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Homer man dies of COVID-19

Homer man’s death announced as part of reporting backlog.

 

Teaser

Then Now: Looking back on pandemic response

Comparing messaging from 1918 to 2021

 

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

School announcements

School district risk level update and upcoming events

 

Damage in a corner on the inside of the middle and high school building of Kachemak Selo School Nov. 12, 2019, in Kachemak Selo, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Repair costs rise as school facilities deteriorate

About $420 million worth of maintenance is needed at Kenai Peninsula Borough School District buildings.

Damage in a corner on the inside of the middle and high school building of Kachemak Selo School Nov. 12, 2019, in Kachemak Selo, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Golden-yellow birch trees and spruce frame a view of Aurora Lagoon and Portlock Glacier from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

State Parks to hold meeting on Eastland Cottonwood unit

Meeting will include update on Tutka Bay Hatchery bill

Golden-yellow birch trees and spruce frame a view of Aurora Lagoon and Portlock Glacier from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Company looks to build solar farm on peninsula

It would be roughly 20 times the size of the largest solar farm currently in the state.

Renewable IPP CEO Jenn Miller presents information about solar power during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Soldotna Trooper arrested for multiple charges of child sex abuse

He has been a State Trooper in Soldotna since June 2020.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, 2021, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Senate is stalled while House gets to work

Two weeks left.

Informal floor sessions were held this week at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, 2021, but committee meetings were held remotely as many lawmakers have returned home. But only the House of Representatives was busy as the Senate was stalled by COVID-positive senators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell (center) presents Wildlife Trooper Laura Reid (left) with a Life-Saving Award for her efforts in rescuing a child from the Kenai River offshore of North Kenai Beach this summer, during a ceremony held by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Oct. 13, 2021. Reid and Kenai River dipnetter Antoine Aridou (far right) rescued the 12-year-old on July 29, 2021. (Photo provided by the Office of the Governor)

Governor recognizes dipnetter, trooper for summer rescue

Wildlife Trooper Laura Reid received a Life-Saving Award and Antoine Aridou received a Governor’s Commendation.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell (center) presents Wildlife Trooper Laura Reid (left) with a Life-Saving Award for her efforts in rescuing a child from the Kenai River offshore of North Kenai Beach this summer, during a ceremony held by Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Oct. 13, 2021. Reid and Kenai River dipnetter Antoine Aridou (far right) rescued the 12-year-old on July 29, 2021. (Photo provided by the Office of the Governor)
Clem Tillion of Halibut Cove poses for a photo on Jan. 9, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. The veteran Alaska legislator was passing through Homer while waiting to take the M/V Tustumena ferry to Kodiak. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Clem Tillion, PFD founder and former legislator, dies at 96

Tillion died Wedneday, Oct. 13, at Halibut Cove home.

Clem Tillion of Halibut Cove poses for a photo on Jan. 9, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. The veteran Alaska legislator was passing through Homer while waiting to take the M/V Tustumena ferry to Kodiak. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

After brief surge, vandalism subsiding at local high schools

Principals say internet trends, stress likely behind incidents.

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18. Earlier this fall, vandalism including stolen soap dispensers and toilets clogged with foreign objects such as paper towel rolls were a problem at schools nationwide and in Juneau. But, principals say the local situation is improving. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Runners participate in boys varsity race at the Ted McKenney XC Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. The trails recently reported incidents of vandalism and theft. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Vandalism and theft reported at Tsalteshi Trails

One trail user reported stolen skis recently and multiple signs have been defaced.

Runners participate in boys varsity race at the Ted McKenney XC Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at Tsalteshi Trails just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. The trails recently reported incidents of vandalism and theft. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Montessori school goes to universal indoor masking

As of Tuesday, eight KPBSD schools were operating with universal indoor masking for staff and students.

The logo for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is displayed inside the George A. Navarre Borough Admin Building on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
At left Bonita Banks, RN, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) nurse at Homer Medical Center, and at right, Annie Garay, RN, Community Health Educator, pose for a photo at South Peninsula Hospital on Sept. 27, 2021, at Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Derotha Ferraro/South Peninsula Hospital)

New hospital community health educator starts

Garay, a Homer raised nurse, came home to ride out COVID-19, wound up doing pandemic nursing.

At left Bonita Banks, RN, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) nurse at Homer Medical Center, and at right, Annie Garay, RN, Community Health Educator, pose for a photo at South Peninsula Hospital on Sept. 27, 2021, at Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Derotha Ferraro/South Peninsula Hospital)
This screenshot shows the proposed House Districts for the southern Kenai Peninsula. The shaded pink area is District 5 and the shaded purple area is District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River areas currently in District 31 (the area now called District 5) would go into the Kodiak Island and Prince Willaim Sound District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River area starts at the Fritz Creek General Store near Mile 8 East End Road and includes the north side of East End Road. At East End Road and McNeil Canyon, all of East End Road to the end of the road is in the new district, including the villages of Razdolna, Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo. (Screen Capture/Alaska Redistricting Board/Google Maps)

Redistricting draft puts Fritz Creek into new district

Draft proposals carve out Fritz Creek, Fox River and put in Kodiak-Prince William Sound district.

This screenshot shows the proposed House Districts for the southern Kenai Peninsula. The shaded pink area is District 5 and the shaded purple area is District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River areas currently in District 31 (the area now called District 5) would go into the Kodiak Island and Prince Willaim Sound District 6. The Fritz Creek and Fox River area starts at the Fritz Creek General Store near Mile 8 East End Road and includes the north side of East End Road. At East End Road and McNeil Canyon, all of East End Road to the end of the road is in the new district, including the villages of Razdolna, Voznesenka and Kachemak Selo. (Screen Capture/Alaska Redistricting Board/Google Maps)
Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

School announcements

School district risk level update and upcoming events

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)
A portable sign on the Sterling Highway advertises a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinaton booster clinic to be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. A flu clinic also will be held at the same time at the high school. Appointments are encouraged for the Pfizer clinic. Visit www.sphosp.org for information. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

COVID-19 booster clinic is Friday

Flu, COVID-19 booster clinic will be held Friday.

A portable sign on the Sterling Highway advertises a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinaton booster clinic to be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. A flu clinic also will be held at the same time at the high school. Appointments are encouraged for the Pfizer clinic. Visit www.sphosp.org for information. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer Elks Lodge President David Spell, left, and Homer Elks Lodge Grant Coordinator Tom Stroozas, far right, present a $2,500 check to Kachemak City Council member Bill Fry, center, to help with construction of the Kachemak City Playground Project. (Photo provided)

Homer Elks Lodge gives grant to Kachemak City playground project

Grant will help rebuild Kachemak City playground facility.

Homer Elks Lodge President David Spell, left, and Homer Elks Lodge Grant Coordinator Tom Stroozas, far right, present a $2,500 check to Kachemak City Council member Bill Fry, center, to help with construction of the Kachemak City Playground Project. (Photo provided)
Countess Nona Safra, far right, poses with the other Alaska State Fair Royalty. (Photo provided)

‘Countess’ Safra receives First Lady’s volunteer award

Homer senior honored at Alaska State Fair and then by First Lady.

Countess Nona Safra, far right, poses with the other Alaska State Fair Royalty. (Photo provided)
James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August, 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Hobo Jim, beloved Alaska balladeer, dies after battle with cancer

Just over two weeks ago Varsos went public with his terminal cancer diagnosis.

James Varsos, also known as “Hobo Jim,” poses for a photo during the August, 2016, Funny River Festival in Funny River, Alaska, in August 2016. (Peninsula Clarion file)
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