Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Fuel leak in Sitka prompts fast response

Multiple government agencies responded to a fuel spill in the Indian River area on Friday (12-20-24).

Assembly postpones vote on plan for commercial use of city lands

The Sitka Assembly wants to overhaul the commercial use of local trails and parks, but it’s proved to be a big job. After a first look at the plan, the assembly on Tuesday (12-17-24) sent it back to City Hall for more work.

Sitka Fine Arts Camp to go cell phone-free next summer

A homesick letter was a summer camper right of passage for decades. That changed when cell phones made checking in with parents a whole lot easier. But more campers may be writing letters next summer, now that the Sitka Fine Arts Camp is going cellphone-free.

Assembly greenlights funding for haulout washdown pad

After permitting delays, construction of Sitka’s new marine haulout is underway, though there have been some unexpected snags. When the Sitka Assembly met last night (11-26-24), members approved another $500,000 in funding, along with a $300,000 grant that will cover some unexpected construction costs, along with a permanent concrete washdown pad.

Tribal Council, Assembly brainstorm bear solutions at government meeting

Finding solutions to address problem bears was at the top of the list when the Sitka Assembly and the Sheet'ká Ḵwáan Sitka Tribe of Alaska met on Monday (11-18-24) for the bi-annual government to government meeting.

Sitka AC reviews over a dozen herring proposals ahead of Board of Fish meeting

Winter is the time when most Sitkans turn their attention to other pursuits besides fishing, but not the members of the local Fish & Game Advisory Committee. During November and December, the local Fish & Game Advisory Committee considers hunkers down with a thick book of proposals for changes in the management in Southeast’s fisheries. Over the last two weeks, they’ve focused exclusively on herring.

Sitka Coast Guard crew rescues three fishermen west of Yakutat

(Screenshot from USCG rescue video) A Sitka Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued three fishermen...

Sitka Assembly narrowly passes agreement with cruise dock

The City of Sitka has its first agreement with the local, privately owned cruise dock. When the Sitka Assembly met last night, it approved a “Memorandum of Understanding” or MOU with the Sitka Dock Company. But the assembly was split on whether the document would be effective or necessary.

Sitka Assembly welcomes new finance director

Sitka’s city finance director is stepping down. Finance Director Melissa Haley informed the city of her resignation in early October. When the Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday (11-12-24), it approved the promotion of her replacement, controller Brooke Volschenk.

Assembly postpones vote on cruise dock agreement

The city of Sitka has brokered a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the local cruise dock. And while some assembly members were on board with approving the agreement as-is, they postponed a vote until the next meeting after a number of community members said they needed more time to review the document.