News

Joseph Lee, of Idaho, backed by Ivan Zarate, of Arizona, and Abiud Zarate, of Baja California, Mexico, arrange fish so their heads can be chopped off by a guillotine-style machine Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Pacific Star Seafoods in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Fishery council closes federal waters in Cook Inlet to commercial salmon fishing

Fishermen, processors, elected officials warn of devastation to the fishery.

Joseph Lee, of Idaho, backed by Ivan Zarate, of Arizona, and Abiud Zarate, of Baja California, Mexico, arrange fish so their heads can be chopped off by a guillotine-style machine Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Pacific Star Seafoods in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Ice chokes the Homer Harbor on Jan. 9, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. North Pacific Fishery Management Council is scheduled to take final action on a fishery management plan for commercial fishing in Upper Cook Inlet this week. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Cook Inlet salmon fishery issue to be decided by North Pacific Fishery Management Council

Fishermen, processors take issue with option to close waters to commercial fishing

Ice chokes the Homer Harbor on Jan. 9, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. North Pacific Fishery Management Council is scheduled to take final action on a fishery management plan for commercial fishing in Upper Cook Inlet this week. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Health care workers help distribute flu vaccines to thousands of Juneau residents at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Local health authorities said the drive-thru clinic was a practice run for an eventual mass distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Health officials want Alaskans ready for vaccine

“They are coming.”

Health care workers help distribute flu vaccines to thousands of Juneau residents at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Local health authorities said the drive-thru clinic was a practice run for an eventual mass distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

City Council votes to reinstate plastic bag ban

City manager authorized to negotiate Homer Spit lease with Salmon Sisters

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
Bob Letson, former CEO of South Peninsula Hospital. (Homer News file photo)

Former South Peninsula Hospital CEO dies of COVID-19

Bob Letson led several expansions, improvements in nearly 10 years in Homer

Bob Letson, former CEO of South Peninsula Hospital. (Homer News file photo)
Thunder Mountain High School was used as a polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New results shift results of some House races

Still more to come.

Thunder Mountain High School was used as a polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Residents of South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care exercised their right to vote in this special voting booth set up in their day room, as seen here in this photo taken on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, at Long Term Care in Homer, Alaska. “Staff worked with Homer City Clerk to make necessary arrangements for this alternative in lieu of their annual trip to the polling site,” said South Peninsula Hospital Public Information Officer Derotha Ferraro. “Long Term Care is closed to visitors and restricting resident outings at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Clerk used processes developed to assist persons who reside in long term care settings and following Alaska Division of Elections guidelines.” (Photo courtesy of South Peninsula Hospital)

Get ready for Election Day

‘Every eligible vote is going to counted,’ elections spokesperson says

Residents of South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care exercised their right to vote in this special voting booth set up in their day room, as seen here in this photo taken on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, at Long Term Care in Homer, Alaska. “Staff worked with Homer City Clerk to make necessary arrangements for this alternative in lieu of their annual trip to the polling site,” said South Peninsula Hospital Public Information Officer Derotha Ferraro. “Long Term Care is closed to visitors and restricting resident outings at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Clerk used processes developed to assist persons who reside in long term care settings and following Alaska Division of Elections guidelines.” (Photo courtesy of South Peninsula Hospital)
Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau raised its health alert level Tuesday as the number of cases grows locally and statewide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Increase in COVID cases could overwhelm hospitals, experts warn

Mask now so businesses stay open later, they say.

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau raised its health alert level Tuesday as the number of cases grows locally and statewide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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)
A row of footballs at the Homer-Seward game at Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer football program quarantined after positive COVID-19 case

Homer High School remains open to in-person learners

A row of footballs at the Homer-Seward game at Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Residents cast their votes in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Voters turn down hybrid election system

Ballot measure to create service area for Ninilchik, Anchor Point passes

Residents cast their votes in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Sarah Dayan. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)

Homer woman charged in murder of Soldotna man

The victim, Keith Huss, 57, was found in Turnagain Pass

Sarah Dayan. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)
Troopers search for Homer woman in connection with suspected homicide

Troopers search for Homer woman in connection with suspected homicide

A man found was dead at a road pullout near Mile 68.5 of the Seward Highway on Tuesday.

Troopers search for Homer woman in connection with suspected homicide
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Event tied to case cluster unlikely to lead to punishments

Here’s why.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left, Kenai City Council candidates Tim Navarre, Teea Winger and Henry Knackstedt participate in a candidate forum with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Chamber quizzes Kenai City Council candidates

Election 2020

From left, Kenai City Council candidates Tim Navarre, Teea Winger and Henry Knackstedt participate in a candidate forum with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

3 new COVID-19 cases on peninsula

The state announced four new hospitalizations Wednesday.

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

City unveils three additional financial relief programs for struggling organizations

Child care, social services and nonprofits can now apply for funds

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
A member of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department walks toward a boat fire on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. Firefighters doused the blaze that caught on a 32-foot fiberglass boat that evening. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Firefighters douse boat fire

No one injured in blaze at the Homer Harbor

A member of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department walks toward a boat fire on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. Firefighters doused the blaze that caught on a 32-foot fiberglass boat that evening. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
An exclusive Q&A with Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen

An exclusive Q&A with Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen

‘We believe in the individual.’

An exclusive Q&A with Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen
The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Cruise control: Activists voice goals for cruise industry reform

Pollution, human rights and community determinism are all on their agenda.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)