Homer

Having made its maiden voyage to Homer in 2003, the USCGC Hickory left Homer on Friday, May 20, 2022, on its way to Baltimore, Maryland, where it will be refurbished before heading to Guam. In December, the USCGC Aspen will arrive in Homer to take the Hickory’s place. (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)

Hickory changes command — and leaves Homer

After 20 years in Homer, Hickory sails off to new assignment in Guam, with Aspen to replace cutter here

Having made its maiden voyage to Homer in 2003, the USCGC Hickory left Homer on Friday, May 20, 2022, on its way to Baltimore, Maryland, where it will be refurbished before heading to Guam. In December, the USCGC Aspen will arrive in Homer to take the Hickory’s place. (Photo by McKibben Jackinsky)
The 10 participants in season 9 of “Alone,” premiering on May 26, 2022, on the History Channel. Terry Burns of Homer is the third from left, back. Another Alaskan in the series, Jacques Tourcotte of Juneau, is the fourth from left, back. (Photo by Brendan George Ko/History Channel)

Homer man goes it ‘Alone’

Burns brings lifetime of wilderness experience to survival series

The 10 participants in season 9 of “Alone,” premiering on May 26, 2022, on the History Channel. Terry Burns of Homer is the third from left, back. Another Alaskan in the series, Jacques Tourcotte of Juneau, is the fourth from left, back. (Photo by Brendan George Ko/History Channel)
A recent photo of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided, Homer Police Department)

Police arrest man in murder, kidnapping of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane

Ogden, Utah, man knew Murnane when he lived in Homer in 2019

A recent photo of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided, Homer Police Department)
Birders check out shorebirds on the outgoing tide on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Mud Bay on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Put on your boots and grab your binoculars — It’s Shorebird Festival

This year is the 30th anniversary of the festival

Birders check out shorebirds on the outgoing tide on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Mud Bay on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Writer Toni Jensen is part of the visiting faculty teaching at the 25th Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference. (Photo provided)

It’s back: Writers’ Conference returns

20th Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference returns in new location in downtown Homer.

Writer Toni Jensen is part of the visiting faculty teaching at the 25th Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference. (Photo provided)
Gary Lee Williams.

Former Homer mayor, Homer News owner dies

Gary Williams served as mayor during transitional times of 1970s.

Gary Lee Williams.
A COVID-19 test administrator discusses the testing process with a patient during the pop-up rapid testing clinic at Homer Public Health Center on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Free rapid COVID-19 testing available in Homer through Friday

A drive-up COVID-19 testing clinic will be held at Homer Public Health Center this week.

A COVID-19 test administrator discusses the testing process with a patient during the pop-up rapid testing clinic at Homer Public Health Center on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
From left to right: Anna DeVolld, Rachel Sallaffie, John Green, Carl Schrader and Nona Safra were honored at an awards ceremony in Anchorage on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, by Gov. and First Lady Dunleavy. Schrader, a Juneau resident, was honored for his work in hospice care. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Dunleavy appoints peninsula residents to boards, commissions

Volunteer of the Year Safra is appointed to Commission on Aging

From left to right: Anna DeVolld, Rachel Sallaffie, John Green, Carl Schrader and Nona Safra were honored at an awards ceremony in Anchorage on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, by Gov. and First Lady Dunleavy. Schrader, a Juneau resident, was honored for his work in hospice care. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News Volunteers distibute a meal to attendees at Project Homeless Connect on Jan. 29, 2020 at Homer United Methodist Church in Homer, Alaska. The event is a one-day opportunity for the homeless to get access to necessary supplies and services.

Project Homeless Connect Homer offers free resouces Jan. 26

A free resources event has been planned for people experiencing homelessness at two southern peninsula locations.

Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News Volunteers distibute a meal to attendees at Project Homeless Connect on Jan. 29, 2020 at Homer United Methodist Church in Homer, Alaska. The event is a one-day opportunity for the homeless to get access to necessary supplies and services.
Homer City Council member Rachel Lord discusses her concerns with funding the Alaska Small Business Development Center Homer Business Advisory position during the Jan. 10 council meeting. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Council says ‘yes to small businesses’

Homer City Council votes 4-2 in favor of partially funding the Homer Business Advisory position.

Homer City Council member Rachel Lord discusses her concerns with funding the Alaska Small Business Development Center Homer Business Advisory position during the Jan. 10 council meeting. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)

South peninsula nursing home requests no visitors after COVID outbreak

The resident who tested positive Friday is the first resident to test positive since the pandemic began.

This 2014 photo shows the South Peninsula Hospital campus in Homer. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Hospital)
Photo by Haley Ritchie/Yukon News Birders Jenny Trapnell and Jim Hawkings participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, on Dec. 26 — part of the worldwide count that included Homer.

9,900 birds reported during Homer Christmas Bird Count

The count identified 71 species on Dec. 18, 2021.

Photo by Haley Ritchie/Yukon News Birders Jenny Trapnell and Jim Hawkings participated in the annual Christmas Bird Count in downtown Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, on Dec. 26 — part of the worldwide count that included Homer.
Homer Volunteer Fire Department firefighters respond to a natural gasline break on Lake Street at the Beluga Lake causeway at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Gasline break shuts down Homer street

Road over lake was closed in both directions.

Homer Volunteer Fire Department firefighters respond to a natural gasline break on Lake Street at the Beluga Lake causeway at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

City of Homer joins Upper Cook Inlet fishing closure litigation

City council voted to submit an amicus brief concerning the closure

The Upper Cook Inlet Economic Exclusion Zone can be seen highlighted in red. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Snow on Heath Street is blown into a truck, which will later be dumped near Public Works. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Storm wallops Homer

Blizzard clogged roads, shut down school and buried southern peninsula.

Snow on Heath Street is blown into a truck, which will later be dumped near Public Works. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
The new Homer Police Station, as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. Members of the Homer Police Department officially moved into the building on Thursday. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

K-9 trooper team finds lost girl

A 12-year-old girl, poorly dressed for the elements, ran away from her downtown Homer home.

The new Homer Police Station, as seen Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. Members of the Homer Police Department officially moved into the building on Thursday. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Democratic Party candidate for governor Les Gara attends a Zoom meeting with Homer residents on Nov. 18, 2021, from his Anchorage, Alaska, home. (Screen capture)

Gara makes election pitch to Homer

Democratic Party candidate for governor Gara visits virtually.

Democratic Party candidate for governor Les Gara attends a Zoom meeting with Homer residents on Nov. 18, 2021, from his Anchorage, Alaska, home. (Screen capture)
The old Homer intermediate school building, showing the Homer Boys & Girls Club and gym on the south side of the building at the corner of the Sterling Highway and Pioneer Avenue. The old Homer intermediate school building on the corner of the Sterling Highway and Pioneer Avenue, as seen in October 2010. It’s now known as the Homer Educational and Recreational Complex, or HERC. (Homer News file photo)

Homer awards contract to study use of rec complex site

The goal is to help the city understand the maximum use of that property.

The old Homer intermediate school building, showing the Homer Boys & Girls Club and gym on the south side of the building at the corner of the Sterling Highway and Pioneer Avenue. The old Homer intermediate school building on the corner of the Sterling Highway and Pioneer Avenue, as seen in October 2010. It’s now known as the Homer Educational and Recreational Complex, or HERC. (Homer News file photo)
Bench creator, Brad Hughes, pours the molding material over the clay while Rob Wiard and Matt brush the liquid rubber over each character on the bench to ensure it is covered evenly. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Molds for the Loved Lost Bench are underway

Construction for the memorial bench continues as the rubber molds to shape the concrete are made.

Bench creator, Brad Hughes, pours the molding material over the clay while Rob Wiard and Matt brush the liquid rubber over each character on the bench to ensure it is covered evenly. (Photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
A map of Kachemak Bay State Park showing proposed land additions A, B and C in House Bill 52 and the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery. (Map courtesy of Alaska State Parks)

‘Cure’ sought for Tutka Bay hatchery land issue

HB 52 would take hatchery out of Kachemak State Park and add also lands to park.

A map of Kachemak Bay State Park showing proposed land additions A, B and C in House Bill 52 and the Tutka Bay Lagoon Hatchery. (Map courtesy of Alaska State Parks)