Wire Service

A researcher points out fragments of elodea found in the upper stretches of Crescent Creek caught on tree branches and down logs. (Emily Heale/Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association)

Homer conservation district feels impacts of federal funding freeze

Programs related to invasive species, habitat and trails, native plants and agriculture have all been negatively impacted.

 

Alaska State House District 7 candidate Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Building a culture of reading

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

 

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Minister’s Message: Run and not grow weary

If we place our trust in God, He will provide the strength we need to keep going.

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Alaska State Troopers logo.

Homer Middle School teacher arrested on charges of sexual assault and burglary

Charles Kent Rininger, 38, was arrested March 12 by Alaska State Troopers.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Homer Port Director Bryan Hawkins. (Photo provided)

Opinion: The importance of the Homer Harbor expansion

Alaska’s marine trades and service businesses must be on a competitive playing field with other ports and harbors.

Homer Port Director Bryan Hawkins. (Photo provided)
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Minster’s Message: Will all things really work for your good?

Most of us have experienced having a door of opportunity or a door of happiness closed.

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Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A group of volunteers during the 2024 K-Bay Sea Duck Survey. Two boats duplicate the same survey in the same area at the same time to help ensure accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Bjorn Larson)

Homer bird enthusiasts prepare for annual sea duck count

The count aims to ensure a proper and consistent population estimate before the ducks begin their April migration.

A group of volunteers during the 2024 K-Bay Sea Duck Survey. Two boats duplicate the same survey in the same area at the same time to help ensure accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Bjorn Larson)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: HB 69 moves forward, fixes still needed

Rep. Justin Ruffridge reports back from Juneau.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, speaks in support of debating an omnibus education bill in the Alaska House Chambers on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Coast Guard officer Alexander Curran shows Homer visitors the bow of the USCG cutter Naushon on Aug. 4, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News.)

USCG cutter Naushon to be decommissioned  

A ceremony honoring the soon-to-be retired ship will be held on Friday, March 21 on the Homer Spit.

U.S. Coast Guard officer Alexander Curran shows Homer visitors the bow of the USCG cutter Naushon on Aug. 4, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Emilie Springer/ Homer News.)
Bicyclists race around a corner during the 2025 Homer Epic fundraiser for the Homer Cycling Club. (Photo courtesy of Jake Schlapfer)

Homer Cycling Club hosts ‘Homer Epic’ fundraiser race

The ski category was canceled due to “unfavorable conditions”

Bicyclists race around a corner during the 2025 Homer Epic fundraiser for the Homer Cycling Club. (Photo courtesy of Jake Schlapfer)
Community members hold up protest signs during the Stand for Democracy Rally on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

‘We haven’t lost our democracy yet’

Homer community protests amid sweeping federal changes.

Community members hold up protest signs during the Stand for Democracy Rally on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
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Minister’s Message: With spring approaching, a reminder to shed earthly weights

The Bible tells us to lay aside the weights that may restrict us from doing what the Lord Jesus will have us do.

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Alaska State House District 7 candidate Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska State House District 7 candidate Rep. Justin Ruffridge participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks at a town hall meeting in the Moose Pass Sportsman’s Club in Moose Pass, Alaska, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Advisors to the president should be held to the same conflict of interest standards as members of Congress

Musk’s role reminds me of a policy adopted some years ago by members of Congress — both the House and Senate.

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Minister’s Message: Throttles and old carpet

Dysfunctional means that the abnormal has become normal.

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Biologist Heather Renner presents the results of her recently published study on the 2014-2016 common murre mass die-off on Feb. 18, 2025, at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge in Homer, Alaska. Renner’s research showed that the actual number of dead murre was closer to 4 million birds, compared to earlier estimates of only 500,000 to 1 million. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Biologist reports on mass murre die-off

A mass marine heat wave known simply as “the Blob” decimated their food system from multiple angles.

Biologist Heather Renner presents the results of her recently published study on the 2014-2016 common murre mass die-off on Feb. 18, 2025, at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge in Homer, Alaska. Renner’s research showed that the actual number of dead murre was closer to 4 million birds, compared to earlier estimates of only 500,000 to 1 million. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Writer Tom Kizzia shares his latest story with community members during his presentation on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Homer author Tom Kizzia shares ‘Josie’s Story’

The story highlights the complexity of Jewish-Alaskan history.

Writer Tom Kizzia shares his latest story with community members during his presentation on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)