News

AP Photo/Mark Thiessen Alaska marijuana grower Dane Wyrick poses for photos at his Danish Gardens cultivation and retail location in Anchorage, Alaska, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Wyrick said the future of his business is hazy, in part because of the tax the state of Alaska places on cultivators, which bear the burden of the taxation in the market.

Alaska’s licensed marijuana growers cite tax concerns

Alaska marijuana grower Leif Abel considers his business successful but still feels like he’s living “paycheck to paycheck” much of the time. A greenhouse expansion… Continue reading

  • Aug 28, 2019
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
  • Business
AP Photo/Mark Thiessen Alaska marijuana grower Dane Wyrick poses for photos at his Danish Gardens cultivation and retail location in Anchorage, Alaska, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Wyrick said the future of his business is hazy, in part because of the tax the state of Alaska places on cultivators, which bear the burden of the taxation in the market.

Homer Farmers Market: Surprises await at Market

Every week the Homer Farmers Market has some sort of surprise available, but at this time of the year the surprises are everywhere. OK, so… Continue reading

AP Photo | Andrew Harnik Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court in June 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor.

‘We’re going to fight them all the way’: Alaska union plans to fight legal ruling over dues

The attorney general is calling for stricter rules for union dues.

AP Photo | Andrew Harnik Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gives a thumbs up outside the Supreme Court in June 2018 in Washington. From left are, Liberty Justice Center’s Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert, plaintiff Mark Janus, Rauner, and Liberty Justice Center founder and chairman John Tillman. The Supreme Court ruled that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor.
Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center Veterinary Technician Sarah McMillen returns with the sea otter pup in Homer, Alaska, pilot, Duke Marolfs, plane.

Rescued sea otter pup gets airlift from Homer

The Homer Vet Clinic cared for the pup overnight before she was transported by air to Seward.

Photo courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center Veterinary Technician Sarah McMillen returns with the sea otter pup in Homer, Alaska, pilot, Duke Marolfs, plane.
Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion From left, Mike, Laura and Robin Haight stand with their horse at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna on Tuesday. The family has been keeping its two horses at the rodeo grounds since last week. The family had to leave them in Soldotna while they drove up to Palmer for the Alaska State Fair.

Cooper Landing remains in “SET” status

The Swan Lake Fire has grown by about 8,000 acres since Monday

Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion From left, Mike, Laura and Robin Haight stand with their horse at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna on Tuesday. The family has been keeping its two horses at the rodeo grounds since last week. The family had to leave them in Soldotna while they drove up to Palmer for the Alaska State Fair.
Local Anchor Point residents view the presentation and chat with Carrie Connaker from Solstice Alaska Consulting, Inc., at the open house for the Anchor River Bridge replacement project on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)

Anchor River Bridge replacement is on the horizon

Residents learn about proposed project at open house

Local Anchor Point residents view the presentation and chat with Carrie Connaker from Solstice Alaska Consulting, Inc., at the open house for the Anchor River Bridge replacement project on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019 at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)

Hilcorp holds Homer meeting on seismic testing; questions and comments get heated

A public meeting last Friday night on Hilcorp Alaska LLC’s plan to start seismic testing in lower Cook Inlet moved from information to indignation as… Continue reading

New South Peninsula Hospital CEO starts work

South Peninsula Hospital’s new CEO, Ryan Smith, had his first official day of work on Monday. The former SPH chief financial officer and former CEO… Continue reading

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