News

The Homer Public Library is closed on March 16, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Local closures and event cancelations

Editor’s note: As a public service to keep people informed on the COVID-19 pandemic, the paywall for the News section of the Homer News website… Continue reading

 

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Local businesses alter hours, services for residents

Alaska’s small business economy was thrown into upheaval when Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a mandate that closed all food and drink establishments across the state… Continue reading

 

This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)

Local hospital update: 37 COVID-19 tests have been performed

19 tests have come back negative; hospital further restricts building access

 

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Homer announces first case of COVID-19 in resident who has isolated in Anchorage

Homer resident contracted illness while traveling, has not returned to Homer

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
FILE - In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for a new virus, health authorities said Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (CDC via AP, File) In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (CDC via AP, File)

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

Business owners encouraged to take peninsula-wide survey

FILE - In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. A woman in the San Francisco Bay Area who became ill after returning from a trip to China has become the ninth person in the U.S. to test positive for a new virus, health authorities said Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. (CDC via AP, File) In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). (CDC via AP, File)

Playing the waiting game in Peru

Homer High grad one of 19 Alaskans stranded when Peru closed its borders due to coronavirus

An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus. (Photo submitted)

South Peninsula Hospital has tested 25 people for COVID-19

No cases yet, but hospital is preparing for coronavirus patients

An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus. (Photo submitted)
Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

Council approves interim city manager contract, takes steps to curb spread of COVID-19

Homer City Manager Katie Koester served at her very last Homer City Council meeting on Monday before she takes off for a new job with… Continue reading

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the state of Alaska has its first positive case of the new coronavirus, during a news conference Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

1 new case in Sterling as governor expands mandates

5 total new cases Monday bring Alaska count to 37

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the state of Alaska has its first positive case of the new coronavirus, during a news conference Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the state of Alaska has its first positive case of the new coronavirus, during a news conference Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

COVID-19 reaches central Kenai Peninsula; Alaska’s total rises to 22

State closes schools through May 1, issues business restrictions for Fairbanks, Ketchikan

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announces the state of Alaska has its first positive case of the new coronavirus, during a news conference Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Homer News closes to walk-in traffic

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Homer News office will be closed to walk-in traffic starting today, March 19, until further notice. Office staff may… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Emergency preparedness plan launched

“We’re asking you to help us by staying home if at all possible.”

The Kenai Peninsula Borough building, pictured Sept. 12, 2018, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Public health offers guidance on coronavirus

The state of Alaska and local communities are beginning to implement closures of public buildings and events and encouraging social distancing to prevent the spread… Continue reading

Signs at the Kenai Recreation Center in Kenai, Alaska, announce the closure of the building. Public buildings are being closed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

State, local orgs prepare for coronavirus

Public buildings are being closed and events canceled locally and across the state.

Signs at the Kenai Recreation Center in Kenai, Alaska, announce the closure of the building. Public buildings are being closed to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Winter King Salmon Tournament postponed

Along with the many entertainment, recreational and community events being rescheduled or canceled while Alaska works to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19,… Continue reading

The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)

Homer man accused of attempted murder and assault

A Homer man has been accused of attempted murder and several counts of assault following a violent incident near the Fritz Creek area on Monday.… Continue reading

The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)

Paul Banks celebrates end of reading challenge

There isn’t much Paul Banks Elementary School Principal Eric Pederson won’t do for his students, as evidenced last week when he puckered up and kissed… Continue reading

Homer welcomes its first Superior Court judge

After years of bringing in traveling judges to hear felony cases, Homer has its own superior court judge, and she’s excited to get to work.… Continue reading

Randy Robertson, a candidate for the Homer city manager position, interviews in front of the Homer City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. The council voted 4-2 to offer the position to Robertson. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Candidate declines city manager job; council urges him to reconsider

After the Homer City Council voted 4-2 last Wednesday to offer the job of Homer City Manager to Randy Robertson, in an email to current… Continue reading

Randy Robertson, a candidate for the Homer city manager position, interviews in front of the Homer City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 at Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. The council voted 4-2 to offer the position to Robertson. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Kirko, center, speaks to the Homer City Council about the novel coronavirus outbreak at its regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2020, in Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. Also joining the presentation were South Peninsula Hospital spokesperson Derotha Ferraro, left, and Alaska Public Health nurse Lorne Carroll, right, team leader for the Homer Public Health office. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Health team: City is prepared in case coronavirus comes to the peninsula

Local public health and emergency medical services officials spoke to the Homer City Council at its Monday meeting on how Homer agencies will handle the… Continue reading

Homer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Kirko, center, speaks to the Homer City Council about the novel coronavirus outbreak at its regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2020, in Homer City Hall in Homer, Alaska. Also joining the presentation were South Peninsula Hospital spokesperson Derotha Ferraro, left, and Alaska Public Health nurse Lorne Carroll, right, team leader for the Homer Public Health office. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
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