Michael Armstrong

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska is seen here on June 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Filing period ends for borough, local elections

The election for both the borough and peninsula municipalities is on Oct. 6.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna, Alaska is seen here on June 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Aug. 18, 2020, held in Anchorage, Alaska while a sign-language interpreter, lower left, signs. (Livestream screenshot courtesy Office of the Governor)

1 new death, 16 peninsula COVID cases reported

Cases include 14 on central peninsula, one in Homer and one nonresident

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Aug. 18, 2020, held in Anchorage, Alaska while a sign-language interpreter, lower left, signs. (Livestream screenshot courtesy Office of the Governor)
Sun dapples the mountains near the U.S. Forest Service Trail River Campground on July 22, 2020, near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

COVID camping is about slowing down and relaxing

Recreating during a pandemic presents some challenges. Is the great outdoors great enough? How do you social distance on a narrow wilderness trail? How toxic… Continue reading

Sun dapples the mountains near the U.S. Forest Service Trail River Campground on July 22, 2020, near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic

Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic

Henry is accused of killing Mark Matthews, who at 61 years old was found dead on July 28, 2013.

Murder trial delayed; court suspends jury trials because of pandemic
Painted signs posted at the candlelight vigil held for Anesha “Duffy” Murnane on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, affirm love for Murnane and beseech her safe return. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)

Virtual birthday party to be held for missing Homer woman

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17, 2019.

Painted signs posted at the candlelight vigil held for Anesha “Duffy” Murnane on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, affirm love for Murnane and beseech her safe return. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)
Pratt Museum Curator Savanna Bradley discusses “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay,” on July 13, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pratt Museum unveils new ‘Entangled’ exhibit

Last month, the Pratt Museum reopened on a scaled-back basis with its summer show, “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay.” Put together by… Continue reading

Pratt Museum Curator Savanna Bradley discusses “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay,” on July 13, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Two more Alaskans die with COVID-19

There were 104 new cases of COVID-19 in Alaska, of which 98 are residents and 6 are nonresidents.

COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Visitors camp on Friday, July 3, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, in a vegetated area closed to camping between the Homer Shores Boardwalk, seen here in the background, and the Central Charters Boardwalk. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Visitors camp on Friday, July 3, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska, in a vegetated area closed to camping between the Homer Shores Boardwalk, seen here in the background, and the Central Charters Boardwalk. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A mural by David Pettibone and Austin Parkhill is part of the 1% for art work on the new Homer Police Station, as seen here on June 25, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Artist establishes roots in Homer

The large figurative and landscape paintings are part of a narrative, “Eat, drink and be merry …”

A mural by David Pettibone and Austin Parkhill is part of the 1% for art work on the new Homer Police Station, as seen here on June 25, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Hospital adds new COVID-19 rooms

Hospital adds new COVID-19 rooms

The hospital has made several changes or modifications to its facilities.

Hospital adds new COVID-19 rooms
A Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technician, left, assists a person who was involved in a boat capsizing, center, as they walk up the load-launch ramp on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. The crew of the F/V Captain Cook helped rescue the person. The crew of the F/V Casino rescued the other two people who were aboard the 14-foot skiff when it capsized near the entrance of China Poot Bay. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

1 dead, 2 rescued after boat capsizes near China Poot Bay

A 14-foot skiff carrying three people overturned near Gull Island in the mouth of China Poot Bay.

A Homer Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technician, left, assists a person who was involved in a boat capsizing, center, as they walk up the load-launch ramp on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. The crew of the F/V Captain Cook helped rescue the person. The crew of the F/V Casino rescued the other two people who were aboard the 14-foot skiff when it capsized near the entrance of China Poot Bay. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A chart produced by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services shows four risk factors in being infected by COVID-19. (Graph courtesy Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

17th Alaskan dies of COVID-19

There were 23 new positive cases of COVID-19 announced Tuesday.

A chart produced by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services shows four risk factors in being infected by COVID-19. (Graph courtesy Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
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

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.

Concert on Your Lawn revives spirit of KBBI festival
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

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

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

6 South Peninsula Hospital staff have tested positive for COVID-19
The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
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)