KCAW Staff, Author at KCAW - Page 286 of 584

Fri Jan 17, 2014

Consultant: Cruise industry again "bullish" on Alaska. DEC investigates sinking of tug Silver Bay II in Wrangell. Blatchley Spelling Bee has new champion. Petersburg to remodel Stedman Elementary School this year.

Nelson: Cruise lines again ‘bullish’ on Alaska

Years of steady declines in cruise ship traffic to Sitka should be coming to an end -- eventually. Independent cruise industry consultant Andy Nelson told the Sitka Chamber of Commerce this week (Wed 1-15-14) that because cruise itineraries are planned years in advance, there was nothing to be done about the expected drop in visitor numbers this summer. But after that, things were looking more “bullish.”

SJ Museum brings silver carving into the spotlight

Former and current Sheldon Jackson Museum curators Peter Corey and Jackie Fernandez, and renown NW Coast artist Steve Brown discuss a project to study the museum's silver collection -- and to examine other pieces in private ownership in Sitka.

Thu Jan 16, 2014

Paleontologist to present on Triassic-era rock. Legislative preview: Sen. Bert Stedman says there will not be much money for Southeast Alaska projects this year. Juneau to open a halfway house for female felons.

Marine reptiles used to dominate tropical Southeast Alaska

The only vertebrate paleontologist in Alaska will give a seminar tonight (1-16-14) about what we can learn from Triassic era rock found all over Southeast Alaska.

E-l-e-c-t-r-i-f-y-i-n-g-!

In what was one of the most tightly-contested spelling bees in recent memory, 27 grade-level finalists at Blatchley Middle School in Sitka spelled their way to word no. 208 on the official Scripps National Spelling Bee list Wednesday night (1-15-14). In the end it boiled down to eighth-grader Kyle Vidad and defending champion Abigail Fitzgibbon. The two went head-to-head for eight rounds, until Fitzgibbon tripped on "matriculation" and Vidad successfully spelled "smithereens" to win the round, and then "aerodynamic" to win the championship. Test a friend on these words Abby and Kyle spelled with nearly one-hundred fans looking on:

Stedman says hydro funds tight, otter bill will change

There won’t be many appropriations for Southeast Alaska projects this legislative session. That’s the word from Sitka Senator Bert Stedman, who represents most of the region.

Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational to rock Sitka this weekend

Andrew Friske, athletic director at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, says 19 teams will be in Sitka this weekend for the Mt. Edgecumbe Invitational Basketball Tournament. Although this is a tournament for adult basketball teams from around the state, all proceeds benefit the activities programs at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. Games start Wednesday evening (1-15-14) on two courts at the BJ McGillis Gym on campus. Tournament passes and individual game tickets available at the gate.

Water Fund may go under without rate hike

Sitkans may be looking at additional increases in water rates in the near future, despite a series of recent hikes to keep the fund afloat. City finance director Jay Sweeney told the Sitka Assembly in a work session last night that unanticipated expenses had derailed a five-year master plan, and the Water Fund was looking weak. He also had concerns over the Solid Waste Fund.

Sweeney named to new administrative post

Sitka's finance director is now the "Chief Financial and Administrative Officer" for the city. The assembly Tuesday night (1-14-14) unanimously approved a recommendation from administrator Mark Gorman to give Sweeney the new title, and to move the Information Services and Human Resources departments under his supervision.