Kachemak Bay State Parks is currently recruiting for members for the Kachemak Bay State Parks Citizens Advisory Board. This advisory board provides Alaska State Parks with recommendations and input on management issues in Kachemak Bay State Park, Eveline State Recreation Site and Diamond Creek State Recreation Area. Board members meet the second Wednesday of the month September through May from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer. If you are interested in applying for this advisory board please fill out an application at http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/boards.htm under State Park Advisory Boards. Please mail or e-mail your application to Alaska State Parks, 95 Sterling Highway, Homer AK, 99603. Applications are due by March 31, 2020. For more information please contact the Southern District Ranger Jason Okuly at 435-7595 or Jason.Okuly@alaska.gov.
Sandhill cranes are heading north. Please report Sandhill Crane sightings to Kachemak Crane Watch at 235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.org. Date, time, location, behavior, and number of cranes is helpful. Leave a name and number in case Kachemak Crane Watch needs more details.
The Anchor Point Fire & Emergency Medical Service Area Board will hold its next board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic and Centers for Disease Control recommendations, the noticed meeting will be available to the public via telecommunications, with details to be released at a later time.
Kenai Peninsula Votes tidbit:
The coronavirus is the new reality. For KPV (Kenai Peninsula Votes), the causal chain will have an enormous impact. Most likely, voter turn-out will increase. Many states are now considering vote by mail. Currently, five states are already doing this, and Anchorage has had mail-in voting since 2018.
It’s unknown what the state will do for the next three elections scheduled for 2020, but voters can do their part by going to the Kenai Borough, the City of Homer, and the Alaska Division of Elections websites and registering for absentee ballots. Just print the absentee registration form out, fill it out and then mail the registration in.
Another effect of this virus is that more people will now recognize the importance of local government’s direct effect on us. Real change does come from local/state government. This will cause more people to pay attention to local government and see the importance it plays in everyday life. In the past, most local elections had a voter turn-out of between 15-25%. This should increase dramatically. Having greater voter participation should help us understand the importance of the jobs that our representatives have taken on.
Voting is one thing you can do (besides social distancing) that will help us rebound. Be safe and we are all in this together
Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste facilities will be closed on Sundays for the winter through April 26. For more information contact the KPB Solid Waste Department at 907-262-9667. Due to a change in its recycle market, Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste facilities will no longer accept D grade plastic film, including plastic shopping bags. Also, they are only accepting #1 PETE beverage bottles with twist tops for recycling.
Kenai Peninsula Service Area Boards meetings have been postponed until further notice. For more information, visit kpboem.blogspot.com.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Avenue is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congregate meals and the Helping Hands Thrift Store also are closed. Donations for Helping Hands Thrift Store can dropped off. The office staff are at work and available by phone for addressing needs. For information, call 235-7786.
Friendship Center
Friendship Center Adult Day Services is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 235-4556.
Homer Senior Citizens
All activities are cancelled and the Homer Senior Center is closed to the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homer Senior Citizens congregate lunch is closed , but meals from Monday-Friday can be picked up to go at noon by calling by 10 a.m. daily. Lunch costs $7 for seniors age 60 and older, and $15 for those under 60. The menu for this week is, today through Tuesday, Wednesday, meatloaf; next Thursday, turkey.
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Hospice of Homer
Hospice of Homer will be open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday for equipment check out and other services. Call ahead for information on meetings of support groups. Anyone needing assistance with grief counseling or other services should called ahead at 235-6899.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Starting March 23, Kachemak Bay Campus all courses shited to online/alternate delivery and will not be held on campus. Community events have been canceled and non-credit classes have been postponed until further notice.
Professors will contact students directly on how to connect with classes. The college is working on a plan for lab classes and to make resources available to students who do not have access to computers or the internet.
While administrative operating hours will be 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, the college asks that people call 235-7743 with questions rather than stop by the office. The campus will be closed on Saturday and Sunday until further notice.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Homer Annex is closed to walk-in traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic at its location at 638 East Pioneer Ave. in the Homer Borough Maintenance building east of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department. The office is staffed for help by phone or email. For more information call 235-9837 or email Tamarron Baxter at tbaxter@kpb.us. Forms for property tax exemptions or appeals are available outside on the door, and a dropbox is available for completed forms.
Alaska Islands and Oceans Visitor Center
The Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center operations are temporarily suspended following guidelines from the CDC and recommendations from state and local health authorities. Updates will be posted to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge website and social media channels. The Beluga Slough Trail and other outdoor areas on the refuge will remain open to provide healthy options for recreation and relaxation. A reopening date has not been determined at this time.
Updates about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s response to coronavirus will be posted at https://www.fws.gov/home/public-health-update.html. Please check with individual refuges or facilities regarding the change of operations or postponement of events and programs.
To reach refuge staff call 907-235-6546 or email alaskamaritime@fws.gov.
