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Homer area school announcements

Homer High School Today — Volleyball v. Kodiak: C-Team at 4 p.m., JV at 5 p.m. and varsity at 6:30 p.m. in the Alice Witte… Continue reading

Firefighters unload supplies from a helicopter at the Caribou Lake Fire on Monday, Aug 26, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Despite brief Monday rain, dry weather continues at Caribou Lake Fire

While a brief afternoon rain shower fell over parts of the lower Kenai Peninsula on Monday, very little rain fell on the Caribou Lake fire.… Continue reading

Firefighters unload supplies from a helicopter at the Caribou Lake Fire on Monday, Aug 26, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Sarah Saarloos/Alaska Division of Forestry)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Officials brief community on Caribou Lake, North Fork fires

Fire officials delivered some positive news about two lower Kenai Peninsula wildfires at a community meeting Saturday at McNeil Canyon Elementary School. For the North… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
This map provided by the Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1 shows the perimeter of the Caribou Lake Fire, burning about 25 miles northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Image courtesy Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1)

Community meeting for Caribou Lake Fire to be held Saturday

Ground crews, aircraft continue work to contain the blaze

This map provided by the Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1 shows the perimeter of the Caribou Lake Fire, burning about 25 miles northeast of Homer, Alaska. (Image courtesy Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Firefighters making progess on Caribou Lake Fire

With the Caribou Lake Fire now estimated at 900 acres and 20% contained, better weather conditions have made officials optimistic about progress in stopping it.… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

North Fork Fire nears containment; Ready alert canceled

Caribou Lake Fire continues to grow slowly

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

Swan Lake Fire team will take over Caribou Lake Fire administration

One fire is nearly contained and another is still growing in size in the wildlands outside of Homer. The Caribou Lake Fire, which began Monday… Continue reading

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska rescinds emergency financial declaration

The financial picture still isn’t rosy.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes a presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center on Sept. 15, 2016. A declaration of financial exigency that would have allowed University of Alaska to make drastic cuts was rescinded Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Governor reluctant to consider oil taxes

Will taxes might cause companies to leave?

In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019 photo, Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference at the Capitol. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Homer Farmers Market: Fresh Market food can be invaluable — but also cheaper than big stores

How much is fresh worth to you? You can see it at the Homer Farmers Market twice a week, bulging out of baskets, bins, buckets… Continue reading

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Terry Allen rides his jet ski at Auke Lake on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019.

Alaska just recorded its hottest month — ever

Alaska has been America’s canary in the coal mine for climate warming, and the yellow bird is swooning.

  • Aug 21, 2019
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
  • State News
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Terry Allen rides his jet ski at Auke Lake on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019.

Students, teachers head back to school

Fireweeed Academy teacher Diane Ditton and her fifth- and sixth-grade students pose for a photo at the end of the first day of school on… Continue reading

The 4-H kids of the Kenai Peninsula smile for a group photo at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Living the fair life

Residents enjoy weekend of pig races, fish throwing, and livestock auctions in Ninilchik

The 4-H kids of the Kenai Peninsula smile for a group photo at the Kenai Peninsula Fair on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

As firefighters mopped up an almost 60-acre wildland fire on the south end of North Fork Road, attention shifted on Wednesday to a fire near… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer bikers ride for suicide prevention, awareness

What started in the central peninsula when a small group of community members got together and decided to do something to thrust the issue of… Continue reading

Fire information is posted outside of Wildmans in Cooper Landing on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire crews battle Swan Lake Fire after weekend of expansion

Crews are working to create new control lines and keep the fire away from the highway

Fire information is posted outside of Wildmans in Cooper Landing on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Candidates announced for Oct. 1 municipal elections

There are a number of open seats on the Borough Assembly, the School Board and Service Area boards.

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

New fire flares up near Caribou Lake

In the midst of wildland fires at the south North Fork Road and along the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing, firefighters on Monday, Aug. 19,… Continue reading

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Crews get dozer line around North Fork Fire; Diamond Ridge, North Fork areas still on ‘Ready’ alert

Update at 1:40 p.m.: A link to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management website with information on the Level-1 alert status has been… Continue reading

Diamond Ridge resident Parick Buongiorne watches the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, near Homer, Alaska, as seen from Diamond Ridge Road. Buongiorne had previously worked as a wildlife firefighter with the Pioneer Peak crew. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Effort by Homer neighbors to vacate easement fails at planning commission

An effort by a group of Homer residents to close off a pedestrian easement running by their properties was shot down at a Monday planning… Continue reading

Country singer Zac Brown’s lawyer Blaine Gillam speaks for his client at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission meeting, Aug. 12, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

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