HOMER (AP) — Anyone who works with patterns knows it’s an exact science. Metal, wood, fabric, it’s all the same. A slip of a cutting tool here, an incorrect measurement there and headaches begin mounting, projects back up, scrap piles grow and costs go through the ceiling.

Since she began cutting patterns in a remodeled school bus in 1978, Kate Mitchell has continued to face those challenges with her business. NOMAR has grown beyond the bus and work now requires a staff of 16, but those same challenges remain.

The countdown to the 20th annual Winter King Salmon Tournament, sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, has begun.

With online registration available, fishermen are already making clear their intentions to catch the winning fish.

“The biggest difference this year is that we are offering online registration,” said Monte Davis, chamber and visitor center executive director. “I’ve tried to get that word out as much as I possibly can. It will simplify matters a bunch.”

Alaska State Troopers were summoned to the Deep Creek Farm Road area of Ninilchik on Friday morning, providing assistance to “an individual that needed our help,” said spokeswoman Megan Peters.

Comments posted on Facebook indicated residents in the Deep Creek Farm Road area had been told to stay indoors and keep their doors locked. Other comments noted that the road had been closed.

“The neighborhood wasn’t shut down and the location where it occurred there were no close neighbors,” said Peters. “No one was really affected and no one was told to stay in their homes.”

Who knew when Kathy Sarns put her gold rush license plate design on 50 bike jerseys in 2003 to see if they’d sell that her jerseys were destined for Hollywood?

No one, that’s who. Including Sarns.

If you’ve seen “This is 40,” starring Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann and Albert Brooks, you’ve seen Sarns’ “California” shirt. In fact, if you’ve seen the movie advertised on TV, you might have caught a scene where Rudd is wearing the shirt.