Rachel Waldholz, Author at KCAW

North Pacific Council to vote on halibut bycatch limits

Of the thirty million pounds of halibut caught last year by commercial fishermen statewide, nearly a third was thrown back into the ocean, dead. It was netted accidentally by boats targeting other fish - especially trawlers in the Bering Sea. Now, that may change.

With taxes on the agenda, Assembly meeting heats up

Taxes have dominated the conversation at the Sitka Assembly recently, as the city struggles to come up with an additional million dollars for schools. This week’s meeting erupted into a heated debate over the issue -- but there were also hints of some long-term solutions.

Sitka raises water, sewer rates by $6 per month

The Sitka Assembly voted Wednesday night to raise water and wastewater rates. The vote will increase monthly water and sewer bills from $86 to $92.

Assembly passes budget with million dollar shortfall

The Sitka Assembly passed a budget for the coming year on first reading last night (5-27-15). But that budget still has a million-dollar hole. The shortfall is significantly larger than expected even a week ago.

Coast Guard rescues charter passenger near Peril Strait

A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a passenger from a charter fishing boat north of Sitka on Sunday night (5-24-15), after he reported chest pains.

Assembly approves lease-to-sell deal at Gary Paxton Industrial Park

The Sitka Assembly on Tuesday voted to approve a longterm lease at the city's former pulp mill site with Pat Glaab of Alaska & Pacific Packing, or APP - despite a protest from the site's neighbor, processor Silver Bay Seafoods.

Assembly postpones action on tobacco and summer sales tax

The Sitka Assembly voted this week to raise Sitka’s sales tax cap, but they postponed two other proposals -- one to double the tobacco tax, and another to raise the summer sales tax.

Assembly raises sales tax cap over charter fleet’s objections

The Sitka Assembly voted to increase the sales tax cap from $1500 to $3000 on Tuesday night. The increase is part of an effort to raise an additional million dollars for Sitka’s school system, and came despite passionate objections from charter fishermen.

With retirements, City Hall faces a generational shift

Sitka’s City Hall is in the midst of a generational shift, with a spate of retirements among longtime staff. Those who have retired in April and May alone had racked up 93 years of city service between them.

Blue Lake project dedicated with champagne, cheers and speeches

State and local officials, including Gov. Bill Walker, gathered in Sitka on Friday (5-8-15) to formally dedicate the Blue Lake dam. The largest public works project in city history, it’s projected to meet the city’s electricity needs for the next thirty years.