Diverge
Hockey
Exhibit focuses on unique texture, shapes
Soldotna, Homer engage in tight battle
Arts & Entertainment / A6
Sports / A7
6/-11 More weather, Page A2
W of 1 inner Awa0* 201 Exc rds fo 8 e r Rep llence i o n rt * Ala ska P i n g ! res
CLARION P E N I N S U L A
Vol. 50, Issue 81
In the news
Student reading proposal presented JUNEAU — Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy is working with Senate Democratic leader Tom Begich on legislation aimed at ensuring students are proficient in reading by third grade. Dunleavy said it’s a moral imperative to ensure children can read at a level that helps them advance through school and life. Details of the bill were outlined Wednesday at an Anchorage school, ahead of the new legislative session beginning next week. Begich, in a statement, said some things, such as the education of Alaska children, are more important than their political differences. Dunleavy defeated Begich’s brother, former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, in the 2018 governor’s race. Begich said some provisions of the legislation are still being worked on. But the administration said it would include screenings to identify students with potential reading difficulties, individual reading plans and various ways for students to demonstrate reading skills required to move to fourth grade.
Judge: State didn’t violate suspect’s right to speedy trial FAIRBANKS — The right of a Fairbanks murder case suspect to a speedy trial was not violated by delays in transporting him from Maine to Alaska, a judge ruled Tuesday. An attorney for Steven Downs, 45, said it took 82 days to transport him to Alaska, making it impossible for Downs to be tried within 120 days, Fairbanks television station KTVF reported. Downs is charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault in the 1993 death of Sophie Sergie, 20. She was found dead in a bathtub of a University of Alaska Fairbanks dorm bathroom. She had been shot and stabbed. Downs was arrested in Maine in February. Defense attorney James Howaniec at a hearing said Downs’ right to a speedy trial had been violated. Superior Court Judge Thomas Temple on Tuesday heard testimony See news, Page A3
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Former Homer News publisher found dead By Megan Pacer Homer News
A Homer resident and former editor and publisher of the Homer News is dead after an explosion at a home outside of Homer on Tuesday night. Ken Marsh, public information officer with the Alaska State Troopers, confirmed Wednesday that Gary Thomas, 68, died Tuesday night at an address off Cottonwood Hill Avenue, which is off East End Road near McNeil Canyon Elementary School. The investigation so far has revealed
the cause was “an appliance According to the trooper explosion,” according to an dispatch report, the Homer online trooper dispatch report, Police Department passed that “caused fatal injuries to on information at 11:08 p.m. Thomas.” Marsh said the appliTuesday night that Thomas ance was a water heater. had been reported overdue by Marsh said it’s too early at his wife, Laura Patty. Officers this point to know what caused Gary from the Homer Police, along the explosion. While Kache- Thomas with friends and family, began mak Emergency Services origsearching for Thomas and his inally responded to the incident, it phone was eventually located at the is now in the hands of the State Fire Cottonwood Hill Avenue address Marshal’s office, which is conducting with the help of a phone app, troopthe investigation. Thomas’ family has ers wrote. already been notified. “One of the friends went to the area
‘Like a church to me’ Backcountry skiers to share tales of wilderness treks at KDLL Adventure Talk
and located Thomas’ vehicle,” troopers wrote in the dispatch. Homer Police responded to the home and found Thomas there, dead. Troopers were then called to investigate and responded from the Anchor Point post, Marsh said. Kachemak Emergency Services Chief Bob Cicciarella said he got a personal call about the incident and responded, and then KESA was paged out around midnight. Upon arrival, Cicciarella said that first responders See Thomas, Page A3
State pot board chair being replaced By Becky Bohrer Associated Press
Craig Barnard can be seen here on Graduation Peak near Seldovia in this undated photo.
By Brian Mazurek Peninsula Clarion
At the latest installment of the KDLL Adventure Talks series, two local skiers will share their stories of backcountry excursions across Kachemak Bay. The presentation, “Backcountry Backyard,” will highlight the excursions of Tony Doyle and Craig Barnard, two longtime peninsula residents who have been skiing
together for almost 20 years. “We’ll be talking a little bit about how to access some of the terrain out there and sharing some of the high points of our trips,” Doyle said on Tuesday. “And maybe some of the low points too.” Barnard said that he was doing some summer skiing about 20 years ago in Cooper Landing when he met a friend of Doyle’s along the trail who knew right away that Barnard and Doyle would be a
Courtesy Tony Doyle
perfect pair. “This guy was like, ‘You gotta meet my friend Tony,’” Barnard said. “He came back and told me ‘You gotta meet this guy Craig,’” Doyle said. Doyle said he stopped in one day at the restaurant where Barnard was working as a dishwasher, and the two planned an excursion right then and there. See series, Page A3
JUNEAU— The chairman of the board that regulates legal marijuana in Alaska, who also is a critic of Gov. Mike Dunleavy, said he was caught off guard by news that Dunleavy was replacing him. “You may quote me as saying I learned about this from The Associated Press,” Mark Springer said late Wednesday. Dunleavy spokesman Jeff Turner said by email that Casey Dschaak of Dillingham will replace Springer on the Marijuana Control Board, with a term set to begin March 1. Dunleavy also re-appointed Christopher Jaime to the five-member board, his office announced Wednesday. Jaime holds the public safety seat. Both Jaime and Springer had terms set to expire March 1, according to the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office website. Springer, the board’s chairman, has held the board’s rural member seat. He is from Bethel. Turner said he had no information on why Springer is being replaced. He said he would have to check if the administration reached out to Springer before Wednesday’s announcement. See pot, Page A3
Articles of impeachment delivered to Senate By Lisa Mascaro Associated Press
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic procession across the U.S. Capitol, House Democrats carried the formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate late Wednesday, setting the stage for only the third trial to remove a president in American history. Trump complained anew it was all a “hoax,” even as fresh details emerged about his efforts in Ukraine. The ceremonial pomp and protocol
by the lawmakers prosecuting the case against Trump moved the impeachment out of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Democratic-run House to the Republican-majority Senate, where the president’s team is mounting a defense aiming for swift acquittal. “Today we will make history,” Pelosi said as she signed the documents, using multiple pens to hand out and mark the moment. “This president will be held accountable.” Moments later the prosecutors walked solemnly through the stately hall, filing into the Senate back row as
the Clerk of the House announced the arrival: “The House has passed House Resolution 798, a resolution appointing and authorizing managers of the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump, President of United States.” The Senate will transform itself into an impeachment court at noon Thursday. The Constitution calls for Chief Justice John Roberts to preside at the trial, administering the oath to senators who will serve as jurors and swear to deliver “impartial justice.” The trial will play out before a deeply divided nation at the start of this
election year as Trump seeks a second term and voters review his presidency. Three senators are running for the Democratic nomination. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to have the Senate “rise above the petty factionalism” and “factional fervor and serve the long-term, best interests of our nation.” He called it “a difficult time for our country.” Technically, the House was simply notifying the Senate of its delivery of See impeach, Page A2
Report recommends ferry system changes By Peter Segall Juneau Empire
An Anchorage-based economic analysis firm on Wednesday released a report saying that multiple public corporations and port authorities should take control of operating the Alaska Marine Highway System. Northern Economics said in its report that’s the only option that will generate an acceptable profit while still providing affordable service.
“That option required a 5 percent reduction of vessel-based wage rates and 25 percent general increase in fares and other major vessel operation changes that would require renegotiation of union labor agreements,” the report says. The report puts forth 10 other options for the governor’s office and lawmakers to consider. But one legislator isn’t sure it was worth the wait. “I think it’s widely incomplete and
three months late,” said Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau. “I kinda hope the state doesn’t pay for it.” The firm was contracted in April by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to study the restructuring of AMHS, in light of budget cuts. AMHS saw a $40 million budget cut under the Legislature’s 2020 budget, following Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed $98 million in cuts for the system. Legislators and state officials have
been waiting to read the report before taking any substantial action on the ferry system. When Dunleavy vetoed a $5 million appropriation from the Alaska Legislature to provide winter service to some Southeast communities, his summary of the vetoes called the appropriation “premature” before the release of the study. The report was originally supposed to be released in October 2019, but See report, Page A3