20 years ago

Effective Aug. 1, 2000, then-Alaska State Parks Director Jim Stratton ordered Kachemak Bay State Park closed to personal watercraft, also known as JetSkis. At the same time, Gov. Tony Knowles announced procedures for deciding whether to close the Kachemak Bay and Fox River Critical Habitat Areas to JetSkis. The closure was announced to curb the use of the watercraft before their impact to the park became more severe, according to a press release from the governor’s office. The closure came after state officials received requests and petitions from citizens and organizations, including the Kachemak Bay State Park Citizens Advisory Board and the Homer City Council.

— From the issue of July 27, 2000

30 years ago

For the period of May 17 to July 17, camp fee collections dropped from $34,000 in 1989 to $11,500 in 1990. Two experienced camp fee collectors who winter in Florida and missed the deadline to apply for the 1990 camp fee collector job said the new collectors had a “lackadaisical” manner of collecting fees. The harbormaster said camping overall was down, especially compared to 1989’s influx of people working on the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The city manager said the city preferred to hire locally.

— From the issue of July 26, 1990

50 years ago

On a preliminary vote of 698 no, 592 yes, voters did not approve a $3.5 million school bond. The money would have funded construction of new school buildings and adding to and remodeling existing buildings. Votes from Halibut Cove and Seldovia had not yet been received because those were mail-in ballots.

The Homer Police Department allocated $4,800 to remodel the police station on the corner of Main Street and Pioneer Avenue. Alaska State Trooper Jack Ross also had a desk there. Police expected to receive new patrol cars and new radio equipment.

— From the issue of July 23, 1970