A vintage KBBI mug, repurposed and filled with various office supplies, rests in the Homer News office window on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

KBBI seeks art submissions for annual membership mugs

The mugs will be released in October, as an incentive for the fall membership drive.

 

Freshly caught fish lay at the author’s feet. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)

Minister’s Message: Fishing together

We, despite our differences, are one human population, attempting to make life each day.

 

In September 1946, the Alaska Sportsman Magazine published “Moose Ranch,” an article by Mamie “Niska” Elwell. The story describes Steve Melchior’s moose-ranching operation from the 1920s and features two photographs of Melchior.

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 5

In June 1913, a peninsula game warden informed the governor that Melchior was raising a moose calf on his mining property.

 

Liam Neeson is Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. in “The Naked Gun.” (Promotional image courtesy Paramount Pictures)

On the Screen: Profoundly dumb, deeply hilarious

‘Naked Gun’ brings back the goofball comedy.

Liam Neeson is Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. in “The Naked Gun.” (Promotional image courtesy Paramount Pictures)
These scones are an easy treat and feature locally-grown fruit. Photo provided by Tressa Dale

Family meals and memories

These easy scones feature fresh cherries, grown locally.

These scones are an easy treat and feature locally-grown fruit. Photo provided by Tressa Dale
Team Seaweed presents their research on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

‘Girls on the Water’ expedition presents on summer adventures and research

The program, run through UAF, helps expose young women to coastal ecosystems

Team Seaweed presents their research on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Pioneer Hall at Kachemak Bay Campus. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
A community member works with clay on a wheel in the ceramics studio at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

Homer’s art scene heads into fall

Homer Council on the Arts’ activities are bursting onto the scene for all to enjoy.

A community member works with clay on a wheel in the ceramics studio at Homer Council on the Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Salmonfest-goers crowd in front of the Ocean Stage during Blackwater Railroad’s performance on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Celebrating salmon, art and culture

Salmonfest was held in Ninilchik last weekend, featuring music, community and advocacy.

Salmonfest-goers crowd in front of the Ocean Stage during Blackwater Railroad’s performance on Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
"Musical Chair" is a photograph by Amaia Nicole Crain, with model Alisa Sonne, on display through August in her solo photography exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts

August First Friday in Homer

Summer is in full swing and Homer’s galleries and public art spaces are abuzz with artists showcasing new and ongoing work.

"Musical Chair" is a photograph by Amaia Nicole Crain, with model Alisa Sonne, on display through August in her solo photography exhibit at Homer Council on the Arts. Photo provided by Homer Council on the Arts
Former Homer News Editor-in-chief Michael Armstrong poses for a photograph Oct, 26, 2024, in Wilmington, Vermont. (Photo by Janet Shook/courtesy)

Aging Gracefully: Write your own story

One unfortunate aspect of aging is that the number of memorial services you attend begins to exceed weddings.

  • Aug 1, 2025
  • By Michael Armstrong Homer News Contributor
  • ColumnHomer
Former Homer News Editor-in-chief Michael Armstrong poses for a photograph Oct, 26, 2024, in Wilmington, Vermont. (Photo by Janet Shook/courtesy)
Posing in front of Steve Melchior’s cabin on the Killey River in 1912 are (left) packer/cook Ferdinand “Fritz” Posth and hunting guide William “Wild Bill” Dewitt, with two trophy Dall sheep heads. (Photo from E. Marshall Scull’s 1914 hunting memoir, “Hunting in the Arctic and Alaska”)
Posing in front of Steve Melchior’s cabin on the Killey River in 1912 are (left) packer/cook Ferdinand “Fritz” Posth and hunting guide William “Wild Bill” Dewitt, with two trophy Dall sheep heads. (Photo from E. Marshall Scull’s 1914 hunting memoir, “Hunting in the Arctic and Alaska”)
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Minister’s Message: ‘Bed rotting’

There’s not much worse than sleeping your life away.

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These childhood favorites are certainly not healthy, but they’re made with more wholesome ingredients than their drive-through equivalents. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Chicken nuggets for the soul

This childhood classic is made with organic chicken breast and wholesome spices.

These childhood favorites are certainly not healthy, but they’re made with more wholesome ingredients than their drive-through equivalents. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Author Naomi Klouda poses for a photo in this undated photograph. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Klouda)

Local author Naomi Klouda publishes dictionary for Alaska’s glaciers

Naomi Klouda was working as the editor of the Tundra Drums weekly newspaper when she began to notice the presence and number of glaciers in… Continue reading

Author Naomi Klouda poses for a photo in this undated photograph. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Klouda)
A small placard provides context and the traditional, indigenous names of a Kenai Birch tree in the Pratt Museum Botanical Garden on Friday, July 25. The Kenai Birch is a hybrid species only present on the Kenai Peninsula. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

Out of the office and under the trees

Throughout this summer, the Pratt has offered guided tours centered on the “science and spirit of the forest.”

A small placard provides context and the traditional, indigenous names of a Kenai Birch tree in the Pratt Museum Botanical Garden on Friday, July 25. The Kenai Birch is a hybrid species only present on the Kenai Peninsula. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Vanessa Kirby is Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal is Reed Richards, Joseph Quinn is Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” (Promotional image courtesy Marvel Studios)

On the Screen: New ‘Fantastic Four’ falls short of superb

This new take on “Fantastic Four” is totally fine.

Vanessa Kirby is Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal is Reed Richards, Joseph Quinn is Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach is Ben Grimm in “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” (Promotional image courtesy Marvel Studios)
The winning designs of the Second Annual City of Soldotna I Voted Sticker Contest are displayed. (Graphics courtesy City of Soldotna)

Winners announced for Soldotna voting sticker design contest

The voting stickers will be available at Soldotna polling locations during the Oct. 1 municipal election.

The winning designs of the Second Annual City of Soldotna I Voted Sticker Contest are displayed. (Graphics courtesy City of Soldotna)
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Minister’s Message: Living like lambs (in the midst of wolves)

The only chance lambs have of survival is if they have a shepherd watching over them, guarding them, protecting them.

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Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.

Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 3

Stephan “Steve” Melchior sent a friend to Katherine to tell her that he had died in Alaska.

Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: I should have known better

It all started off rather quietly.

Nick Varney