Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

Sitka Tribe wins honors, prepares for move to larger quarters

The Sitka Tribe has won national recognition from the Kennedy School of Government. Tribal Council Vice-Chair Lawrence “Woody” Widmark this week (10-31-18) filled in the Sitka Chamber of Commerce on the Tribe’s extensive activities, including a planned move to new offices.

House candidates chart different paths in Sitka Chamber forum

Two of the three candidates vying to represent District 35 in the Alaska House of Representatives met in their first public forum on Wednesday (10-24-18) at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce, and the result was a study in contrasts.

School board swears in one new, one returning member

The Sitka School Board seated election winners on Monday (10-15-18). Eric Van Cise won a second three-year term; Amy Morrison will begin her first. The job of board president went for the second time to Jenn McNichol. Elias Erickson was elected vice-president. Eric Van Cise was given the job of clerk for the second time.

Grant dollars restart housing program for Sitka’s homeless teens

Sitka’s homeless youth may soon have more permanent shelter, if some residents are willing to open their doors to them. Youth Advocates of Sitka has won a three-year grant to implement a home-based program for kids age 16 to 21.

No changes following Sitka absentee ballot counting

There were no changes in the outcome of Sitka’s municipal election, after absentee ballot counting on Friday (10-5-18). The closest race on election night was for the second seat on the assembly, where only 46 votes separated the leader, Valorie Nelson, from challenger Brinnen Carter.

Walker urges Sitkans to take a long view of success

Gov. Bill Walker is pushing back hard against recent polling data that puts him in third place in the race for Alaska’s top job. Speaking to the Sitka Chamber of Commerce, he defended his decision to cut the PFD two years ago, saying it would preserve the dividend program in perpetuity. "We chose not to kick the can down the road," he said.

Sitka research partnership wins $2.1 million for landslide prediction

A research partnership has been awarded $2.1 million to study landslide prediction in Sitka. The 3-year “Smart and Connected Communities” grant comes from the National Science Foundation, with the goal of using relatively inexpensive sensor technology -- and existing social networks -- to create a realtime warning system in Sitka and other communities at risk of slides.

General’s visit signals a more robust National Guard in rural Alaska

Major General Laurie Hummel and her staff from the Alaska National Guard and the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs -- where she also serves as commissioner -- were in Sitka recently (September 27, 28) as part of a new rural engagement initiative. They want to connect veterans with benefits, and connect young people with opportunities in the Guard.

Sitka’s mayor candidates differ by age and experience more than policy

Mayor candidates Aaron Bean, Ben Miyasato, and Gary Paxton answered questions in a forum held by the Sitka Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday (9-26-18). For many voters, choosing Sitka’s mayor may come down to a candidate’s age, philosophy, or opinion about salmon habitat.

Concerned about process, Sitkans push back on new roadless proposal

Sitkan packed into a conference room at the Aspen Suites Hotel on Monday evening (9-24-18) for a scoping meeting on the state’s petition to open more of the Tongass National Forest to road building. Like a similar meeting held last week in Ketchikan, much of the input from the audience was focused not so much on the merits of poadless policy, but on the process itself.