Michael Armstrong

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Operators of an Alaska Crane Liebherr LTM 1500 mobile hydraulic crane move the Goldbelt Seawolf at its launch on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, at the Northern Enterprises Boatyard in Homer, Alaska. The crane held the Seawolf over the water until the tide had come in. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Largest Bay Weld boat ever built is launched in Homer

On Tuesday, Bay Weld broke its own record with the launch of its newest vessel, the 74-foot Goldbelt Seawolf, at the Northern Enterprises Boat Yard… Continue reading

 

Burning Basket comes of age with sweet number 16, Radiate

Born in 2002, Homer’s annual Burning Basket impermanent art celebration holds its 16th birthday with “Radiate,” the basket now under creation at Mariner Park. Baskets… Continue reading

 

Council votes down new rules for extending water service outside the city

After numerous public hearings, hours of council discussion, consultation with the city attorney and several suggested substitutes, an ordinance to codify how the City of… Continue reading

 

Erickson wants to build on accomplishments and be re-elected

Incumbent Homer City Council member Shelly Erickson seeks to build on her accomplishments and be elected again. A lifelong and third-generation Homer resident, Erickson first… Continue reading

Evensen represents emerging political demographic of parents with young children

Homer City Council candidate Joey Evensen falls into a demographic emerging as part of the city’s political scene. Like council members Rachel Lord and Heath… Continue reading

A screenshot taken on Sept. 3, 2019, from a video on the AK Diamond J Ranch website shows the ranch east of Homer, Alaska.

State Fire Marshal closes Homer area wedding venue buildings

The Alaska State Fire Marshal’s office last week closed two buildings at a Homer area wedding venue. In a press release issued on Aug. 29,… Continue reading

A screenshot taken on Sept. 3, 2019, from a video on the AK Diamond J Ranch website shows the ranch east of Homer, Alaska.
The poster for the Alaska World Arts Festival.
Arts

First Friday gallery openings kick off World Arts Festival

The Alaska World Arts Festival starts its two-week run with First Friday shows from 4-7 p.m. on Pioneer Avenue, Main Street and in Old Town.… Continue reading

The poster for the Alaska World Arts Festival.
Best Bets

Best Bets

Phew. The Betster can’t remember a time when rain and cool temperatures were more welcome. Bring on the downpours, the frost and the mist. Away… Continue reading

Firefighters unload supplies from a helicopter at the Caribou Lake Fire on Monday, Aug 26, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Caribou Lake fire is now 85% contained

According to the latest update from the Alaska Wildland Fire Information website, the Caribou Lake Fire reached 85% containment as of Saturday. This week, firefighters… Continue reading

Firefighters unload supplies from a helicopter at the Caribou Lake Fire on Monday, Aug 26, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry)
The poster for the Alaska World Arts Festival.
Arts

It’s all arts, all the time for Alaska World Arts Fest

The idea for the Alaska World Arts Festival came about with a long jet-plane conversation, said organizer Sally Oberstein. “I was sitting next to a… Continue reading

The poster for the Alaska World Arts Festival.
Traffic is backed up along the Sterling Highway after the proximity of the Swan Lake Fire caused a road closure on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire delays deliveries across peninsula

The Swan Lake Fire has been growing for over a week now, causing delays and closures on the Sterling Highway between Cooper Landing and Sterling.… Continue reading

Traffic is backed up along the Sterling Highway after the proximity of the Swan Lake Fire caused a road closure on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Hilcorp holds Homer meeting on seismic testing; questions and comments get heated

A public meeting last Friday night on Hilcorp Alaska LLC’s plan to start seismic testing in lower Cook Inlet moved from information to indignation as… Continue reading

Firefighters unload supplies from a helicopter at the Caribou Lake Fire on Monday, Aug 26, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Despite brief Monday rain, dry weather continues at Caribou Lake Fire

While a brief afternoon rain shower fell over parts of the lower Kenai Peninsula on Monday, very little rain fell on the Caribou Lake fire.… Continue reading

Firefighters unload supplies from a helicopter at the Caribou Lake Fire on Monday, Aug 26, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Officials brief community on Caribou Lake, North Fork fires

Fire officials delivered some positive news about two lower Kenai Peninsula wildfires at a community meeting Saturday at McNeil Canyon Elementary School. For the North… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Firefighters making progess on Caribou Lake Fire

With the Caribou Lake Fire now estimated at 900 acres and 20% contained, better weather conditions have made officials optimistic about progress in stopping it.… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Students, teachers head back to school

Fireweeed Academy teacher Diane Ditton and her fifth- and sixth-grade students pose for a photo at the end of the first day of school on… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

As firefighters mopped up an almost 60-acre wildland fire on the south end of North Fork Road, attention shifted on Wednesday to a fire near… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

New fire flares up near Caribou Lake

In the midst of wildland fires at the south North Fork Road and along the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing, firefighters on Monday, Aug. 19,… Continue reading

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Crews get dozer line around North Fork Fire; Diamond Ridge, North Fork areas still on ‘Ready’ alert

Update at 1:40 p.m.: A link to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management website with information on the Level-1 alert status has been… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The audience waits for the start of a PechaKucha 20x20 presentation on July 25, 2019, at The Shop in Kachemak City, Alaska. (Photo by Brianna Allen)
Arts

Bunnell’s PechaKucha 20×20 series starts new storytelling form

Last month, Bunnell Street Arts Center rolled out a new form of storytelling in Homer: PechaKucha 20x20. The brand name for a format devised by… Continue reading

The audience waits for the start of a PechaKucha 20x20 presentation on July 25, 2019, at The Shop in Kachemak City, Alaska. (Photo by Brianna Allen)

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