Emily Kwong, KCAW - Sitka
Marijuana fees could fund Sitka student travel
During their regular meeting Tuesday night, the Sitka Assembly approved – on first reading – a dedicated fund for student activity travel using marijuana fees
How the Blue Lake Dam is costing Sitka
The city of Sitka is struggling to pay off the Blue Lake Dam in a big way. The project was largely funded through bond proceeds. But due to a major decline in electric usage by Sitka customers, the city doesn’t have enough money to meet the bond payment. This is true not only for this year, but in the coming year as well should electric usage in Sitka plateau and voters fail to approve a ballot question raising the mill rate. Listen Now
Body of missing hiker found in Sitka
The body of a missing hiker was found by searchers in Sitka on Friday afternoon. Listen Now
Holland, Celebrity bring more passengers to Sitka in 2017
In 2017, Holland America will bring a seventh cruise ship through Alaska and Sitka is on the itinerary. Celebrity Cruises will also be making half a dozen calls.
Pending vote, Sitka Assembly to dedicate one mill to electric fund
During their meeting Tuesday night, the Sitka Assembly approved a key element of their plan to raise property taxes while making Sitka more affordable.
Cooperative Extension to keep doors open in Anchorage, Sitka
The Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Alaska Fairbanks planned to close two offices this fall due to state budget cuts – one in Anchorage and the other in Sitka. But today (08-31-16), Extension leadership announced a plan to keep both offices open.
Southeastern elementary school evaluated for landslide risk
A Southeastern Alaska elementary school may be at moderate risk in the event of a landslide. The city of Sitka announced Monday, Aug. 29, that the Gavan Hill area, including Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School, may be at risk.
A city responds to a landslide: ‘It was a loss of innocence’
For much of Sitka, the August 18, 2015 landslide was a wake-up call that even the most settled parts of Alaska remain dynamic — and sometimes dangerous — places. Local leadership found itself in an unprecedented situation, offering comfort to the community while processing the catastrophe themselves.
Sitka chef competes for national seafood crown
A Sitka chef has been chosen to compete in the 2016 Great American Seafood Cook-Off. On Saturday, Collette Nelson will battle chefs from across the country in front of a live TV audience in New Orleans. She is the owner and executive chef of the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Ludvig’s Bistro in Sitka. Listen now
AK: Sawmill Farm, Tongass farm country
The Tongass Rainforest isn’t what you’d picture as a candidate for farm country. The terrain is rugged, the soil unstable, and it rains over 100 inches a year. The vast majority of Sitkans get their meat and dairy products off a barge, shipped hundreds of miles. But Bobbi Daniels of the Sawmill Farm is determined to change that. Listen now
AK: Before Orlando and after Orlando
In gay communities all over the country, there is a before and an after. A before June 12th, and an after. The shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, killed 49 people and was the largest act of violence against the LGBTQ community in US History. And it happened as Pride events were taking place all over the country, including a reception at Juneau’s Northern Light Church mere hours before. Download Audio
Voices of Sitkans mourning Orlando shooting victims
A crowd of more than 50 Sitkans gathered in Totem Square Monday night, to honor the 49 victims of Sunday’s shooting at Pulse, an Orlando nightclub. Download Audio
Canoe landings kick off Celebration 2016
The arrival of the One People Canoe Society on Wednesday marked an unofficial kick-off to Celebration. While the flotilla steadied itself for the last leg of the journey, a crowd of over 300 people clustered at the shores of Douglas Harbor. Download Audio
How Hawaii is setting an example for Tlingit language learners
Celebration kicks off in Juneau Wednesday. The biennial event brings together tribal citizens from across Southeast Alaska by plane, ferry, and even canoe for a four day a heritage festival.
Sitka property hit by landslide still taxable
A Sitka property wiped out by last year’s deadly landslide is still taxable, at least according to city code. The Sitka Assembly met Monday as the Board of Equalization, to hear an appeal from the owner of a home on Kramer Avenue. The home was demolished in the August 18th landslide, killing three men working on the subdivision.
Warming ocean temps shellfish poisoning can linger year-round
With warming ocean temperatures, the risk for paralytic shellfish poisoning can linger all year round. And Alaska has only one FDA-certified laboratory to test commercial shellfish.
Sitka Tribe opens biotoxin lab to monitor PSP
With warming ocean temperatures, the risk for paralytic shellfish poisoning can linger all year round. And Alaska has only one FDA-certified laboratory to test shellfish. There are no labs to protect those digging for their dinner, but that may soon change.
Sitka Tribe opens biotoxin lab to monitor PSP
With warming ocean temperatures, the risk for paralytic shellfish poisoning can linger all year round. And Alaska has only one FDA-certified laboratory to test shellfish. There are no labs to protect those digging for their dinner, but that may soon change.
Sitka drivers told: Hands off your cell phone
Alaska banned texting while driving in 2008. The maximum penalty for a first time offense is $10,000, the highest in the country. And in Sitka, the Assembly cracked down on the issue even further. On Tuesday night, the group passed a law that would fine those caught with a phone in their hand while driving. The policy intends to reduce distracted driving, but it’s rules are of deep concern to some local taxi drivers.
Sitka broadens commitment to assessing landslide risk
At their meeting last night, the Sitka Assembly broadened the city’s commitment to landslide risk assessment. They approved a community-wide mapping project and an analysis of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park. And if their deliberations had a central question, it was this: Given the land shortage in Sitka, does establishing “risk zones” hamper future development? Basically, how much is too much when it comes to landslide research? Download Audio