News

Kachemak Emergency Services Deputy Chief Joe Sallee inspects an exploded house near Mile 166 Sterling Highway on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, near Homer, Alaska. The debris field from the explosion spread at least 200 feet in all directions. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).

Home explosion rocks Homer area

Update: This story has been updated to correct the time the Sterling Highway was reopened and to include information about detecting natural gas leaks. A… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Deputy Chief Joe Sallee inspects an exploded house near Mile 166 Sterling Highway on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, near Homer, Alaska. The debris field from the explosion spread at least 200 feet in all directions. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).
Seawatch

Sea Watch: Seafood industry faces more uncertainty

As another year draws to a close, the seafood industry seems to be facing even more uncertainty than usual, with some groundfish stocks cratering, salmon… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">File photo</span> Cruise ship visitors gather for their tours on the Seawalk in Juneau on Sept. 13, 2017.

Court ruling could impact peninsula cruise ports

A decision in a long-fought court case between the cruise industry and Juneau could have local ramifications for Seward, Homer and other cruise ports in… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2018
  • By KAT SORENSEN Peninsula Clarion
  • State News
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">File photo</span> Cruise ship visitors gather for their tours on the Seawalk in Juneau on Sept. 13, 2017.
Teachers, support staff and community members, many of them wearing red, prepare to listen to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education’s Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 meeting at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. The board holds one meeting each year in Homer, and another in Seward. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

School board to offer remote testimony in 2019

The new year is bringing a new feature to Kenai Peninsula Borough School District meetings. Starting at the Jan. 14, 2019 6 p.m. Board of… Continue reading

Teachers, support staff and community members, many of them wearing red, prepare to listen to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education’s Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 meeting at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. The board holds one meeting each year in Homer, and another in Seward. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News</span> The open sign for Uncle Herb’s, Homer’s first marijuana retail store, lights up on opening day, Thursday, May 24 on Ocean Drive in Homer.

Control board approves rules for onsite marijuana use

JUNEAU — Alaska regulators last Thursday approved rules for onsite consumption of marijuana at specially designated shops, a significant step for the cannabis industry in… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News</span> The open sign for Uncle Herb’s, Homer’s first marijuana retail store, lights up on opening day, Thursday, May 24 on Ocean Drive in Homer.
Kathryn Dodge, a candidate for an Alaska House of Representatives seat from Fairbanks, testifies in her lawsuit challenging results of a recount on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court appointed Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth as a special master to prepare a report on the appeal of a recount of in the race between Dodge, a Democrat, and Republican Bart LeBon. LeBon held a one-vote lead after the recount. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)

Judge backs Alaska Division of Elections in vote recount

ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Division of Elections properly recounted votes in a state House race decided by one vote, a Superior Court judge decided Thursday.… Continue reading

  • Dec 26, 2018
  • By DAN JOLING Associated Press
  • State News
Kathryn Dodge, a candidate for an Alaska House of Representatives seat from Fairbanks, testifies in her lawsuit challenging results of a recount on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. The Alaska Supreme Court appointed Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth as a special master to prepare a report on the appeal of a recount of in the race between Dodge, a Democrat, and Republican Bart LeBon. LeBon held a one-vote lead after the recount. (AP Photo/Dan Joling)
About 100 Homer High School students gather on the football field during a walkout staged Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 to protest for safer schools and honor the students killed in the Valentine’s Day mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. The students formed the number 17 with their bodies on the field. (Homer News file photo)

Year in review

The end of one year and the anticipation of the next is always a good time to reflect. Here at the Homer News, we look… Continue reading

About 100 Homer High School students gather on the football field during a walkout staged Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018 to protest for safer schools and honor the students killed in the Valentine’s Day mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. The students formed the number 17 with their bodies on the field. (Homer News file photo)
From left, Alaska state Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, sit in the House chamber to hear Gov. Bill Walker deliver his annual State of the State address on Jan. 18, 2017. After several years of budgets passing late and forcing education pink slip notices, Stevens, the Senate Education Committee chair, is introducing a bill to mandate an education budget by April 1. (Photo/Mark Thiessen/AP)

Big issues in Legislature will be PFD, budget cuts, Stevens says

Heading into his 19th year as a state senator, Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, has some advice for Homer’s newest legislator, Rep.-elect Sarah Vance. She’s the… Continue reading

From left, Alaska state Sens. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, sit in the House chamber to hear Gov. Bill Walker deliver his annual State of the State address on Jan. 18, 2017. After several years of budgets passing late and forcing education pink slip notices, Stevens, the Senate Education Committee chair, is introducing a bill to mandate an education budget by April 1. (Photo/Mark Thiessen/AP)
The latest version of the Barb’s Video sign was painted by Dan Coe, as seen in this photo taken Sept. 22, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Barb’s Video to close its doors this month

Editor’s note: The origin of Barb’s Video was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. It has been corrected to note that Barb Jacobs… Continue reading

The latest version of the Barb’s Video sign was painted by Dan Coe, as seen in this photo taken Sept. 22, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Interim Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Purcell poses for a photo at Homer City Hall on Dec. 18, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. Purcell was a former HVFD chief from 1992-99. (Photo provided)

City appoints Purcell as interim HVFD chief

A former Homer Volunteer Fire Department chief will step in as interim fire chief, the city announced in a press release on Tuesday. Robert Purcell,… Continue reading

Interim Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Purcell poses for a photo at Homer City Hall on Dec. 18, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. Purcell was a former HVFD chief from 1992-99. (Photo provided)
An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus. (Homer News file photo)

After complaints, state board finds Homer physical therapist didn’t violate regulations

Two complaints made against a physical therapist at South Peninsula Hospital to the state’s licensing board for therapists have been reviewed and closed. An unidentified… Continue reading

An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus. (Homer News file photo)

Skinny Owlz: Bringing a bright, warm style to Homer and beyond

Chelsey Arno expresses herself as “a self-taught seamstress.” She’s always been interested in fashion, but for clothing that is cute and functional with Alaska features.… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2018
  • By Emilie Springer Special to the Homer News
  • Business

KHLT, Hillstrand create 302-acre preserve

Kachemak Heritage Land Trust (KHLT) and Nancy Hillstrand on Dec. 13 signed papers to permanently protect her 302 acres near Bridge Creek for valuable wildlife… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2018

Photos: Holiday cheer

By Megan Pacer Homer News… Continue reading

USCG takes over F/V Nordic Viking clean up in Seward

The United States Coast Guard is taking charge of cleaning up fuel released in the Seward Harbor after the F/V Nordic Viking sank last Sunday.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his wife, Rose, welcome Juneau residents at the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Dunleavy budget draft includes full dividend, not back pay

JUNEAU — Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s initial budget draft includes a full payout from Alaska’s oil-wealth fund for residents next year, but not money Alaskans missed… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2018
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
  • State News
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and his wife, Rose, welcome Juneau residents at the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo, Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Former Rep. Muñoz back in state government

Cathy Muñoz was in Legislature from 2008-2016.

In this file photo, Rep. Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau, greets Airlift Northwest pilots Randy Aspeluind, left, and Tyler Cousins during a bill signing by Gov. Sean Parnell at the air ambulance company’s hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Hays receives CRS Realtor designation

The Residential Real Estate Council has awarded Brenda Hays of Wavefront Realty its Certified Residential Specialist designation, according to a press release from Hays. To… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2018
  • Staff report Homer News
  • Business
Seawatch

Sea Watch: Seiners propose buyback

The Southeast Alaska Seiners Association is spearheading another effort to reduce the size of the salmon fleet with another buyback, similar to the one in… Continue reading

Chapman 4th-grade student Miles Tressler displays a Flag of Peace he painted on Dec. 6, 2018 at Chapman School in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo provided)

Downtown Rotary sponsors Flags of Peace program

In partnership with the Germany-based Friendship Without Boundaries Foundation, the Rotary Club of Homer Downtown sponsors a project to plant seeds of peace in children… Continue reading

  • Dec 19, 2018
  • Staff Report Homer News
  • Schools
Chapman 4th-grade student Miles Tressler displays a Flag of Peace he painted on Dec. 6, 2018 at Chapman School in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo provided)

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