Robert Woolsey, KCAW, Author at KCAW

With an unexpected ship, Thursday May 2 will be Sitka’s biggest day of the summer cruise season

Thursday (5-2-24) will be the biggest day of the 2024 cruise season in Sitka. The unscheduled arrival of a third ship will put the projected passenger count at 9,300. Disembarking crew members could push the total number of visitors into five figures. During a joint meeting of the Sitka Tribal Council and Sitka Assembly Tuesday evening (4-30-24), Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz said the big day was not part of the city's game plan.

Update: Sitka School Board to vote on 18 staff cuts May 1

Over 150 Sitka teachers, students, and other supporters protested the governor's cuts to education Wednesday afternoon. At a public hearing that evening, teachers pressed the school board for more concrete details about staff and program reductions next year.

As concerns mount over user conflict, board bumps fees for cruise passengers at Sitka’s industrial park dock

Sitka’s industrial park is raising the rates for summer tour operators who board passengers at its deepwater dock this season, but there is some concern over potential user conflict with industrial users as cruise tourism grows in Sitka.

Sitka processor ‘reaps’ benefits of federal energy assistance program

Seafood Producer's Cooperative in Sitka is capitalizing on an energy assistance program (REAP) offered by the US Dept. of Agriculture. In a recent meeting of the Sitka Chamber of Commerce, coop vice-president Stephen Rhoads explained how other businesses could benefit from the program.

‘Visit Sitka’ wins funding for another year, but assembly skeptics signal change is needed

Visit Sitka is funded largely through the bed tax, but some on the assembly feel it's become too focused on cruise tourism. At a recent work session, members discussed whether Visit Sitka should be overhauled, and put out to bid.

One year from opening, Sitka’s new marine haulout has a contractor and a tight schedule

Sitka has awarded a contract for construction of a new haulout and boatyard to Western Marine. The facility is scheduled to be operational in one year.

‘Kids are not stupid’: Sitka board members warn of repercussions following gov’s veto of education bill

Sitka school board student member Felix Myers was incensed by the governor's veto of the education bill. "Kids aren't stupid," he said in a recent KCAW forum. "Kids know what's going on." He said student protests may be in the works.

Sitka schools may drain savings account, swimming pool to make ends meet in ’25

Sitka's Schools will have $1.4 million in reserves at the end of the current academic year -- far short of the amount needed to cover next year's deficit. At a work session, the Sitka School Board discussed how much of its savings to drain to make ends meet next year, and which programs -- like the Blatchley Swimming Pool -- might be transferred to the city, or cut altogether. (KCAW/Woolsey)

‘There are still things we can do’: Sitka’s legislators join unsuccessful effort to override governor’s education veto

Both Rep. Rebecca Himschoot and Sen. Bert Stedman joined the effort to override Gov. Dunleavy's veto of SB140, which would have been the first major funding boost for public education in eight years.

Following senate call, $2 million allocated for Land Trust apartment complex

A $2 million HUD (US Housing and Urban Development) grant will allow the Sitka Community Land Trust to build four affordable apartments -- and develop a revenue stream to sustain the organization into the future.

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