News

Seawatch

Seawatch: Scientific survey finds high catch numbers

An international scientific expedition is trawling far offshore for Pacific salmon even though some researchers chose to leave the ship as worries escalated about COVID-19,… Continue reading

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Local closures and event cancelations

Editor’s note: As a public service to keep people informed on the COVID-19 pandemic, the paywall for the News section of the Homer News website… Continue reading

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, March 31, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

1st COVID-19 case in Kenai reported

Dunleavy, commissioners talk measures to stabilize the economy

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Tuesday, March 31, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Crime

Woman fatally shot by troopers

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Alaska State Troopers fatally shot a woman they say brandished a firearm at them, the second deadly shooting involving troopers this week.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks while Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, looks on via a video feed at a press conference on March 30, 2020 in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Federal delegates talk aid, equipment for Alaska amid coronavirus spread

Alaska’s total COVID-19 case count rose to 119 on Monday

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks while Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, looks on via a video feed at a press conference on March 30, 2020 in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

Another Alaskan dies of COVID-19

Another Alaskan has died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced in a… Continue reading

COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

Second Homer resident tests positive for COVID-19

This is Homer’s first case within the city; state total climbs to 102

The Homer Public Library is closed on March 16, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Local closures and event cancelations

Editor’s note: As a public service to keep people informed on the COVID-19 pandemic, the paywall for the News section of the Homer News website… Continue reading

The Homer Public Library is closed on March 16, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Local businesses alter hours, services for residents

Alaska’s small business economy was thrown into upheaval when Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a mandate that closed all food and drink establishments across the state… Continue reading

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Shelter in place, in-state travel ban measures announced as COVID-19 cases climb

With the addition of 16 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and news of the first death within the state of Alaska, new health mandates shutting… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Anchorage hospital reports first coronavirus death within Alaska

Alaska Native Medical Center announced the death Friday afternoon

This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)

Local hospital update: 37 COVID-19 tests have been performed

19 tests have come back negative; hospital further restricts building access

This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)

Alaska senators break down relief package

Bill passed the Senate on Wednesday, House of Representatives on Friday

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Thursday, March 26, 2020 in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State COVID-19 cases climb by 10

State officials are seeking to bolster supplies and infrastructure as the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state climbed by 10 on Thursday. This… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference Thursday, March 26, 2020 in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wednesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

State talks containment, treatment for COVID-19

Total number of COVID-19 cases rises to 59

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters during a Wednesday, March 25, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Homer announces first case of COVID-19 in resident who has isolated in Anchorage

Homer resident contracted illness while traveling, has not returned to Homer

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
Senators discuss amendments to a COVID-19 emergency funding bill on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Bills are passed, but stalled as final details hammered out

Work is going full speed.

Senators discuss amendments to a COVID-19 emergency funding bill on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
FILE - In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for a new virus, health authorities said Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (CDC via AP, File) In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (CDC via AP, File)

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

Business owners encouraged to take peninsula-wide survey

FILE - In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for a new virus, health authorities said Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (CDC via AP, File) In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (CDC via AP, File)

Superintendent John O’Brien seeking treatment for cancer

The school superintendent was diagnosed with kidney cancer days before spring break.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the New Hampshire state Democratic Party convention, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Manchester, NH. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Democratic party turns to vote-by-mail primary

All in-person voting scheduled for April 4 has been canceled.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the New Hampshire state Democratic Party convention, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Manchester, NH. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)