Michael Armstrong

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A trumpeter swan feeds in Beluga Slough on Monday, April 12, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. According to local birders, both tundra and trumpeter swans have been seen in the area the past week. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Best Bets

Best Bets

Congratulations, citizen! You have diligently fulfilled your duties as a tax-paying, law-abiding resident of the United States of America and Alaska. Today you no doubt… Continue reading

 

Koby Etzwiler is a two-time Ptarmigan Arts scholarship recipient. His stickers can be found locally, in Juneau and online. (Photo courtesy of Ptarmigan Arts)
Arts

Ptarmigan Arts allery, community boost young artists’ dreams

For almost 25 years, Ptarmigan Arts Scholarship has been helping artists’ careers

 

Michael Armstrong is properly outfitted for an Arctic summer hiking trip in this photo taken in 1989 along the Wulik River in northeastern Alaska. (Photo by Charles Barnwell.)

Out of the Office: Living in Alaska is a lifetime in learning

From boots to parkas, there’s lots to figure out about surviving in the Last Frontier

 

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska alert level is higher than national average.

COVID-19 cases continue rising statewide and on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Statewide, DHSS reported 156 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday for the Monday, April… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Jillian Lush is leaving Sprout to become the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Sprout)

Sprout ED resigns, will head Big Brothers Big Sisters Alaska

Sprout ED resigns, will head Big Brothers Big Sisters Alaska

Jillian Lush is leaving Sprout to become the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Sprout)
The top three fish of this year's Winter King Salmon Tournament hang on a wall before a closing ceremony announcing the winners Saturday, March 24, 2018 on the Spit in Homer, Alaska. This year's winning fish weighed 24.6 pounds. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament returns this Saturday

After one-year hiatus, winter king tournament is back with COVID safety restrictions

The top three fish of this year's Winter King Salmon Tournament hang on a wall before a closing ceremony announcing the winners Saturday, March 24, 2018 on the Spit in Homer, Alaska. This year's winning fish weighed 24.6 pounds. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The Homer Police Station as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Cops and Courts

Man charged with attempted murder, assault and resisting arrest

Homer man, 53, beat and strangled woman over two hours, police allege.

The Homer Police Station as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The cover of Larry Baxter's novel, "Abandoned." (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)
Arts

New book looks at legend of Alaska’s ‘Nantiinaq,’ or ‘giant hairy thing’

“Abandoned, the History and Horror of Port Chatham, Alaska,” by Larry Baxter (Sasquatch Publishing, $14.99, 141 pages) ^ As a youngster in small-town Kentucky, Larry… Continue reading

The cover of Larry Baxter's novel, "Abandoned." (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Homer downgrades alert level to yellow

Alert level remains high statewide with 19.93 cases per 100,000.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
A sign on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, on the Sterling Highway near Soundview Avenue announces the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Homer, Alaska, . (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

In public service announcement, governor urges Alaskans to get vaccinated

South Peninsula Hospital expects more than 2,000 doses in April

A sign on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, on the Sterling Highway near Soundview Avenue announces the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Homer, Alaska, . (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Crews work on a boat on Monday, April 5, 2021, at the large-vessel haul out beach on the Homer Spit near the Pier 1 Theatre in Homer, Alaska. In the off season boats are hauled onshore for repair at the beach near the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Best Bets

Best Bets

As part of the Betster’s annual expedition to document signs of spring, yours truly went on a photo safari to tag the usual seasonal markers.… Continue reading

Crews work on a boat on Monday, April 5, 2021, at the large-vessel haul out beach on the Homer Spit near the Pier 1 Theatre in Homer, Alaska. In the off season boats are hauled onshore for repair at the beach near the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Former Speaker of the House Gail Phillips is shown in this undated photo from the early 1990s taken in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Longtime Kenai Peninsula politician Phillips served 20 years in elected office

Phillips honored for role as mentor, leader and volunteer

Former Speaker of the House Gail Phillips is shown in this undated photo from the early 1990s taken in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
A sign on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, on the Sterling Highway near Soundview Avenue announces the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Homer, Alaska, . (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

New report says Pfizer, Moderna vaccines can prevent infection and not just serious illness or death.

South Peninsula Hospital expects more than 2,000 doses in April

A sign on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, on the Sterling Highway near Soundview Avenue announces the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in Homer, Alaska, . (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Homer has seen no new COVID-19 cases in 14 days

Alert level remains high with 19.93 cases per 100,000.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, speaks at a town hall meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Captain's Coffee in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Sip with Sarah’ at coffee shop covers topics from budget to pandemic response

Vance affirms support for rural DMV offices, opposes emergency declaration

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, speaks at a town hall meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Captain's Coffee in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Nancy Lord in a 2017 photo. (Photo by Irene Owsley and courtesy of Pier One Theatre)
Arts

Lord’s ‘The Frederick Cook Interview’ looks at explorer’s perception of truth

‘The Frederick Cook Interview’ shows at 7 p.m. Friday on KBBI radio

Nancy Lord in a 2017 photo. (Photo by Irene Owsley and courtesy of Pier One Theatre)
Long Term Care staff celebrate receiving the five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Feb. 19, 2021, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Cathy Myers, Director of Nursing; Bella the dog, Nanet Minke, Certified Nursing Assistant; Nicole McKinney,CNA; Bonnie Betley, Registered Nurse; Susan Hubbard, CNA, Ana Jones, CNA; Leone Morra RN; and Melissa Dunkle CNA, in the front kneeling. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)

Hospital’s Long Term Care home gets 5-star rating

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently granted a Five-Star rating in its Care Compare quality program to South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care… Continue reading

Long Term Care staff celebrate receiving the five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Feb. 19, 2021, at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Cathy Myers, Director of Nursing; Bella the dog, Nanet Minke, Certified Nursing Assistant; Nicole McKinney,CNA; Bonnie Betley, Registered Nurse; Susan Hubbard, CNA, Ana Jones, CNA; Leone Morra RN; and Melissa Dunkle CNA, in the front kneeling. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)
Homer City Manager Rob Dumouchel speaks on Monday, March 22, 2021, at a Zoom meeting of the Homer City Council in Homer, Alaska. (Screen capture by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Council postpones indefinitely tax exempt resolution for moose habitat organization

City discovers a resolution not needed to declare the organization is tax exempt

Homer City Manager Rob Dumouchel speaks on Monday, March 22, 2021, at a Zoom meeting of the Homer City Council in Homer, Alaska. (Screen capture by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Some of the works in Charles Aguilar's show opening Friday, March 5, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewey in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Grace Ridge Brewery)
Arts

Collage, puppet artist looks for ‘magik’ in his creations

Charles Aguilar’s latest show is at Grace Ridge Brewery

Some of the works in Charles Aguilar's show opening Friday, March 5, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewey in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Grace Ridge Brewery)
Members of the community give public testimony about a Homer City Council resolution dealing with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s proposal to repeal the ban on personal watercraft in critical habitat areas of Kachemak Bay during the Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 council meeting at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Conservation groups question Jet Ski regulation process in letter

Environmentalists allege Jet Ski ban repeal was tarnished, ask do over

Members of the community give public testimony about a Homer City Council resolution dealing with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s proposal to repeal the ban on personal watercraft in critical habitat areas of Kachemak Bay during the Monday, Jan. 13, 2020 council meeting at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)