News

The Endeavour-Spirit of Independence jack up rig, is seen here in early April, 2013, at the Cosmopolitan site in lower Cook Inlet near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Smith/Peninsula Clarion)

Feds release draft Environmental Impact Statement for Cook Inlet oil and gas leases

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management moved forward a proposed oil and gas lease sale in lower Cook Inlet last Friday when it announced the… Continue reading

The Endeavour-Spirit of Independence jack up rig, is seen here in early April, 2013, at the Cosmopolitan site in lower Cook Inlet near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Smith/Peninsula Clarion)
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Schools head to ‘medium’ risk

Eastern and southern peninsula schools may return to in-person learning five days a week for all grades on Jan. 25

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

First Homer resident death tied to COVID-19 reported

State reports 24 new resident COVID-19 deaths, 167 new cases Wednesday

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Homer’s Bergen Knutson (left) and Toby Nevak (right) try to fend off Dimond’s Kaden Daniels during a Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 game at the 2020 ASAA First National Cup Division I Hockey State Championship at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Middle, high school sports resume

Middle and high school sport programs started back up this week as the Kenai Peninsula School District allowed a resumption of onsite education starting Monday.… Continue reading

Homer’s Bergen Knutson (left) and Toby Nevak (right) try to fend off Dimond’s Kaden Daniels during a Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 game at the 2020 ASAA First National Cup Division I Hockey State Championship at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Lawmakers weren’t at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Friday, but the House Finance Committee met electronically to discuss Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget.

New revenue or no service, lawmakers weigh options

Time is short.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Lawmakers weren’t at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Friday, but the House Finance Committee met electronically to discuss Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget.
The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Holland America extended its pause on sailings to Alaska until mid-May as the company tries to find ways to sail under new health regulations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Cruise lines announce sailings pause

Exact dates not set.

The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Holland America extended its pause on sailings to Alaska until mid-May as the company tries to find ways to sail under new health regulations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Commercial fishing and other boats are moored in the Homer Harbor in this file photo. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Seawatch

Seawatch: Tribe wins lawsuit in herring roe subsistence claim

Sitka Tribe of Alaska claimed state wasn’t providing “reasonable opportunity” in herring roe harvest.

Commercial fishing and other boats are moored in the Homer Harbor in this file photo. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska.

Large vaccine clinics to happen later this month

Clinics are being offered by Soldotna Professional Pharmacy and Nikiski Fire/OEM

An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion) Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion An area set up to administer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is seen on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Soldotna, Alaska.
Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

As in-person learning resumes, parents ask for more changes

Many called for allowing students in all grades to resume in-person learning five days a week or for eliminating mask requirements for student athletes while active.

Sanitization equipment is seen inside of a classroom at Kenai Middle School on Friday, Jan. 8 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Homer News file photo Homer High School.

School announcements

School district risk level update and upcoming events

Homer News file photo Homer High School.
The Homer office of the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. (Courtesy photo Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles)

Cuts in governor’s budget would close DMV office in Homer

Policy analyst: DMV costs more to operate than it brings in

The Homer office of the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. (Courtesy photo Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles)
Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

City to pay assessment fees on parcel eyed by moose habitat group

The Homer City Council delved into issues of land conservation at its most recent meeting The City of Homer will pay off water and sewer… Continue reading

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
Students play during recess on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at West Homer Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. Elementary students were able to return to onsite schooling five days a week starting Monday. (Photo courtesy Joni Wise/West Homer Elementary School)

Students head back to school as onsite learning resumes

Elementary students attend 5 days a week, middle and high schoolers have altered schedule

Students play during recess on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at West Homer Elementary School in Homer, Alaska. Elementary students were able to return to onsite schooling five days a week starting Monday. (Photo courtesy Joni Wise/West Homer Elementary School)
The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)
Crime

Case against former legislative aide to Rep. Vance dismissed

A criminal charge against a former legislative aide for Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) has been dismissed. Homer resident Adam Hykes served as Vance’s aide starting… Continue reading

The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)
COVID-19 vaccines arrive at South Peninsula Hospital on Dec. 16, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

South Peninsula Hospital to host COVID-19 vaccine clinic for 700 seniors

Online appointments for the Moderna vaccine filled up in 8 minutes

COVID-19 vaccines arrive at South Peninsula Hospital on Dec. 16, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
About 50 people protest the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. The group reacted to the events in which rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol while Congress attempted to tally the Electoral College results in which former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidential election. Charles Aguilar, far right, wore a Trump puppet costume. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Locals protest the riots at U.S. Capitol

About 50 show up on Saturday to protest Jan. 6 riot and Trump’s involvement

About 50 people protest the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. The group reacted to the events in which rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol while Congress attempted to tally the Electoral College results in which former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidential election. Charles Aguilar, far right, wore a Trump puppet costume. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 296 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported 296 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, eight of which are among nonresidents. The state reported… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
South Peninsula Pharmacist Jill Kort holds up a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 shortly after it arrived at the hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Seniors 65 and older can sign up for vaccines at South Peninsula Hospital at noon Monday

State opens up vaccine opportunity early for Alaskans 65 and older

South Peninsula Pharmacist Jill Kort holds up a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 shortly after it arrived at the hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Workers on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, moved a new CT scanner into its new location at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. The scanner is now located close to the Emergency Department, which will shorten the time needed, for example, to get accident victims to the machine to help determine the extent of their injuries. (Photo by Brent Lautenschlager / South Peninsula Hospital)

New CT machine installed in room closer to ER

Hospital’s new CT machine features murals to make patient experience more comfortable.

Workers on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, moved a new CT scanner into its new location at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska. The scanner is now located close to the Emergency Department, which will shorten the time needed, for example, to get accident victims to the machine to help determine the extent of their injuries. (Photo by Brent Lautenschlager / South Peninsula Hospital)
Tim Dillon, executive director of KPEDD, presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula one of top recipients of small business relief funds

Just under $50 million in grant funds were distributed to businesses in the area

Tim Dillon, executive director of KPEDD, presents to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. (Photo by Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)