News Archives KBBI AM 890 Homer Alaska

AM 890 Homer Alaska - Audio News Archives

Where the Sound Meets The Sea

Commentaries do not necessarily represent the view of the station board of directors, staff or volunteers. If you would like to respond to this commentary or comment on any other subject of local interest send an email to KBBI News Director Mike Mason. His email address is mike@kbbi.org

Selected commentaries by Gordy Vernon

Coffee Table
Wednesdays 9:00AM
Homer: 235-7721
Kenai/Soldotna 1-800-979-5224

KPB Emergency Management 907-262-4910 or 1-800-478-4441
ADNR Division of Forestry
Alaska Interagency Coordination Center
Alaska Fire Service
National Interagency Fire Center
ADF&G Lower Cook Inlet Fishing Announcements

08/26/08 3:07-pm - The NOAA hips Rainier and Fairweather are back in Kachemak Bay. After a month of tracking the tides, they are hard at work using multi-beam sonar to update local nautical charts. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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08/26/08 3:39-pm - The Homer City Council got an earful about stepped up law enforcement from several concerned citizens during Monday night’s city council meeting. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/25/08 2:51-pm - One Homer resident is dead and another is charged with first degree murder after a shooting late saturday night. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/25/08 12:06-pm - The annual Kids Count Alaska data book has been released and it continues to show some alarming trends. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/19/08 3:33-pm - The Alaska Judicial Council has released a study entitled “Selecting and Evaluating Alaska’s Judges: 1984 to 2007”. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/15/08 2:43-pm - Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members are now subject to term limits. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/13/08 3:14-pm - Voters will decide the fate of a ballot measure to provide public funding for campaigns in alaska when they head to the polls for the primary election on august 26th. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/07/08 3:23p - The Alaska marine highway system has released a draft schedule for the summer of 2009. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/07/08 12:14p - Congressman Don Young was in Homer on Wednesday for a public meeting with Homer city officials. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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08/07/08 11:24a - A youth leadership conference related to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault will be held next month in Girdwood and organizers are looking for participants between the ages of 13 and 18. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/06/08 11:01a - A new communications system for the coast guard could be coming to Alaska. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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08/05/08 4:15p - The North Gulf Oceanic Society is a non-profit research and education organization that conducts long-term research on marine mammals. This summer, they are focusing research on whales in the lower Cook Inlet region of the Gulf of Alaska. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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08/05/08 2:35p - The highest ranking member of the US Coast Guard made his first visit to Homer on Tuesday
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08/04/08 4:20p - The Homer City Council discussed budget priorities last week
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08/04/08 1:16p - The Homer City Council last week chose the Alaska based law firm of Birch, Horton, Bittner and Cherot to take over the responsibility of providing legal services
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08/04/08 11:42a - A psychiatrist from the University of Colorado Health Science Center has written a travel book that chronicles her trip across 47 states including Alaska. KBBI’s Mike Mason spoke with Oreen Orion
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08/01/08 1:45p - The friends of the Homer Public Library have published a children’s book about Kachemak Bay. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/30/08 3:33p - The Homer City Council passed an ordinance which makes some changes to the disclosure of public records. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/30/08 1:19p - A TV and video director in Anchorage has created a video sharing website specifically for the State of Alaska. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/30/08 12:53p - The growth potential for aquaculture in Kachemak Bay is soaring, and the demand for shellfish is overwhelming for farmers, who have had a hard time growing enough oysters due to this summers cold weather and a bad batch of oyster seed. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/29/08 12:27p - When Alaska voters go to the polls to vote in the primary election they will have several candidates to choose from. One of the 3 candidates for the democratic parties nomination for US Senate is Homer resident Frank Vondersaar. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/29/08 11:04a - A professor of biology with the University of Alaska system has recently published the results of some ground breaking research about crested auklets
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07/25/08 9:52a - A large number of sport and personal use fishing violations have occurred in the past week on the Kenai Peninsula and wildlife troopers have doubled their numbers to combat rogue fishermen. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/23/08 2:53p - A cell phone provider that has traditionally served the Anchorage area has expanded its offerings to the Kenai Peninsula. KBBI’s Mike Mason has the story.
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07/23/08 11:49a - The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced this week that all of the state ferry’s will be outfitted with a new system intended to conserve fuel. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/22/08 6:17p - The state’s new commissioner of the Division of Public Safety is adamantly denying accusations that he sexually harassed a co-worker while serving as the chief of police in Kenai. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/22/08 2:09p - South Peninsula Hospital in Homer is teaming up with health care providers to offer a “physical exam night” at Homer High School. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/22/08 1:21p - The registration deadline for those who want to register to vote in time to cast a ballot in the state’s primary election is this Sunday
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07/22/08 10:52a - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has decided to use a pesticide to eliminate northern pike in Arc Lake just south of Soldotna. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/21/08 1:08p - The Kenai River Sportfishing Association is supporting the State of Alaska in a lawsuit against the Federal Subsistence Board. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/21/08 2:56p - The US Department of Education is giving the Kenai Peninsula College nearly $2,000,000 in grant funding. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/21/08 6:52p - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is taking steps to ensure that the sockeye salmon escapement goals for the Susitna and Yentna Rivers in upper Cook Inlet are achieved. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/21/08 6:05p - At least three dead whales turned up in the lower Cook Inlet area over the weekend. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/21/08 3:55p - Dipnetters lined the shores of the Kenai river over the weekend as the subsistence fishery peaked. Alongside a couple of hundred other fishermen, KBBI’s Emily Schwing fought the tides at the mouth of the Kenai River
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07/18/08 3:24p - The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is posting food inspection reports online. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/18/08 2:22p - A support organization for non-profit groups in Alaska has unveiled a new health insurance program. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/18/08 11:34a - Four professionally trained opera singers will perform together on saturday night. KBBI’s Emily Schwing visited with them during a rehearsal at the Bunnell Street Art Center
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07/17/08 2:39p - The deputy campaign manager for presidential candidate Barak Obama outlined the campaign’s strategy to win Alaska. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/17/08 10:05a - When Alaskans go to the polls in August to vote in the primary election they will also decide the fate of ballot measure number 4. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/16/08 1:49-pmIn early September the International Pacific Halibut Commission will hold a public workshop to discuss the methods used to determine how the halibut biomass is divided up into regulatory areas. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/16/08 12:51p - Homer area residents will likely see a small, modified jet flying over Kachemak Bay starting at the end of the week. As part of a two-year project called Hydropalooza, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be using the jet to update shoreline maps and nautical charts of Kachemak Bay. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/15/08 6:45p - The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council is calling for the official censure of five members of the US Supreme Court. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/15/08 2:46p - (Update) Several relics were recovered on Monday from the oldest known american shipwreck ever found in alaska waters. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/15/08 2:17p - In Homer, licensed care providers and counselors are seeing an increase in the need for behavioral and mental health care but state officials haven’t noticed the trend yet. Officials believe a number of things are contributing to the increase in the need for care across the state. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/15/08 12:20p - Relics were recovered on Monday from the oldest known American shipwreck ever found in Alaska waters. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/12/08 1:22p - The Kenai Peninsula Borough is getting nearly a million dollars in grant funding from the US Forest Service. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/12/08 11:46a - An anti-meth campaign in Alaska has won a national award for a television commercial that started airing back in 2006. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/11/08 3:30p - The Homer Council on the Arts unveiled a new exhibition Friday which honors the work of renowned Homer artist Karla Freeman
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07/11/08 12:33p - The National Weather Service has formally requested that the Kenai Peninsula Borough participate in the weather service’s “Storm and Tsunami Ready Programs”. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/10/08 4:23p - A group of Kenai Peninsula residents who call themselves “Alaskans for Grocery Tax Relief Now” is currently collecting signatures with the hopes of getting an initiative on the borough ballot in October. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/09/08 6:47p - The most contentious item taken up by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during their meeting Tuesday night was an ordinance to change specific aspects of the current capital spending cap
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07/09/08 1:48p - Sockeye salmon have shown up early in upper Cook Inlet this year. Last Thursday’s opener brought in catches that were closer in number to those expected at the peak of the season. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/09/08 3:19p - The Federal Minerals Management Service is again gauging the oil and gas industry’s interest in leasing areas of Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/09/08 12:59p - One of the world’s foremost experts on bourbon is on the Kenai Peninsula for the next couple of days. KBBI’s Mike Mason spoke with Fred Noe the 3rd for this story
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07/09/08 12:02p - A Seattle based singer-songwriter, originally from Homer, has penned what he calls an anti-Pebble Mine anthem. KBBI’s Mike Mason spoke with Andrew Vait and his band for this report
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07/03/08 3:50p - Charts of Kachemak Bay will get an update over the next 2 years and the first part of the project is underway. The NOAA vessel Fairweather is tied up at the deep water dock in Homer through this weekend in preparation for a joint 2 year hydrographic survey project with its sister ship Rainier. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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07/01/08 1:57p - Work is now underway to install a new fiber optic cable that will link Alaska with the lower 48. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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07/01/08 3:56p - Homer Electric Association is taking another step toward fostering alternative and renewable energy. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/30/08 1:27p - Concerns are being raised about a proposed airpark just outside of the Homer city limits. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/28/08 12:53-pm Last week’s Supreme Court ruling in the Exxon Valdez punitive damages case has prompted reaction from lawmakers, political candidates and commercial fishermen. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/27/08 4:07p - Over 218,000 men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and more than 27-thousand men will die from the disease. The Homer Safeway is hosting a fundraiser in support of prostate cancer awareness and research. KBBI’s Clark Chambers
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06/27/08 3:44p - Alternative and renewable energy projects around the State of Alaska will be sharing $5,000,000 in grant. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/27/08 1:23p - Alaska governor Sara Palin visited Homer on Thursday to sign House Bill 25 into law. Despite the excitement over the governor’s visit, the mood in Homer was a bit somber following a Supreme Court Decision, which drastically cut the Exxon Valdez punitive damage award by nearly 90%. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/27/08 12:22p - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was in Homer Thursday to sign House Bill 25 into law. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/26/08 6:43p - A new housing program for low income residents has been implemented on the Kenai Peninsula. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/26/08 1:23p - A concert will be held tomorrow night in Seldovia that will feature a couple of singer songwriters from the southwest and a band that last played in 1997. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/27/08 10:42a - The only seawall in Homer is once again the subject of some discussion and some controversy within the governing body of the City of Homer. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/25/08 4:20p - The Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic is 25 years old this year, and the clinic’s board, staff, and supporters will celebrate. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/25/08 2:53p - A musical blast from Homer’s past will be held tonight at Alice’s Champagne Palace. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/25/08 12:35p - Today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Exxon Valdez punitive damages settlement was a blow to many who were hoping for significant financial relief from the 1989 disaster. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/24/08 3:03p - The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is taking steps to help airlines, shipping companies, and others dealing with escalating costs. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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This week is invasive weeds awareness week across the State of Alaska. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/23/08 12:35p - The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly introduced an ordinance in respect to capital projects costing greater than $1,000,000
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06/23/08 11:54a - June is typically the month in which Alaska’s major mammal species give birth and Stellar sea lions on Chiswell Island are no exception. Researchers at the Alaska Sealife Center have been observing the sea lions by way of the world’s only live sea lion rookery video feed. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/23/08 10:49a - Over 270 Christian volunteers are on the Kenai Peninsula this week working to improve the homes of many disadvantaged residents. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/20/08 2:48p - The Alaska Supreme Court has struck down an ordinance that limits the size of large retail and wholesale buildings in Homer. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/20/08 12:07p - A memorial scholarship fund has been created in memory of long-time local artist, Alex Combs. Combs, who passed away at the age of 88, was a renowned Alaskan artist and devoted teacher with a passion for continuing adult education in the arts. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/20/08 10:55a - The latest data shows a fairly significant drop in the unemployment rate. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/19/08 6:41p - The US Coast Guard is cautioning against making false “May Day” calls. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/19/08 12:52p - The small Kachemak Bay community of Seldovia will play host to a wide range of musicians for the annual Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival which begins Friday night and runs through Saturday night. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/18/08 2:27p - The State of Alaska is moving forward with geothermal exploration and development at Mount Spurr. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/17/08 4:20p - Wildlife officers with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have been busy over the past few weeks responding to incidents involving bears. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/17/08 3:34p - Alaskan bluegrass band, Bearfoot is in Homer this week to host their 6th annual summer music camp. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/17/08 11:16a - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is praising residents in southcentral Alaska for discretion regarding moose calves. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/16/08 11:44-AM - Planetary Matters with Palmer Bailey - Summer Solstice
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06/16/08 1:46p - The US Supreme court is offering no decision on the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound and whether to uphold billions of dollars of punitive damages. Now a sociology professor says spill litigation may be responsible for unusually high psychological stress levels in one of the towns hit hardest by the spill. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/16/08 1:14p - Homer Electric Association proposing a restart of the Healy Clean Coal Plant, which has sat idle since 2000. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/16/08 9:51a - Homer residents and their dogs gathered in the high school parking lot for the 9th annual strut your mutt event. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/13/08 3:02p - The Alaska Public Offices Commission heard arguments last Wednesday related to a complaint filed by Homer resident Frank Griswold against the City of Homer and its mayor
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06/12/08 5:23p - A new musical dinner theatre comedy will open in Homer Friday night. Sally Oberstein is the writer, director and producer of “Old Songs and Duct Tape”. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/12/08 6:02p - For the last eight days, Jerry Carlson, his son and his three grandsons have been walking along the Sterling Highway
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06/12/08 4:12p - The Coast Guard Cutter Roanoke Island stationed in Homer has a new commanding officer returning from tour of duty in the Middle East. Mike Mason attended the change of command ceremony
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06/12/08 12:30p - June 12th is International Couch Surfing Day and there are events and celebrations scheduled for places ranging from Anchorage to Warsaw, Poland. KBBI’s Mike Mason reclined with two of the organizers of Couch Surfing International and filed this report
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06/11/08 4:36p - The largest utility in Alaska is examining options for building a natural gas pipeline from northern Alaska to south central Alaska. Mike Mason
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06/12/08 10:35a - Each year the Annie E. Casey foundation releases state-by-state information on the health of American’s children. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/11/08 10:43a - Kachemak Emergency Services is recruiting volunteers to train for fire, emergency medical and general support positions. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/10/08 3:49p - The annual Kachemak Bay Writers Conference, which began on Friday, wrapped up Tuesday afternoon. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/10/08 11:30a - The next phase of expansion at Suth Peninsula Hospital is underway and it will require some changes in the way people access the hospital. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/09/08 12:45p - Upper Cook Inlet salmon fishermen and women are gearing up for a few big openings in the coming weeks. KBBI’s Emily Schwing
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06/07/08 2:49p - An avid outdoorsman from Homer has put together a hiking book focused solely on the Kenai Peninsula. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/06/08 5:09p - A Superior Court Judge in Anchorage handed down a decision in an eminent domain case brought forward by the City of Homer
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06/06/08 11:53a - Residents of the Kenai Peninsula and the Kodiak area may find themselves eligible for a low interest home improvement loan from the US Department of Agriculture. KBBI's Mike Mason
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06/01/08 5:50p - Hope Community Resources provides residential services to developmentally disabled Alaskans. KBBI’s Clark Chambers met with a client, her mother and her caregiver for this report.
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06/05/08 1:15p - When Alaskans go to the polls to vote in the August primary they will have several candidates to choose from for the US Senate seat up for election. One of the newest candidates is Republican Vic Vickers from Anchorage who has decided to challenge Ted Stevens for his seat in the senate. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/05/04 10:33a - A climatologist with the geophysical institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has recently published a book detailing “The Climate of Alaska”. KBBI’s Mike Mason spoke with Martha Shulski
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06/04/08 12:00 Noon - The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s assessing department has begun another round of field review’s and reappraisals
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06/04/08 4:45p - The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly finished up work on the fiscal year 2009 budget
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06/03/08 1:34p - The US Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a draft management document which will guide the direction of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years
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06/03/08 3:15p - The Federal Department of Energy handed down a decision Tuesday which deals with the fate of the liquid natural gas facility in Nikiski
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06/02/08 4:05p - The mayors of Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the Mat-Su Borough are asking for assurances from the legislature that a spur line to south-central Alaska will be part of the larger natural gas pipeline project
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06/02/08 3:28p - Alaska lost another captured sea lion over the weekend. A California sea lion named Axel died at the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward
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06/02/08 3:21p - An event at the Homer Public Library on Friday night kicked off the new “Art in the Library” program. KBBI’s Emily Schwing attended the event and filed this report
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06/02/08 12:02p - Monday was the deadline for candidates to file to run for the state legislature. Over the next few weeks KBBI and KDLL news will talk with all of the candidates about their positions and priorities. We begin with Dick Waisanen, who is running for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the District 33 seat in the state legislature. Waisanen will face Republican Incumbent State Representative Kurt Olson from soldotna. KBBI’s Mike Mason
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06/02/08 2:10p - Monday was the deadline to file to run for the state legislature. KBBI’s Mike Mason filed this preview of the race to represent district “35” in the state house
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05/30/08 3:31p - The 2008 commercial salmon fishing season is underway in Resurrection Bay
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05/30/08 2:19p - The 2007 Kenai Peninsula United Way campaign raked in over $835,000 which will be used to support 26 non-profit organizations
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05/28/08 11:36a – David Cuddy interview
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05/29/08 3:55p - A small group of scientists and researchers are gearing up for another season of data collection on Alaska’s Bering Glacier
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05/29/08 1:30p - The Kenai Peninsula is known for it’s majestic beauty, abundant wildlife and world-class fishing. Many areas are open to king salmon fishing including the Anchor River on the lower Kenai Peninsula
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05/28/08 2:51p - Recently approved federal funding will allow scientists and researchers across Alaska to continue or start research projects… including a couple that could impact Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet
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05/27/08 11:57a - A new guidebook helps residents and visitors view the wildlife that the Kenai Peninsula has to offer
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05/25/08 3:05p - When Governor Palin signed the State’s capital budget for 2009 on Friday she likely impacted the fate of the proposed wind farm on Fire Island
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05/24/08 1:54p - On Friday Alaska governor Sara Palin vetoed around $265,00,000 of the state’s $3,600,000,000 capital budget for Fiscal 2009
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05/24/08 11:52a - The Homer Soil and Water Conservation District is spearheading a mapping project in Homer
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05/24/08 1:57p - The first biography of Alaska governor Sara Palin was published earlier this month
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05/22/08 7:04p - Firefighters battling the Homestead Fire on the Kenai Peninsula have the fire almost fully contained
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05/22/08 2:21p - The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved an ordinance which allows expansion of one of the few available drug and alcohol treatment programs
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05/22/08 12:16p - The 300 acre Homestead Fire burning since Monday night near Happy Valley is now 60% contained
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05/22/08 11:00a - The Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the start of the visitor season on the Kenai Peninsula, and one of the most popular destinations is the Anchor River
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05/21/08 1:30p - The executive director of the Kenai Watershed Forum was honored Tuesday by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly
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05/21/08 11:39a - The Homer Community Food Pantry is low on food, which may be linked to the rising cost of food and commodities
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05/20/08 3:50p - Firefighters with the Alaska Division of Forestry, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and other agencies are working to contain a wildfire in the Happy Valley area
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05/19/08 1:39p - The Kenai Peninsula Borough is fixing a flaw in the 911 system
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05/19/08 11:29a - ACS is placing the 4th undersea fiber optic cable connecting Alaska with the lower 48
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05/15/08 3:17p - Musicians will play and travel the state during May
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05/15/08 11:23a - The Annual Soldotna Safety Day
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05/14/08 3:33p - The partnership looking at developing the Pebble gold and copper deposit updated the Homer City Council Monday
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05/13/08 3:37p - The Blood Bank of Alaska has issued an urgent call for blood donors
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05/13/08 2:36p - Homer Eelectric Association is exploring renewable energy projects
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05/12/08 2:56p - The Kenai Peninsula has new road standards thanks to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly
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05/12/08 10:46a - The 16th Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival wrapped up over the weekend. KBBI’s Emily Schwing offers this audio postcard
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05/10/08 3:08p - Weather forecasters are predicting above normal fire danger
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05/09/08 1:29p - A retired wildlife biologist plans to expand studies of sandhill cranes on the lower Kenai Peninsula
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05/09/08 3:31p - The Alaska Community Foundation promoting individual giving
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05/08/08 3:06p - Monitoring stream temperatures across the entire Cook Inlet basin
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05/08/08 1:44p – Palmer Baily, “Planetary Matters”
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05/06/08 3:59p - Kachemak City resident Dan Lush commentary on climate change and sustainable living
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05/06/08 2:49p - seminar on home construction financing
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05/06/08 12:52p - The Homer Electric Associationhas a new member of its board of directors
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05/05/08 4:49p - Students from Fireweed Academy simulated a mission to Mars at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska
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05/05/08 1:47p - A machinery technician with the coast guard cutter Hickory is honored as active duty enlisted person of 2007
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05/05/08 9:50a - Youth at least 18-years old with a personal dedication to helping others are receiving instruction in a discipleship training school
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05/02/08 11:50a - Recent state surveys show there is enough tanner crab in Kachemak Bay to allow some limited tanner crab fishing
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04/30/08 4:36p - A decision on listing the Cook Inlet population of beluga whales under the endangered species act will have to wait several more months
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04/30/08 1:50p - The City of Homer will likely have to find another attorney
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04/29/08 3:20p - The Homer City Council introduced an ordinance Monday night, which if approved, would create a residency incentive credit program
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4/9/08 - About 20 people gathered at the Homer Boys and Girls Club last night (Tuesday), to discuss ways to save the club's summer program, which is currently on the chopping block. Casey Kelly was there and filed this report.
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4/9/08 - A longtime fish fight between competing interests in Cook Inlet has now reached the state legislature. A resolution passed the Alaska Senate on Monday that would create a Cook Inlet Salmon Task Force. But critics say legislators should stay out of it, and let biologists decide. Casey Kelly reports.
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04/07/08 3:55p - Governor Sarah Palin last week vetoed a number of projects that the legislature put into a supplemental spending bill, which she signed on
Thursday. However, for the most part, the projects weren’t vetoed outright.
Rather, the governor requested that they be moved to a different budget
bill. Casey Kelly has more on how local projects fared.
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04/04/08 1:01p – Women of Distinction named
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04/05/08 12:45p – Sustainability Commentary
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04/04/08 4:22p - The current contract between many members of the Alaska State Troopers and the State of Alaska is set to expire
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04/03/08 6:23p - During their meeting earlier this week the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved a resolution that could lead to some property tax relief
Listen to this story04/03/08 3:20p - Homer has long been considered a community that appreciates art
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04/03/08 12:41p – Commentary by Jim Hornaday
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04/03/08 11:17a - The dryer in your home or business could pose a fire hazard
Listen to this story04/02/08 3:24p - The State of Alaska has approved the “certificate of need” for the next phase of expansion at Ssouth Peninsula Hospital
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04/01/08 5:08p - The Alaska Miners Association spoke in Anchor Point about the state’s growing mining industry
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04/01/08 2:42p - Do you know where to find sea otter scat in Kachemak Bay? If so, scientists and researchers wants to hear from you
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03/31/08 3:02p - The mayor of Soldotna, who is running for Borough mayor, has picked up the paperwork to begin a referendum movement on the Kenai Peninsula to limit property assessments. KBBI’s Mike Mason spoke with Dave Carey, who also is the president of the Homer Electric Association Board of Directors. Carey says a leader should find out what the people want before taking a position. Soldotna mayor Dave Carey has announced his intention to run for the borough mayor seat currently held by John Williams. The borough mayor’s job will be up for election this October.
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03/31/08 2:18p - The Alaska Department of Labor recently released some surprising statistics regarding the number of non-residents who work in the Kenai Peninsula Borough
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03/31/08 10:55a - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has again issued an emergency order changing the way sport-fish guides conduct business
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03/29/08 3:14p - The Senate Finance Committee released the latest version of the State’s capital budget for fiscal year 2009
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03/29/08 1:29p - The Homer City Council took action that will likely lead to construction of a new water treatment plant
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03/27/08 7:18p - Another safety measure will soon be brought online in Cook Inlet to ensure the safe transit of oil tankers
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03/28/08 1:49p - A public meeting in Homer to explain the assessing process within the Kenai Peninsula Borough turned rowdy last week
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03/27/08 4:10p - The Bunnell Street Gallery hosted performances of a critically acclaimed one act play
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03/27/08 1:49p - A public meeting in Homer to explain the assessing process within the Kenai Peninsula Borough got out of hand Wednesday
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03/26/08 3:46p - The city bond question on Tuesday was soundly rejected by about a 2 to 1 margin
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A wildlife enforcement officer on the Kenai Peninsula is asking residents and visitors to be aware both brown and black bears begin looking for food anywhere they can get it
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03/25/08 12:15p - With the onset of spring, one of the oldest non-profit organizations on the Kenai Peninsula is gearing up for another busy year of leading tours and education kids
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03/24/08 3:08p - A couple of old friends went out fishing on Sunday in Kachemak Bay, and one of them won over $16,000 for catching a large king salmon
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03/24/08 1:12p - The unemployment rate on the kenai peninsula jumped up sharply last month
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03/21/08 1:45p - Homer voters will decide the fate of a ballot question. The city is seeking voter approval to issue up to $8-million dollars in bonds to build a new city hall and town square
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03/21/08 2:41p - The Homer News sponsored a forum on the upcoming special city election to approve or deny authority to issue general obligation bonds for a new city hall and a town square
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03/21/08 10:27a - Many Homer area residents joined people across the globe in observing the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq
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03/20/08 4:29p - Alaska’s Climate Impact Assessment Commission has presented its final report
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03/20/08 12:06p - The kenai peninsula-prince william sound area superintendent of alaska state parks spoke regarding budget issues and projects on the Kenai Peninsula
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03/20/08 9:44a - A Kenai Peninsula wrestling coach has written his second book about wrestling in Alaska
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03/17/08 4:06p – Planetary Matters – The workings of the stars and planets have fascinated mankind since the beginning of time. Today, the constellation Orion
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03/17/08 3:09p - An appeal was filed Monday challenging a decision to not consider the Chuitna River watershed as unsuitable for surface coal strip mining
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03/17/08 12:14p - The executive director of the International Pacific Halibut Commission was in Homer walking the docks and speaking with many of those involved in the halibut fishery. Bruce Leaman stopped by the KBBI studios and answered a few questions
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03/15/08 2:45p - Homer Electric Association has submitted a request to the Alaska Regulatory Commission to raise their base rate
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03/14/08 1:40p - An effort is underway in Juneau to move the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office from Soldotna to Anchorage
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03/13/08 11:47a - US Senate candidate Frank Vondersaar
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03/12/08 6:47p - The Homer City Council approved a resolution on bluff erosion along Kachemak Drive
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03/12/08 3:47p - Spruce bark beetle mitigation was discussed in Anchor Point in order to make homes and communities safer from wildfires
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03/11/08 4:46p - The Homer unit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula is not offering the regular summer program this year
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03/11/08 1:58p - The Homer City Council decided Monday night to begin the process of helping bail out the homer hockey association from financial difficulties
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03/10/08 1:28p - Pier One Theatre in Homer is sponsoring their 3rd Drama Slam
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03/08/08 1:02p - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has forecast the 2008 commercial salmon harvest
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03/06/08 2:47p - The president of the University of Alaska system joined the administrators of the Kenai Peninsula College in a visit to Homer
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03/05/08 2:19p - Property owners on the Kenai Peninsula are receiving their property assessments
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03/04/08 4:07p - An energy and housing specialist will be on the Kenai Peninsula later this week to hold workshops aimed at lowering home energy costs
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03/04/08 1:10p - The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District voted Monday night to keep in place the current space allocation plan between the Fireweed Academy Charter School and the West Homer Elementary School
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03/04/08 10:59a - The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education met Monday night in Homer
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03/03/08 1:52p - Many of the local scholarship opportunities have deadlines that are fast approaching
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03/03/08 12:25p - Love in the Name of Christ, which has been serving the Kenai Peninsula for the past 20-years, is exploring transitional housing for the homeless
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03/01/08 1:49p - The Alaska Christian College in Soldotna has taken another step towards full accreditation from The Association for Biblical Higher Education
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02/29/08 4:21p - The Bunnell Street Gallery is hosting several performance art pieces originally shown at the Out North Theatre in Anchorage
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02/29/08 2:59p A unique effort to get pieces of art back in circulation will be held throughout the month of March at the Homer Council on the Arts building on Pioneer Avenue
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02/28/08 3:03p - A unique effort to keep moose from lingering on the sterling highway has been scheduled
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02/28/08 1:20p - An LA based 3-piece band touched down in Anchorage on Wednesday for a series of shows in Alaska
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02/27/08 4:34p - Residents along Kachemak Drive voiced opposition to an ordinance giving the city authority to install a water main
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02/27/08 1:38p - Escapement goals, yield concerns and monofilimaent were discussed at the Upper Cook Inlet Drift Association meeting in Homer
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02/26/08 3:35p - The Homer Hockey Association is facing a financial crisis and is looking for some help from local government
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02/26/08 11:53a - Despite the pleas from many area resident the Homer City Council turned down a resolution asking congress to investigate the alleged crimes of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney
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02/25/08 12:08p - The commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has approved a certificate of need application to create a dialysis center in Soldtona
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02/23/08 1:50p - A meeting was held last week to update the public on the design of the proposed new Homer City Hall and Town Square Project
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02/22/08 1:51p - Homer Area Resident Peter Nagle Has Prepared This Commentary, Which Touches On Several Subjects Related To The Power Of Law Enforcement
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02/21/08 2:49p - Several electric utilities are exploring the costs and benefits of a unified power system
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02/21/08 11:40a - A small independent oil and gas company has some favorable news to report about a possible oil development on the lower Kenai Peninsula
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02/19/08 10:58a - Women are being offered strength training classes in their own communities
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02/18/08 3:23p - A huge crowd braved blizzard like conditions on Saturday for the grand opening of the new wing of South Peninsula Hospital
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02/18/08 11:49a - The newly constructed and remodeled section of South Peninsula Hospital was officially unveiled during a grand opening ceremony
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02/14/08 1:10p - Again a pan of ice has impacted an oil tanker while docked in Nikiski.
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02/13/08 3:42p - A couple of commercial mead makers from Alaska, including one from Homer, took home awards during a recent international competition
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02/13/08 2:28p - Greenhouse gas emissions threaten the future of alaska’s salmon
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02/12/08 1:20p - Many frustrated, and perhaps even angry, Homer residents and business owners turned out Monday to voice their displeasure with January’s water and sewer rate hikes
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02/12/08 12:50p - The Kenai Peninsula College is looking at developing a degree program for physical therapy assistants
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02/11/08 1:50p - A renowned World War II gun preservation expert is helping the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge preserve the guns left on Kiska Island in the Aleutian Chain
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02/11/08 12:35p - The Better Business Bureau for Alaska, Oregon And Western Washington is warning residents of several recent scams
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02/06/08 3:40p - An ordinance addressing subdivision road construction in the Kenai Peninsula Borough failed Tuesday
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02/05/08 11:41a - The 12th annual winter x games were held in aspen colorado and featured athletes from across the globe competing in a variety of events. The lone Alaskan competing in the snowmobile freestyle competition was Dane Ferguson of Anchorage
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02/04/08 2:05p - The University of Alaska Anchorage is the recipient of a generous donation of $200,000 dollars from Icicle Seafoods
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02/01/08 3:51p - Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell has approved new regulations for boats and motors on the Kenai River
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01/31/08 2:03p - The details of the proposed fiscal year 2009 Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget were outlined during a budget forum in Homer
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01/30/08 1:57p - The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council has joined the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council in filing a friend of the court brief in the Exxon Valdez punitive damages case that is now before the US Supreme Cour
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01/26/08 2:06p - The long wait is just about over for the newly constructed section of South Peninsula Hospital in Homer
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01/26/08 1:36p - Several new bills were introduced recently for consideration by lawmakers in the ongoing legislative session in Juneau
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01/25/08 1:49p - Several meetings were held in Homer on Thursday to outline the latest design concepts for the proposed new Homer city hall within the undeveloped area of central Homer known as Town Center
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01/24/08 11:35a - Internationally renowned guitar player/singer/songwriter Randall Williams is in Alaska playing shows in Anchorage, Homer and Seldovia
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01/15/08 4:23p - The Homer City Council considered and postponed an ordinance to provide better water service to residents along Kachemak Drive and East End Road
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01/15/08 2:28p – Planetary Matters with Palmer Bailey of the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College. Once again Bailey is focusing on the planet Mars
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01/15/08 1:49p - Another hurdle has been cleared for a new contract between the Kenai Peninsula Borough and South Peninsula Hospital
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01/14/08 3:13p - Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member Milli Martin speaks about issues on which she and other assembly members have been working
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01/14/08 12:40p - The Kenai Peninsula College has a new communication system for emergency situations
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01/10/08 8:53a - Alaska high school seniors have a variety of scholarship opportunities including scholarships from a company famous for it’s burgers
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01/10/08 8:23a - The Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste Department is changing the way waste is handled at several transfer facilities
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01/09/08 4:02p - The manager of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula has opened about 60% of the refuge for use by snowmachiners
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01/09/08 3:07p - The Russian Old Believer communities on the Kenai Peninsula are mourning for the five killed in Saturday’s plane crash on Kodiak Island
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01/08/08 6:25p - Commentary from Homer City Manager, Walt Wrede
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01/08/08 4:28p - The Alaska House and Senate are busy getting ready for the start of the legislative session in Juneau next tuesday. To get a feel for some of the issues that will be addressed during the 90-day session KBBI’s Mike Mason spoke with District 34 State Representative Mike Chenault from Nikiski
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01/08/08 2:04p - The public comment period ends Thursday for the draft version of the statewide long range transportation policy plan, “2030: Lets Get Moving”
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01/08/08 10:56a - The National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy updated the watch list of imperiled birds
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01/07/08 7:41p - A Kenai man has entered a guilty plea in federal court to the charge of wire fraud
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01/07/08 3:36p - The next session of the Alaska legislature will get started next week. The prospect of a 90-day session has drawn criticism and concern from many area lawmakers but district Q State Senator Tom Wagoner
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01/08/08 9:03a - A republican state senator representing a portion of the Kenai Peninsula is introducing legislation later this month to help Alaskans cope with high energy prices
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01/07/08 2:10p - A small commercial airplane crashed Saturday afternoon after take off from Kodiak
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01/04/08 4:09p - Several state legislators have pre-filed bills and resolutions in advance of the legislative session
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01/03/08 2:56p - Sara Palin and executives from Conoco Phillips and Marathon Oil are supporting a 2-year extension of the federal export license for the liquefied natural gas plant in Nikiski
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01/03/08 11:14-AM The cable and satellite television channel which airs coverage of the Alaska legislature has a new name and expanded programming
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01/02/08 3:47p - A large contingent of the halibut charter operators across Alaska are supporting a change to the way catch limits are determined for southeast Alaska
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01/02/08 9:54a - The Regulatory Commission Of Alaska approved new rules deregulating the commercial refuse hauling industry across much of the railbelt
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12/29/07 2:59p - Three members of the Alaska Legislature representing coastal areas of the Gulf of Alaska are upset with the Alaska Marine Highway System’s fiscal 2009 operating plan