A float plane taxis for take-off in Tenakee Springs, one of seven communities outside Sitka that's served by Raven Radio. (KCAW photo/Ed Ronco)

Raven Radio reaches seven communities outside Sitka.

We called community leaders across the listening area to see what the big events of 2011 were in their communities.

So far we’ve heard back from Tenakee Springs, Yakutat and Kake. If we hear from the others, we’ll add them to this story.

Tenakee Springs – Mayor Don Pegues

Pegues says the community’s Fourth of July celebration drew a crowd this year, with its famous 3-minute parade. Tenakee also saw improvements to its ferry dock, which is served by regular service from the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Yakutat – Mayor Dave Stone

They get lots of snow in Yakutat — some 83 inches in November alone. Clearing it from the roads is now the city’s responsibility exclusively, but the good news is, the state has put down pavement in a few places. The city is also getting a $3.8 million diesel power plant. Stone says the new generators will be more efficient.

Kake – Mayor Henrich Kadake, Sr.

A harbor rebuild added new fingers this year in Kake. There’s still some work to do, Kadake says, including a new aluminum gangway. The project cost about $1.5 million, with the funding provided by grants. There’s a new bridge, too. Kake is also expecting a new fire truck, which is desperately needed, Kadake says, “because all of our fire trucks are really ancient.” He says: “There’s more things happening in Kake than in the last 10 years.”