News

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">AP file Photo/Mark Thiessen</span> In this Feb. 20, 2015 file photo, Alaska Cannabis Club CEO Charlo Greene prepares to roll a joint at the medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage.

Alaska credit union to serve marijuana businesses

ANCHORAGE — A credit union will launch a pilot program to begin serving marijuana businesses in Alaska, giving the cash-reliant industry a financial option after… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">AP file Photo/Mark Thiessen</span> In this Feb. 20, 2015 file photo, Alaska Cannabis Club CEO Charlo Greene prepares to roll a joint at the medical marijuana dispensary in Anchorage.

Alaska Marine Highway System takes step to replace old ferry

KODIAK (AP) — The Alaska Marine Highway System has taken the first step in the process of finding a shipyard to build a ferry to… Continue reading

In this December 2016 photo, cannabis plants grow in a standard cultivation space inside Croy’s Enterprises near Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Manufacturing license for new Homer pot shop gets OK from council

A new cannabis operation in Homer is another step closer to having all the licensing it needs in order to open. 420 on Main, if… Continue reading

In this December 2016 photo, cannabis plants grow in a standard cultivation space inside Croy’s Enterprises near Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Alaska nets $28M at oil, gas lease sale

ANCHORAGE (AP) — Alaska netted $28.1 million from its oil and gas lease sales in the North Slope and Beaufort Sea. The state received bids… Continue reading

Groups protest plans for possible lease sale in Beaufort

ANCHORAGE — Federal regulators are preparing an environmental review for a possible offshore lease sale in Alaska’s Beaufort Sea and environmental groups are calling foul.… Continue reading

From left to right, new managers and upcoming owners Brittnay and Kyle Akee and Billy and Mamie Walker pose in the restaurant of the Anchor River Inn on Nov. 10, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)

Anchor Point landmark stays in business under new management

If you’ve driven through Anchor Point at any time within the past few weeks, you may have noticed a change on the Anchor River Inn’s… Continue reading

From left to right, new managers and upcoming owners Brittnay and Kyle Akee and Billy and Mamie Walker pose in the restaurant of the Anchor River Inn on Nov. 10, 2018 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)
Patrick Mede, co-owner with his wife, Monica, of Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware, speaks about the importance of shopping local at the monthly luncheon of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Best Western Bidarka Inn, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Chamber of Commerce discusses small town shopping

At its monthly luncheon on Tuesday, the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center featured talks by owners of two of Homer’s largest, locally owned… Continue reading

Patrick Mede, co-owner with his wife, Monica, of Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware, speaks about the importance of shopping local at the monthly luncheon of the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Best Western Bidarka Inn, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Photos: Rotary Health Fair

By Megan Pacer Homer News… Continue reading

Green Elephant Gardens gardener Scott Jones cares for a marijuana plant on Green Elephant’s first day of operation in June 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire file)

Two years on, Alaska’s marijuana industry keeps growing

October collections might set a new record.

Green Elephant Gardens gardener Scott Jones cares for a marijuana plant on Green Elephant’s first day of operation in June 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire file)
Hotel workers strike for a wage increase in front of a Marriott hotel Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in San Francisco. Alaska’s minimum wage is set to rise to $9.89 per hour on Jan. 1. (Ben Margot | The Associated Press)

Alaska’s minimum wage to rise Jan. 1

Inflation increased, so the wage will rise.

Hotel workers strike for a wage increase in front of a Marriott hotel Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in San Francisco. Alaska’s minimum wage is set to rise to $9.89 per hour on Jan. 1. (Ben Margot | The Associated Press)
The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of nine ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska negotiating settlements with cruise companies over air, water violations

Closed-door meetings decide how much cruises will pay for summer violations.

The Holland America Line ship Amsterdam sits at port in Juneau on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. The Amsterdam is one of nine ships that have received Notice of Violations for air opacity issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The staff and partners in the Homer Bookstore pose for a photo in the store’s cafe in Homer, Alaska, on Oct. 29, 2018. From left to right are Sue Post, partner; Jennifer Norton, staff; Jennifer Stroyeck, partner; Nancy Vait, staff; Sara Reinert, staff; and Lee Post, partner. The sculpture on the table is of bookstore matriarch Joy Post, mother of Sue and Lee Post, and was sculpted by artist Barbara Jo Auburn House. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

40 years and counting for The Homer Bookstore

“…(T)his store is showing positive growth, and with these three terrific owners and their experience I think they have a bright future. People, if they… Continue reading

The staff and partners in the Homer Bookstore pose for a photo in the store’s cafe in Homer, Alaska, on Oct. 29, 2018. From left to right are Sue Post, partner; Jennifer Norton, staff; Jennifer Stroyeck, partner; Nancy Vait, staff; Sara Reinert, staff; and Lee Post, partner. The sculpture on the table is of bookstore matriarch Joy Post, mother of Sue and Lee Post, and was sculpted by artist Barbara Jo Auburn House. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News</span> Single-use plastic bags litter the side of Lake Street on Sept. 25, in Homer.

Soldotna bag ban to take effect Thursday

The city of Soldotna is working to make sure shoppers aren’t left empty-handed come Thursday, when a ban on single-use plastic bags takes effect throughout… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News</span> Single-use plastic bags litter the side of Lake Street on Sept. 25, in Homer.
Angela Rodell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks in July 2018. An APFC spokeswoman said the corporation has declined an invitation to a Saudi investment conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation not attending Saudi conference

But not for political reasons.

Angela Rodell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks in July 2018. An APFC spokeswoman said the corporation has declined an invitation to a Saudi investment conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough welcome sign is getting refurbished

Something is missing on the drive to and from Anchorage. The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s welcome sign, which normally sits at Milepost 75 on the Seward… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the public give testimony at the Marijuana Control Board, who met in Kenai, Alaska for the first time on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2018. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Residents air concerns ar Marijuana Control Board in Kenai

The Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office met in Kenai for the first time, with members of public from across the state convening at the Kenai… Continue reading

Members of the public give testimony at the Marijuana Control Board, who met in Kenai, Alaska for the first time on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2018. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A BUMPS bus waits for passengers in the Walmart parking lot Monday in Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Community gathers to increase public transportation opportunities

The Kenai Peninsula is nearly the size of West Virginia with small towns and unincorporated communities sprinkled throughout. Without a car or other means of… Continue reading

A BUMPS bus waits for passengers in the Walmart parking lot Monday in Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
East Rip, a new marijuana retailer, is photographed on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. The new business is situated in a busy, central part of Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

East Rip: The Kenai Peninsula’s newest cannabis shop opens in Kenai

East Rip is the peninsula’s newest recreational marijuana retailer, and the first cannabis business located in Kenai’s compact commercial center. Ryan Tunseth has been working… Continue reading

East Rip, a new marijuana retailer, is photographed on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. The new business is situated in a busy, central part of Kenai. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Dr. Paul Eneboe poses for a photo in his pottery shop in August 2018 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)

Homer doctor celebrates 50 years caring for community

Editor’s note: McKibben Jackinsky is a former Homer News reporter who currently writes as a freelancer for the paper. This article was commissioned from Jackinsky… Continue reading

Dr. Paul Eneboe poses for a photo in his pottery shop in August 2018 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)
Dr. Hal Smith at his retirement party at South Peninsula Hospital on Sept. 20, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)

Dr. Smith retires

After 32 years of practicing emergency medicine in Homer, Dr. Harold “Hal” Smith, MD, retired in September from South Peninsula Hospital, the hospital announced in… Continue reading

Dr. Hal Smith at his retirement party at South Peninsula Hospital on Sept. 20, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)
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