Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

The gas bubbling on Kruzof Island is not from the Mt. Edgecumbe volcano — at least not yet

Extensive sampling around Kruzof Island by the UAF Geophysical Institute last summer did not detect any volcanic gases from Mt. Edgecumbe. But doctoral researcher Claire Pulieio told the Sitka Rotary that the data form a good baseline for future research.

After a blazing start last year, Rep. Himschoot expects a slower legislative pace in second session

As a freshman legislator last year, Rebecca Himschoot jumped "into the fire with both feet" sponsoring a resolution in Defense of Alaska Fisheries, which was the first legislation to reach the floor for a full vote. This year, her legislative agenda will likely move at a more stately pace.

Sagel’s 25-year teaching career honored by Sitka School Board

Kari Sagel put in over 25 years working in Sitka's schools, most memorably as the librarian at Blatchley Middle School. Sagel urged the board to look for ways to support teachers and promote professional longevity.

‘Trends’ report: Once the nation’s best, Alaska’s teacher pay slips far behind historic levels

Teacher salaries in Alaska once were the best in the nation. Now, they are slightly ahead of the national average, but continue to fall significantly behind the cost of living in the state.

Southeast chinook stocks expected to be low again in ’24

Most wild king salmon runs in Southeast Alaska will not have enough large fish return to meet escapement goals -- with the exception of the Chilkat River in Haines.

Sitka dentist’s five-decade career is a crowning achievement

Dr. Tom Jacobsen began his career as the itinerant dental officer for the Indian Health Service (before the advent of SEARHC), flying around Southeast with a miniature dental lab in the back of a beaver floatplane. He's retiring this month after more than 50 years practicing dentistry in Sitka.

Housing panel urges Sitka homebuyers to be patient, and prepared

Patience and preparation are two of the most important considerations as buyers enter the extraordinarily tight housing market in Sitka, say a realtor and banker who work everyday to connect people with new homes.

An industrial-scale greenhouse transforms Pacific High’s garden into a full-blown farm-to-table program

What started with a tiny garden plot at Sitka's Pacific High has blossomed into a full-fledged Farm-to-Table program managed by students and over 40 summer volunteers under the guidance of professional gardener Andrea Fraga.

Alaska’s ‘upside down economics’ keep supply low, demand high for new homes

While many other states are quickly adding new housing to meet rising demand, Alaska is not. A perfect storm of scarce land and high materials costs are keeping prices up for existing housing, and limiting the availability of new homes. UAA's Nolan Klouda explains "The Upside Down Economics of Alaska's Housing Market" for the Sitka Chamber of Commerce.

Task Force searches for ‘magic number’ to cap cruise tourism in Sitka

Among the Sitka Tourism Task Force's five responsibilities is identifying the appropriate level of cruise tourism in the community. A Town Hall meeting scheduled for 4-8 p.m. December 7 in Harrigan Centennial Hall will present data from an earlier town hall meeting (on November 27), and try to identify the 'magic number' for Sitka.