20 years ago in the Homer News

With the state in a fiscal crisis that could lead to cuts for Homer athletic facilities and programs, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly members Drew Scalzi and Ron Drathman shopped around the idea of an alternative funding mechanism: creating a recreational service area. The proposed recreational service area wouldn’t run facilities, but collect the money and pass it on to other entities, Drathman said.

— From the issue of April 15, 1999

30 years ago in the Homer News

Residents of Nanwalek increased the harvest of sea life such as bidarkies as the threat of oil from the Exxon Valdez moved toward them.

“It’s like the Good Lord told you, you have one more hour to live. Go and see your friends one last time,” said Wally Kvasnikoff.

Nanwalek might be the first area village to see oil blowing around the end of the peninsula from Seward.

“What are we going to do if we see a dark oil slick coming around the point?” asked Bobby Kvasnikoff. “Go out and mop it up with Huggies?”

— From the issue of April 13, 1989

50 years ago in the Homer News

In a vote of 237 yes and 132 no, citizens approved a new South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service area that included the entire southwestern portion of the Kenai Peninsula from Ninilchik south except for Seldovia, Port Graham and Nanwalek (then English Bay). Halibut Cove used absentee voting, and there were 27 absentee votes to be counted.

— From the issue of April 10, 1969