Staff from South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Public Health board the M/V Tustumena to test 35 crew members and six passengers Monday, at the Homer Ferry Terminal. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Tustumena returns to Homer carrying COVID-19 positive crew member

6 passengers, remaining crew will all be tested and asked to quarantine

Staff from South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Public Health board the M/V Tustumena to test 35 crew members and six passengers Monday, at the Homer Ferry Terminal. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
COVID-19. (CDC)

Peninsula gains more than a dozen COVID-19 cases over weekend

The state announced 11 new resident cases Friday, and 12 new cases Saturday across Alaska.

COVID-19. (CDC)
University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system
University of Alaska regents cut 39 programs across the system
In front and from left to right, Aaron Ford, Karianna Ford and Jenni Stowe hold signs at a protest on Sunday, May 30, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, in support of people of color who have been the subject of police violence, including George Floyd, a man who died May 25, 2020, in a police encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the “We (heart) our po po” sign — “po po” is slang for “police” — there also was a sign that read “Thank you HPD.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Homer residents organize multiple demonstrations on racial injustice

Gatherings, protests and demonstrations have been held in Alaska from Anchorage to Haines to Bethel.

In front and from left to right, Aaron Ford, Karianna Ford and Jenni Stowe hold signs at a protest on Sunday, May 30, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska, in support of people of color who have been the subject of police violence, including George Floyd, a man who died May 25, 2020, in a police encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the “We (heart) our po po” sign — “po po” is slang for “police” — there also was a sign that read “Thank you HPD.” (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
University of Alaska president says difficult changes are coming
University of Alaska president says difficult changes are coming
Registered Nurse Cathy Davis (left) and Chief Nursing Officer Dawn Johnson (right) work at a table to get COVID-19 tests ready for the public Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. South Peninsula Hospital is now offering free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people with no appointments necessary at the Boat House Pavilion through June 6. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

1 new COVID-19 case in Homer as hospital offers free testing on the Spit

Additional COVID-19 cases announced in Soldotna and in a nonresident visitor to the peninsula

Registered Nurse Cathy Davis (left) and Chief Nursing Officer Dawn Johnson (right) work at a table to get COVID-19 tests ready for the public Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. South Peninsula Hospital is now offering free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people with no appointments necessary at the Boat House Pavilion through June 6. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
COVID-19. (CDC)

7 new cases of COVID-19 on Kenai Peninsula

4 of the new cases are on the southern peninsula, and Nikiski has its first case

COVID-19. (CDC)
Photos by Megan Pacer / Homer News                                Music lovers listen to a performance on the River Stage at Salmonfest on Aug. 4, 2018, in Ninilchik.

Salmonfest music festival canceled for 2020

Salmonfest director confident next year’s festival will go ahead as planned.

Photos by Megan Pacer / Homer News                                Music lovers listen to a performance on the River Stage at Salmonfest on Aug. 4, 2018, in Ninilchik.
Employees of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank stand next to their newly acquired delivery truck in Soldotna, Alaska, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Greg Meyer/Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)

Food bank gets new truck

The refrigerated box truck will distribute food around the peninsula.

Employees of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank stand next to their newly acquired delivery truck in Soldotna, Alaska, in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Greg Meyer/Kenai Peninsula Food Bank)
After nearly a month, CARES Act funding is heading out
After nearly a month, CARES Act funding is heading out
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, fly in formation over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex on July 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Richardson)

Jets will fly over peninsula to honor health care workers

Residents should be able to see the flyovers from their homes.

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, fly in formation over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex on July 18, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James Richardson)
Fishing charters ask for modified regulations during COVID-19 pandemic

Fishing charters ask for modified regulations during COVID-19 pandemic

Fishing charters are currently allowed to operate at 50% capacity with people from different households.

Fishing charters ask for modified regulations during COVID-19 pandemic
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
This aerial photo shows how retardant was used to slow the advance of a wildfire toward cabins threatened by the Murray Fire in the Caribou Hills on Sunday, May 10, 2020 near Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Duane Morris/Alaska Division of Forestry)

Ninilchik Emergency Services, state forestry contain wildland fire near Ninilchik

Blaze threatened 2 homes and was started by juveniles playing with fireworks

This aerial photo shows how retardant was used to slow the advance of a wildfire toward cabins threatened by the Murray Fire in the Caribou Hills on Sunday, May 10, 2020 near Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Duane Morris/Alaska Division of Forestry)
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)

Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival goes virtual

Though the annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival was canceled along with so many other events in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the festival organizers… 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)
Photo courtesy Seldovia Village Tribe                                 Staff with the Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness Center and the Seldovia Village Tribal Administration conduct free COVID-19 testing April 29 in Seldovia.

Following community testing event, Seldovia Village Tribe finds no positive cases

Tests results show 168 people in village are negative for COVID-19

Photo courtesy Seldovia Village Tribe                                 Staff with the Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness Center and the Seldovia Village Tribal Administration conduct free COVID-19 testing April 29 in Seldovia.
Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining
Tribes, conservationists, urge action on transboundary mining
South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic
South Peninsula Hospital health worker helps NYC during pandemic
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)

2 new COVID-19 cases announced at South Peninsula Hospital

One case is from community transmission, the other still under investigation

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)
Population projections run into a pandemic

Population projections run into a pandemic

State has net zero or negative growth.

Population projections run into a pandemic