March is usually the month when Sitka shakes off winter, but so far that hasn't quite happened. Snowpack has increased this month -- with reports of depths around seventeen feet at treeline on Mt. Verstovia. At sea level, snow flurries have been an almost-daily event. Videographer David Rice used his high-definition camera to capture winter's final bow.
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One of the largest remaining pieces of World War II armament in Alaska is located on a tiny island in the mouth of Cross Sound, not too far from Glacier Bay. Residents of nearby Elfin Cove and Pelican have known about the big gun on George Island since it was put there early in the war, but it was only last year that the Forest Service redeveloped the historic trail to the battery, and a Sitka historian scoured military archives to piece together the gun’s bizarre story.
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Researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage are gathering regional data on domestic violence and sexual assault over the next few weeks. A telephone survey began on March 11 in some of the state’s smaller communities, including Sitka, Kodiak, and Bethel. The survey is only for women over the age of 18, and is intended to give researchers and policy makers a clearer understanding of Alaska’s already-high rates of domestic violence and sexual assault.
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Island Institute co-director Carolyn Servid and program associate Elena Gustafson discuss the Institute's annual auction, to be held 7PM tomorrow (Sat Mar 17) at Harrigan Centennial Hall (advance tickets $15 at Old Harbor Books, $20 at the door). Featured items to be auctioned include a truckload of gravel, and an evening of wine, cheese, and bocci ball with Sitka novelist John Straley and artist Norm Campbell.
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Mt. Edgecumbe Braves, Sitka Lady Wolves advance to second round of 3A state basketball tournament. Domestic violence and sexual assault survey puts lens on Alaska's smaller communities. Acquisition of Alaska Ship & Drydock by Vigor to affect AMHS federal contracts?
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Idaho State University researchers Nick Clement and Robert Schlater are in Sitka scanning the bones of a young killer whale as part of an online inventory of northern mammals. The complete skeleton will be articulated and mounted in the Sitka Sound Science Center.
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The assembly heard good news Tuesday night (3-13-12) on a bond refinance deal from city finance director Jay Sweeney; appointed Brian Bickar to the Police and Fire Commission, citing the value of his "firsthand" experience with law enforcement; and had a hands-on lesson in classroom technology. Wrangell residents explore biofuels as an alternative to oil. Southeast Conference calls for continued work on a regional electrical grid.
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The state has moved a step closer to building the first Alaska Class Ferry.Officials have completed a contract needed to hire Alaska Ship and Drydock to design and build the 500-passenger, 70-vehicle ship
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The assembly heard good news Tuesday night (3-13-12) on a bond refinance deal from city finance director Jay Sweeney; appointed Brian Bickar to the Police and Fire Commission, citing the value of his "firsthand" experience with law enforcement; and had a hands-on lesson on classroom technology.
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At least one assembly member has withdrawn his support from a controversial ruling made by the mayor last week. Mike Reif offered a formal apology for failing to overrule Mayor Cheryl Westover’s decision to recuse Thor Christianson from deliberations over forward funding of the school district. Reif spoke during the “persons to be heard” portion at the end of last night’s meeting (3-13-12).
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