Michael Armstrong

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A graph by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services created on its Coronavirus Datahub on Sunday, May 31, 2020, shows the number of positive COVID-19 cases acquired by day since the first cases were recorded in March. The increase of 27 cases on May 31 marks the largest single jump in one day in Alaska. (Graphic courtesy of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

Alaska sees biggest jump in COVID-19 cases yet

Kenai, Homer, Soldotna, Kenai Peninsula Borough and Anchor Point all reported cases.

 

Signs along Poopdeck Street on Friday, May 29, 2020, in Homer, Alaska, offer inspiration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Put up by the South Kenai Peninsula Resiliency Coalition, the signs read “Daily life loooks very different now. Routine and structure create a sense of safety. How can your daily rhythm support you?” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

2 new peninsula COVID-19 cases Saturday

DHSS also announced two other Alaska cases, one for Anchorage and one for Wasilla.

 

COVID-19 graphic

Nome gets third COVID-19 case; four new cases reported statewide

Another nonresident case in Alaska was identified Friday in a seafood industry worker.

 

Road signs near Mile 172 Sterling Highway on Friday, May 22, 2020, in Homer, Alaska, greet visitors with messages about how to find information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Trafic was heavy on Friday morning at the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the first day of the phases three and reopening in Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Douglas gets first positive COVID-19 case; Nome gets second case

That brings the total Alaska case count to 404.

Road signs near Mile 172 Sterling Highway on Friday, May 22, 2020, in Homer, Alaska, greet visitors with messages about how to find information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Trafic was heavy on Friday morning at the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the first day of the phases three and reopening in Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on May 11, 2020, in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Austin McDaniel courtesy Office of the Governor)

PFD checks to go out starting July 1

The new payment schedule moves up distribution from Oct. 1 when the checks are usually sent.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on May 11, 2020, in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Austin McDaniel courtesy Office of the Governor)
A sign at the Pratt Museum’s nature trail on May 15, 2020, in Homer, Alaska, is part of the City of Homer’s campaign to increase awareness of precautions to take during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Governor announces major reopening of Alaska

Phase three takes effect at 8 a.m. Friday at the start of the Memorial Day weekend.

A sign at the Pratt Museum’s nature trail on May 15, 2020, in Homer, Alaska, is part of the City of Homer’s campaign to increase awareness of precautions to take during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (CDC)

Dunleavy: State ready for next phase

Alaska has three new positive cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19. (CDC)
Signs on May 7, 2020, along the Sterling Highway by St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Homer, Alaska, and put up by the South Kenai Peninsula Resiliency Coalition offer encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The signs read “Physical distancing can be hard. Everyday connections are so important. How can you make someone smile today?” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Sixth Homer resident tests positive

State extends mandatory quarantine for visitors, updates commercial fishing guidelines

Signs on May 7, 2020, along the Sterling Highway by St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Homer, Alaska, and put up by the South Kenai Peninsula Resiliency Coalition offer encouragement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The signs read “Physical distancing can be hard. Everyday connections are so important. How can you make someone smile today?” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, fly in formation over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex on July 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Richardson)

Jets will fly over peninsula to honor health care workers

Residents should be able to see the flyovers from their homes.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, fly in formation over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex on July 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Richardson)
Ian Stewart/Yukon News A camper is driven along the Alaska Highway in a 2009 photo. The Yukon and Alaska governments are working to hook a $25 million U.S. federal grant to upkeep the highway between Beaver Creek, Yukon, and Haines, Alaska.

Alaska snowbirds allowed to drive home through Canada

Alaskans looking to return home after snowbirding in the Lower 48 will be allowed to travel through Canada, despite the fact that the country closed… Continue reading

Ian Stewart/Yukon News A camper is driven along the Alaska Highway in a 2009 photo. The Yukon and Alaska governments are working to hook a $25 million U.S. federal grant to upkeep the highway between Beaver Creek, Yukon, and Haines, Alaska.
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC) COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Peninsula COVID-19 cases grow over weekend

Two more COVID-19 cases were reported Monday, bringing the total number of cases in Alaska to 370. This includes nine people who have died and… Continue reading

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC) COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic

“I felt like I needed to come … It was a calling. I had to go.”

Alaskan Cannabis Outfitters, a new cannabis retail store, is located right at Mile 168 Sterling Highway just before the road turns toward Baycrest Hill. The store opened on 4/20 — April 20, 2020 — in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer area’s newest pot shop opens on 4/20

“The stars aligning for it to happen on 4/20 was the cherry on top.”

Alaskan Cannabis Outfitters, a new cannabis retail store, is located right at Mile 168 Sterling Highway just before the road turns toward Baycrest Hill. The store opened on 4/20 — April 20, 2020 — in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Sen. Dan Sullivan chair a roundtable meeting on the Alaska-British Columbia Transboundary mining at the Federal Building in Juneau on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senators reach out to Alaskans in audioconference meetings

The senators held conferences to share how Congress has responded to the pandemic.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Sen. Dan Sullivan chair a roundtable meeting on the Alaska-British Columbia Transboundary mining at the Federal Building in Juneau on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Fishermen trying to salvage season amid COVID-19 pandemic

Facing an uncertain future as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, Alaska’s commercial fishing industry is looking ahead to the upcoming season with determination to salvage… Continue reading

Commercial fishing boats are rafted together in May 2016 in the harbor in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on the budget on April 7, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. He later met with reporters to speak about 22 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)

Alaska sees surge in COVID-19 cases

No new deaths or hospitalizations

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on the budget on April 7, 2020, in Juneau, Alaska. He later met with reporters to speak about 22 new COVID-19 cases reported on Tuesday. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Sixth COVID-19 death reported for Alaska

The latest death is of a 71-year-old Anchorage resident.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

Another Alaskan dies of COVID-19

The latest death is a 73-year-old Anchorage resident.

COVID-19 Image Credit: CDC

Alaska senators break down relief package

That bill advances to the House of Representatives and is expected to pass.

Out of the Office: Nature in a time of pandemic can heal

As I write this I am in my third day of working at home — or, as I like to think of it, an embedded… Continue reading