Author: Robert Woolsey

The city of Sitka is going to tighten up its review of building permit requests for projects involving historic properties. The Sitka assembly last night (2-11-08) affirmed the authority of the Sitka Historic Preservation Commission to play a significant role in the review of building permits for – or near to – the community’s inventoried historic resources.

Nearly $2-million dollars in transportation funding for Sawmill Cove Industrial Park has been restored by congress, and could be turned into pavement within a year.

A top name in the world of Northwest Coast art recently spent a few days in Sitka this month (March), passing on his craft. Ketchikan master carver Nathan Jackson led a three-day Alaskan Masterpieces Carving Workshop at The Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. The class was modeled after the 1980’s Ketchikan Area Carvers’ Colloquium, which brought together accomplished artists carving in the traditional style of the northern Northwest Coast people. Jackson and four students spent three days carving bentwood boxes with traditional hand tools. Melissa Marconi Wentzel stopped by to speak with Jackson and one of his students and brought back this audio postcard.

Despite being low in reserves, the Sitka assembly has put up over $400-thousand dollars to replace at CT scanner at Sitka community hospital.

Sitka residents collaborating on a land use plan for the Benchlands subdivision are emphasizing a diversity of home types, and an innovative affordability scheme. About thirty Sitkans attended last week’s (3-5-08) land-use planning meeting – the second of three such meetings scheduled for the Benchlands before the development enters the political hearing process at the Planning and Zoning Commission and the assembly.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released the final guideline harvest level for the 2008 Sitka Sound Sac Roe Fishery. It is the largest in history.

Sitka's Native community has expressed support for continued cultural education programs within the Sitka school district. The message was delivered at the annual meeting of the Sitka school board at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp No.1 and Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp No.4 Tuesday night (2-4-08)

Governor Palin has appointed Sitka police chief Sheldon Schmidt to the Alaksa Police Standards Council.

Recent controversy over the protection of a Russian colonial-era building in Sitka has called attention to how property owners and communities protect their historic resources. Interview excerpt from the program "Give & Take" with National Park Service historian Kristen Griffin.

A helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka endured tough weather conditions on a medevac mission to the Petersburg area on Thursday (2-6-08). See co-pilot Dave Hall tell the story in his own words at the following link:http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=237728