Author: Ed Ronco

State Sen. Albert Kookesh, who is also chairman of the Sealaska Corp. board of directors, came under fire recently for comments he made in Craig. Those remarks were interpreted by some as a threat -- that Kookesh would withhold state support for projects in Craig if the city opposed legislation that would expand Sealaska's ability to do business. After the remarks came to light, Sitka assembly member Jack Ozment said Kookesh made similar remarks during a Sitka Assembly two years ago. Here's Kookesh's entire testimony (about 7 minutes) from that meeting, on Feb. 26, 2008.

Three brown bear cubs orphaned last summer in Sitka have a new home in New York City. The Bronx Zoo last Thursday (1-28-10) displayed Sitka, Kootz, and Denali to the public for the first time. A fourth orphaned cub from Montana shares an adjacent habitat, and will join the Alaska bears once they all get to know each other. The zoo’s parent organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society, hopes these new urban bears help spread the message about protecting wild habitat.

Toward the end of last year, Sitka Community Hospital asked for feedback from the community. It circulated surveys and held meetings for people to talk about what they like, what they dislike and what they want to see more of at the hospital. Chief executive Hugh Hallgren presented the results of that survey to the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce recently.

The Alaska Legislature passed a bill allowing low-speed electric vehicles to travel on roadways where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour. Previously the vehicles – which usually have a top speed of 25 miles per hour – were limited to roads where the speed limit was 35 and under. Sitka resident Megan Pasternak, who has owned an electric car for almost two years, says the new legislation won't change much for her.

Steven Samuelson ran for the Republican nomination for the State House against incumbent Peggy Wilson in 2008. He’s challenging Wilson for the nomination again this year. Samuelson talked to Raven News on Jan. 14 about some of the issues he’ll address during the campaign, including energy, the economy and education.

True Alaska Bottling Co. has been trying since 2006 to tap into water at Blue Lake, and sell it in bulk. Doing so could mean big money for Sitka. Tuesday night (1-26-10), the Sitka Assembly gave the company more time to get the water moving, but not before making a few changes to the deal and asking a lot of questions.

The U.S. Coast Guard gave its Meritorious Public Service Award to the Sitka Mountain Rescue team during a Wednesday ceremony, for its efforts in a dangerous October rescue.

More than 300 Sitkans gathered for a Coast Guard-sponsored run/walk to raise money for Haiti. The effort raised about $6,000. Here's an audio postcard from the event.

It’s been a mild January in many parts of Southeast Alaska so far. That’s been great for hiking and other outdoor activity. But it’s been bad for hibernation. State wildlife officials have received reports of bear activity around Sitka, though there have been no confirmed sightings.

A one-man play is coming to the Sitka Performing Arts Center this weekend. It’s called "NE 2nd Avenue," and it portrays life in Miami. The show’s sole performer, Teo Castellanos, has been an instructor at Sitka Fine Arts Camp. Student reporter Ryan Apathy, also a Fine Arts Camp alumnus, has this preview.