Author: Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

National Native HIV/AIDS awareness Day is March 20th, coinciding with the first day of Spring, its meant to draw attention to the high rates of Alaska Natives and American Indians diagnosed with the disease every year. At the same time, organizers say it’s also about looking forward with hope for the future.

With roots going back almost thirty years, the Bobs remain one of the most vibrant, original bands in contemporary music. Richard Bob Greene, Dan Bob Schumacher, Amy Bob Englehardt, and Matthew Bob Stull performed on Morning Edition before their Sitka concert on Friday (3-20-09). With KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

A retired school district librarian will head up Sitka’s public library. The Sitka assembly earlier this month (3-10-09) confirmed the appointment of Sarah Jones as the director of Kettleson Memorial Library. Jones retired from the school district in 2003, after working twenty-six years in the libraries. She came to Sitka shortly after earning her master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Oregon. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Japanese Language and Literature. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey spoke with Jones recently about her plans for one of the state’s most active libraries:

Former School Board President Scott McAdams reacts to Palin turning down nearly 90 million dollars in education funding for Alaska.

With three bolt-together catamarans in production in its Sitka yard, Allen Marine is weathering the economic downturn, and maintaining a winter payroll of $400-thousand dollars a month. Company VP John Dunlap discussed the company's history in boat building and touring as it nears its fortieth anniversary, in a presentation to the Sitka Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday (3-18-09).

The Alaska Supreme Court has thrown out the latest University lands transfer measure as unconstitutional. Nearly two hundred thousand acres, including three dozen parcels in Southeast Alaska, recently transferred to the University must now be reconveyed back to the State.

With more than 500 songs in his catalogue, folk singer David Mallett has come a long way in the thirty years since he penned the Garden Song. Top artists like Emmylou Harris continue to cover his material. Mallett spoke with KCAW's Robert Woolsey before his Sitka concert on 3-11-09.

The Sitka Community Hospital board has signed a management services contract with Nashville-based Quorum Health Resources. While the overall budget and day-to-day operation of the hospital will remain under local control, the board hopes its relationship with QHR will provide some badly-needed long-term financial stability – and a little clout, too.

Hames Athletic and Wellness Center has a new lease that will enable it to keep operating, at least until voters decide whether or not to support the facility in the next election. Last night, (3-10-09) the Sitka City and Borough Assembly narrowly approved the new lease agreement on a four to three vote.

The City and Borough Assembly passed a resolution Tuesday night that will try to reach the goal of 25% reduction by 2020. Sitka’s CO2 emissions are about half what most US cities emit, and on par with Norway’s per capita emissions, according to information given to the assembly Tuesday (3-10-09) by members of the Climate Action Task Force.