Megan Pacer

The author gets caught off guard while working at the Peninsula Clarion in 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ben Boettger)

Out of the Office: For good, for now

“Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.” If that figure immediately transports you to the famous number from the musical “Rent,” you’ve caught my drift.… Continue reading

 

Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce presents local advocate Nona Safra with an exemplary service award Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Local senior advocate honored for her work

Nona Safra sits on the board of the Alaska Commission on Aging.

 

A large tarp hangs in the Homer High School gymnasium to catch water leaking through the roof at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Doug Waclawski)
A large tarp hangs in the Homer High School gymnasium to catch water leaking through the roof at the school in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Doug Waclawski)
A statue of Brother Asaiah rests under a protective wooden structure on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 outside KBBI Public Radio in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Statue of famed Homer local finds new home at public radio station

Brother Asaiah Bates statue had to move after previous location changed ownership

A statue of Brother Asaiah rests under a protective wooden structure on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 outside KBBI Public Radio in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The Homer hockey team celebrates the Division II state championship Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Curtis Mendard Sports Complex in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey/Frontiersman)

Homer hockey defends Division II state title

For veteran members of the Homer High School hockey team, Saturday’s ASAA First National Cup Hockey State Championship game might have caused a case of… Continue reading

The Homer hockey team celebrates the Division II state championship Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at the Curtis Mendard Sports Complex in Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey/Frontiersman)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) participate in the assembly’s Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 meeting at the borough assembly chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The assembly voted Tuesday to fund 13 new positions for four fire and EMS service areas. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Fire and EMS service areas get additional personnel

This includes the 5 positions already slated for the new Western Emergency Services

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Richard Derkevorkian (left) and Jesse Bjorkman (right) participate in the assembly’s Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 meeting at the borough assembly chambers in Soldotna, Alaska. The assembly voted Tuesday to fund 13 new positions for four fire and EMS service areas. (Photo by Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)
This map shows a proposed road and gravel pad that are part of Hilcorp Alaska’s application to drill gas exploration wells near Anchor Point, Alaska. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas)
The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Borough assembly to consider adding 15 fire and EMS positions

The resolution would allow the assembly to use available Fiscal Year 2021 funds to add a total of 15 positions.

The George A. Navarre Kenai Peninsula Borough building. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Kachemak Bay State Park logo. (Image provided)

Applicants sought for state park citizen advisory board vacancies

The boards usually meet once a month from September through May.

Kachemak Bay State Park logo. (Image provided)
Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

Homer High has 1st COVID-19 case since reopening

Close contacts have been quarantined; school schedule not interrupted

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)
Soldotna’s Aiden Burcham controls the puck under pressure from Homer’s Brock Barth during a Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 hockey game between the two schools at Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Homer hockey tops Kenai, loses to Soldotna

In their weekend of hockey in a shortened season, the Homer Mariners split two games, winning against the Kenai Kardinals before falling to the Soldotna… Continue reading

Soldotna’s Aiden Burcham controls the puck under pressure from Homer’s Brock Barth during a Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 hockey game between the two schools at Kevin Bell Arena in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Western Emergency Services logo. (Courtesy image)

Deadline extended for transfer of assets for Western Emergency Services

Borough’s legal department says more time is needed for proper transfer

Western Emergency Services logo. (Courtesy image)
The author looks across Eklutna Lake on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 near Eagle River, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey)

Out of the Office: Good riddance

When I first saw my turn in the rotating schedule for writing this column would fall on New Year’s Eve, my mind jumped to a… Continue reading

The author looks across Eklutna Lake on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 near Eagle River, Alaska. (Photo by Tim Rockey)
A tractor with the Anchor Point Tractor Launch pulls a fishing boat out of the water on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at the beach in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

State seeks proposals for local campground management

State Parks extends deadline for bids to provide boat launch service at Deep Creek, Anchor River

A tractor with the Anchor Point Tractor Launch pulls a fishing boat out of the water on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at the beach in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Ben Blue, a graduate of Homer High School and a doctoral student at University of Washington, shows Homer High biology students the results of a research project they helped him with during their second quarter. (Image courtesy Vicki Lowe)

Homer High students help alum with research remotely

Biology students at Homer High School recently proved meaningful research can be completed whether the participants are gathered in one room or not.

Ben Blue, a graduate of Homer High School and a doctoral student at University of Washington, shows Homer High biology students the results of a research project they helped him with during their second quarter. (Image courtesy Vicki Lowe)
South Peninsula Pharmacist Jill Kort unpacks 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)

First health care worker, long-term care resident get vaccinated in Homer

South Peninsula Hospital started offering vaccines to residents and front-line staff on Thursday

South Peninsula Pharmacist Jill Kort unpacks 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)
This map shows the boundaries of Kachemak Bay State Park and Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, KBSP and KBSWP management plan)

DNR seeks comment on state parks management plan

Proposal to phase out Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery draws ire

This map shows the boundaries of Kachemak Bay State Park and Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park. (Image courtesy Alaska Department of Natural Resources, KBSP and KBSWP management plan)
The Homer Spit stretching into Kachemak Bay is seen here on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Personal watercraft allowed in Kachemak Bay once again

Fish and Game repeals ban that kept them out of critical habitat areas

The Homer Spit stretching into Kachemak Bay is seen here on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
The Anchor Point Fire and Emergency Medical Services station on Milo Fritz Road in Anchor Point is shown in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy Anchor Point Fire and EMS)

Formation of Western Emergency Service Area moves forward

Board members have been appointed and transfer of assets is next

The Anchor Point Fire and Emergency Medical Services station on Milo Fritz Road in Anchor Point is shown in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy Anchor Point Fire and EMS)