A late-night call May 19 reporting a suspicious glow in the sky near Happy Valley alerted firefighters to what became known as the "Homestead Fire." With beetle-killed trees, logging slash and dead grass to feed on, the fire spread to more than 260 acres, but was slowed by cold temperatures, frost and the efforts of ground and air firefighters.

City attorney announces plans

City of Homer Attorney Gordon Tans announced plans to leave Homer and close the chapter on his 32-year career practicing law. See "Transitions."

Cruise ship visits Homer

Homer's tourist season got an early start in May when 1,200 passengers and crew of the Holland America cruise ship Statendam stopped in Homer. An arts and crafts fair was held in the NOMAR parking lot, and visitors strolled the Homer Spit or visited local attractions.

Writer wins first prize

Homer writer Linda Thompson won first prize, best nonfiction book, in the Alaska Professional Communicators annual contest for "Erik's Story: Finding His Gift Against All Odds in Rural Alaska."

Artists wins $25,000 grant

The Rasmuson Foundation honored artist Ron Senungetuk as its 2008 Distinguished Artist, giving him a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Photographer Linda Smogor also got a $12,000 Rasmuson fellowship. Smogor later won Best of Show at the Rarefied Light exhibit at the Rasmuson Center for "Deva and Her Beach Towel."

Downtown burglaries start

A string of burglaries that by year's end would top over 25 incidents started in early May, with three Pioneer Avenue businesses hit in one week. In most burglaries, the thief or thieves broke windows or doors and stole petty cash. In November police arrested a gang of juveniles for one burglary and in December arrested a 34-year-old Homer man, Jason Veldstra, for another two burglaries. Police have identified Veldstra as a suspect in many of the summer's burglaries.

Snowmachine accident kills one

A man born and raised in Homer died May 10 after his snowmachine plunged into a crevasse on Spencer Glacier near Whittier. Killed was Karl Jabas, 28. The son of Linda Jabas of Homer and Joseph Jabas of Valdez, Karl Jabas was raised at the family's cabin at Caribou Lake and had been an experienced snowmachiner.

"He was the most amazing person I've every known, and he was loving life," his sister, Toni Ross, said.

Halibut Cove artist dies

Halibut Cove artist Alex Combs suffered a heart attack and died May 22. Combs was born in Kentucky in 1919, served in the United States Navy, studied art at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and was awarded a master's degree in fine arts from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1952. After teaching art for the Anchorage School District and the Anchorage Community College, he made Halibut Cove his year-round home in 1979. His work was exhibited far and wide, his awards many and his inspiration felt by numerous artists. "The main thing he taught was to be aware of the subject and do what it is you see. And then, of course, there were all kinds of things about colors, dealing with your oil painting. He was a wonderful friend," Halibut Cove artist Diana Tillion said.