Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Aerial surveys begin as ADF&G prepares for herring fishery

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game began conducting aerial surveys of Sitka Sound today (Tuesday 3-12-19), in preparation for the 2019 Sitka Sac Roe Herring Fishery.

Sludge, scum, and grit take toll on Sitka’s aging wastewater facility

Ever wonder what happens when you flush? KCAW’s Katherine Rose visited Sitka’s wastewater treatment plant to sniff out why a $10 million dollar revitalization project is in the works for the facility that was built almost 40 years ago.

Assembly meeting canceled due to lack of quorum

The Sitka Assembly will not meet tonight (3/12/19). The regular Tuesday meeting was called off earlier this week, due to a lack of quorum. According to Robert’s Rules, a minimum number of voting members must be in attendance in order to call a meeting.

STA seeks City’s support on herring

City and Tribal government leaders broke bread at their biannual government to government meeting on Tuesday night (3/5/19). During a two hour dinner at the Westmark Hotel, five of Sitka’s seven assembly members and Sitka Tribal Council members discussed issues of shared significance to STA and the city, like education, affordable housing, homelessness, and economic development.

Cut PFD before cutting services, say some Sitkans

After hearing a flood of testimony last week (2-28-19), the Senate State Affairs Committee is giving Alaskans two more chances to offer feedback on Senate Bills 23 and 24, legislation that would authorize a full Permanent Fund Dividend and backpay the difference on previously cut PFDs.

Hospital purchase documents to go public March 15

At a special meeting on Thursday, assembly members voted to release copies of the asset purchase agreement and lease agreement to the public on March 15.

Assembly to consider outside investigation of police department

The Sitka Assembly is forming a subcommittee that will explore a potential investigation of the Sitka Police Department. This after assembly members learned of a third lawsuit involving the department at their Tuesday night meeting.

State budget cuts could impact city, hospital sale value

The city could see an impact on its bottom line as a result of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s proposed budget. That was the message Chief Financial Officer Jay Sweeney had for the Sitka Assembly at their meeting on Tuesday (2/26/19).

Assembly to discuss Sitka Police Department practices, procedures

With a third lawsuit on the way, a conversation about workplace culture at the Sitka Police Department has made its way to the assembly table. SPD’s practices and procedures will be discussed at tonight’s (2/26/19) meeting of the Sitka Assembly, and assembly members may consider taking action, including a possible investigation of the department.

In governor’s budget, plans to sell Mt. Edgecumbe pool

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy wants to sell the Mt. Edgecumbe High School Aquatics Center -- before the brand new $26 million dollar facility has even opened to the public. The pool, which serves the state-run Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school in Sitka, is among numerous cuts proposed by the governor in his budget earlier this month.