Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

Sitka’s private shipyard proposal rides on public funding

A plan for a new marine haul out and boatyard at Sitka’s industrial park is headed to the assembly table -- this time with negotiated terms. While the plan calls for private management and operation of the facility, it also involves significant amounts of public funding -- and not everyone is happy about it.

Twitchell, Hames appointed to vacant school board seats

Following a series of very brief interviews on Wednesday evening (6-24-20), the board appointed Blossom Twitchell and Andrew Hames to fill vacancies created by a pair of recent resignations. The board's first order of business: Postponing the start of school by a week, to August 27.

Federal court opinion a win for Alaska’s summer king season

Commercial fishing for king salmon in Southeast Alaska will likely open on schedule this summer. That’s after a federal judge recommended denying a request by a Washington state environmental group for an injunction to keep the season closed to protect endangered killer whales.

Brady-Howard resigns seat on Sitka School Board

School board member Dionne Brady-Howard tendered her resignation during a special meeting of the board called for that purpose on Wednesday evening (6-10-20). She had served nearly four years on the board, describing herself as an "unofficial" advocate for indigenous students.

Kreiss-Tomkins on racial justice, taxes, and the ‘dumpster fire’ trashing Alaska’s ferries

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins fielded questions about the mundane workings of state government, and larger questions about racial justice in Alaska, during a recent town hall meeting (6-4-20), held via Facebook from his home in Sitka.

‘No Name Mountain’ an uphill climb for economic growth in Sitka

A major planning proposal for 830 acres of city property on the north end of town received a cool reception from the Sitka Assembly and the Sitka Planning Commission. The high costs of development, combined with uses that favored tourism and high-end homeowners, left city officials feeling a little underwhelmed.

Regents hear public opposition to UAS merger plan

A proposal to absorb the University of Alaska Southeast into campuses in Fairbanks or Anchorage was not well-received, during public testimony before the Board of Regents Tuesday night (6-2-20).

Federal judge questions venue for king salmon injunction

A federal judge heard oral arguments on Thursday (5-28-20) in a lawsuit brought by a Washington state environmental group seeking to shut down king salmon fishing in Alaska this summer, to protect the food supply of endangered killer whales. Much of the legal debate concerned whether the US District Court was the appropriate venue for the challenge.

Sitka’s 2nd coronavirus case a testing success

Sitka’s second confirmed case of the coronavirus demonstrates how much better prepared health officials are to manage the pandemic. A routine screening caught this infection, possibly before it became a widespread outbreak.

‘Safe Stores’ initiative helps Sitka businesses protect themselves and customers

The decision to reopen Alaska is not an “all clear," and actually places a lot of responsibility on businesses to keep their employees and customers safe.The Sitka Health Summit has help with its “Safe Stores, Safe Shoppers, and Safe Workers Initiative.”