Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

May 23, 2023: What’s on the agenda at the Sitka Assembly meeting?

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (5-23-23), it will consider, on final reading, whether to approve the city’s budget for fiscal year ‘24.

Sitkans adjust to traffic revisions at busy downtown intersection

Drivers in downtown Sitka were recently caught off guard when they found the “rules of the road” had changed at the city’s busiest downtown intersection. Early in the morning on Tuesday, May 9,crews from the Alaska Department of Transportation, using some white paint, created a “left turn only” lane to improve traffic flow during peak congestion. Things did not go as smoothly as planned.

Assembly postpones appeal process for YAS teen treatment center

Sitkans eager to weigh in on the proposed location of a residential treatment center for teens will have to wait a bit longer to share their views. Citing an outstanding legal issue, the Sitka Assembly on Tuesday (5-9-23) postponed action on an appeal brought by Youth Advocates of Sitka, whose plans for the project have now been denied twice by the local planning commission.

Coast Guard, Sitka Mountain Rescue come to aid of teens lost on Mt. Verstovia

A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka rescued two teenage hikers from Mt. Verstovia on Saturday (5-6-23) afternoon.

For fire investigators to learn, something must burn

Firefighters from all over Alaska gathered in Sitka last week for a conference, to learn from international and state fire and arson investigators. But in order to learn how to put out a fire or investigate its source, someone has to start one. This time, it was the arson investigators themselves.

Sitka woman will serve seven years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter

A Sitka woman has been sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter. 37-year-old Triska See has been awaiting trial for the last three years, and this winter agreed to a plea deal for her involvement in a 2019 car accident at the Sitka Ferry Terminal that claimed one man’s life. Her sentencing was held Monday (4-24-23) in Juneau.

April 25, 2023: What’s on the agenda at tonight’s Sitka Assembly meeting?

Today (4-25-23), the first cruise ship of the summer arrives in Sitka, marking the start of what should be a record-breaking season. But the community’s response to the growth in cruise travel is evolving. Tonight the Sitka Assembly will decide whom to appoint to the newly formed “tourism task force,” which will explore next steps for the city’s long term management of tourism.

City administrator and attorney score exemplary reviews, pay raises

The Sitka Assembly is satisfied with the performance of the municipal administrator and attorney. In a special meeting on Tuesday, the assembly rated the performance of city administrator John Leach and attorney Brian Hanson as exemplary – and gave both pay increases.

Not with cars, but with cubes, Sitka teen satisfies the need for speed

In 1974, a Hungarian design teacher built a cube puzzle that became a fixture of childhood play in the 1980s. Nearly 50 years later, the Rubiks Cube remains a phenomenon, and solving the colorful block puzzle has evolved into a highly competitive international sport. KCAW’s spoke with a Sitka High School Senior who is mastering the art of competitive ‘speedcubing.’

Meet Sitka’s first ever sustainability coordinator, Bri Gabel

KCAW’s spoke with Sitka’s first ever Sustainability Coordinator- she’s been on the job for around 8 months, learning the ins-and-outs of city hall and defining the role. A marine biologist, Bri Gabel previously worked at aquariums and museums, specializing in science communication and jellyfish. Now she’s bringing that expertise to city government.