A biker leads a line of cars driving off the Homer Spit at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, in Homer after a tsunami evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

Large quake prompts tsunami warning

A tsunami warning was issued at about 12:55 p.m. for low-lying areas in Homer and Kachemak Bay.

  • Oct 19, 2020
  • By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
A biker leads a line of cars driving off the Homer Spit at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, in Homer after a tsunami evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)
A biker leads a line of cars driving off the Homer Spit at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Homer, Alaska after a tsunami evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)

National Weather Service downgrades warning to ‘advisory’

Update: As of 2:45 pm. OEM has issued an all-clear notice for Homer and the Kenai Peninsula.

A biker leads a line of cars driving off the Homer Spit at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Homer, Alaska after a tsunami evacuation order was issued for low-lying areas in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer New)
Kenai's Eric Thomason competes in the Moab 240 Endurance Run from Oct. 9 to 13, 2020, near Moab, Utah. (Photo by Eric Thomason)

Going long

Kenai’s Thomason finishes Moab 240 Endurance Run

Kenai's Eric Thomason competes in the Moab 240 Endurance Run from Oct. 9 to 13, 2020, near Moab, Utah. (Photo by Eric Thomason)
The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly unanimously approves construction of communications towers

Four towers will be constructed to expand internet access following an assembly vote Tuesday.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State Troopers logo.
Alaska State Troopers logo.
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, AK as seen on February 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
The entrance to the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, AK as seen on February 26, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A rescued dog sits at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

2021 dog licenses now available for Kenai residents

Kenai residents are able to purchase licenses certifying their dogs have current rabies vaccinations

A rescued dog sits at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19.

7 new deaths, new cases top 1,300

State reports record number of COVID-19 cases

COVID-19.
This “I voted” sticker in Aleut by artist Barbara Lavallee is part of the Alaska Division of Elections 2020 stickers designed to “depict the diversity, strength and power of Alaskan women,” according to an Oct. 12, 2020, press release from the Division of Elections. The designs feature the words “I voted” in English, Spanish, Koyukon, Gwich’in, Aleut, Tagalog, Alutiiq, Northern Inupiaq, Nunivak Cup’ig, and Yup’ik, and will be available at polling places for the Nov. 3 general election as well as online. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)

Absentee in-person voting starts Oct. 20 in Homer

Absentee ballots can be mailed or dropped off at Homer City Hall

This “I voted” sticker in Aleut by artist Barbara Lavallee is part of the Alaska Division of Elections 2020 stickers designed to “depict the diversity, strength and power of Alaskan women,” according to an Oct. 12, 2020, press release from the Division of Elections. The designs feature the words “I voted” in English, Spanish, Koyukon, Gwich’in, Aleut, Tagalog, Alutiiq, Northern Inupiaq, Nunivak Cup’ig, and Yup’ik, and will be available at polling places for the Nov. 3 general election as well as online. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)
Sarah Pyhala, president of the board for the Shimai Toshi Garden Trails, which is spearheading the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trail, pushes a wheelbarrow while she and other volunteers clear the trail on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Oct. 17, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Building a place for peace

Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trails take shape

Sarah Pyhala, president of the board for the Shimai Toshi Garden Trails, which is spearheading the Kenai Peninsula Peace Crane Garden Trail, pushes a wheelbarrow while she and other volunteers clear the trail on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Oct. 17, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
COVID-19.

Peninsula moves to ‘high’ alert level; state reports 1 new death

Kenai Peninsula Borough is averaging 10.04 cases per day per 100,000 people in the last two weeks.

COVID-19.
cares photo illustration

Borough to offer housing relief to residents in unincorporated areas

Eligible residents may receive up to $1,200.

cares photo illustration
Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna puts off action on sports center

Spectators at the complex will remain imited to 80 people to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Signs advertising COVID-19 safety protocoals stand outside the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex on Oct. 6, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Emergency Cold-Weather Shelter Workgroup meet at the Independent Living Center in Kalifornsky, Alaska on Dec. 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Emergency cold weather shelter still without home

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation rejected a grant application to support the proposed project

Members of the Emergency Cold-Weather Shelter Workgroup meet at the Independent Living Center in Kalifornsky, Alaska on Dec. 17, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center shows where to vote on Aug. 21, 2018, for the Diamond Ridge, Homer, Alaska, precinct. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Memo details election day hiccups and resolutions

Technical difficulties, COVID-19 protocol compliance and missing ballots were among the issues.

A sign by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center shows where to vote on Aug. 21, 2018, for the Diamond Ridge, Homer, Alaska, precinct. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer’s Gracie Gummer and Kenai’s Erin Koziczkowski meet across the net during a Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 volleyball game in the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Activities, athletics adjust to new landscape

Tuesday, ASAA announced the cancellation of all fall state events and playoffs.

Homer’s Gracie Gummer and Kenai’s Erin Koziczkowski meet across the net during a Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 volleyball game in the Alice Witte Gymnasium in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A screenshot of the swearing-in of newly elected members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, via Zoom, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. (Image Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

New borough assembly members sworn in virtually

Bill Elam, Richard Derekevorkian and Lane Chesley took the oath via Zoom.

A screenshot of the swearing-in of newly elected members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, via Zoom, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. (Image Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dillingham will travel to Toksook Bay, on an island just off Alaska’s western coast, for the first count on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Census to end Friday

Alaskans will have until Oct. 16 to fill out the census, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Tuesday.

U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham addresses state and Alaska Native leaders Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dillingham will travel to Toksook Bay, on an island just off Alaska’s western coast, for the first count on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

State reports 4 new deaths, 144 new cases

Over the past week, the Kenai Peninsula Borough conducted 524 tests and saw a 4.58% positivity rate.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Volunteers distribute bags of food for Soldotna Residents thanks to a grant program from the city at the Soldotna United Methodist Church on Oct. 14, 2020. From left: Cosette Kilfoyle, Director of the Soldotna Food Pantry; Sandy Sandoval and Leroy Sandoval, Food Bank Volunteers; Kathy Carson, member of Christ Lutheran Church. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Meeting a growing need

Food bank partners with Kenai, Soldotna to feed residents

Volunteers distribute bags of food for Soldotna Residents thanks to a grant program from the city at the Soldotna United Methodist Church on Oct. 14, 2020. From left: Cosette Kilfoyle, Director of the Soldotna Food Pantry; Sandy Sandoval and Leroy Sandoval, Food Bank Volunteers; Kathy Carson, member of Christ Lutheran Church. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)