Katherine Rose, KCAW - Sitka
Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka temporarily suspends bird rescues as concerns mount about bird flu
Staff has also moved the eagles that live in the outdoor habitat into their cages to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus.
Sitka woman swims from shore to rescue capsized kayaker
The good Samaritan was aware of the risks — she’s a five-year veteran of Sitka’s search and rescue team.
Sitka hiker recounts the misstep that started his thousand-foot fall
“I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have crossed at that point,” he said. “Because once I fell, I was on the way. And there was no stopping.”
Subsistence harvesters, seiners react to fuel spill north of Sitka
Subsistence harvesters are trying to figure out how the diesel spill could affect their harvest season, which typically happens a little later in the spring.
As spill cleanup continues near Sitka, state looks at possible impacts to herring fishery
State biologists are looking into how a recent diesel spill 15 miles northwest of Sitka will affect the sac roe herring fishery, which went on two-hour notice Tuesday morning.
Crews work to contain fuel spill after tugboat runs aground north of Sitka
The grounding ruptured one of the tug’s fuel tanks, which can hold around 13,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
‘We’re not interested in documenting this pandemic’: Changes coming to Alaska’s COVID-19 dashboard
The state is considering ending daily case reporting and switching to weekly reports. Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink says weekly reports can still provide important information about COVID trends, while not overburdening local health departments.
TikTok fans flock to Sitka’s Raptor Center
The format — short videos, catchy music — is a palatable package for educational content, says Richard Hart with the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center.
Cracked cell phone guides Coast Guard to boater stranded near Alaska’s Naked Island
A man was rescued from a remote beach near Naked Island, about 20 miles miles east of Hoonah, on Monday morning, thanks in part to the light from his cracked cell phone screen.
Sitka bear attack survivor credits partner’s quick shot with saving his life
A Fish and Game fisheries technician is recovering after being attacked and mauled by a bear during a routine stream survey north of Sitka on Aug. 19.
Sitka enacts its first mask mandate as community wrestles with its largest COVID-19 outbreak yet
In an attempt to curb the community’s largest COVID-19 outbreak of the pandemic, the Sitka Assembly voted 6-0 at an emergency meeting on July 29 to require masks in public spaces.
Alaska Airlines passenger flew on Southeast flight after testing positive for COVID-19, health officials say
Alaska Airlines says it prevented a COVID-19 infected passenger from boarding a flight in Seattle on Tuesday after they’d arrived from Alaska on a multi-leg trip that included Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan.
Skipper rescued by girlfriend on air mattress after falling overboard off Sitka
A near tragedy was averted in Sitka on Monday morning after a fishing boat skipper who had fallen overboard was rescued by his girlfriend on an inflatable mattress.
Garbage fires spur new shipping regulations in Sitka. Who will pay the price?
Last fall, Alaska Marine Lines announced it would start refusing shipments of solid waste in open containers on June 1. That poses a problem for Sitka because the city ships its solid waste in containers without lids.
Sitka officials vote to accept $1M donation from Norwegian Cruise Line
The City and Borough of Sitka may receive a $1 million donation from an international cruise line, which the company says comes with “no strings attached.”
At Sitka herring camp, an advocate passes down subsistence traditions
Subsistence harvester and former Tribal Council member Tom Gamble is determined to see this tradition continue — by working to protect herring stocks and teaching kids how to harvest eggs.
Sitka herring fishery opens for first time in 2 years
This season's forecast called for the highest return of herring since the 1970s, but some tribal activists have continued to fight the fishery, which they say threatens subsistence stocks.
‘Herring Protectors’ gather at Sitka’s courthouse as commercial fishery gears up
A commercial herring fishery in Sitka will likely happen this year after a two-year hiatus, but the fishery continues to face opposition from local tribes.
Here’s how Sitka has vaccinated over half its residents against COVID-19
The Southeast Alaska town now offers vaccine to teenagers 16 as young as 16 — making Sitka one of the first places in the nation where this has been possible.
Canada’s cruise ship ban fuels more budget angst for Sitka schools
School funding is the biggest single expense for the city of Sitka, falling somewhere in the $7 million range most years. Without major cruise ship visits, schools could loose out on a lot of money.