In 2019, the city created a cemetery district in its zoning code. At the time, local cemeteries were zoned with more permissive designations that would allow for redevelopment that could disturb those interred, according to the city. In a memo, staff said this zoning change is a gesture of respect towards those buried locally, and is “of particular resonance when applied to those who have been, at times, historically disinterred without regard.”

In other business, the assembly will consider allocating nearly $20,000 to support a special election in early February. 

The money will go towards additional personnel costs, contract services, like election officials stipends, ballots, and advertising. The cost of the special election was not included in the FY2027 budget.

The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly.

The Sitka Fire Department responded to the same controlled burn at a residence over the weekend — twice.

Fire Chief Brian McLaughlin said the department received a call about an unattended fire early Sunday morning, but when the engine and two firefighters arrived on scene, they found the fire was attended. 

“There was some stuff in the individual’s fire pit that was probably really not healthy to be burning,” he said. “So we asked them to stop burning that. They appeared to have done so initially, and then later on in the afternoon, we got a call back for the same house that they were burning some stuff they shouldn’t be [and it was] producing black smoke, which can produce hazardous conditions in the air.”

McLaughlin said the department put the fire out and asked the resident to not burn those things in the future. 

“Anything that’s basically not wood, we shouldn’t be burning. It’s not actually legal within the city,” he said. “So rubber material, fiberglass material, plastics, that kind of stuff. We don’t want to see anyone burning because it produces toxic black smoke.”

McLaughlin reminded Sitkans to always call the fire department to get a permit before starting a controlled burn, and to only burn untreated wood. He said this will help keep both people and the environment healthy.  

The Sitka Homeless Coalition is aiming to raise $100,000 during its annual Shelter Sitka fundraiser to support its mission and services, including a showers and laundry program, a dinner program, a permanent supportive housing complex, and a winter shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Michelle Snowden and Kathy Igallinera joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss the organization’s upcoming programming and how Sitkans can support the organization. Listen to their conversation here:

November is Native American Heritage Month. Sitka Tribe of Alaska Communications Manager Cara Crain joins KCAW for the Morning Interview to discuss what events STA has planned for November. STA’s calendar will be updated throughout the month. You can see the most up-to-date version linked here. Listen to the conversation here:

Sitka’s Fall Art Walk is this Saturday, November 7, from 4-7 p.m. Eighteen local businesses in Downtown Sitka will feature artists and their work, have refreshments, and live music, as part of this twice-a-year event. Attendees can pick up an Art Walk Passport, which details all of the participating locations and artists. Bette Gray, with Greater Sitka Arts Council, and participating artist Adrienne Wilber, joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss the upcoming event. Listen to their conversation here:

Sitkans Against Family Violence Director Natalie Wojcik and Board Chair Emma Bruhl join KCAW to talk about their organization’s services and upcoming fundraiser. SAFV is hosting its second annual fall family dinner and dessert auction this Sunday, Nov. 8, at ANB Founders Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 6 p.m. Listen to the conversation here:

This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of Sitka Whalefest. The event kicks off Thursday evening with a film festival and runs through Sunday. Phyllis Hackett, Lauren Wild, and Lauren Bell joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss how the event has changed over the past three decades, and what to expect from this year’s event. Listen to their conversation here:

Every other year, Sitka Studio of Dance hosts a dance showcase, where Sitkans show off their ballet, jazz, Zumba, and contemporary talents. Sitkans Can Dance! will take place on Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m. at the Sitka Performing Arts Center. Melinda McAdams, Ella Branch, and Kincaid Parsons joined KCAW on the Morning Interview to discuss the upcoming showcase. Listen to their conversation here:

Sheet’ká Ḵwáan Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s new general manager, Bert Adams – Deix’wudu’oo, has been on the job for a few months, and he hopes to spend the next year planning for the Tribe’s future.

In a joint interview with KCAW and the Daily Sitka Sentinel on Thursday (10-29-26), Adams discussed his background and experience, including over two-dozen years of work in Tribal leadership across Alaska. Most recently, he worked in Intergovernmental Affairs at Knik Tribe and previously served as Special Projects Manager and Executive Director for the Native Village of Eyak. Prior to that, he spent 13 years as general manager of Yakutat Tlingit Tribe.

He said it was in his role at the Native Village of Eyak that grounded him in the work, and where he gained experience in federal and state partnerships and funding structures. 

“Getting [the departments] all involved in the tribal strategic planning, and all working together as one unit in terms of strategies on funding and programs, what we were going to target, and and then getting them to really buy into that,” Adams said. During that time, he said the Tribe’s budget nearly doubled from $32 to $89 million. He said that was thanks to a couple of large infrastructure projects and growing its 8A business program- that provides a pathway for federally recognized Tribes to bring in for-profit revenue.

For now, he said the top priority is grounding the Tribe, working on the internal structure and flow of the Tribe’s administrative department first, then branching out to department directors. 

“And then the next phase is the strategic planning for Sitka Tribe, and that’s going to really outline the 2027 priorities between the Council and the departments,” he said.

Adams said input from Tribal Citizens collected earlier this year through a needs assessment survey will be central to the strategic planning process.

“Tribal Citizens are, that’s why we’re here,” Adams said. “So we’ll always have the door open to them and listen to what they have to say.”

He’s hopeful that in 2028, the planning work will begin to pay off. 

“[2028] is when we can really hopefully see the growth of STA, and really kind of an identity in terms of how we’re going to be moving forward within as a tribal government,” Adams said. “And how that impact could be with the community of Sitka.”

Adams, who grew up in Yakutat and has family ties to Sitka, is eager to get to know the community better. A longtime basketball coach, he’s looking forward to the busy winter athletic schedule to gear up, and traveling during the holiday season to see his kids and grandkids.