Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

Omicron is finally in Alaska. Now would be a good time for that booster shot

Monday’s (12-13-21) announcement that the omicron variant is now in Alaska has state health officials hoping that the current downward trend in coronavirus cases in Alaska will continue. Although omicron has proven more communicable than some earlier mutations of the virus, the resulting illness typically has been not as severe. Nevertheless, there’s strong evidence that the vaccine and a booster shot provide critical protection against omicron and any future variants.

Sitka drug trafficking ring sentenced in US District Court

Seven defendants convicted by the state for their roles in a violent drug hit in Sitka three years ago have now been sentenced in a federal court as well. The US District Court in Alaska on Wednesday (12-8-21) handed down sentences ranging from time served, to over 30 years.

ADF&G: As long as Sitkans keep setting the table (with tempting trash), brown bears will keep sitting at it

ADF&G biologist Steve Bethune doesn't refer to these animals as "problem bears." “Because they're just bears being bears," he says. "It's actually people that are the problem. And the bears are using the intelligence that they've been created with, and all their resources, and they have to do the best they can with whatever they can just to survive.”

Alaska Public Safety Academy’s ‘Covid Class’ graduates with distinction

The Alaska Public Safety Academy in Sitka graduated another class over the weekend. The 17-week training program involved the usual courses in driving, shooting, physical fitness, and defensive tactics -- and one extra class that’s not found in the course catalog: quarantining together.

A short-term strategy for ’22 could help Sitka ready for cruise tourism growth to come

Planning director Amy Ainslie reminded the commission that the parking and staging plan is short-term. First, Sitka has to weather the two-fold increase in passengers this coming summer, then begin to look at longer-term infrastructure development.

After two rejections, Sitka Tribe’s third herring proposal narrowly passes ADF&G Advisory Committee

The Sitka Fish & Game Advisory Committee has voted to support a third herring management proposal submitted by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska -- but only by the slimmest of margins. An effort to reconsider two earlier tribal proposals, however, was voted down.

In Sitka, ‘America250’ finds a community ahead of the reconciliation curve

Representatives from the America250 organization recently sought input from Sitka on how to make the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States more inclusive. They found a community already engaged in reconciliation.

State drops assault charges against former Sitka Assembly member

Assault charges have been dismissed against former Assembly member Aaron Bean, who was arrested during a fight in downtown Sitka two years ago.

Well-known white-eared bear found dead of gunshot wound in Sitka neighborhood

Alaska Wildlife Troopers are investigating the fatal shooting of a brown bear in a Sitka neighborhood earlier this week (11-8-21). They say the death of the familiar white-eared bear may have been a legitimate defense of property, or it may have been "not legitimate."

Sitka Tribe’s proposal to protect older herring fails to win Advisory Committee support

Efforts by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska to change the state’s approach to management of the Sitka Sac Roe Herring fishery don’t look like they’re going anywhere. The second of three proposals submitted by the Tribe failed to win the support of the Sitka Fish & Game Advisory Committee Monday night (11-8-21), just days after an earlier proposal was also shot down.