Michael Armstrong

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Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby winner Jason Schuler, left, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, poses with his 224.2-pound fish on July 12, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. To the right of the fish is Captain Daniel Donich of Daniel’s Personalized Guide Service. Schuler caught the fish on Donich’s boat, the Optimist. (Photo provided)

Homer Chamber of Commerce ends halibut derby

2019 winner will be the last in a long history.

Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby winner Jason Schuler, left, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, poses with his 224.2-pound fish on July 12, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. To the right of the fish is Captain Daniel Donich of Daniel’s Personalized Guide Service. Schuler caught the fish on Donich’s boat, the Optimist. (Photo provided)
Michael Armstrong’s dog, Leia, waits patiently to go for a walk on the Homer Spit beach on Jan. 25, 2014, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Need an exercise plan? Get a dog — a really rowdy, rambunctious dog

Suppose at your latest physical you got a stern lecture from your doctor. Suppose she told you to start exercising more — a lot more.… Continue reading

Michael Armstrong’s dog, Leia, waits patiently to go for a walk on the Homer Spit beach on Jan. 25, 2014, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Poet and writer Diane Ackerman delivers the keynote address on June 14, 2019, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. Ackerman spoke about the historical background for her book, “The Zookeeper’s Wife.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Dunleavy budget cuts prompt Kacheamak Bay Writers’ Conference to take 1-year hiatus

The hiatus comes in the midst of budget cuts to the University of Alaska imposed by Gov. Dunleavy.

Poet and writer Diane Ackerman delivers the keynote address on June 14, 2019, at the opening of the Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference at Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska. Ackerman spoke about the historical background for her book, “The Zookeeper’s Wife.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Mary Latham stands by her borrowed blue Subaru Outback on Sept. 16, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Latham has been touring the United States collecting stories of human kindness to put in a book for people to read in hospital waiting rooms. Alaska is the 48th state Latham has visited since starting her trip in September 2016. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of loss, New York writer seeks to find ‘more good’

Her journey started with an act of kindness in the midst of horrible tragedy.

Mary Latham stands by her borrowed blue Subaru Outback on Sept. 16, 2019, in Homer, Alaska. Latham has been touring the United States collecting stories of human kindness to put in a book for people to read in hospital waiting rooms. Alaska is the 48th state Latham has visited since starting her trip in September 2016. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Nancy Yeaton of Nanwalek speaks at a Hilcorp meeting on lower Cook Inlet seismic testing on Aug. 23, 2019, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Hilcorp holds Homer meeting on seismic testing; questions and comments get heated

Some people asked pointed questions and someone blew an air horn.

Nancy Yeaton of Nanwalek speaks at a Hilcorp meeting on lower Cook Inlet seismic testing on Aug. 23, 2019, at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Traffic is backed up along the Sterling Highway after the proximity of the Swan Lake Fire caused a road closure on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Swan Lake Fire delays deliveries across peninsula

The Swan Lake Fire has been growing for over a week now, causing delays and closures on the Sterling Highway between Cooper Landing and Sterling.… Continue reading

Traffic is backed up along the Sterling Highway after the proximity of the Swan Lake Fire caused a road closure on Aug. 19, 2019. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Firefighters making progess on Caribou Lake Fire

With the Caribou Lake Fire now estimated at 900 acres and 20% contained, better weather conditions have made officials optimistic about progress in stopping it.… Continue reading

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Officials brief community on Caribou Lake, North Fork fires

Fire officials delivered some positive news about two lower Kenai Peninsula wildfires.

Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella provides an update on the North Fork and Caribou Lake fires on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at a community meeting at McNeil Canyon Elementary School near Fritz Creek, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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.

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)

Out of the Office: A love for camping becomes the glue of a lifelong bond

Tents are windows to adventure

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)