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Spurr, a 1-year-old Appaloosa colt who went missing Jan. 19, 2025, can be seen on the far right with Judah Klann, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Spurr was spotted grazing under a tree by Beluga Lake and rescued Feb. 1. (Photo courtesy of Kate Klann)

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Missing horse safely reunited with family, uninjured

Spurr was missing for almost two weeks before being discovered near Beluga Lake on Feb. 1.

Winter Marshall-Allen sits on the Stefan Avant-Mercadante memorial bench in the hallway of Homer High School on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Avant-Mercadante was a former student of Marshall-Allen’s who passed away last year. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

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Homer educator Winter Marshall-Allen honored with statewide award

The honor is awarded through the Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities Special Education, partnered with the Alaska State…

Kate Sheehan (left foreground), director of the Alaska Division of Personnel and Labor Relations, and Paula Vrana, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, discuss an ongoing statewide salary study during a House State Affairs Committee meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

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Dunleavy’s delay in releasing state salary study frustrates legislators, union leaders

Draft report to assess competitiveness completed last June, but not released publicly.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

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Amid calls for increased education funding, Dunleavy debuts reform package

KPBSD is facing a $17 million deficit driven by stagnant funding that’s failed to keep up with inflation.

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

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Homer man convicted of burglary and theft

Sentencing is scheduled for May 19.

Amy Woodruff demonstrates an example of how to properly caulk a seam at the Homer Energy Fair on Saturday, Jan. 25. She said she was inspired to learn DIY home efficiency improvements when she became a homeowner. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

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Energy efficiency solutions offered at Drawdown fair

Homer Drawdown first began in 2019 as a collaborative shepherded by Cook Inletkeeper and Alaskans Know Climate Change.

The Diamond Ridge transmitter station is photographed on Jan. 28, 2025. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

News

Five local radio stations under new, family ownership

The purchase included popular stations KGTL, KWVV.

Flyer for Project Youth Homer’s upcoming event on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro

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Grassroots community group focuses on youth

Project Youth Homer will hold their first event on Feb. 6

Alexis Alamillo, of Anchorage, carries a sockeye salmon caught in a dipnet from the mouth of the Kenai River in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

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Fish and Game projects 7 million sockeye for Upper Cook Inlet

Nearly 7 million sockeye salmon are projected to run in Upper Cook Inlet this year, with a forecast…

Logo for the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection. (Image via Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection)

News

Peninsula fire departments receive grant funding

Thirty-three rural fire departments within the state were awarded funds in a total amount of $306,292.

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Community Resource Connect provides resources and support

The annual one-day event was held in Homer and Anchor Point on Jan. 28.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Dec. 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

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Updated: Move to pause federal funding leaves local groups reeling

Questions remain after a Monday night order pausing disbursement of federal grants and loans was rescinded Wednesday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

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Gov. Dunleavy takes victory lap with selective portrayal of Alaska in second-to-last State of the State

Some legislators criticize “mixed messages” about cooperation, omission of problems needing work.