Author: Robert Woolsey

Dignitaries from around the nation will be gathering in Anchorage tomorrow afternoon (8-18-10) to pay final respects to the former Senator Ted Stevens. Former colleagues, like Vice President Joe Biden, are expected to recount Stevens’ achievements during a tenure that saw him become the longest-serving Republican in the Senate. Among those achievements is one in particular that literally speaks for itself: Senator Stevens held a long-standing and consistent vision for public broadcasting in Alaska.

Senator Ted Stevens’ last visit to Sitka was in August of 2007. It was a campaign trip; he made no public appearances, but as was his habit when in town, he made an impromptu visit to the studios of KCAW. Although Stevens was not indicted by a federal grand jury until almost a year later, it was well known at the time that he was under investigation. His press secretary called ahead to forestall any questions about the matter, but the senator himself, when he sat down with KCAW’s Robert Woolsey, said he was happy to answer any questions at all.

Extended audio from a 2007 interview with Sen. Ted Stevens. With KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

Hollis French says Alaska’s current governor is on a “glide path” to the November statewide election. French, a state senator from Anchorage, is one of two remaining major contenders for the Democratic nomination for governor in next week’s primary, following the withdrawal of businessman Bob Poe. French was in Sitka last week for his second visit of the primary campaign. He spoke with KCAW’s Robert Woolsey about the issues, and what separates him from his rival for the nomination, former House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz.

Sen. Hollis French of Anchorage is running for the Democratic nomination for governor. The state primary election is Tuesday, August 24.

A Sitka grand jury on Friday (8-13-10) indicted an Elfin Cove resident for allegedly brandishing a pistol at man on the community’s dock. Forty-six year old Travis J. Lewis faces one count of third-degree assault, a felony, for recklessly placing another man in fear of his life in the Elfin Cove harbor on August 8 of this year.

The remaining trustees of Sheldon Jackson College are trying to achieve a “dignified end” for Alaska’s oldest educational institution. The school closed abruptly in June of 2007, after the administration failed to win a $1-million emergency loan from the Sitka assembly. The college at the time was reportedly sinking under around $12-million in debt. That debt load now has been halved through land sales. College officials hope the school’s major creditor will grant some relief, and allow the Sheldon Jackson Campus to be turned over to another institution without further subdivision.

Lon Garrison says he’ll continue to support technology in Sitka’s schools, because “it’s where the world is going.” Garrison is the lone candidate in this year’s school board election. He’s seeking a second three-year term. He spoke with KCAW’s Robert Woolsey recently about some of the issues the board is likely to face in the coming year.

Incumbent Lon Garrison is the lone candidate for the single seat on the Sitka School Board. He spoke with KCAW's Robert Woolsey. The municipal election is Tuesday, October 5.