20 years ago

Dave Barker, the founder of Homer’s first Internet service, xyz.net, sold his company to Internet Alaska. Barker, then 20, founded xyz.net in his parents’ basement after his father noted the absence of local Internet and asked, “Why don’t we have that in Homer?” Another Internet service, America Online, required Homer residents to make a long-distance call for dial-up access to the Internet.

Internet Alaska partnered with Eagle Eye Photo in Homer to provide local customer service. Xyz.net had about 1,800 customers in a service area of 10,000 people, joining 32,000 Internet Alaska customers. Subscribers will keep their @xyz.net addresses.

— From the issue of Sept. 23, 1999

30 years ago

Under cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System, Homer, Seldovia and Kodiak will lose six more weeks of service for 1990, according to an announcement by the AMHS. The M/V Tustumena will be laid up until early May. Normally it returns to service in March or April. The shortened season was intended to save the AMHS $250,000. The schedule change will affect grocery and other costs in towns that depend on the ferry.

“Holy mackerel!” said Wayne Stamper, owner of Seldovia’s only grocery. “I don’t know how I’ll survive that.”

— From the issue of Sept. 30, 1989

50 years ago

After fire danger closed the moose hunting season for two weeks earlier in the summer, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game extended the season for two weeks in the fall. Regulations were amended to allow moose hunting until Sept. 30. Biologists determined an extension would not harm the moose population.

At the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting in Soldotna, the assembly approved the final plans for the new Homer High School. Also, the South Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board sought approval for a 55-year lease of the hospital. The board also presented blueprints for remodeling the hospital. The assembly referred the matter to its construction committee.

— From the issue of Sept. 25, 1969