Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Following an unprecedented bear year, Sitka’s bear task force reconvenes

The first brown bears of the spring have been spotted in Sitka. Not a moment too soon, the assembly is reviving a bear task force to address increasing conflict between bears and humans within the community.

Assembly considers capping short-term-rental permits for one year

The Sitka Assembly is considering capping the number of short-term rentals in Sitka, at least temporarily. When it met on March 8, it greenlit a moratorium on conditional use permits for short-term rentals for one year. But it won’t be enacted until it comes before the Assembly for a second reading.

March 8, 2022: What’s happening at tonight’s Sitka Assembly meeting?

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (3-8-22), it will consider a temporary moratorium on new short-term rental permits in residential zones for one year.

Three indicted on six felony drug charges in February

A Sitka Grand Jury indicted three people last week (2-24-22) on six felony drug charges, after police seized an estimated $40,000 worth of heroine, meth and opioids during a home search.

Sitka adopts new CDC community risk levels, triggering mask mandate expiration

Sitka is shifting its community alert levels to align with new Centers for Disease Control guidelines beginning today (3-1-22).

With inflation at historic levels, Assembly braces for rate increases

Rates for public utilities could increase more than usual this year. When the Sitka Assembly met on Thursday, it reviewed the budgets for the city’s enterprise funds – like electricity and water that users pay for – and found that inflation was pushing expenses above the increases already built into the regular rate structure.

Assembly greenlights installation of Elizabeth Peratrovich bench in city courtyard

The Sitka Assembly is moving forward with a plan to install benches in the courtyard of Harrigan Centennial Hall, after members of the public expressed frustration over delays.

Sitka police arrest school bus driver on suspicion of DUI

Sitka police say a school bus driver was arrested Thursday (2-25-22) on suspicion of driving under the influence after going the wrong way on Edgecumbe Drive and hitting a parked car.

Assembly approves ATVs for street use in Sitka

All-Terrain Vehicles are now street legal in Sitka – under strict rules adopted by the Sitka Assembly on February 22. The decision comes just two months after Sitka opted out of the new state law allowing the change. However, efforts by stakeholders to address some major safety concerns eventually won assembly approval.