News

Emergency worker Melanie Chavez takes a COVID-19 test sample at the Juneau International Airport screening site on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. The City and Borough of Juneau raised its health alert level Tuesday as the number of cases grows locally and statewide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Increase in COVID cases could overwhelm hospitals, experts warn

Mask now so businesses stay open later, they say.

 

This “I voted” sticker in Aleut by artist Barbara Lavallee is part of the Alaska Division of Elections 2020 stickers designed to “depict the diversity, strength and power of Alaskan women,” according to an Oct. 12, 2020, press release from the Division of Elections. The designs feature the words “I voted” in English, Spanish, Koyukon, Gwich’in, Aleut, Tagalog, Alutiiq, Northern Inupiaq, Nunivak Cup’ig, and Yup’ik, and will be available at polling places for the Nov. 3 general election as well as online. (Photo courtesy Alaska Division of Elections)

Absentee in-person voting starts Oct. 20 in Homer

Absentee ballots can be mailed or dropped off at Homer City Hall

 

A row of footballs at the Homer-Seward game at Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer football program quarantined after positive COVID-19 case

Homer High School remains open to in-person learners

 

Residents cast their votes in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Voters turn down hybrid election system

Ballot measure to create service area for Ninilchik, Anchor Point passes

Residents cast their votes in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Sarah Dayan. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)

Homer woman charged in murder of Soldotna man

The victim, Keith Huss, 57, was found in Turnagain Pass

Sarah Dayan. (Photo courtesy Alaska State Troopers)

Troopers search for Homer woman in connection with suspected homicide

A man found was dead at a road pullout near Mile 68.5 of the Seward Highway on Tuesday.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Event tied to case cluster unlikely to lead to punishments

Here’s why.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17 encourages residents to wear cloth face coverings while in public. A social gathering tied to a recent cluster of cases of COVID-19 is unlikely to lead to punishment, but city officials are hopeful it may encourage people to be more cautious. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
From left, Kenai City Council candidates Tim Navarre, Teea Winger and Henry Knackstedt participate in a candidate forum with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Chamber quizzes Kenai City Council candidates

Election 2020

From left, Kenai City Council candidates Tim Navarre, Teea Winger and Henry Knackstedt participate in a candidate forum with the Kenai Chamber of Commerce at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center on Sept. 16, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

3 new COVID-19 cases on peninsula

The state announced four new hospitalizations Wednesday.

Signs on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the main entrance to South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska, warn visitors not to enter until they have been met by hospital staff. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)

City unveils three additional financial relief programs for struggling organizations

Child care, social services and nonprofits can now apply for funds

Homer City Hall. (Homer News file photo)
A member of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department walks toward a boat fire on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. Firefighters doused the blaze that caught on a 32-foot fiberglass boat that evening. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Firefighters douse boat fire

No one injured in blaze at the Homer Harbor

A member of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department walks toward a boat fire on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in the Homer Harbor in Homer, Alaska. Firefighters doused the blaze that caught on a 32-foot fiberglass boat that evening. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

An exclusive Q&A with Libertarian presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen

‘We believe in the individual.’

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Cruise control: Activists voice goals for cruise industry reform

Pollution, human rights and community determinism are all on their agenda.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Fireweed Academy Kindergarten teacher Erin Pollock holds class outside on the first day of school Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Janet Bowen, Fireweed Academy)

Lower peninsula schools open for in-person and remote education

Schools in the areas with low and medium risk can progress with in-person learning

Fireweed Academy Kindergarten teacher Erin Pollock holds class outside on the first day of school Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Janet Bowen, Fireweed Academy)
In this June 23, 2016 photo, the Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Sailings canceled after ferry passengers test positive for COVID-19

Ferry crew to be tested.

In this June 23, 2016 photo, the Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

Back to school

Principals discuss what reopening will look like at local schools

Homer High School. (Homer News file photo)

Now home, AMHS crew member tests positive for COVID-19

No additional actions needed.

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)
Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)

Knopp’s name to remain on Aug. 18 primary ballot

Should he win, the Alaska Republican Party will be able to petition for a replacement candidate.

Rep. Gary Knopp, R-Kenai, talks to the media about his nomination for Speaker of the House in this February 2019 photo. Knopp died July, 31, in a plane crash near his home town. (Michael Penn/ Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Gary Knopp is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Jayme Jones)

Lawmakers remember colleague killed in crash

State Rep. Gary Knopp, who represented Kenai-Soldotna area, was one of seven people killed Friday.

Rep. Gary Knopp is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Jayme Jones)