Author: Robert Woolsey and Ed Ronco

KCAW is profiling each of the candidates for municipal office. Over the past few weeks we’ve introduced you to the four Assembly candidates and a school board candidate. This week, we look at the city’s mayoral race. One of the two contenders is a current Assembly member. Cheryl Westover says if she’s elected mayor of Sitka, she wants to help improve Sitka’s economy.

Cheryl Westover is running for mayor of Sitka. This is an extended version of her conversation with KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

Candidates for Southeast’s District 2 House seat are now focusing on the November 2nd general election. That’s because Republican primary challenger Steven Samuelson of Petersburg last week conceded the race to incumbent Peggy Wilson of Wrangell.That puts Wilson up against Sitka Democrat Reber Stein, who faced no primary opposition.

Sitka Mountain Rescue pulled two hikers off a steep hillside Sunday afternoon. The rescue occurred on one of the mountains in a group known as “The Sisters,” up the Indian River Valley.

Ballot questions facing Sitka voters in October will shape the future of the city’s electrical and educational infrastructure. And on Sept. 8, city and school district officials made a public pitch for support on the measures.

A fish processer with its main plant in Sitka is being recognized for its quality and marketing efforts. Seafood Producers’ Cooperative recently won a Governor's North Star Award for International Excellence.

A small cruise line known for its intimate Alaska sailings is in trouble. Seattle-based Cruise West is reorganizing and has laid off staff and stopped booking reservations. That’s left some cruises -- which include Alaska, Europe and Central America routes -- in doubt.

Lieutenant Governor candidate Diane Benson was in Sitka over the weekend promoting a plan to allow residents to invest in a natural gas pipeline. Benson is running on the Democratic ticket for governor with Ethan Berkowitz.

A new Sitka School District technology program aims to boost student skills by the end of eighth grade.The program is funded by a $100,000 federal Enhancing Education Through Technology grant. It trains teachers, who in turn help students develop their skills.

Jack Ozment is seeking a second term on the Sitka Assembly. The municipal election is Oct. 5.