News

Clem Tillion of Halibut Cove poses for a photo on Jan. 9, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. The veteran Alaska legislator was passing through Homer while waiting to take the M/V Tustumena ferry to Kodiak. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Clem Tillion, PFD founder and former legislator, dies at 96

Tillion died Wedneday, Oct. 13, at Halibut Cove home.

 

Several members of the Alaksa House of Representatives were absent form a floor session Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, but after a quiet first week lawmakers are scheduled to hold committee meetings through the end of the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases delay Senate

Still slow going.

 

Donna Aderhold recites the Homer City Council oath of office and is sworn in for duty at the city council meeting on Oct. 11. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

New council members sworn into duty Monday

Newly-elected Homer City Council members Shelly Erickson and Jason Davis and re-elected council member Donna Aderhold were sworn in during the Oct. 11 city council… Continue reading

 

The Homer City Council met with new council members for the first time Oct. 11. The election results were certified during the meeting and council members Shelly Erickson, Donna Aderhold and Jason Davis were sworn in. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

City of Homer 2020 audit shows clean financial records

The City of Homer received a clean audit for the 2020 fiscal year by BDO USA, an accounting firm based in Anchorage. The audit results… Continue reading

The Homer City Council met with new council members for the first time Oct. 11. The election results were certified during the meeting and council members Shelly Erickson, Donna Aderhold and Jason Davis were sworn in. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

After brief surge, vandalism subsiding at local high schools

Principals say internet trends, stress likely behind incidents.

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
In this Jan. 8, 2020, photo Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, heads to a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. An Alaska man faces federal charges after authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill Murkowski, according to court documents unsealed Wed., Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,File)

Delta Junction man faces charges over threatening Murkowski’s life

Authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill the senator.

  • Oct 13, 2021
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
In this Jan. 8, 2020, photo Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, heads to a briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. An Alaska man faces federal charges after authorities allege he threatened to hire an assassin to kill Murkowski, according to court documents unsealed Wed., Oct. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite,File)
Runners participate in boys varsity race at the Ted McKenney XC Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. The trails recently reported incidents of vandalism and theft. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Vandalism and theft reported at Tsalteshi Trails

One trail user reported stolen skis recently and multiple signs have been defaced.

Runners participate in boys varsity race at the Ted McKenney XC Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. The trails recently reported incidents of vandalism and theft. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Montessori school goes to universal indoor masking

As of Tuesday, eight KPBSD schools were operating with universal indoor masking for staff and students.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
At left Bonita Banks, RN, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) nurse at Homer Medical Center, and at right, Annie Garay, RN, Community Health Educator, pose for a photo at South Peninsula Hospital on Sept. 27, 2021, at Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Derotha Ferraro/South Peninsula Hospital)

New hospital community health educator starts

Garay, a Homer raised nurse, came home to ride out COVID-19, wound up doing pandemic nursing.

At left Bonita Banks, RN, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) nurse at Homer Medical Center, and at right, Annie Garay, RN, Community Health Educator, pose for a photo at South Peninsula Hospital on Sept. 27, 2021, at Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Derotha Ferraro/South Peninsula Hospital)
Commercial fishing and other boats are moored in the Homer Harbor in this file photo. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Seawatch

Seawatch: Crabbers look at cuts to quotas

Tanner, opilio crab quotas cut on top of cancellation of fall king crab fishery.

Commercial fishing and other boats are moored in the Homer Harbor in this file photo. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Judge sides with psychiatrists who alleged wrongful firing

Two psychiatrists said they were wrongfully fired when Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy took office.

  • Oct 13, 2021
  • Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • State News
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature's fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state's longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

A week into special session, work hasn’t begun

Quiet day at the Capitol.

The doors of the Alaska Senate chambers were shut Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, a week into the Alaska State Legislature's fourth special session of the year. Gov. Mike Dunleavy called lawmakers to session to resolve the state's longterm fiscal issues, but the same divisions that have kept lawmakers from finding resolution before are still in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Afghanistan

Goldbelt employees among those evacuated from Afghanistan

Landed in Qatar.

Afghanistan
This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)

Tribal recognition initiative moves ahead

Mending divisions.

This map from the U.S. Cencsus Bureau highlighting Alaska's indigenous populations. A ballot initiative to have the State of Alaska formally recognize the state's already federally recognized tribes took a step forward Monday, when it was certified by the Division of Elections. (Courtesy image/ Wikicommons)
This screenshot shows the proposed House Districts for the southern Kenai Peninsula. The shaded pink area is District 5 and the shaded purple area is District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River areas currently in District 31 (the area now called District 5) would go into the Kodiak Island and Prince Willaim Sound District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River area starts at the Fritz Creek General Store near Mile 8 East End Road and includes the north side of East End Road. At East End Road and McNeil Canyon, all of East End Road to the end of the road is in the new district, including the villages of Razdolna, Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo. (Screen Capture/Alaska Redistricting Board/Google Maps)

Redistricting draft puts Fritz Creek into new district

Draft proposals carve out Fritz Creek, Fox River and put in Kodiak-Prince William Sound district.

This screenshot shows the proposed House Districts for the southern Kenai Peninsula. The shaded pink area is District 5 and the shaded purple area is District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River areas currently in District 31 (the area now called District 5) would go into the Kodiak Island and Prince Willaim Sound District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River area starts at the Fritz Creek General Store near Mile 8 East End Road and includes the north side of East End Road. At East End Road and McNeil Canyon, all of East End Road to the end of the road is in the new district, including the villages of Razdolna, Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo. (Screen Capture/Alaska Redistricting Board/Google Maps)
The Homer Election Canvass Board counted the final Homer City Council election ballots Friday, Oct. 8. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Election results certified in municipal elections

Aderhold, Erickson, Davis win Homer City Council; Tupper wins Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, District 9; Daugharty wins Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education, District 8.

The Homer Election Canvass Board counted the final Homer City Council election ballots Friday, Oct. 8. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Firefighters from multiple agencies prepare to enter a structure with a fire burning inside it as part of a live fire exercise Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Homer Volunteer Fire Department���s fire training facility on Freight Dock Road in Homer, Alaska. Student volunteers from Anchor Point Emergency Services, Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Ninilchik Emergency Services, and Central Emergency Services attended the drill as part of a joint Firefighter I class they are attending hosted by Anchor Point Fire and HVFD. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

HVFD offers firefighter training course

The Homer Volunteer Fire Department is recruiting new volunteers for the 2021 Firefighter I Class, which begins Oct. 18. No prior experience or certifications are… Continue reading

Firefighters from multiple agencies prepare to enter a structure with a fire burning inside it as part of a live fire exercise Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Homer Volunteer Fire Department���s fire training facility on Freight Dock Road in Homer, Alaska. Student volunteers from Anchor Point Emergency Services, Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Ninilchik Emergency Services, and Central Emergency Services attended the drill as part of a joint Firefighter I class they are attending hosted by Anchor Point Fire and HVFD. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Colette Ireland, Thunder, Kathy Sarns, Donna Rae Faulkner and Don McNamara pose for a photo after rescuing Thunder and Allie from the ravine. (Photos by Elise Nacht Boyer and Janet Fink)

‘The Thunder Blunder’: Two lost dogs bring community together in their search

13-year-old Malamute found after missing seven days

Colette Ireland, Thunder, Kathy Sarns, Donna Rae Faulkner and Don McNamara pose for a photo after rescuing Thunder and Allie from the ravine. (Photos by Elise Nacht Boyer and Janet Fink)
A portable sign on the Sterling Highway advertises a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinaton booster clinic to be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. A flu clinic also will be held at the same time at the high school. Appointments are encouraged for the Pfizer clinic. Visit www.sphosp.org for information. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

COVID-19 booster clinic is Friday

Flu, COVID-19 booster clinic will be held Friday.

A portable sign on the Sterling Highway advertises a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinaton booster clinic to be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. A flu clinic also will be held at the same time at the high school. Appointments are encouraged for the Pfizer clinic. Visit www.sphosp.org for information. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer Elks Lodge President David Spell, left, and Homer Elks Lodge Grant Coordinator Tom Stroozas, far right, present a $2,500 check to Kachemak City Council member Bill Fry, center, to help with construction of the Kachemak City Playground Project. (Photo provided)

Homer Elks Lodge gives grant to Kachemak City playground project

Grant will help rebuild Kachemak City playground facility.

Homer Elks Lodge President David Spell, left, and Homer Elks Lodge Grant Coordinator Tom Stroozas, far right, present a $2,500 check to Kachemak City Council member Bill Fry, center, to help with construction of the Kachemak City Playground Project. (Photo provided)