Johnson and their daughter Quyanna lost their home but not hope after an early November fire gutted their Early Spring Street house. Friends and neighbors rallied to make sure they had Thanksgiving in a temporary apartment.

Homeless man dies

A Homer man died of apparent natural causes after a friend found the man's body the day after Thanksgiving outside his tent camp in woods across the street from Safeway. Friends mourned Raegin Romero, 49, who grew up in Homer. Romero had stayed earlier at the Refuge Room, a downtown rooming house.

December

Two men charged in burning of boy

A Kenai grand jury charged two men with five counts of felony assault in the burning of an Anchor Point boy. Alaska State Troopers alleged Jonathon Miller lit a "redneck flamethrower" by spraying starter fluid at the boy and lighting it. Troopers said Stephen Dilley II helped Miller in what they intended to be a prank. The boy suffered second-degree burns on his face.

Council saves popular programs

The Homer City Council saved Community Schools, the Boys & Girls Club, Monday library hours and funding for nonprofits after third-quarter sales tax revenues showed an extra $175,827 available for the operating fund. The council passed a $10.2 million operating budget.