20 years ago

Led by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Wallace “Wally” Burgess, a grew in a rigid-hull inflatable freed a humpback whale entangled in a crab pot buoy. The crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Roanoke Island snagged the buoy line and quickly cut it. Burgess is know by his crewmates as “Free Wally” for a previous whale rescue. Marsha Million of Jakolof Bay Water Taxi reported the entangled whale.

— From the issue of Sept. 16, 1999

30 years ago

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Board of Education abolished spanking in peninsula schools. The action brings the school district in compliance with a state regulation adopted in June barring corporal punishment in public schools. If the district had not followed the law, the state would have cut off funding.

“We really had no choice on that,” said Board President Milli Martin.

A previous regulation allowed spanking, but only outside the classroom and in the presence of an adult witness. Parents also could exclude their children from physical punishment.

— From the issue of Sept. 23, 1989

50 years ago

A spokesman for Alaskan Seafoods said at the Homer Chamber of Commerce luncheon that workers were needed to process crab and shrimp coming in to the harbor. Housing also was needed for out-of-town workers. Anyone with a cabin or rooms for people to stay was asked to contacted the Alaskan Seafoods plant. “Also, housewives or anyone who would like to work, now is the time to earn that extra money one always seem to need,” the Homer News reported.

The Pratt Museum reported 7,263 people visited over the summer from June 1 to Labor Day, up from 6,353 in 1968. Voluntary contributions were $246.22.

— From the issue of Sept. 18, 1969