Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Assembly to reconsider scope of visitor services contract

With two record breaking summer cruise seasons under the city’s belt and a third on the way, Sitkas are reflecting on how the community is responding to growth in the tourism sector. Now, the Sitka Assembly is asking whether it should change the scope of its visitor services program to focus on something other than bringing more visitors to town.

Assembly moves to eliminate ATV curfew in Sitka

The Sitka Assembly may soon roll back quiet hours for All-Purpose Vehicles on local roads.

Dr. Deidre Jenson named sole finalist for superintendent job

The Sitka School Board has chosen a new superintendent. In an executive session on Saturday (1-20-24) the board selected Dr. Deidre Jenson as the sole finalist from a group of nine applicants.

January 23, 2024: What’s on the agenda when the Sitka Assembly meets tonight?

As the city grapples with how to ‘right size’ tourism in Sitka, following two record breaking cruise seasons, should it change the goal of its visitor services program? That’s a question the Sitka Assembly will be considering when it meets tonight (1-23-24).

Alaska’s top ‘pinheads’ gather in Sitka for first ever state pinball championship

This weekend (1-20-24) Sitka will host the first ever Alaska state pinball championship. It’s part of a national resurgence in passion for pinball. The winner will advance to the North American championship in Wisconsin this spring.

Sitkans take to mic to share thoughts on cruise traffic

It was standing room only in Sitka last night, when the city’s tourism task force held its third town hall to ask Sitkans for feedback on how to “right size” tourism in the community.

A $4.5 million affordable housing grant could be on its way to Sitka

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has proposed granting $4.5 million to the city to assist with new housing developments in Sitka, as part of the Last Frontier Housing Initiative. City administrator John Leach said Sitka and Ketchikan were each chosen to receive the funds.

All-Purpose Vehicle riders call for code changes at assembly table

All-Purpose Vehicles have been street-legal in Sitka for almost two years. Now riders want some of the initial restrictions rolled back, and they’re getting support at the assembly table.

Municipal attorney Brian Hanson to retire at the end of June

After nearly a decade with the city, municipal attorney Brian Hanson is retiring this year. When the Sitka assembly met last night (1-9-24) it unanimously accepted Hanson’s retirement notice, but not before assembly members showed their appreciation for the work Hanson has done for the city.

State’s high court rules against Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s herring claim

After over a year of consideration, the Alaska Supreme Court has sided with the state in a lawsuit over the management of the Sac Roe Herring fishery in Sitka. The five-justice panel upheld a 2021 ruling by a Superior Court judge who denied a claim by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska that Department of Fish & Game managers had violated the state constitution.