News

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)

State announces protocols for commercial fishermen and charters, loosens some in-state travel restrictions

Two more cases announced Thursday brings state total to 337

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)
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)
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)
Two people shake hands at a community gathering and barbecue at the beach Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. The event was hosted by Homer’s Sons of Liberty to assert the right to assemble. Organizers said attendees were encouraged to practice social distancing guidelines. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Homer group holds beach barbecue with social distancing mandate still in place

Homer’s Sons of Liberty advocate right to assemble, while Alaska’s economy inches toward reopening

Two people shake hands at a community gathering and barbecue at the beach Saturday, April 18, 2020 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. The event was hosted by Homer’s Sons of Liberty to assert the right to assemble. Organizers said attendees were encouraged to practice social distancing guidelines. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)

Anchor Point man dies out of state from COVID-19

The state of Alaska reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday on its website.

COVID-19. (Courtesy the CDC)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File A cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2017.

Seattle cruise operations postponed indefinitely

This follows the closing of Vancouver to cruise ships.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File A cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2017.
The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Homer announces first case of COVID-19

The person reported symptoms in Anchorage after traveling and remains in isolation in Anchorage.

The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
Brenna McCarron, a Homer High School graduate stuck in Peru after the country closed its borders to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, stands at Machu Picchu, Peru. She is one of about 19 Alaskans stranded in the country. (Photo courtesy Brenna McCarron)

Playing the waiting game in Peru

Homer High grad one of 19 Alaskans stranded when Peru closed its borders due to coronavirus

Brenna McCarron, a Homer High School graduate stuck in Peru after the country closed its borders to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, stands at Machu Picchu, Peru. She is one of about 19 Alaskans stranded in the country. (Photo courtesy Brenna McCarron)
No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau asked to hunker down as second case confirmed

Juneau is steeling itself against a coming storm.

No cruises till July at the earliest mean these tourist-targeted shops downtown will likely remain shuttered for months longer, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19

Business owners encouraged to take peninsula-wide survey

SBA offers loans for struggling businesses in wake of COVID-19
The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)

Homer man accused of attempted murder and assault

The man allegedly attacked a family member following an argument.

The Homer Courthouse. (Homer News file photo)
Photo courtesy of Christina Whiting Tins with blue ribbons were placed on Feb. 26, 2020, around Homer, Alaska, for people to wear as part of an awareness campaign for a missing Homer woman, Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019.

Blue ribbons put out for missing Homer woman

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17.

Photo courtesy of Christina Whiting Tins with blue ribbons were placed on Feb. 26, 2020, around Homer, Alaska, for people to wear as part of an awareness campaign for a missing Homer woman, Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, missing since Oct. 17, 2019.
Ed Berg, the step-father of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, speaks at a community conversation about the missing Homer woman Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News) Ed Berg, the step-father of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, speaks at a community conversation about the missing Homer woman Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Family holds community conversation on missing daughter

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17.

Ed Berg, the step-father of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, speaks at a community conversation about the missing Homer woman Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News) Ed Berg, the step-father of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane, speaks at a community conversation about the missing Homer woman Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Teresa Jacobson Gregory presents a visual illustration of the proposed gravel pit extension and the impacts it may have on residents and the surrounding state recreation area at the Anchor Point Advisory Planning Commission Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)

Anchor Point advisory group recommends gravel pit expansion

The recommendation is being forwarded to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission.

Teresa Jacobson Gregory presents a visual illustration of the proposed gravel pit extension and the impacts it may have on residents and the surrounding state recreation area at the Anchor Point Advisory Planning Commission Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at the Anchor Point Senior Center in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman)
Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich

Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich

Her face will appear on the U.S. $1 coin this year.

Hundreds gather to honor Alaska civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich
Ninilchik Fire Chief David Bear moves the fire truck out of the new Ninilchik Emergency Services building on Aug. 9, 2014, to make room for visitors to the open house of the new NES building. (Homer News file photo)

Ninilchik Emergency Services chief, assistant chief reinstated

Former board has resigned and been replaced, and department is back to normal staffing

Ninilchik Fire Chief David Bear moves the fire truck out of the new Ninilchik Emergency Services building on Aug. 9, 2014, to make room for visitors to the open house of the new NES building. (Homer News file photo)
Community talk to be held on missing Homer woman

Community talk to be held on missing Homer woman

Anesha “Duffy” Murnane has been missing since Oct. 17.

Community talk to be held on missing Homer woman
Photo by Delcenia Cosman Friends of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane and members of the community supporting the campaign to bring her home pose with signs during a candlelight vigil held at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska on Feb. 1.

Vigil held for woman missing since October

Homer hasn’t given up hope. Community members and family friends gathered at noon for a candlelight vigil at WKFL Park on Saturday, Feb. 1 for… Continue reading

Photo by Delcenia Cosman Friends of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane and members of the community supporting the campaign to bring her home pose with signs during a candlelight vigil held at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska on Feb. 1.
People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)

Going viral: Coronavirus means cruise line changes, but it’s not yet in Alaska

Here’s what you need to know about novel coronavirus.

People wearing masks, attend a vigil for Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 7. The death of a young doctor who was reprimanded for warning about China’s new virus triggered an outpouring Friday of praise for him and fury that communist authorities put politics above public safety. (AP Photo | Kin Cheung)
U.S. Navy | Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony J. Rivera The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the Gulf of Alaska on May 24.

Experts, military officers testify about rising importance, threat in Arctic

The Great Game will be played in the Arctic, expert says.

U.S. Navy | Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony J. Rivera The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the Gulf of Alaska on May 24.