Author: Robert Woolsey, read by Melissa Marconi-Wentzel

The city of Sitka and its electrical union have reached their very first agreement. The Sitka assembly on Tuesday (2-12-08) voted to approve a three-year contract with the local bargaining unit of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The Sitka assembly will allow a non-profit development group to move ahead with plans for an affordable housing complex on the site of the old city shops. The decision gives Trapline-CDI the go-ahead to begin applying for federal tax credits for the 25-unit apartment development, while making continued efforts to refine its conceptual designs.

At about 9 cents per kilowatt hour, Sitka’s hydroelectric energy is some of the cheapest in the state. But hydro power is only as abundant as the water supply, a limitation felt keenly in recent months in Sitka and other parts of Southeast Alaska. Unusually low rainfall this past year, combined with high oil prices driving up the demand for electric energy, has created a hydroelectric shortage and has forced electric departments throughout the region to supplement hydro with diesel.

With a series of Pacific lows battering Southeast over the last three weeks, plus sustained cold temperatures, snow accumulations are significantly more than usual. KCAWs Robert Woolsey spoke with several knowledgeable people in Sitka about how best to cope with all the snow, whether you're a backcountry enthusiast, a bald eagle, or a homeowner.

400 Sitka Democrats and Republicans cast their votes Tuesday evening for their favorite presidential candidate. Democrats held their caucus at the Swan Lake Senior Center. Republicans held their Presidential Preference Poll at Harrigan Centennial Hall.

A Sitka fishing lodge may have to dramatically scale back its operations next season. The Sitka Planning Commission Tuesday night (2-5-08) refused to retroactively grant Dove Island Lodge a conditional use permit for twenty-four guests and a commercial dock. Commissioners found fourteen guests a more acceptable number for the island neighborhood -- and the float plane will have to go.

The Sitka planning department received a petition with the signatures of 218 people opposed to Dove Island's expansion. Many attended Tuesday's (2-5-08) Planning Commission hearing. Here's an excerpt of some of their testimony:

Slower-than-average harvest rates plus steady demand in the high-end restaurant and market trade have pushed winter king salmon prices to new records.

The Sitka assembly on Friday evening (2-1-08) approved a three-year employment contract with Jim Dinley to serve as city administrator. Reber Stein, who recused himself from voting, spoke as a member of the public. He blamed the assembly's failure to understand its policy role for high turnover in the top job. In an unrelated but similar gesture, member Cheryl Westover stepped from behind the table to warn the assembly that the roundabout may return as a citizen initiative.

Ingrid Jensen is a world-class trumpet-player. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, with roots in Petersburg, Alaska, she has made her mark with a distinctive Northwest Coast-inspired style. She is performing at the Sitka Jazz Festival Feb. 1-2, 2008. She was interviewed on KCAW by Melissa Marconi Wentzel during Morning Edition.