edronco, Author at KCAW - Page 54 of 72

‘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.

Blake moving, will resign from Sitka Assembly

Terry Blake is about halfway through his term. He and his family are moving to Texas, to be closer to family in the Lower 48. He and wife Suzi have two sons and have lived in Sitka for six years.

Assembly approves school funding, Pacific High design

Sitka Schools will receive $5.9 million from the city this year. The Assembly approved the funding during last night’s regular meeting. Members also approved the latest version of plans for Pacific High School's remodel.

Sitka practices for airport disaster, mass casualties

The community-wide disaster drill involved emergency responders, doctors, nurses, airport and airline officials, the Coast Guard, and even students from Mt. Edgecumbe High School.

Sitka reading enthusiasts ‘book’ bus for giveaway

A bus full of librarians and volunteers is cruising around Sitka at this hour, handing out books to anyone who wants them. It’s part of World Book Night – a book giveaway happening in 6,000 American cities today.

Interview, Pt. 2: SEARHC chief exec on optimism, long-term future

SEARHC is Southeast Alaska’s largest private employer, and it’s working to address a $4 million loss from 2011. Yesterday, you heard about how SEARHC lost money and some of the steps managers are taking to bring the organization back into the black. Still, new CEO Charles bClement says despite the immediate situation, he has “incredible optimism” about the organization’s future.

Interview: SEARHC’s Clement on finances, future, arrest

The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, or SEARHC, is the largest private employer in Southeast Alaska. Earlier this year, its new CEO reported to employees that the company took a $4 million loss in 2011, and that big changes were on the way to address that loss. On April 12, CEO Charles Clement visited Sitka and spoke to KCAW News about what those changes mean. He also addressed something that happened before he started work at SEARHC -- his January arrest in Anchorage.

Sitka voting precincts could merge, move

Under the plan, Sitkans would vote at two precincts, both of which would be located at Centennial Hall. Right now, voters head to four locations throughout town to cast their ballots. The change would begin with the statewide primary in August.