News

Christie Hill prepares to play “Taps” during the 9/11 memorial service on Saturday. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Homer honors lives lost during 9/11

The Homer-Kachemak Bay Rotary held a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony at the flag poles in front of McDonald’s on Saturday. With about a dozen people… Continue reading

Christie Hill prepares to play “Taps” during the 9/11 memorial service on Saturday. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A sign flashing “Keep COVID down” also offers information on where to get testing and vaccines on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

SPH holding steady in COVID-19 surge

Despite hospital crisis in Anchorage, Homer’s hospital not impacted, spokesperson tells Homer City Council.

A sign flashing “Keep COVID down” also offers information on where to get testing and vaccines on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Janie Leask, a Homer resident, spoke in support of the new multi-use community center during Monday night’s city council meeting, stating the need for community recreation is vital.

Council moves forward with HERC plans

After years of discussions and planning, the Homer City Council is quickly moving forward with plans to explore future uses of the Homer Education Recreation… Continue reading

Janie Leask, a Homer resident, spoke in support of the new multi-use community center during Monday night’s city council meeting, stating the need for community recreation is vital.
American flags fly on Sept. 11, 2020, in the park at the corner of Lake Street and the Homer Bypass Road in Homer, Alaska. Rotary Club of Homer Downtown places the flags every year to honor the people killed and injured in the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Remembering Sept. 11

Robert Purcell shares memories of the aftermath of 9/11 20 years later.

American flags fly on Sept. 11, 2020, in the park at the corner of Lake Street and the Homer Bypass Road in Homer, Alaska. Rotary Club of Homer Downtown places the flags every year to honor the people killed and injured in the events of Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Officials: Best immunity is through vaccination

Although COVID infection produces antibodies that can help fight the virus, it’s risky to take that chance.

A registered nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at the pop-up clinic on the Spit on May 27. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers fast-track bill to aid health care hiring

Workers are strained.

Lawmakers at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Jun. 7, file photo, heard a bill that would make it easier for hospitals to hire workers from other states on Tuesday, with only a week left in the Legislature's third special session of the year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

School announcements

School district risk level update and upcoming events

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)
An ICU nurse, moves electrical cords for medical machines, outside the room of a patient suffering from COVID-19, in an intensive care unit at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer. (AP Photo/ Gerald Herbert)

Gov amends session to allow lawmakers to tackle COVID

‘Move at the speed of trust.’

An ICU nurse, moves electrical cords for medical machines, outside the room of a patient suffering from COVID-19, in an intensive care unit at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nurse staffing crisis that is forcing many U.S. hospitals to pay top dollar to get the help they need to handle the crush of patients this summer. (AP Photo/ Gerald Herbert)
Cars parked at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 13, 2021. A local insurance expert says that a recent study claiming women in Alaska pay more for car insurance than men doesn’t reflect his experience. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Study: Women in Alaska pay more for car insurance

Local expert says no

Cars parked at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 13, 2021. A local insurance expert says that a recent study claiming women in Alaska pay more for car insurance than men doesn’t reflect his experience. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Pilot crashes outside Tyonek

No injuries have been reported.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
(Black Press file photo)

Peninsula rental rates some of state’s lowest

The median rent payment on the Kenai Peninsula Borough was about $1,009 in 2020 and about $1,023 in 2021

(Black Press file photo)
A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Newly vaccinated get chance to win cash

Incentive campaign to grant $49,000 cash and scholarship prizes to weekly winners

A sign advertises free COVID-19 vaccines at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on July 13, 2021, in Anchorage, Alaska. The state announced a new initiative that gives newly vaccinated Alaskans an opportunity to win $49,000. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021.

Friends in damp places: Sector Juneau CO talks partnerships, future plans

A new set of eyes can examine old plans, the new commander said.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021.
Coast Guardsmen stand in formation at Juneau International Airport as the body of Chief Petty Officer Jeffery DeRonde, who died over the weekend, is loaded on an airplane on Sept. 7, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Man drowns after raft overturns

The man was on the Eagle River, returning from an overnight cabin stay.

Coast Guardsmen stand in formation at Juneau International Airport as the body of Chief Petty Officer Jeffery DeRonde, who died over the weekend, is loaded on an airplane on Sept. 7, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school was one of more than a dozen Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools operating with universal indoor masking due to rising COVID-19 cases. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

More schools go to universal indoor masking

More than 200 students have tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 23.

A sign in front of Kenai Middle School is seen on Sept. 2, 2021, in Kenai, Alaska. The school was one of more than a dozen Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools operating with universal indoor masking due to rising COVID-19 cases. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign flashing "Keep COVID down" also offers information on where to get testing and vaccines on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer schools go to universal masking

Increase in COVID-19 cases prompts Homer schools to require universal masking until at least Sept. 21.

A sign flashing "Keep COVID down" also offers information on where to get testing and vaccines on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Visitors explore shops on the Homer Spit before the upcoming end of the season. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Successful tourist season leaves businesses in need of rest

Many shops on the Spit close down after Labor Day.

Visitors explore shops on the Homer Spit before the upcoming end of the season. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.

Murkowski pushes to reauthorize heritage site

The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is one of only 55 NHAs in the United States.

Ashlyn O’Hara / Peninsula Clarion U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attends a joint Soldotna and Kenai Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on May 5 in Kenai.
The "gofishak" application, zoomed in to the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)

Find fishing spots with new app

“Gofishak” allows users to filter fishing locations by category, species and access.

The "gofishak" application, zoomed in to the Kenai Peninsula. (Screenshot)
FILE - This March 19, 2020, file photo, shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)

Census shows slight peninsula population growth

The population of the Kenai Peninsula Borough grew by about 6.1% over the last 10 years, or from about 55,400 to about 58,800 people, according… Continue reading

FILE - This March 19, 2020, file photo, shows an envelope containing a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the state of Ohio that tried to get the U.S. Census Bureau to provide data used for drawing congressional and legislative districts ahead of its planned release. (AP Photo / Matt Rourke)