Hope McKenney

The Homer Police Department is hosting another women’s self-defense course this weekend, after a class last fall saw an outpouring of interest from women across the Kenai Peninsula.

It can be difficult for family and caregivers to understand the experience of impaired ability to remember, think or make daily decisions, but a virtual dementia tour seeks to bridge the divide by putting people in the shoes of someone experiencing dementia; and scientists last week warned that two Aleutian volcanoes were at a heightened risk to erupt following a series of high-intensity earthquakes nearby.

The Homer Police Department is hosting a series of presentations for parents this spring to raise awareness about youth safety and etiquette online — from preventing sexual exploitation, to stalking and cyber-bullying; and for the first time in five years, Pier One Theatre, Homer High School’s choral program and a community orchestra are coming together to put on “Newsies,” the musical, this weekend.

For the first time in five years, Pier One Theatre, Homer High School’s choral program and a community orchestra are working together to put on a theatrical production: Opening night for “Newsies” happens this Friday.

The Alaska Marine Highway System and the state Department of Public Safety announced the renewal of a ride-along agreement for Alaska State Troopers earlier this month; the flood service area for the Seward area will soon have a full-time manager; and Janette Bower has accepted the position of city manager of Soldotna and will start on May 15, according to the city.

Kenai Peninsula Borough officials say no damage was reported in the region following a magnitude 5.4 earthquake early Sunday morning; and local healthcare providers in Homer and Ninilchik are reporting patients are facing months-long delays in new Medicaid application approvals.

No tsunami warning has been issued following a 5.4-magnitude earthquake that hit about 15 miles west of Homer early Sunday morning.

Dedicated volunteers and advocates in Homer are working to promote food access in the community through the local food pantry and statewide food security initiatives; oil and gas company Hilcorp is expanding one of its drilling pads on the southern Kenai Peninsula; and the 29th Annual Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament is still on as planned for Saturday — at least for now.

As previously reported by KTOO, the ongoing backlog in processing food stamp applications continues to impact thousands of Alaskans; and sockeye salmon are forecasted to return somewhat stronger this year in the Upper Cook Inlet, but the forecast comes as state fisheries managers have closed King salmon sport fishing and the east side set net fishery altogether this summer, amid a continuing trend of declining runs in the region.Correction: The first story incorrectly cited Alaska Public Media as reporting on the SNAP benefit backlog in Alaska. KTOO in Juneau did the initial reporting.

The ‘Łuk’ae Tse’ Taas’ — or Fish Head Soup — collective of Alaska Native comic artists and writers aims to share visual stories of Alaska’s rich regional cultures, and made a visit Homer over the weekend; and on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a bill that would restrict Alaska’s LGBTQ students’ ability to live in accordance with their gender identities at school.