The defense opened its case Wednesday(5-15-14) in the trial of former Blatchley Middle School principal accused of sexual assault of three female teachers in his building. The police department updated the Sitka Assembly on the problem of illegal drugs in Sitka. Ketchikan City Council considers a citywide smoking ban. Risk of fires in the Tongass National Forest has dropped. State wildlife officials have closed moose hunting north of the Brooks Range because of decline in the population.