News

Michelle Wilson and Sean Hogan, pictured at their restaurant, Cosmic Kitchen in this undated photo, have announced they have sold the restaurant after 17 years of operating in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Anna Buenting)

Cosmic Kitchen sold after 17 years, will close next month

A cuisine staple in the Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea is changing hands next month — Cosmic Kitchen has been sold, its owners announced last… Continue reading

Michelle Wilson and Sean Hogan, pictured at their restaurant, Cosmic Kitchen in this undated photo, have announced they have sold the restaurant after 17 years of operating in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Anna Buenting)

Homer Farmers Market: Try Alaska Food Hub while waiting for market to open

This has been quite the year so far, eh? Normally this would be when I would be telling everyone about how the long winter is… Continue reading

Nikolaevsk School graduates 8 in drive-in ceremony

In years past, friends and family of Nikolaevsk School graduates could show their support and appreciation in person at small, intimate commencement ceremonies. This year… Continue reading

A graduation balloon sits atop a vehicle during an alternative graduation ceremony for Homer Flex School on Monday, May 18, 2020 at the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Homer Flex graduation heads outside

Celebrating the graduates of Homer Flex School has never been traditional — they’re not traditional students. This year was made even more unique by the… Continue reading

A graduation balloon sits atop a vehicle during an alternative graduation ceremony for Homer Flex School on Monday, May 18, 2020 at the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Change in DHSS database sows residency confusion

Count for Homer cases dropped to five

Two F-22 Raptors fly over Beluga Lake on Friday, May 15, 2020 as part of a statewide flyover event put on by the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. Four of the aircraft flew over Homer, Alaska and other parts of the state as a way to show support for health care workers and other COVID-19 front line workers. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Statewide flyovers conducted to thank health care workers

In a show of support for health care workers and others on the front lines of the novel coronavirus pandemic, myriad aircraft from the U.S.… Continue reading

Two F-22 Raptors fly over Beluga Lake on Friday, May 15, 2020 as part of a statewide flyover event put on by the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. Four of the aircraft flew over Homer, Alaska and other parts of the state as a way to show support for health care workers and other COVID-19 front line workers. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Salmon can be seen in the waters of Bear Lake, near Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenny Regan)

State provides additional guidelines for setnetters

As commercial fishing season ramps up in Alaska amid the global novel coronavirus pandemic, the state has provided more clarification on a specific type of… Continue reading

Salmon can be seen in the waters of Bear Lake, near Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kenny Regan)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on May 11, 2020, in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Austin McDaniel courtesy Office of the Governor)

PFD checks to go out starting July 1

To help Alaskans get through the economic challenges of the COVID-19, Permanent Fund Dividend payments will go out early starting on July 1, Gov. Mike… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on May 11, 2020, in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Austin McDaniel courtesy Office of the Governor)

Governor announces major reopening of Alaska

With no new cases of COVID-19 reported on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced that night that Alaska will move into phase three of the state’s… Continue reading

(Courtesy/CDC)

Alaska has three new COVID-19 cases

Count for Homer cases dropped to five

(Courtesy/CDC)
Signs on May 7, 2020, along the Sterling Highway by St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Homer, Alaska, and put up by the South Kenai Peninsula Resiliency Coalition offer encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The signs read “Physical distancing can be hard. Everyday connections are so important. How can you make someone smile today?” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Sixth Homer resident tests positive

A sixth Homer resident has tested positive for COVID-19, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported on Sunday. That is the second Homer… Continue reading

Signs on May 7, 2020, along the Sterling Highway by St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Homer, Alaska, and put up by the South Kenai Peninsula Resiliency Coalition offer encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The signs read “Physical distancing can be hard. Everyday connections are so important. How can you make someone smile today?” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, speaks during a May 11, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Seasonal worker has COVID-19 in Dillingham; 5th Homer resident tests positive

State extends mandatory quarantine for visitors, updates commercial fishing guidelines

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, speaks during a May 11, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Crime

Facebook post leads to ID of alleged burglar

An appeal on social media last month by Homer Police looking to identify a man in a photo alleged to have broken into a Kachemak… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy the CDC)

How are COVID-19 deaths recorded? A crash course on death certificates

State experts provide clarification on how deaths are reported during coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19. (Image courtesy the CDC)

Construction work continues on Pioneer Avenue

Construction has started on the Pioneer Avenue Pavement Preservation Project, which will replace and repave the asphalt surface. Much of the asphalt road surface has… Continue reading

Courtesy photo | Alaska’s Digital Archives Then-Gov. Bill Walker and then-Lt. Governor Byron Mallott speak across Tlingit canoes amid canoe events for Celebration 2016.

Former Lt. Gov, Juneau mayor Byron Mallott dies at 77

‘He was larger than life.’

Courtesy photo | Alaska’s Digital Archives Then-Gov. Bill Walker and then-Lt. Governor Byron Mallott speak across Tlingit canoes amid canoe events for Celebration 2016.
Photo by Mark Thiessen | associated press file Mayor Richard Beneville reads poetry to volunteers and fans at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters in Nome in March 2012.

Richard Beneville, enthusiastic mayor of Nome, dies

ANCHORAGE — Richard Beneville, who was in his third term as the mayor of Nome and was known for bringing the flair of the New… Continue reading

  • May 13, 2020
  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • State News
Photo by Mark Thiessen | associated press file Mayor Richard Beneville reads poetry to volunteers and fans at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters in Nome in March 2012.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, fly in formation over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex on July 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Richardson)

Jets will fly over peninsula to honor health care workers

Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard will fly over Alaska on Friday to honor frontline COVID-19 responders and essential workers.… Continue reading

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, fly in formation over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex on July 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Richardson)
The City and Borough of Juneau is expecting $53 million in federal relief, but what it can be used on is still not entirely clear. The Assembly Finance Committee is meeting to discuss the funds Wednesday evening. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

CARES Act money is coming, but use is still unclear

Congress could change the rules.

The City and Borough of Juneau is expecting $53 million in federal relief, but what it can be used on is still not entirely clear. The Assembly Finance Committee is meeting to discuss the funds Wednesday evening. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Construction crews are seen here working along the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on May 12, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Construction season kicks off

Projects are scheduled for Seward, Sterling Highway, Old Sterling and Kenai Spur highways.

Construction crews are seen here working along the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, on May 12, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)