April 2012 - KCAW

After harvest, Sitka Tribe renews herring concerns

This year’s lower-than-expected herring harvest has renewed calls from the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to change the fishery. The Tribe sees it as validation of a long-held concern. But a state biologist says although this year definitely requires some study, the model used to manage the fishery is still good.

2 Sitkans sentenced in child abuse case

Superior Court Judge David George sentenced 52-year-old Ernestine Dugaqua to 40 months in jail, with 24 suspended, for third-degree assault. 21-year-old Frank Natkong was also sentenced in the case.

Events on tap for National Bike Month

Doug Osborne says it's never too late to start riding your bike. May is National Bike Month, and events are scheduled for children and adults to encourage bike riding in the days ahead.

Mon Apr 30, 2012

'Tough choices' as Assembly weighs budget. New book presents 3,000 Native place names in SE. State Republicans elect new leadership. Juneau gift shop owner sentenced for not paying $192k in sales tax.

‘Spirit of Reading’ brings authors to students

Dimi Macheras is the illustrator of the graphic novel "Strong Man," by Ishmael Hope. He and Ginny Blackson tell KCAW about the book, and a the Alaska Spirit of Reading program, which connects authors with students around Alaska.

‘Community curating’ puts your work on display at historical museum

Sitka Historical Museum Curator Jackie Fernandez says community curating can give you a voice in the museum. The goal, she says, is to expand the presence of Sitkans. The upcoming exhibit will feature community photography.

Fri Apr 27, 2012

Former Sitkan sentenced for embezzlement. Construction of POW mine to begin within 3 years. States prep residents for tsunami debris. AK House speaker waiting to see if he’ll call Senate back. Nenana ice jackpot biggest ever at $350K.

Thu Apr 26, 2012

Assembly to wade through budget. Southeast’s largest tribal organization pushes for sea otter changes. USFS approves large logging project near Petersburg.

‘Tough choices’ as Assembly weighs cuts

Sitka’s Assembly took its first crack at the city budget on Thursday night. The budget makes $1.2 million in cuts. Department heads and community leaders said very few of the cuts will go unnoticed.

Former nonprofit head sentenced in embezzlement

A former Sitka resident will spend three years on probation and pay back money he embezzled from the nonprofit organization he once led. Judge Ralph Beistline handed down the sentence after 46-year-old Gerald Bigelow pleaded guilty to embezzlement in Anchorage federal court on Thursday. Federal prosecutors say Bigelow stole more than $17,000 from the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center by making unauthorized withdrawals and purchases with the organization's debit card.