Local News

A years-long plan to update the highway through Moose Pass continues to draw pushback from residents of the small community, who worry the project will be disruptive to their properties and community.

Alaska’s percentage increase in drug overdose deaths was the highest of any state in the U.S. last year, from 146 deaths in 2020 to 254 in 2021 — a nearly 73 percent jump. One Kenai-based group is working on an initiative to get more overdose-reversal kits out to the public in the face of the continuing epidemic.

There’s a special “youth-only” fishing opener on the Homer Spit this Saturday. A portion of the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon will be open from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for youth anglers age 15 years and younger looking to catch coho salmon.

The 40th annual Bristol Bay Fishtival celebration in Naknek brought together fisherfolk, residents and visitors for a weekend of food, music, arts and many other traditions.

Homer’s mayor has thrown his hat in the ring for a third term at the head of city government. Mayor Ken Castner has held the seat since 2018. He filed to run for another two-year term on Monday.

Homer’s Independent Living Center has received a $98,962 grant to train staff working with people who have traumatic brain injuries. Joyanna Geisler is the founder and executive director of the local nonprofit, which works with individuals experiencing all disabilities.

The new Three Bears location in Sterling is slated to open on Friday, Aug. 5.Construction delays pushed the original opening back more than a year. But the Wasilla-based company says it hopes everything will be good to go Friday at the new location — which will include a grocery store, gas station, liquor store, convenience store, and Ace Hardware store.

Rowell is a 76-year-old former teacher and has lived in Alaska for nearly five decades. And for the past 25 years, she has volunteered as the guide for the Homer Harbor History Tour through the Pratt Museum.Even though she originally had no intention of living in Alaska, she said guiding the tour allows her to introduce tourists and locals to the place she has come to love.

The M/V Tustumena will depart Homer Tuesday.

Early voting kicked off statewide Monday for several Aug. 16 elections.