August 2010 - Page 4 of 4

As filing closes: Four to vie for seat on Sitka Assembly

A former member has decided to give the assembly another try. Thor Christianson filed this afternoon (Friday 8-6-10) for one of two open seats on the assembly. He was the only last-minute candidate to get his paperwork in. The filing period closed at 5 PM today.

Interview: Steven Samuelson, GOP State House candidate

With less than three weeks before primary election day, the two Republican candidates for the 2nd District state House seat made their presence known in Sitka this week. Steven Samuelson is challenging incumbent Representative Peggy Wilson for the GOP nomination to the state House. He spoke with KCAW’s Ed Ronco recently about some of the issues in the campaign. (An interview with state Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, will be posted soon.)

Exploring Kruzof, Pt. 3: A sailor returns

During World War II, the southern tip of Kruzof was an observation post for the U.S. Navy. A 26-year-old sailor named Bob Vollmer was among those stationed there.He’s now 93 years old and living just south of Indianapolis, Indiana. He returned to Sitka this summer, and KCAW’s Ed Ronco was there as Vollmer set foot on Kruzof for the first time in 67 years.

Hollywood calling: Sitka actors to audition for "Whales"

A big Hollywood break could be just around the corner for some local actors. An Anchorage film services company will hold a casting call in Sitka tomorrow (Fri 8/6), as part of a statewide series of auditions for the movie “Everybody Loves Whales,” which will be filmed by Universal Studios in Alaska later this fall.

Exploring Kruzof, Pt. 2: All-terrain construction

This week we’ve been bringing you stories from Kruzof Island, just west of Sitka.The island is used for a variety of recreation, from hiking to camping to ATV riding. But the road used by hikers and ATV riders has fallen into disrepair.In the second of our three-part series on Kruzof Island, KCAW’s Ed Ronco reports from Mud Bay, where the Forest Service and a local contractor are working together to rebuild a road, using federal stimulus money.

As deadline nears, municipal candidates toss hats in ring

Three more candidates have filed for municipal office in Sitka. Former city administrator John Stein has filed for the mayor’s seat. A relative newcomer to Sitka, Terry Blake, has filed for one of two open assembly seats. And current school board president Lon Garrison has filed for another term on the board.

Exploring Kruzof, Pt. 1: Artistic roots

Kruzof Island is 168 square miles of land, popping out of the Pacific Ocean just west of Sitka. It holds a volcano, a trail system, a series of beaches, meadowlands and forest. During World War II, it was a strategic location for U.S. forces.This week, we bring you three reports from Kruzof beginning with this story about an 80-year-old Haida weaver hot on the trail of young spruce roots for her baskets.