Author: Robert Woolsey

Last year was a busy trail-construction season for the Sitka Ranger District and the northern Tongass. This summer could be even busier. Federal stimulus funding has moved projects like the re-routing of the Beaver Lake trail to the front burner alongside other already-budgeted projects like rebuilding the Gavan Ridge trail.

Sitkans proved to be just as divided as other communities over a Sealaska Corp. lands selection bill now in committee in the US Senate. At a packed hearing in Sitka's Centennial Hall last Friday (03-11-10), Sitkans on both sides of the issue shared their views for almost four hours. In this second of two stories, KCAW's Ed Ronco provides a look at the testimony from those opposed to the bill.

Sitkans proved to be just as divided as other communities over a Sealaska Corp. lands selection bill now in committee in the US Senate. At a packed hearing in Sitka's Centennial Hall last Friday (03-11-10), Sitkans on both sides of the issue shared their views for almost four hours. In this first of two stories, KCAW's Robert Woolsey looks at testimony offered in support of SB 881.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to get rid of its Sitka Ranger boat, and it could shed another one of its remaining two Southeast boats if their use diminishes. Forest Service Sitka District Ranger Carol Goularte announced the news at Tuesday night's Sitka Assembly meeting.

The Sitka Assembly on Tuesday approved hundreds of thousands of dollars to study hydro electric projects on two lakes on Baranof Island. For one of those projects, officials say spending a few hundred thousand now could save millions later.

A town hall meeting on SB 881, the Sealaska land selection bill, will be held in Sitka at 7PM Friday March 12 in Harrigan Centennial Hall. To help frame the discussion, KCAW's Robert Woolsey asked two residents to share their views on the bill. Davey Lubin is a wildlife charter operator who recently advocated against the bill during a trip to Washington DC.

A town hall meeting on SB 881, the Sealaska land selection bill, will be held in Sitka at 7PM Friday March 12 in Harrigan Centennial Hall. To help frame the discussion, KCAW's Robert Woolsey asked two residents to share their views on the bill. Dale Williams is a Sitka Tribal Council member, and a Sealaska shareholder.

The Sitka High girls have won their first 3A basketball title in Region V. The Lady Wolves edged past Haines on Friday night, 37-31, in the championship game. But, in the very next game, Haines won the 3A boys’ title, in a one-point, overtime contest against Mt. Edgecumbe that will likely be remembered as one of the best efforts of the Braves’ basketball program.

Sitka High School and Mt. Edgecumbe High School have a decades-old cross-town rivalry. And it was visible to some extent at this week's Region V high school basketball tournament. But students and staff say the rivalry -- which has had its share of tension -- is becoming more and more positive.

The Sitka School Board met at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall on Tuesday night – something it does once a year. This year, as in years past, much of the discussion centered on what more the district can do to offer Tlingit language and cultural education.