Michael Armstrong

  • 373 Stories
  • Page 15 of 19
The Kenai Peninsula Borough waste transfer site in Anchor Point is on borough land proposed to be leased for subsurface oil-and-gas rights to Hilcorp. The photo was taken on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News) The Kenai Peninsula Borough waste transfer site in Anchor Point is on borough land proposed to be leased for subsurface oil-and-gas rights to Hilcorp. The photo was taken on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Borough proposes oil and gas leases in Anchor Point

Lower Kenai Peninsula residents have a chance to learn about proposed oil and gas leases on Kenai Peninsula Borough land in the Anchor Point area… Continue reading

The Kenai Peninsula Borough waste transfer site in Anchor Point is on borough land proposed to be leased for subsurface oil-and-gas rights to Hilcorp. The photo was taken on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News) The Kenai Peninsula Borough waste transfer site in Anchor Point is on borough land proposed to be leased for subsurface oil-and-gas rights to Hilcorp. The photo was taken on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A black bear crosses the Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Fall colors dazzle in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Leaf peepers don’t have to travel to New England to see fall colors. Brilliant yellows from birch and aspen trees dazzle just up the road… Continue reading

A black bear crosses the Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)

Smokefree workplace law takes effect Oct. 1

As of today, workers and customers of Alaska businesses who smoke or vape will have to take it outside — at least 10 feet away.… Continue reading

In a photo provided by the office of the governor, Gov. Bill Walker signs Senate Bill 63, a statewide public smoking ban, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at the Lucky Wishbone restaurant in Anchorage. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1. Standing at right is Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, the legislative sponsor of the bill. On Walker’s lap is Stella Micciche, one of Micciche’s daughters. Also visible, from right to left behind Walker are Dr. Jay Butler, Alaska’s chief medical officer; Rep. Geran Tarr, D-Anchorage; Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage; Micciche; Rep. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage; and the smile of Emily Nenon of the American Cancer Society. (Courtesy photo)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Homer News file photo</span> An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus.

Props 2, 3 change boundaries of Kenai hospital service areas

Two propositions on the Oct. 2 Kenai Peninsula Borough ballot will be considered separately by voters in the Central Peninsula Hospital Service Area and the… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Homer News file photo</span> An aerial photo taken in 2014 shows the current South Peninsula Hospital campus.

Hands of Peace trains offenders in alternatives to violence

Since 1975, a Homer mother and daughter, Karen and Lisa Cauble, have been working in prisons with a simple and hopeful mission: teach some of… Continue reading

Janet Klein, left, holds her grandson, Sylas Reising, 4, while she visits with her daughter, Deborah Klein, center, and son-in-law George Reising, right, at Bishop’s Beach, Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 9, 2018. Not shown is Kai Reising, 6. Silas and Kai were the inspiration for the Klein’s “color and learn” book, “Alaska’s Dinosaurs and Other Cretaceous Creatures.”

Kleins publish new book on Alaska dinosaurs

A new children’s book out this month fulfills a request made by two Seward boys to their mother. Kai, 5, and Sylas Reising, 4, had… Continue reading

Janet Klein, left, holds her grandson, Sylas Reising, 4, while she visits with her daughter, Deborah Klein, center, and son-in-law George Reising, right, at Bishop’s Beach, Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 9, 2018. Not shown is Kai Reising, 6. Silas and Kai were the inspiration for the Klein’s “color and learn” book, “Alaska’s Dinosaurs and Other Cretaceous Creatures.”
Fresh fill added on Aug. 15, 2018, replaces sand washed away last week after a series of storms and high tides eroded the beach near the Glacier Drive-In restaurant, shown here Aug. 16, 2018, on the Homer Spit, Alaska. Concrete armor rock holds the parking lot in place. The yellow plastic on the steel pilings shows where sand had been when they were installed several years ago. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Erosion increases on the Homer Spit

A series of storms and high tides last week sucked tons of sand and gravel out into Kachemak Bay from the middle of the Homer… Continue reading

Fresh fill added on Aug. 15, 2018, replaces sand washed away last week after a series of storms and high tides eroded the beach near the Glacier Drive-In restaurant, shown here Aug. 16, 2018, on the Homer Spit, Alaska. Concrete armor rock holds the parking lot in place. The yellow plastic on the steel pilings shows where sand had been when they were installed several years ago. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Joan Brown Dodd, left, and Doug Dodd pose for a photo at the Homer News on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Author couple publish new books

Homer has long been known for its support of new and established authors. Through college classes, readings, workshops and writers groups, local literary artists teach… Continue reading

Joan Brown Dodd, left, and Doug Dodd pose for a photo at the Homer News on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Anchor River bridge connects downtown Anchor Point with the Old Sterling Highway and the Anchor River State Recreation Area, as seen in this May 2013 file photo. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

AP bridge repairs delayed until late August

After citizens complained about a pending closure of the Anchor Point bridge over the Anchor River, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities confirmed… Continue reading

The Anchor River bridge connects downtown Anchor Point with the Old Sterling Highway and the Anchor River State Recreation Area, as seen in this May 2013 file photo. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Jessica Entsminger’s dog, Leah, stands guard in front of the tent where they live on East Hill Road. (Photo courtesy Jessica Entsminger)

Short-term rental boom exacerbating the summer labor shortage

Jessica Entsminger is back to living in a tent. She had a brief stay in a small dry cabin out East End Road where she… Continue reading

Jessica Entsminger’s dog, Leah, stands guard in front of the tent where they live on East Hill Road. (Photo courtesy Jessica Entsminger)
Alyse Galvin, left, and Dimitri Shein, right, listen to a question from moderator Kelly Cooper at the start of the debate among the candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Congress on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Democratic candidates spar in Homer debate

Homer has seen numerous campaign debates for city and state office, but Tuesday marked one of the first times candidates for federal office took the floor.

Alyse Galvin, left, and Dimitri Shein, right, listen to a question from moderator Kelly Cooper at the start of the debate among the candidates for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Congress on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Mariner drowns in Cook Inlet; body brought to Homer Harbor

A Kenai man died at sea Thursday after falling overboard from a commercial fishing boat this morning north of Kodiak. Alaska State Troopers identified the… Continue reading

Mariner drowns in Cook Inlet; body brought to Homer Harbor

A Kenai man died at sea Thursday after falling overboard from a commercial fishing boat this morning north of Kodiak. Alaska State Troopers identified the… Continue reading

Backyard Country BBQ comes to the Kenai

Backyard Country BBQ comes to the Kenai

Backyard Country BBQ Featuring music by Jerrod Niemann Trick Pony The Ken Peltier Band June 29: Soldotna Creek Park, Soldotna June 30: Outside Don Jose’s,… Continue reading

Backyard Country BBQ comes to the Kenai
Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference keynote speaker Anthony Doerr delivers the opening address at the start of the annual conference last Friday, June 5, at Land’s End Resort.

Author Anthony Doerr delivers Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference keynote

The role of the keynote speaker at the annual Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference can range from Rotary Club toastmaster to Marine Boot Camp drill instructor… Continue reading

Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference keynote speaker Anthony Doerr delivers the opening address at the start of the annual conference last Friday, June 5, at Land’s End Resort.
Peter Sheppard, left, and Matt Lees, right practice a scene from Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.” Sheppard directs the play, opening at 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, for the start of Pier One Theatre’s 2018 season. (Photo by Richard Rose)

Homer’s Pier One theater opens season this weekend

Now in its second season after former Pier One artistic director Lance Petersen passed the torch to current artistic director Jennifer Norton, the little red… Continue reading

Peter Sheppard, left, and Matt Lees, right practice a scene from Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.” Sheppard directs the play, opening at 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, for the start of Pier One Theatre’s 2018 season. (Photo by Richard Rose)
Firefighters save East End Road homes from wildfire

Firefighters save East End Road homes from wildfire

An alert neighbor and a quick response from firefighters at about 6 p.m. Sunday saved two East End Road houses from being destroyed by a… Continue reading

Firefighters save East End Road homes from wildfire
Western sandpipers, dunlins and maybe a few least sandpipers feed in Mud Bay on Tuesday night. A pulse of about 8,000 sandpipers flew in Tuesday.

Big pulse of shorebird hints at festival to come

A dramatic pulse of about 20,000 shorebirds that dazzled local birders on Sunday night gave a preview of what can be expected with the 26th… Continue reading

Western sandpipers, dunlins and maybe a few least sandpipers feed in Mud Bay on Tuesday night. A pulse of about 8,000 sandpipers flew in Tuesday.
Sgt. Daniel Cox congratulates a Kenai Peninsula Youth Court attorney at swearing-in ceremonies at the Homer Courthouse in December 2016. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)

Nikolaevsk man assaulted trooper before being shot, state troopers say

Alaska State Troopers on Tuesday identified the troopers involved in a fatal shooting last Saturday of a Nikolaevsk man. In a press release, troopers said… Continue reading

Sgt. Daniel Cox congratulates a Kenai Peninsula Youth Court attorney at swearing-in ceremonies at the Homer Courthouse in December 2016. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
After Parkland: Teachers, students, parents navigate the world of school shootings

After Parkland: Teachers, students, parents navigate the world of school shootings

Students graduating high school in 2018 have never known a world where being killed in a classroom — or on a playground, or while having… Continue reading

After Parkland: Teachers, students, parents navigate the world of school shootings