Michael Armstrong

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COVID-19. (Image CDC)

Case count dips after 5 record days of positive cases

Alaska has had 1,338 cases of the disease since the state began tracking the pandemic in March.

COVID-19. (Image CDC)
Cars pass the City of Homer advisory signs on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2020, at Mile 172 Sterling Highway near West Hill Road in Homer, Alaska. The sign also reads “Keep COVID-19 out of Homer.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

‘Don’t get complacent,’ governor says of pandemic

Alaska saw 36 new cases of COVID-19 in residents and 12 new nonresident cases.

Cars pass the City of Homer advisory signs on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2020, at Mile 172 Sterling Highway near West Hill Road in Homer, Alaska. The sign also reads “Keep COVID-19 out of Homer.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Dunlins, western sandpipers and a dowitcher feed on Saturday, May 2, 2020, on the Homer Spit near Green Timbers in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: In the midst of a pandemic, birds are constant

Scattered on my desk I have three journals: my bullet journal, the daily planner that sort of keeps my life in order; my bird journal… Continue reading

Dunlins, western sandpipers and a dowitcher feed on Saturday, May 2, 2020, on the Homer Spit near Green Timbers in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Concert on Your Lawn revives spirit of KBBI festival

The concert came about after the pandemic forced KBBI to cancel a planned Solstice weekend concert.

The Friendship Terrace assisting level center, as seen on Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. A part of the Homer Senior Citizens Senior Center, Friendship Terrace reported two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on June 10, and that a resident tested positive on Friday. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Resident in Homer assisted living home, previously positive for COVID-19, now tests negative

The resident at Friendship Terrace Assisted Living had been reported positive for the virus Friday.

The Friendship Terrace assisting level center, as seen on Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. A part of the Homer Senior Citizens Senior Center, Friendship Terrace reported two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 on June 10, and that a resident tested positive on Friday. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

6 South Peninsula Hospital staff have tested positive for COVID-19

The six employees work in five different departments in the hospital.

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

2 staff at Homer assisted living facility test positive for COVID-19

No residents have tested positive yet

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
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.

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)
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.

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)
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.

COVID-19 graphic
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)