20 years ago

Members of the Homer Softball Association started land clearing of a right-of-way into the proposed Jack Gist Park about 2 miles east of town on East End Road. The road clearing provided a path for a contractor to bring in fill from East End Road reconstruction. The park was to include three baseball diamonds and a horse arena. The land clearing also provided a bonus for locals: small spruce trees for transplanting and free firewood.

— From the issue of Oct. 10, 2000

30 years ago

Emotions flared at a Homer City Council meeting to reconsider building a veterans memorial in Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith and Love Park on Pioneer Avenue. Brother Asaiah Bates, the landowner who deeded WKFL Park to the city, said he intended the park to honor the inner peace he came to find after serving in the South Pacific during World War II. Bates offered to pay $5,000 to the American Legion for what it spent on the planned memorial. One speaker said Bates should use the money to go see a psychiatrist “because he is sick and he is crazy,” the man said.

“Would you tell that brother I love him?” Bates shouted from the back of the room.

— From the issue of Oct. 11, 1990

50 years ago

Working with Alaska State Troopers, Homer Police arrested two men suspected to have broken into the Bayside Lounge on June 12, 1970. The men, ages 18 and 22, also were suspects in burglaries of the Club Bar and the Sterling Bar early in the morning of Sept. 30. Police caught them at about 2 p.m. near Mile 61 Sterling Highway and recovered stolen property.

— From the issue of Oct. 8, 1970