Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

Five decades on, a Sitkan takes lessons from the 1968 DNC Riots

Sitkan Jerry Dzugan was a college student in Chicago in 1968, and witnessed firsthand the riots in the streets during the Democratic National Convention in late August. A bystander, he was nevertheless beaten and arrested during widespread efforts by Chicago police to clear the streets and restore order. Now 70 years old, Dzugan believes it’s important to share the powerful lesson he learned that day.

Electric vehicles featured at Saturday Open House

Dave Nicholls, with the Sitka Electric Vehicles Owners, outlines plans for an Open House this 1-3 p.mp Saturday, September 15, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Owners will answer common questions about EV's such as range, operating costs, and where to buy one. Test drives will be available.

Despite challenges, oil exec says Alaska’s prospects are looking up

Contrary to projections from as recently as five years ago, oil production on Alaska’s North Slope is trending up. Scott Jepsen, a vice-president with ConocoPhillips based in Anchorage, told the Sitka Chamber of Commerce this week (9-5-18) that improvements in drilling technology, new discoveries, and a favorable tax structure had all combined to steadily increase oil production.

Yerkes: ‘I am broken’

A Sitka man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for second-degree murder for shooting his girlfriend during an altercation last year. Tuesday’s (9-4-18) sentencing concluded a 15-month legal drama that began with a romance inside Sitka’s city hall.

Playground rehab moves up Sitka School District’s priority list

The Sitka School Board says it’s time for an update of the playgrounds at Baranof and Keet Gooshi Heen elementary schools -- but any state help for the work could still be years away. The board on Wednesday (8-29-18) approved moving the two playgrounds higher on the district’s capital priority list.

‘Confused’ sea lion wanders Sitka street, waiting to go home

Authorities are taking a “wait-and-see” approach with a large sea lion that was discovered early Friday morning (8-31-18) in the roadway near Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka. Officials with NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network believe the sub-adult male is frightened and confused, and will eventually return to the water on his own.

Researchers set the stage for Sitka invasive’s final curtain call

The state’s campaign against an invasive marine species near Sitka is going on hold, while researchers crunch their data and look for funding to pursue all-out eradication. After four summers of study, scientists from ADF&G and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center have a method to kill D.vex -- now all they need is the funding to do it.

The SBA in Alaska: Big resources to help small business

Marichu Relativo is the deputy director of the Small Business Administration in Alaska. Speaking recently at the Sitka Chamber of Commerce (8-22-18), Relativo explained that the cabinet-level agency offers guidance and training for people interested in starting businesses, it guarantees loans, and -- in some cases -- it offers direct financing of up to $5-million.

Wein, Kreiss-Tomkins to vie for House 35 seat in November

A former surgeon in Sitka has won the Republican primary, and will challenge three-term Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for the House District 35 seat in the Alaska Legislature this November. Dr. Richard Wein edged out former Hoonah mayor Kenny “Karl” Skaflestad by less than 200 votes.

Sitkans weigh in on possible SEARHC hospital merger

The residents of Sitka are no more decided about the future of their local hospital than their elected representatives, if Monday night’s town hall meeting (8-20-18) is any indication. More than 200 Sitkans turned out to share their views on whether to sell Sitka Community Hospital to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, and found no clear consensus on a way forward.