Funds granted for airport improvements
A federal grant was awarded to the Homer Airport on Friday by the Congressional delegation. The $366,407 goes to the State of Alaska in order to rehabilitate taxiway lighting at the Homer Airport. This award was part of a package of funded projects for airports around the state.

Learn how to identify shorebirds
The Kachemak Bay Birders’ next regular meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Auditorium at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.
Following the brief meeting, Aaron Lang will present “Identification of Shorebirds.”  Lang is a world traveler and birding guide who lives here in Homer. The presentation is meant to help identify shorebirds in time for their arrival. New birds are arriving daily. Everyone is welcome, and there is no charge.  For more information, call Betty Siegel at 235-1598 or Lani Raymond at 235-9477.

Gift certificates to Fritz Creek Gardens
The 6th grade class at McNeil Canyon Elementary is once again selling gift certificates to Fritz Creek Gardens.  They cost $22 each and can be used to purchase an eight-pack of Proven Winter hanging basket annuals or toward the purchase of any item you choose. The class receives a percentage for each certificate sold. The money earned will help pay for their May field trips. Certificates can be purchased from a sixth grader, Sheryl Sotelo, at the Homer Bookstore or in the McNeil Canyon Elementary school office from Laura.

Help for IRS procrastinators
Now that the federal tax return deadline of April 17 is past, there may be taxpayers who missed filing their returns on time. The IRS has some advice for those taxpayers who missed the deadline.
“We want taxpayers to understand that there are still options for those who missed the filing deadline,” said IRS spokesman David Tucker II. “The important thing is for them to take action to remedy their situation.”
Don’t panic, but file as soon as possible. If you owe money the quicker you file your return, the less penalties and interest you will have to pay. E-file is still your best option. IRS e-file programs are available for most taxpayers through the extension deadline – Oct. 15, 2012. Installment agreements are available. Request a payment agreement with the IRS. File Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request or apply online using the IRS Online Payment Agreement Application available at www.irs.gov.

Dakota Zellin, 21, was charged with first-degree arson for allegedly setting another man’s Pontiac Grand Am on fire on Feb. 16. Charges of third-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree assault also were filed last Thursday.
The case stemmed from suspicions reported to police by the Kachemak Emergency Fire Services. The vehicle was fully engulfed and 30 feet from a home where a family of four were sleeping. The man who owned the vehicle had allegedly been the target of an assault by Zellin a month earlier, according to the filing complaint.
Zellin was arrested on the two felony and one misdemeanor charge last week.

Revenue forecast at $9.9 billion

Department of Revenue Commissioner Bryan Butcher released the Spring 2012 Revenue Forecast. It projects the state will collect approximately $9.9 billion in unrestricted revenue in fiscal year 2012 and $8.4 billion in FY 2013. This compares to the Fall 2011 forecast of $8.9 billion and $8.2 billion for FY 2012 and FY 2013, respectively.
North Slope oil prices are projected at $114.59 and $110.44 in FY 2012 and 2013 respectively, compared to $109.33 and $109.47 from the Fall 2011 Forecast. Oil production on the North Slope in FY 2012 is forecasted to be approximately 580,000 barrels of oil per day.

Studded tire deadline extended to May 1

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joseph Masters issued an emergency order to extend the studded-tire deadline on Alaska roads south of 60 degrees north latitude from April 15 to May 1.
The extension makes May 1 the deadline for all Alaska roads. The 60-degree latitude line crosses south of Ninilchik and north of Happy Valley, and just north of Yakutat in the Southeast. The Sterling Highway falls under the normal May 1 deadline.

Time to gather up electronics for recycling

The 7th-Annual Homer Electronics Recycling Event will take place on Saturday, April 28, at Spenard Builder’s Supply in Homer between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Most types of electronics are accepted. Households pay $15 per vehicle load, to include two computer monitors. Additional monitors and TVs are extra. Businesses pay 35 cents per pound and nonprofits pay 25 cents per pound. All CPUs and laptops are recycled for free. Businesses and nonprofits must schedule a drop off time in advance by contacting Cook Inletkeeper at 235-4068 extension 34 or dorothy@inletkeeper.org.

Summer, science and math fairs

The Summer Programs Fair Math and Science Night is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 20 at the Paul Banks Gym.
In addition, the Summer Activities Fair is a chance to sign up for summer programs, sports, classes, camps and activities for kids. Both events are sponsored by the Paul Banks PTA. If you or your organization would like to have a table at the Summer Programs Fair contact  Shannon McBride-Morin at 399-2006 to reserve a table, sign up to help, or run an activity. On the day of setup: contact Jen Vendendall at 226-3027 or Aimee Sulczynski at 299-2464.

Seaton’s youth protection bill moves
Rep. Paul Seaton’s work to close a loophole that could make it possible for underage Alaskans to purchase products containing nicotine moved forward. Tobacco companies are testing out products like mints, toothpicks, hand sanitizing gels and water that all contain nicotine, Seaton told a House committee last week. He said nicotine itself is not captured by federal laws regulating use of tobacco and tobacco cessation products.
Alaska is one of four states to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone younger than 19, and Seaton’s proposal in HB224 is to put the same restriction on products containing nicotine. The bill passed the House last year and was unanimously moved through committee Wednesday. The last hurdle before a floor vote is the Senate Judiciary Committee.

First Saturday birders meet
The Kachemak Bay Birders’ First Saturday birding trip will be April 7 at the mouth of the Anchor River. Meet at 9 a.m. at Islands and Ocean Visitor Center to carpool or at the parking lot near the boat launch at the Anchor River at 9:45 a.m.

Woman faces fraud on initiative petition 
A Fairbanks woman has been charged with submitting fraudulent signatures for the Alaska Coastal Management Program citizen initiative petition, and four other misdemeanor and felony charges.Deborah A. Carroll was hired by the Alaska Sea Party to obtain signatures for the initiative petition. When the petition booklet was submitted to the initiative committee, there were suspicions of fraudulent signatures.  The committee did not submit the booklet to the Division of Elections with their petition application, but instead turned it in to the Department of Law.Carroll admitted to taking names out of the phone book and signing the petition booklet, based on statements she gave to police.The prosecution and discovered fraud does not affect the proper filing of the initiative petition. Sufficient qualified signatures were submitted.One of the petition’s sponsors, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, brought this fraudulent activity to the attention Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell office. 

Homer Electric Association has scheduled a planned outage for the Homer Spit and Halibut Cove from 1 to 5 a.m. Tuesday.
The outage is necessary in order for HEA to perform required maintenance work on equipment that provides service to the Spit and Halibut Cove. The time frame was chosen in an effort to minimize the impact on open businesses. HEA has informed businesses of the outage, and automated calls to HEA members in the area will be made prior to the event.
During the outage, residents in Seldovia, Port Graham, and Nanwalek will be provided power via the Gerry Willard Generation Plant in Seldovia.
For more info., call Brian Laleme at 235-3333.

Corps awards dredging contract to local firm

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, has awarded an annual dredging contract at three locations on the Kenai Peninsula to a locally owned firm. Alaska Marine Excavating of Anchor Point won the $5 million, five-year contract to dredge the Ninilchik Harbor, Homer Harbor and U.S. Coast Guard’s Hickory berth at Homer. The company’s bid was the lowest with technically acceptable criteria.
The Corps is responsible for maintenance dredging at five harbors annually at Anchorage, Homer, Ninilchik, Dillingham and Nome and at 40 harbors periodically.
Ninilchik Harbor dredging will begin in late April. Homer Harbor and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Hickory Berth dredging will be accomplished in September.

Parnell nominates to Fishery Council

Gov. Sean Parnell nominated Robert “Ed” Dersham and Howard “Dan” Hull for consideration by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for continued service on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The governor named Timothy Evers and Julianne Curry as alternates.
Dersham, of Anchorage, has been an active charter boat operator and lodge owner in Lower Cook Inlet for more than 25 years. Hull, also of Anchorage, is the owner of Hull Fisheries LLC, with 30 years fishing for halibut and salmon out of Cordova.
Evers, of Ninilchik, is currently a member of the Advisory Panel to the NPFMC. A longtime charter operator, Evers owned Deep Creek Sport Shop, Big Valley Lodge and Cabin Rentals, and Fishward Bound Adventures.
Curry, of Petersburg, is the executive director of the Petersburg Vessel Owners Association and a member of the advisory panel to the NPFMC.

NOAA wants to hear about sick mammals

NOAA fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service want to know if you see any marine mammal that has abnormal hair loss, skin sores or appears sick. Scientists are investigating a disease that was first reported last summer by subsistence hunters in northern Alaska.
To report a sick mammal, call NOAA Fisheries Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 1-877-925-7773. Remember to use binoculars to get a closer look without disturbing wildlife.

Seismic activity at Iliamna volcano remains above background levels, although it has decreased since Friday. This sustained seismic activity does not mean that an eruption is imminent or certain, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory. A similar seismic swarm was detected in 1996-97 that was likely related to an intrusion of magma at a depth that did not culminate in an eruption. AVO will continue to observe Iliamna closely, will conduct additional investigations and report on them as warranted.
Iliamna volcano is located on the western side of lower Cook Inlet, 70 miles southwest of Homer. It is a snow-covered stratovolcano which rises 10,020 feet above sea level. Although steam plumes occur on its eastern flanks, there has been no known historic volcanic activity at Iliamna.

Couple on the run arrested in Homer

A couple wanted for running a methamphetamine lab that exploded in their house in Ohio was arrested in Homer on March 5.
Robert Davis, 43, and Cheri Kuss, 37, of Atwater Township, Ohio, were wanted on charges of illegally manufacturing methamphetamine, possession, aggravated trafficking, permitting drug abuse and endangering children.
The couple had been under surveillance and were arrested without incident. Both were taken to Homer jail and arraigned in the Homer Superior Court before being extradited.

Have a say in the ferry’s way

The proposed Alaska Marine Highway System schedule for fall, winter and spring 2012-13 seasons has been placed on the AMHS website for public review. These documents can be accessed through a link on the Marine Highway System homepage at www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/share/schedule/considerations.pdf
This is an opportunity for communities to review and comment on the proposed schedule in consideration of community events. Written comments will be accepted via email at dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov and by fax at 907-586-8365 prior to March 22.
A teleconference to hear comments and consider adjustments is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 27. The toll free number to participate in either teleconference is: (800) 315-6338, conference code 3902#. 

Scrambling toward Scrabble

March is Scrabble time, so get out your dictionaries and prepare to conquer at this year’s Friends of the Homer Library Scrabble Tournament at Land’s End March 24-25.
The tournament offers three divisions: Upper-level competition is open to anyone 18 or older, who has a high level of Scrabble skills and are used to playing a 50-minute timed game. Registration at this level is $40.
The advanced division is $25 and is open to anyone 14 and older who has some Scrabble skills. Prizes awarded to top two competitors; the amateur division provides pick-up games for those who play Scrabble recreationally and want to have fun. Registration is $15, and you can register at the circulation desk of the library or online at www.friendshomerlibrary.org. If you’d like to volunteer to help out, please email erin@friendshomerlibrary.org.

CoastWalk to watch for tsunami debris
As debris from the tsunami in Japan makes its way to our shores, it is important to learn as much as possible about the issues connected with it and to stay up to date on the facts as they become known. The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies is proud to be a statewide leader in marine debris prevention education and community cleanups through our CoastWalk program, which began in 1984.
We will be doing our part to provide information to the public and take part in monitoring efforts on our local beaches so that we can help our statewide and national partners to track debris in order to know what arrives and where it is found.
For more information about the CoastWalk monitoring program, marine debris, or to report debris items on local beaches, please contact the CACS at 235-6667 or info@akcoastalstudies.org.
 
Job fair wants to hear from employers  
The Homer College, Career and Job Fair will be held Friday, April 6 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Fair organizers are currently in the planning stages and are seeking employers interested in setting up booths to meet potential job applicants for the upcoming season. 
If you are an employer and want more information about this event, contact Lisa Croft at 226-3041. 
 
How to help your fish chill out
A training workshop aimed to help fishermen understand, troubleshoot and maintain their onboard refrigeration systems will take place in Homer at 8:30 a.m. on March 27, at Kachemak Gear Shed/Redden Marine on East End Road.
The one-day workshop will discuss refrigeration theory, system winterization, controller programming and system sizing, as well as offering hands-on training. The workshop is $200, which includes a refrigeration manual. Preregistration is required by March 22, and space is limited. To register online, please visit www.marineadvisory.org. For questions, please contact Torie Baker at the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program in Cordova at torie.baker@alaska.edu, or by calling toll-free at 888-788-6333.

Best Beginnings is accepting proposals for grants to launch new local Imagination Libraries and expand existing ones. Additional information, including a checklist and contact form, is available at www.BestBeginningsAlaska.org.
All applications must be received by 5 p.m. March 30.
Best Beginnings is working to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library throughout Alaska.
Presently, 80 communities have the program under 27 local Imagination Libraries. Nearly 17,000 children receive a book in the mail each month. This proposal solicitation is supported financially by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
There is no charge to participating families. The Dollywood Foundation manages the system to deliver the books to the home. Funding awards will be on a competitive basis.

Competition open to teachers

American History and Civics teachers from across the country are invited to apply an exclusive professional development program aimed at deepening their understanding and appreciation of the American Founding.
Participating teachers will convene in Washington, D.C.  July 16-20 for a program that will expand their knowledge of the Constitution. During the program, participants will engage in lectures with constitutional scholars, discussions with fellow teachers, and scholar-led visits to historic sites including Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall and a monument tour.
Attending teachers will receive a certificate for 25 contact hours. Teachers must apply online by March 26. More information and an application is at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/Founders-Fellowship-2012.  

Free tax help

AARP’s Tax-Aide program is offering free basic tax return preparation for most low-and middle-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers, at the Homer Senior Center by appointment from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Volunteers trained by the Internal Revenue Service provide the assistance. For an appointment, call 235-7655. For the appointment, bring:

Birders to meet

The Kachemak Bay Birders’ First Saturday birding trip will be at 9 a.m. Saturday on the Homer Spit. Meet at the parking lot at the base of the Spit on Kachemak Drive.
This trip is cosponsored by the Kachemak Bay Birders and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The leader will be Michael Craig. For more information give him a call at 235-0631. There is no charge and everyone is welcome to attend. Bring binoculars and dress warmly.

Duluth man dies in shootout, just like brother
A man who died in a gunfight with police in Duluth, Minn., Friday was the brother of Jason Anderson, who died in a shootout with Alaska officers six years ago.
Luke Daniel Anderson, 34, of Duluth, died following a shootout with police at a mobile home park. Anderson’s brother, Jason Karlo Jacob Anderson, died in a shootout with police and federal marshals on March 1, 2006, in the Homer airport parking lot.
Both of Jason Anderson’s children were with him in the car when he was confronted by officers. He allegedly shot his own 2-year-old son before turning the gun on himself. Anderson was wanted on federal drug-trafficking charges.
More recently, Luke Anderson led officers on a pursuit for several minutes, before abandoning his vehicle, carrying a large revolver. He ignored repeated orders to drop the weapon and raised his revolver at officers, who then fired multiple rounds at the man.

Learning how to I.D. raptors 
The Kachemak Bay Birders’ next monthly meeting is 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Following the meeting, Jason Sodergren will present information on raptor identification, as well as give an update on the April Hawkwatch near Gunsight Mountain on the Glenn Highway. Anyone interested in birding, citizen science or would just like to know more about the organization is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Lani Raymond at 235-9477 or Betty Siegel at 235-1598.

Need an energy audit?
Free commercial energy audits are available for Kenai Peninsula small businesses. For the second year in a row, Kenai Peninsula energy efficiency and renewable energy advocates have secured a USDA energy grant to provide small businesses with subsidized audits and help with paying for energy efficiency upgrades. For more information, contact Taz Tally at taztally@me.com or 235-3793.

Garden club looks at grafting
The Homer Garden Club meeting will feature presentations on tomato grafting by Joseph Belcastro and growing peonies by Rita Jo Schultz at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bidarka Inn. For information, call 235-3650.

Speaker discusses the hiking life
The Kachemak Bay Conservation Society Annual Meeting will feature Camino de Santiago: A Pilgrim’s Journey, presented by Christina Whiting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at Islands and Ocean Visitors Center. She will talk about her hike along the Santiago trail.