Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday at her salon Short Cuts on Lake Street in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

State allows some gatherings; businesses begin reopening

Indoor gatherings will be limited to 20 people, or 25% capacity of the site, whichever is smaller.

Ashley Story gives a haircut to client Michael Halstead on Friday at her salon Short Cuts on Lake Street in Homer, Alaska. Story’s is one of several Homer businesses to reopen their doors Friday according to relaxed state restrictions, while several others have opted to wait. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Court reports for March 12, 2020

Court reports for March 12, 2020

The following judgments were recently handed down in Kenai District Court: Kiana Cheyenne Edgmon, 23, of Kenai, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. In… Continue reading

Court reports for March 12, 2020
Public safety briefs for Feb. 21, 2020

Public safety briefs for Feb. 21, 2020

Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement records and contains arrest and citation information. Anyone listed in this report is presumed… Continue reading

Public safety briefs for Feb. 21, 2020
Public safety briefs for March 11, 2020

Public safety briefs for March 11, 2020

Information for this report was taken from publicly available law enforcement records and contains arrest and citation information. Anyone included in this report is presumed… Continue reading

Public safety briefs for March 11, 2020
Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion                                Pamyua performs at the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna Creek Park in 2019.

Music in the Park returns to its local roots

Chamber hoping to hold music series once public gatherings are allowed.

Brian Mazurek / Peninsula Clarion                                Pamyua performs at the Levitt AMP Soldotna Music Series in Soldotna Creek Park in 2019.
A birthday parade for Katie Stockton’s sweet 16 in Kenai, Alaska, on April 2, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Julie English)

Kids don’t let quarantine rain on their parade

Community finds creative ways to celebrate birthdays during pandemic.

A birthday parade for Katie Stockton’s sweet 16 in Kenai, Alaska, on April 2, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Julie English)
A sign announcing the closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools at K-Beach Elementary can be seen on March 26, 2020, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly OKs at least $45M for schools

Assembly approved $7 million less than the district received for FY 2020.

A sign announcing the closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District schools at K-Beach Elementary can be seen on March 26, 2020, near Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign notifying the public of closure of nonessential businesses due to public health mandate 11 can be seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued guidelines allowing nonessential businesses to operate in a limited capacity on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Getting back to business

Mandate offers guidelines for nonessential businesses.

A sign notifying the public of closure of nonessential businesses due to public health mandate 11 can be seen in Soldotna, Alaska, on April 1, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued guidelines allowing nonessential businesses to operate in a limited capacity on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Monday, April 20, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Monday, April 20, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Mark Thiessen / associated press                                 A commercial van with signs on its back windows is driven through downtown Anchorage on Wednesday as part of a caravan of more than 80 vehicles. Participants urged local and state leaders to open up businesses shuttered temporarily while residents were told to stay home. The state will allow some businesses to open Friday, and the city of Anchorage will allow some Monday.

New mandate breaks down reopening protocols

Dunleavy outlines details for nonessential businesses; test criteria loosens

Mark Thiessen / associated press                                 A commercial van with signs on its back windows is driven through downtown Anchorage on Wednesday as part of a caravan of more than 80 vehicles. Participants urged local and state leaders to open up businesses shuttered temporarily while residents were told to stay home. The state will allow some businesses to open Friday, and the city of Anchorage will allow some Monday.
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
Alaska’s congressional delegation, from left to right: Sens. Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Don Young, all Republicans.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Monday, April 20, 2020, in Juneau. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)

Dunleavy unveils plan to disburse $1.25B in federal relief funds

Borough would receive $37 million in community assistance.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a press conference on Monday, April 20, 2020, in Juneau. (Photo by Austin McDaniel/Office of the Governor)
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)
Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion                                The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26 in Soldotna.

Assembly pushes for opening economy, with caveats

On Wednesday, Dunleavy rolled out a plan to reopen sectors of the economy.

Victoria Petersen / Peninsula Clarion                                The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26 in Soldotna.
The Homer News offices at 3482 Landings Street, as seen on March 17, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer News, Peninsula Clarion and Juneau Empire win awards

A Facebook live announcement was held and the results released on April 18.

The Homer News offices at 3482 Landings Street, as seen on March 17, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an April 14 press conference in Anchorage.

Questions raised over process proposed to disburse aid funds

Dunleavy has asked the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee to review his plan to distribute funds

  • Apr 22, 2020
  • By BECKY BOHRER Associated Press
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor                                Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an April 14 press conference in Anchorage.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Martin                                 Thirty duffel bags filled by the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors for children in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition Program are photographed in December 2018 in Kenai.

Students in Transition continues to provide services

The 18-year-old program helps homeless students and students no longer in the custody of parents.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Martin                                 Thirty duffel bags filled by the Kenai Peninsula Association of Realtors for children in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Students in Transition Program are photographed in December 2018 in Kenai.
Charles Rex Arbogast / associated press                                 Petroleum storage tanks at the BP Indiana Tank Field are seen behind a security gate Tuesday in Whiting, Indiana. The world is awash in oil, there’s little demand for it and we’re running out of places to put it

Oil hits new lows as economic pain deepens

U.S. benchmark crude was trading as low as $6.50 a barrel Tuesday.

  • Apr 21, 2020
  • By Cathy Bussewitz Associated Press
Charles Rex Arbogast / associated press                                 Petroleum storage tanks at the BP Indiana Tank Field are seen behind a security gate Tuesday in Whiting, Indiana. The world is awash in oil, there’s little demand for it and we’re running out of places to put it
A sign announcing the pick-up only services at Everything Bagels in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen on April 1, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced loosened restrictions on dine-in services during a press conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Dunleavy eases closure mandates

Restaurants, retails and personal care services open at limited capacity.

A sign announcing the pick-up only services at Everything Bagels in Soldotna, Alaska, is seen on April 1, 2020. Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced loosened restrictions on dine-in services during a press conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Assembly looks to shorten meetings, focus on COVID-19

Resolution would suspend discussions not related to the pandemic or other time-sensitive matters.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District building is closed on March 26, 2020, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)