Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

‘Jack of all trades’ Ryan Herbert vying for assembly seat

Ryan Herbert is a newcomer to local politics in Sitka, lately becoming a regular at assembly meetings during “persons to be heard.” Now, he’s among the five candidates running to sit on the other side of the assembly table.

With cigarette cleanup comes some ‘unfiltered’ data on tourist boom

Sales tax returns won’t be available for a while, but we do have some unfiltered data on Sitka’s record breaking tourist season that’s not exactly secondhand. Amanda Roberts is a health educator with the SEARHC health promotion program. She leads monthly cigarette butt cleanups in Sitka. She says this summer they’ve seen significantly more butts than they have in the last four years.

Former mayor, assembly member Valorie Nelson seeking mayor’s seat

Former mayor and assembly member Valorie Nelson is vying for a seat on the Sitka Assembly again. Nelson last served as an assembly member from 2019 to 2021, and did not seek re-election last year.

Fisherman, GPIP board member Chris Ystad seeking assembly seat

Commercial fisherman and Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board member Chris Ystad was the fourth of five Sitkans who filed to run for a seat on the Sitka Assembly last week. KCAW’s Katherine Rose spoke with him about his decision to run for public office.

Kris Chinalski fourth Sitkan to file for assembly seat

Local business owner Kris Chinalski is one of four candidates, so far, vying for two open seats on the Sitka Assembly this fall. She spoke with KCAW about what motivated her to seek public office. Listen here:

Former assembly member Richard Wein running for another term

Former assembly member Dr. Richard Wein filed for a seat on the Sitka Assembly on Wednesday (8-3-22). Wein served on the assembly from 2018 to 2020. KCAW spoke with him about his decision to run again for public office. Listen here:

Assembly member Thor Christianson files for reelection

Two more Sitkans filed to run for seats on the assembly on Monday (8-2-22). Former mayor and assembly member Valorie Nelson was the third to file for the mayor’s chair. Incumbent Thor Christianson was the first to file for one of two open assembly seats.

Assembly backs Senate bill to investigate impacts of residential school policies

The Sitka Assembly is throwing its support behind a senate bill to study the history and effects of residential boarding schools in the United States.

Haulout ballot prop will go to voters this fall

Voters will now decide whether to fund a marine haulout using money from the sale of Sitka Community Hospital. When the Sitka Assembly met last night (7-26-22), it approved a ballot proposition asking voters to tap the city’s permanent fund to cover the costs of the project.