Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

A millennia-old subsistence fishery replenishes the spirit, and the freezer

Herring season in Sitka is a study in contrasts. Each spring for the last 45 years, large seiners land tons of herring, whose egg sacs are stripped and sold as a delicacy on the international market, often for millions. But the frenzy and money around the commercial sac roe fishery overshadows a far quieter Indigenous fishing tradition that’s taken place for millennia. KCAW recently accompanied a pair of subsistence harvesters, in search of one of Sitka Sound’s most valued food resources – herring eggs-on-hemlock branches.

Grand Jury indicted five Sitkans in February and March

The Sitka Trial Courts ramped back up to speed this spring. A Sitka Grand Jury met several times over the last two months, ultimately indicting five Sitkans on a range of felony charges from drugs to tampering with evidence.

Developing a renewable energy strategy for Sitka a top priority for Sustainability Commission in coming year

Developing a community-wide renewable energy strategy is the top priority for Sitka’s new Sustainability Commission. The recently-formed commission is all-volunteer, but it has its own staff member in City Hall. Additional plans for the next two years include diverting Sitka’s waste stream, which is currently barged off-island, and electrifying the city’s fleet of vehicles.

Steve Bradshaw to serve as interim superintendent for Sitka School District

Former Sitka School District superintendent Steve Bradshaw is returning to the job.After a two-and-a-half hour executive session on Monday (3-20-23), the Sitka School Board unanimously voted to hire Bradshaw as interim superintendent, without discussion.

Herring fishery to go on two-hour notice Thursday

The Sitka Sound Sac Roe herring fishery will go on two-hour notice on Thursday morning (3-23-23). That means at any time after that, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game can announce a fishery opening with two hours warning.

Mitch Mork resigns from Sitka School Board

Sitka school board member Mitch Mork is stepping down from his seat on the board, due to scheduling conflicts.

Crews refloat boat that capsized near Crescent Harbor on Saturday

A fishing vessel that overturned just outside of a Sitka harbor this weekend was refloated early Monday morning (3-20-23).

Two teenagers arrested for armed robbery in Sitka late Saturday

Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with an alleged armed robbery in downtown Sitka early late Saturday night.

ADF&G continues second week of aerial surveys ahead of herring fishery

The Sitka Sound Sac Roe herring fishery isn’t kicking off just yet. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has been conducting aerial surveys of fish over the last week in preparation for the fishery, but so far they haven’t spotted any spawn or mature roe.

New task force to plan for future of tourism in Sitka

A new task force will now tackle tourism in Sitka. The Sitka Assembly on Tuesday/last night (3-14-23), approved the creation of a new “tourism task force” meant to investigate and plan for the city’s approach as it prepares for increased cruise traffic in 2023 and beyond.