Michael Armstrong

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less

Both fires threaten homes and cabins in areas north and east of Homer.

Caribou Lake Fire now at 700 acres; North Fork Fire danger is less
This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)

New fire flares up near Caribou Lake

Smokejumpers and air crews were on the 50- to 100-acre fire about 1.5 miles northwest of the lake.

This photo of the Caribou Lake fire was taken about 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, northeast of Homer, Alaska, about two hours after Ian Pitzman texted a message reporting the fire to his wife, Stephanie Pitzman, via an inReach satellite communication device. (Photo by Ian Pitzman)
Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                A spruce tree flares up in the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening near Homer.

Homer area fire flares up

‘Ready’ alert issued for Diamond Ridge, south North Fork areas

Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                A spruce tree flares up in the North Fork fire as it burns near the south end of the North Fork Road on Sunday evening near Homer.
Recall Dunleavy supporters hold signs at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1, 2019, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)

Recall Dunleavy effort starts with statewide rallies on Thursday

In Homer, a steady stream of voters lined up to sign recall applications.

Recall Dunleavy supporters hold signs at a Recall Dunleavy rally held on Aug. 1, 2019, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
Emergency medical technicians help victims of a boat capsizing up the Homer Harbor load and launch ramp on Tuesday afternoon, July 30, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Crews in three Good Samaritan boats, from front to back, the Torega, the Grotta Nove, and the Seabird, rescued five people from an overturned skiff near China Poot Bay. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Five survive boat capsize near Gull Island

The victims either treaded water in the ocean or clung to the keel of the overturned boat.

Emergency medical technicians help victims of a boat capsizing up the Homer Harbor load and launch ramp on Tuesday afternoon, July 30, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Crews in three Good Samaritan boats, from front to back, the Torega, the Grotta Nove, and the Seabird, rescued five people from an overturned skiff near China Poot Bay. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Antoinette Walker poses by one of her encaustic paintings, “Diamond #7,” at the First Friday opening of her exhibit on July 5 at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Walker’s paintings seek ‘a sense of the past and the present’

In encaustic painting, artists melt a media of beeswax and damar to about 220 degrees Fahrenheit.

Antoinette Walker poses by one of her encaustic paintings, “Diamond #7,” at the First Friday opening of her exhibit on July 5 at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash on July 7, 2019, rests on the side of the road near Mile 142 Sterling Highway, Happy Valley, Alaska. The pickup truck driver survived, but the driver of a second car involved in the crash, Michael Franklin, 18, of Homer, Alaska, died of his injuries. (Photo by Jon Marsh/Anchor Point Fire and EMS)

Man killed in two-vehicle collision near Happy Valley

EMTs and firefighters arrived at about 4:20 p.m. to find the Subaru engulfed in flames.

A pickup truck involved in a fatal car crash on July 7, 2019, rests on the side of the road near Mile 142 Sterling Highway, Happy Valley, Alaska. The pickup truck driver survived, but the driver of a second car involved in the crash, Michael Franklin, 18, of Homer, Alaska, died of his injuries. (Photo by Jon Marsh/Anchor Point Fire and EMS)
Photo by Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                Women draped in black sit down Tuesday at WKFL Park in Homer as part of a statewide art intervention to protest Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a $2.8 million state appropriation to the Alaska State Council on the Arts. They also supported a general override of Dunleavy’s vetoes that will affect funding for the University of Alaska, public radio and other programs.

Homer artists protest Dunleavy veto

About 10 people draped in black a sculpture by artist Sean Derry in front of the Kachemak Bay Campus

Photo by Michael Armstrong / Homer News                                Women draped in black sit down Tuesday at WKFL Park in Homer as part of a statewide art intervention to protest Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a $2.8 million state appropriation to the Alaska State Council on the Arts. They also supported a general override of Dunleavy’s vetoes that will affect funding for the University of Alaska, public radio and other programs.
The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Arts groups brace for program cuts, grant losses

‘It’s comparable to one of the jobs here. It’s comparable to an entire program.’

The New Old Time Chautauqua Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band Orchestra marches on the Homer Spit on July 2, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. The group visited Homer as part of a week-long tour partially funded by the Rasmuson Foundation’s Harper Arts Touring Fund, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts — an example of state-foundation cooperation in arts funding. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen speaks last Friday, June 14, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

New UAA chancellor sees university as benefitting many

Chancellor Cathy Sandeen took a working vacation to attend the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen speaks last Friday, June 14, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay rise behind the Mariner Park Campground on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, as seen on June 15, 2019. The city campground offers both tent and motorhome camping. Although the facilities are minimal, the beachfront view is amazing. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Kenai Mountains across Kachemak Bay rise behind the Mariner Park Campground on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, as seen on June 15, 2019. The city campground offers both tent and motorhome camping. Although the facilities are minimal, the beachfront view is amazing. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference keynote speaker Diane Ackerman. (Photo provided; Sue Michlovitz)

Writers’ conference gathers authors from around the nation

“The conference strives to offer something for readers: to discuss literature and meet writers”

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference keynote speaker Diane Ackerman. (Photo provided; Sue Michlovitz)
Savanna Bradley, Pratt Museum collections manager, stands in the newly remodeled collections area on May 28, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Some reorganization is ongoing, but when done, where she’s standing will be a space for community meetings and talks. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pratt reopens with more accessibility

“Accessibility and collections care were the main priorities — and visitor experience”

Savanna Bradley, Pratt Museum collections manager, stands in the newly remodeled collections area on May 28, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Some reorganization is ongoing, but when done, where she’s standing will be a space for community meetings and talks. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technicians treat Chief Warrant Officer Michael Kozloski, a crew member of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory, after he was injured when a crane tipped over at the Pioneer Dock on the Homer Spit on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Kozloski was later pronounced dead at South Peninsula Hospital. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News.)
Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technicians treat Chief Warrant Officer Michael Kozloski, a crew member of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory, after he was injured when a crane tipped over at the Pioneer Dock on the Homer Spit on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Kozloski was later pronounced dead at South Peninsula Hospital. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News.)
The cast of “An Ideal Husband” pose for a photo during a rehearsal on May 19, 2019, at Pier One Theatre in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)

Pier One season opens with Wilde play

First performed in 1893, ‘An Ideal Husband’ takes place at a London dinner party.

The cast of “An Ideal Husband” pose for a photo during a rehearsal on May 19, 2019, at Pier One Theatre in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)
Smith named South Peninsula Hospital CEO

Smith named South Peninsula Hospital CEO

Smith is a former Central Peninsula Hospital Chief Executive Officer

Smith named South Peninsula Hospital CEO
Mike Gordon, left, and Shelli Gordon, right, pose with a copy of Mike Gordon’s memoir, “Learning the Ropes.” (Photo by Joe Columbus)

Gordon writes sprawling book of life in Alaska

In his 76 years of rough-and-tumble living, Halibut Cove writer Mike Gordon has come to be known as “Mountain Mike” for his alpine adventures. Another… Continue reading

Mike Gordon, left, and Shelli Gordon, right, pose with a copy of Mike Gordon’s memoir, “Learning the Ropes.” (Photo by Joe Columbus)

‘Gag rule’ would restrict KBFPC ability to inform clients

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic (KBFPC) began as a once-a-month offering, staffed by volunteers.

Clarion reporter Victoria Petersen holds Alaska Press Club awards on Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Victoria Petersen)

Clarion takes home press club awards

The awards were given out last Saturday.

Clarion reporter Victoria Petersen holds Alaska Press Club awards on Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Victoria Petersen)
RJ Nelson’s work of art is part of the Choir for Peace show on display before the May 2 and 3, 2019 concerts in the Homer High School Commons in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)

‘Choir for Peace’ will be community art, music event

Performs at 7 p.m. May 3 and 4 at the Mariner Theatre in Homer.

RJ Nelson’s work of art is part of the Choir for Peace show on display before the May 2 and 3, 2019 concerts in the Homer High School Commons in Homer, Alaska. (Photo provided)