20 years ago in the Homer News

Jean Keene, Homer’s Eagle Lady, said she will continue to feed eagles from her home on the Spit despite the loss of Icicle Seafoods after a fire destroyed it in July. In years past Keene got fish scraps from the plant. Keene said she’ll quit feeding eagles as soon as someone tells her to do so.

— From the issue of Dec. 24, 1998

30 years ago in the Homer News

A Homer skipper rescued three fishermen adrift in a raft in the Bering Sea. The fishermen survived the sinking of the Arctic II, though two other crew were lost when a wave flipped their raft. Dale Raymond had been running the American Beauty through the area of the sinking when one of his crew saw the raft and survivor Kevin Clausen waved a flashlight out of the raft.

— From the issue of Dec. 22, 1988

50 years ago in the Homer News

Homer pioneer Alvia “Matt” Mattox, 89, died on Dec. 22, 1968, of a heart attack. Mattox was born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, in 1879, and arrived in Alaska in 1927. Before moving to Homer in 1931, he worked in Point Barrow, Nome, Unalakleet, Unalaska and Makushin. Old timers remembered him for his flowing white beard, and for his job hauling coal to the school with his two-horse team and wagon. He also had been a pioneer in the cattle business.

— From the issue of Dec. 26, 1968