Author: Ed Ronco

Earlier this month, two hatcheries in Sitka both suffered devastating accidents over the same weekend. The Sheldon Jackson Hatchery lost about 240,000 salmon fry when a water intake pipe became blocked.At Medvejie Hatchery, a few miles south, the damage was worse.A closed water-intake valve resulted in the loss of nearly 1 million Chinook fry. But Medvejie also has been conducting an experimental program that, in the weeks since the accident, has helped the hatchery recover from the damage caused by the accident.

The 2010 summer Farmers’ Markets began Saturday in Sitka. Vendors selling a variety of goods packed the ANB hall, and visitors came to check out live music and take their pick of locally grown produce, baked goods and homemade crafts. KCAW’s Shady Grove Oliver stopped by the first market and sent this audio postcard.

A two to three year old Brown Bear was shot in the 2500 block of Sawmill Creek Road at 1:30 this afternoon.

A warm spring and winter may be good for your early berry crop, but not for your spruce tree.

Alaska is home to over half the nation’s wilderness lands, and some of the Forest Service’s most remote, and isolated Cabins.Green Top Cabin on Yakobi Island is one of these, and because it’s on land classified as “wilderness” upkeep on the cabin and surrounding trails is a little different than it would be in other locations.

Sitka’s historical museum is preparing to display a new painting. Or, rather, an old painting. It’s about 130 years old, was donated to the museum some time in 1984, and then sat in storage until last year.

Tenakee Springs deployed its 2-year-old fire and rescue boat last week, to put out a small fire in the forest near Pavlov Harbor.

Over 1,000 mourners attended the Coast Guard Memorial Service for the three crewmen who died aboard CG 6017. KCAW's Lily Mihalik attended the ceremony in the hangar at Air Station Sitka, and sent this audio postcard.

Two Sitka organizations have teamed up to foster sustainable economic opportunities in the community. They’ve jointly hired an intern to explore ways entrepreneurs can tap into money and expertise in the changing economy of the Tongass.