Author: Robert Woolsey

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game captured and collared a problem brown bear in Sitka over the weekend (5-7-10). Biologists can now use radio signals to track the animal and her two cubs, and possibly prevent problems before they start.

Brown bear activity around Sitka is off to an early start this spring. Over the last ten days, Sitka police have fielded a number of calls from residents who have seen bears in trash cans, on streets, on trails, and in the occasional chicken coop. Alaska Department of Fish & Game biologist Phil Mooney is Sitka’s go-to man for bears. So far this year, Mooney estimates that there could be three or four sows on the road system, and like last year, possibly one large and very furtive boar. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey spoke with Mooney about his department’s approach to the bear issue this season:

Despite a hot finish, the winter troll fishery closed on April 30th 3-to-4-thousand kings short of the 45-thousand fish target. The Department of Fish & Game will continue to analyze where the winter chinook originated – either in the wild or at hatcheries – before announcing any adjustment to the spring or summer troll quota.

Extended interview with ADF&G area management biologist Phil Mooney on the department's efforts to move bears off-island.

Repairs to the mechanical systems at Blatchely middle school are more expensive than first thought. The Sitka school board may instead decide to ask voters to approve additional bonds this fall to renovate the entire building.

Reber Stein says Sitka and the other communities of House District 2 need more effective representation in the legislature. The Sitka democrat earlier this spring announced his bid to run for House 2, and the seat currently held by Peggy Wilson, a republican from Wrangell. By the time of the statewide election this October, Stein will have completed one full term on the Sitka assembly. Currently, he faces no democratic challenger in the August primary election. Petersburg resident Steven Samuelson has filed to run against Wilson in the republican primary. Stein works full-time for the Alaska State Employees Association, providing technical support for the labor organization. He’s lived in Sitka for thirty-five years. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey spoke with Stein recently about his campaign:

Extended interview with public-interest attorney Joe Geldhof on the need to engage congress on energy policy. With KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

Joe Geldhof wants Alaskans to take a more active role in creating state and national energy policy. The Juneau-based public interest attorney was in Sitka today (Tue 5-4-10) to speak to the Rotary Club. Geldhof is well-known for co-writing the 2006 cruise ship initiative, and for arguing an appeal for Sitkans for Responsible Government before the Alaska Supreme Court. This time, however, Geldhof is not spearheading a legal battle. Instead, he’s taken an assignment from the San Francisco-based Energy Foundation to talk to Alaskans about energy policy, and the role individuals can play in helping to shape it. He spoke with KCAW’s Robert Woolsey:

Three pieces of land could be subdivided from the former Sheldon Jackson College Campus after Tuesday night’s Planning Commission meeting. The college closed in 2007, and the company managing its property says the move is necessary to be able to start selling the property and pay down the college’s debt. But the daughter of the college’s first president says the subdivision of the campus is happening too quickly, and could lead to further fragmentation of the campus.

Sitka’s Assembly began sifting through the city and borough’s 2011 budget at a work session held Thursday night.