Michael Armstrong

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A screenshot from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s COVID-19 dashboard shows current case trends and threat levels as of Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. (Screenshot courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

Southern peninsula schools go to remote learning after increase in COVID-19 cases

Increase in COVID-19 cases pushes Southern Kenai Peninsula into high-risk category

 

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.

 

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

 

Christina Whiting poses for a photo on Oct. 5, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Taz Tally)

Homer artist takes pandemic project on road

‘Behind the Mask - Our Stories’ invites people to share experiences

Christina Whiting poses for a photo on Oct. 5, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Taz Tally)
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)
A handful of flu shot options available at the QFC Pharmacy on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Flu killed 8 adults, 3 children in last year’s season

Report recommends people get flu shots this year

A handful of flu shot options available at the QFC Pharmacy on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Candidate QA: Lane Chesley

Former Homer City Council member Lane Chesley seeks to move on to Kenai Peninsula Borough government service with his run for the District 8 KPB… Continue reading

The cast and crew of “Knife Skills” poses for a photo at Pier One Theatre during a recording session in August in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Peter Sheppard, Theodore Castellani, Chloë Pleznac, Joshua Krohn (sitting, at sound board), Darrel Oliver, Helen-Thea Marcus and Ingrid Harrald. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Schneider)

KBBI broadcasts new radio play on Friday

‘Knife Skills’ was written and directed by Homer playwright Lindsey Schneider

The cast and crew of “Knife Skills” poses for a photo at Pier One Theatre during a recording session in August in Homer, Alaska. From left to right are Peter Sheppard, Theodore Castellani, Chloë Pleznac, Joshua Krohn (sitting, at sound board), Darrel Oliver, Helen-Thea Marcus and Ingrid Harrald. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Schneider)
A crashed Piper 22-135 single-engine airplane lies on the mud flats of Mariner Park Slough at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, after it crashed about 45 minutes earlier on takeoff near the Homer, Alaska, Airport. The pilot and only person on board suffered minor injuries. (PHoto by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pilot suffers minor injuries in Sunday plane crash

Piper PA 22-135 plane crashed after takeoff from airport

A crashed Piper 22-135 single-engine airplane lies on the mud flats of Mariner Park Slough at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, after it crashed about 45 minutes earlier on takeoff near the Homer, Alaska, Airport. The pilot and only person on board suffered minor injuries. (PHoto by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Vow to hold a civil election

Reject violent protest as we head into fall elections

The Bayside Buskers perform from noon-1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska, as part of the Alaska World Arts Festival. (Photo by Aaron Christ)

Alaska World Arts Festival returns

For 2020, most of the festival will be virtual — and sometimes live

The Bayside Buskers perform from noon-1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska, as part of the Alaska World Arts Festival. (Photo by Aaron Christ)
Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets on Tuesdays inside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska.

Two intended candidates miss filing deadline for assembly

They won’t be on the ballot

Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets on Tuesdays inside in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Betty J. Glick Assembly Chambers, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska.
Melissa Shaginoff, right, speaks with Rika Mouw, left, and Asia Freeman, center, at “Land Acknowledgement in Action: Sign Installation” last Saturday at the Bishop’s Beach pavillion — the area known by the Dena’ina people as “Tuggeht,” or “at the water’s edge.” Michael Armstrong / Homer News

Sign making looks at land acknowledgment

Artists made signs to recognize that Indigenous people have long been stewards of lands we call home

Melissa Shaginoff, right, speaks with Rika Mouw, left, and Asia Freeman, center, at “Land Acknowledgement in Action: Sign Installation” last Saturday at the Bishop’s Beach pavillion — the area known by the Dena’ina people as “Tuggeht,” or “at the water’s edge.” Michael Armstrong / Homer News
The Homer Youth String Orchestra Club performs in an edited sequence of recorded video performances. (Screenshot courtesy of Homer String Orchestra Club)

Young musicians release video of socially distanced music

The Homer Youth String Orchestra Club released a video showing them performing outdoors.

The Homer Youth String Orchestra Club performs in an edited sequence of recorded video performances. (Screenshot courtesy of Homer String Orchestra Club)
The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska is seen here on June 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Filing period ends for borough, local elections

The election for both the borough and peninsula municipalities is on Oct. 6.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska is seen here on June 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Aug. 18, 2020, held in Anchorage, Alaska while a sign-language interpreter, lower left, signs. (Livestream screenshot courtesy Office of the Governor)

1 new death, 16 peninsula COVID cases reported

Cases include 14 on central peninsula, one in Homer and one nonresident

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Aug. 18, 2020, held in Anchorage, Alaska while a sign-language interpreter, lower left, signs. (Livestream screenshot courtesy Office of the Governor)
Sun dapples the mountains near the U.S. Forest Service Trail River Campground on July 22, 2020, near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

COVID camping is about slowing down and relaxing

Recreating during a pandemic presents some challenges. Is the great outdoors great enough? How do you social distance on a narrow wilderness trail? How toxic… Continue reading

Sun dapples the mountains near the U.S. Forest Service Trail River Campground on July 22, 2020, near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic

Henry is accused of killing Mark Matthews, who at 61 years old was found dead on July 28, 2013.

Painted signs posted at the candlelight vigil held for Anesha “Duffy” Murnane on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, affirm love for Murnane and beseech her safe return. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)

Virtual birthday party to be held for missing Homer woman

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17, 2019.

Painted signs posted at the candlelight vigil held for Anesha “Duffy” Murnane on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, affirm love for Murnane and beseech her safe return. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)
Pratt Museum Curator Savanna Bradley discusses “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay,” on July 13, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pratt Museum unveils new ‘Entangled’ exhibit

Last month, the Pratt Museum reopened on a scaled-back basis with its summer show, “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay.” Put together by… Continue reading

Pratt Museum Curator Savanna Bradley discusses “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay,” on July 13, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)