Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka
Robert Woolsey is the news director at KCAW in Sitka.
The Nation: Kreiss-Tomkins a ‘Lesson For the Left’
A local legislative race in Alaska has caught the attention of national media, and is being held up as model for political change elsewhere in the country.
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Students ‘Resilient’ In The Fight Against Meth
Students at Sitka’s alternative high school have decided to confront the methamphetamine problem head on, and they’re encouraging the rest of the community to join them at an event in early May.
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Audio Postcard: Ninja Captures Mooing Rhinos
Alexis Will, a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, calls herself a “Ninja of the Night,” but it has nothing to do with martial arts.
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Eco Marketing Campaign Backs Young Growth Timber
One of Southeast’s most prominent environmental organizations has started a marketing campaign – for timber. The Sitka Conservation Society recently printed a glossy brochure selling the virtues of second-growth Tongass timber for projects from furniture to housing. The only problem is: There’s no way – yet – to economically harvest and process second growth.
Public, Scientists Disagree On Cruise Ship Wastewater
A bill that would relax the wastewater standards placed on cruise ships by Alaska voters is on the fast track in the Senate.
NOAA Says ‘No Way’ To Electronic Monitoring For Two Years
After refusing to implement an electronic monitoring program developed by fishermen, NOAA Fisheries is moving forward with a plan of its own to test cameras on boats this spring. But a top official who met with Sitka fishermen last week said too many questions remain about the system, and there’s no way a functional electronic monitoring program could be ready in the next two years.
Journalist Delivers Town’s Support To Wounded Soldier
Recently in Sitka, residents were invited to visit the library and sign a card of support for Joe Mille, a 2009 graduate of Sitka High, who lost his right leg in combat in Afghanistan, and who is now in a rehabilitation unit at Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland. The individual organizing the effort, however, is not in Mille’s family, or a member of his church. He’s the photojournalist who broke the story.
Kreiss-Tomkins: Using Connections Instead Of Clout
Redistricting has cost Southeast one legislator this session, and voters in District 34 have made things even more interesting by sending a freshman to the House. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins will be 23-years old when he’s sworn in next Tuesday. Here’s a session preview from the state’s youngest legislator.
Eastern Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas Today
Monday, Jan. 7, is Christmas Day on the Julian calendar observed by the Eastern Orthodox Christians. Western churches and most secular institutions follow the Gregorian calendar. In both calendars, however, Christmas falls on December 25th.
Marine Highway Head Steps Down
The head of the state’s ferry system is stepping down. Capt. Mike Neussl’s last day of work as the Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations will be next Friday, January 11.
Sitka Salmon Shares: A Real-Life Lesson In Food Sustainability
A college professor who studies food systems is putting his money where his brain is. Nic Mink has spent the past two summers in Sitka meeting fishermen and learning about the economy salmon trolling. Now, he’s launched a business to connect individual boats with consumers in the Midwest.
Longliners Seek Delegation’s Support For Electronic Monitoring
A major gear group is pushing back against rules set to take effect this January that will put human observers aboard some smaller fishing boats. The Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association has enlisted the help of the state’s congressional delegation to try and delay implementation of the observer program for small boats, and to adopt a more efficient electronic monitoring program instead.
Suit Filed Over Fisheries Observer Program
A small cruise line with ties to the conservation community in Southeast Alaska has filed a lawsuit over the federal fisheries observer program, saying that too many Chinook and halibut.
Local Alder Tested In High School Wood Shop
The Sitka High wood shop is involved in an experiment to learn if young-growth timber can be made into high end furniture and other products. One of three class sections is using locally-harvested and milled alder in their projects; the other two are using traditional hardwoods from the lower forty-eight. Their teacher says his students don’t notice any difference.
Rau Offers Lessons In Life, Trolling In ‘As the Gurdy Turns’
A writer and salmon troller has published a new collection of articles written over the course of thirty-five years fishing in Southeast. As the Gurdy Turns is the first book for Ron Rau, who was a frequent contributor to The Alaska Fisherman’s Journal.
Kreiss-Tomkins: Not Alaska’s Youngest Lawmaker
The certification of the House District 34 race this week has put Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in the legislature. At 23-years old, he is almost the youngest person ever elected to state government.
Didrickson Named to Alaska Sports Hall of Fame
Sitka basketball legend Herb Didrickson has been named to the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. Didrickson was selected for the honor over the weekend, along with former Eilson football coach Buck Nystrom.
‘Wood Energy Fair’ Reintroducing Sitka Residents To Wood Heat
Wood energy is making a comeback in Sitka. With fuel prices approaching record highs, locals are returning to firewood, and to other forms of wood fuel lumped under the term “biomass.” This Saturday, the community is holding a “Wood Energy Fair” to re-introduce residents to wood heat in the home.
Two Paths To The Political Future Offered In Chamber Forum
The two candidates for the newly-created legislative district that represents Sitka, Haines, Hoonah and Angoon, met in Sitka last week in a forum sponsored by the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
Historian Discovers Early Cartographer Technique
Every once in a while an historian makes a find that changes everything. Recently, a researcher combing through the National Archives made just such a discovery. In this case, while working on a project to scan some of the very first maps of Alaska, he learned how early cartographers so accurately depicted places they had never been.