ANCHORAGE - A young miniature horse in sneakers is helping a 4-year-old special needs child at an Anchorage public elementary school. Zoe, a black mare, is a service animal for preschooler Zaiden Beattie at Russian Jack Elementary School.

A longtime Homer hotelier announced his candidacy Wednesday for the Alaska House of Representatives District 30 seat. Jon Faulkner, owner of Land's End Resort, is challenging Rep. Paul Seaton, the incumbent who also is from Homer, for the Republican Party nomination. "The southern Kenai Peninsula deserves a choice in this upcoming election, and I represent a more conservative voice for change than the incumbent," Faulkner said. "I love this state and I'm committed to building a bright future for our children."

A longtime Homer hotelier announced his candidacy Wednesday for the Alaska House of Representatives District 30 seat. Jon Faulkner, owner of Land's End Resort, is challenging Rep. Paul Seaton, the incumbent who also is from Homer, for the Republican Party nomination. "The southern Kenai Peninsula deserves a choice in this upcoming election, and I represent a more conservative voice for change than the incumbent," Faulkner said. "I love this state and I'm committed to building a bright future for our children."

Just when it looked like the door was closing on Bill Smith's service representing Homer on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, passage of Ordinance 2011-24 may make another three-year term possible.

Ordinance 2011-24 was introduced in early June by assembly president Gary Knopp and originally sought to add an extra term to the time assembly members could serve before being required to take a break in service. It also sought to redefine a term as three full years.

...charges. The eight were indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on June 21. A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice states Jaqueline Gattenby is from Washington, but she lists Kenai as her place of residence on an appearance...

Forward into the past.

...22, was shot and killed July 16 at 47895 Andrews Ave. in Soldotna, off of Kalifornsky Beach Road. The U.S. Department of Justice lists the property in its National Clandestine Laboratory Register, which contains addresses of some locations...

After more than a year reviewing the Alaska State Trooper report on the March 2006 shooting at the Homer Airport involving U.S. Marshals and Homer Police, U.S. Attorney Jeffery Sullivan announced Thursday that he will not file federal charges against any law enforcement officers involved.

...have seemingly decided to finger the bribees and hope for leniency in exchange for their cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice. With leniency, the bribers will only get about 10 years prison time and a large fine. If there is no parole...