Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Assembly approves funding for visitor services thru 2024

Visit Sitka has secured money to cover operations through the end of 2024, but the organization may see more scrutiny from the Sitka Assembly during the budget process for next year.

Sitka tries to find the ‘right size’ for tourism as it reflects on another record-breaking cruise season

Southeast Alaska has seen an explosion in cruise tourism in just the last two years, and communities are struggling to cope with the crowding, congestion – and simple exhaustion – that comes from managing the rapid growth. Next summer, the city of Juneau is planning to limit cruise traffic to five ships a day, the result of a newly negotiated agreement between the city and the cruise line industry. But Sitka’s only cruise dock is privately owned, and although its owner has said he plans to strategically manage ship visits next year, it may not satisfy Sitkans looking for a legislative solution.

Amid police staffing shortage, hostile workplace allegations resurface at recent assembly meeting

Sitka’s police department remains seriously short-staffed. Chief Robert Baty argues that police departments across the country are struggling to recruit and retain officers. But when he gave his quarterly report to the Sitka Assembly on December 26, he was met with grievances from former staff and their families who say the staffing shortage points to a hostile work culture at the local level rather than national trends.

Survey asks Sitkans to give more feedback on cruise tourism numbers

Sitkans who missed the recent town halls on tourism in Sitka will get another chance to share their opinions on the level of tourism in Sitka. The city’s Tourism Task Force is asking Sitkans to complete a survey to determine the number of cruise tourists the community can support.

December 26, 2023: Here’s what’s on the agenda when the Sitka Assembly meets tonight

Sitka’s police department staffing is down by half. That’s according to a report included in the Sitka Assembly’s meeting packet tonight.

City seeks community feedback on strategic plan progress

On its one year anniversary, the city’s strategic plan is getting a public review. About a dozen Sitkans turned out for a town hall on Tuesday (12-19-23) where city staff launched a survey to gather feedback on how to update the plan.

SEARHC defends Home Health closure at Sitka Assembly meeting

What will home health look like in Sitka without a home health department at the local hospital? The top doctor at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium or SEARHC gave an update on the future of home health services at the Sitka Assembly meeting on Tuesday. While there wasn’t much new information, it was another opportunity for community members to voice concerns, and for SEARHC to address them.