Homer

Brtini Siekaniec’s peony painting is part of an exhibit opening Friday, July 2, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer, Alaska. It also will be on the label for Grace Ridge’s Imperial White beer made especially for the 2021 Homer Peony Festival.(Photo provided)

‘City of Peonies’ celebrates 2nd annual peony festival

The Homer Chamber of Commerce is hosting the second annual Homer Peony Celebration July 9-24.

Brtini Siekaniec’s peony painting is part of an exhibit opening Friday, July 2, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewing in Homer, Alaska. It also will be on the label for Grace Ridge’s Imperial White beer made especially for the 2021 Homer Peony Festival.(Photo provided)
Sara Berg, right, talks with artist Brad Hughes, left, at Hughes’ Homer, Alaska, studio in June 2021 about the Loved & Lost Memorial Bench project Berg and other family and friends of Anesha Murnane commissioned to honor Murnane and other missing woman and children. (Photo by Christina Whiting)

Missing Homer woman presumed dead

A six-person jury determined Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, then 38, died of a homicide.

Sara Berg, right, talks with artist Brad Hughes, left, at Hughes’ Homer, Alaska, studio in June 2021 about the Loved & Lost Memorial Bench project Berg and other family and friends of Anesha Murnane commissioned to honor Murnane and other missing woman and children. (Photo by Christina Whiting)
Seldovia as seen on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The steady rain didn’t stop boats filled with tourists from arriving in town. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Seldovia welcomes visitors to celebrate 4th of July

Visitors are invited to celebrate Independence Day in Seldovia with a day full of activities.

Seldovia as seen on Thursday, June 24, 2021. The steady rain didn’t stop boats filled with tourists from arriving in town. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Kathy Sarns, Ruth Dickerson and Lyn Maslow work together to rebuild the trail tread at South Eldred Trail during National Trails Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Kachemak trails prepped for summer

Almost 40 volunteers helped clean up Kachemak Bay State Park in honor of National Trails Day

Kathy Sarns, Ruth Dickerson and Lyn Maslow work together to rebuild the trail tread at South Eldred Trail during National Trails Day. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Homer Halibut Tournament logo

Homer Halibut Tournament scheduled Sept. 24-25

The Homer Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first annual Homer Halibut Tournament Sept. 24-25

Homer Halibut Tournament logo
Sarah Knapp / Homer News
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, poses for a selfie with Kelly Bolt, right, and Debbie Gardner, who work at WIC, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer.

Dr. Zink visits Homer

Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer holds meet-and-greet, visits pop-up clinic on Spit.

Sarah Knapp / Homer News
Alaska Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink, M.D., left, poses for a selfie with Kelly Bolt, right, and Debbie Gardner, who work at WIC, at a meet-and-greet on Thursday, May 27, at the Homer Public Health Center in Homer.
On Saturday, May 15, 2021, Lulu Hawkins, age 6 holds up her pottery tour purchase: a David Kaufmann mug at his studio in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by David Kaufman)

Homer pottery tour returns

After a year hiatus, Homer’s annual Pottery Studio Tour returned to bring fun, beauty and education to ceramic enthusiasts May 15-16. With five studios participating… Continue reading

On Saturday, May 15, 2021, Lulu Hawkins, age 6 holds up her pottery tour purchase: a David Kaufmann mug at his studio in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by David Kaufman)
Dunline and western sandpipers feed in Mud Bay on Friday, May 7, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Shorebird festival delights with birds and birders

142 species counted during annual festival

Dunline and western sandpipers feed in Mud Bay on Friday, May 7, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
This screenshot from the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference website shows the faculty who will be attending the conference, held virtually May 15-18. From left to right, top row, are Francisco Cantu, Victoria Chang, Ernestine Hayes, and Brandon Hobson. From left to right, bottom row, are Anis Mojgani, Marie Mutsuki Mockett and Vera Starbard.

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference includes readings for the public

After hiatus, annual event back as program transitions out of pandemic

This screenshot from the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference website shows the faculty who will be attending the conference, held virtually May 15-18. From left to right, top row, are Francisco Cantu, Victoria Chang, Ernestine Hayes, and Brandon Hobson. From left to right, bottom row, are Anis Mojgani, Marie Mutsuki Mockett and Vera Starbard.
On Monday, the final day of the May long weekend, Harri Herter from Kamloops takes turns and gives friends thrilling jetski rides on little Shuswap Lake. - Image credit: Rick Koch photo.

Lawsuit challenges Jet Ski use in bay

Coalition of environmental groups says Fish and Game’s process to rescind JetSki ban was illegal

On Monday, the final day of the May long weekend, Harri Herter from Kamloops takes turns and gives friends thrilling jetski rides on little Shuswap Lake. - Image credit: Rick Koch photo.
Sierra Moskios is the coordinator for the REC Room. Moskios recently received an Alaska Afterschool Superhero award for her dedication to the youth of Homer. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Moskios earns Alaska Afterschool Superhero award

Sierra Moskios earned the Alaska Afterschool Superhero award for her dedication to Homer youth.

Sierra Moskios is the coordinator for the REC Room. Moskios recently received an Alaska Afterschool Superhero award for her dedication to the youth of Homer. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Shorebirds fly on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Mud Bay near the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. The birds were one of several species of shorebirds seen in Mud Bay over the weekend that included bar-tailed godwits, western sandpipers, dunlins, long-billed dowitchers and Pacific plovers. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Shorebirds fly on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Mud Bay near the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. The birds were one of several species of shorebirds seen in Mud Bay over the weekend that included bar-tailed godwits, western sandpipers, dunlins, long-billed dowitchers and Pacific plovers. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A screenshot from the FBI’s Most Wanted page showing a photo the FBI said was taken on Jan. 6, 2021, inside the U.S.Capitol. Marilyn Hueper said FBI agents showed her this image and claimed it was her. (Screenshot)

FBI searches Homer couple’s residence

The couple said the home was searched in connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

A screenshot from the FBI’s Most Wanted page showing a photo the FBI said was taken on Jan. 6, 2021, inside the U.S.Capitol. Marilyn Hueper said FBI agents showed her this image and claimed it was her. (Screenshot)
Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships. (Logo provided)

Point of View: Land acknowledgment works toward racial justice

From Uzintun to lands north of Niqnalchint, Indigenous place names honor First Peoples

Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships. (Logo provided)
Former Speaker of the House Gail Phillips is shown in this undated photo from the early 1990s taken in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Longtime Kenai Peninsula politican Gail Phillips remembered

Phillips honored for role as mentor, leader and volunteer

Former Speaker of the House Gail Phillips is shown in this undated photo from the early 1990s taken in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
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)
In front and from left to right, Aaron Ford, Karianna Ford and Jenni Stowe hold signs at a protest on Sunday, May 30, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, in support of people of color who have been the subject of police violence, including George Floyd, a man who died May 25, 2020, in a police encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the “We (heart) our po po” sign — “po po” is slang for “police” — there also was a sign that read “Thank you HPD.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer residents organize multiple demonstrations on racial injustice

Gatherings, protests and demonstrations have been held in Alaska from Anchorage to Haines to Bethel.

In front and from left to right, Aaron Ford, Karianna Ford and Jenni Stowe hold signs at a protest on Sunday, May 30, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, in support of people of color who have been the subject of police violence, including George Floyd, a man who died May 25, 2020, in a police encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the “We (heart) our po po” sign — “po po” is slang for “police” — there also was a sign that read “Thank you HPD.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kachemak Cuisine: Find comfort in hard times by cooking good food

Kachemak Cuisine: Find comfort in hard times by cooking good food

The first tastes of spring for me are rhubarb, fresh-caught fish from Kachemak Bay and chives.

Kachemak Cuisine: Find comfort in hard times by cooking good food
Dunlins, western sandpipers and a dowitcher feed on Saturday, May 2, 2020, on the Homer Spit near Green Timbers in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival goes virtual

Though the annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival was canceled along with so many other events in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the festival organizers… Continue reading

Dunlins, western sandpipers and a dowitcher feed on Saturday, May 2, 2020, on the Homer Spit near Green Timbers in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A sign for Set Free Alaska hangs in the faith-based addiction treatment nonprofit’s new outpatient servies location on Ocean Drive on Monday, Jan. 16, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. The organization held an open house to celebrate the outpatient services building opening. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Outpatient addiction treatment services open in Homer

Run by faith-based Mat-Su organization, services have been long time coming

A sign for Set Free Alaska hangs in the faith-based addiction treatment nonprofit’s new outpatient servies location on Ocean Drive on Monday, Jan. 16, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. The organization held an open house to celebrate the outpatient services building opening. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)