Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

For the first time in months, Sitka’s coronavirus alert rate downgraded

One new covid case was reported in Sitka on Saturday (11-6-21). It was the only new case reported over the weekend. Only seven cases have been reported in the last week, bringing Sitka’s COVID alert level down from “high” to substantial for the first time in four months.

‘Mothertrucker’ author Amy Butcher was looking for a story in northern Alaska. She found a friend instead

Author Amy Butcher’s book “Mothertrucker” was published on November 1. The memoir tells the story of Butcher’s road trip down one of America’s deadliest roads. KCAW spoke with Butcher about the book and her friendship with the late ice road trucker, Joy Wiebe.

More people now qualify for vaccine boosters, but state health officials discourage ‘self-referring’

State health officials are preparing to vaccinate a new wave of children in the coming weeks. At a statewide press conference on Thursday (10-28-21) Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, said children from ages 5 to 11 will be eligible for coronavirus vaccinations soon.

‘Can I offer you a nice meme in this trying time?’ Anonymous locals serve Sitkans satire with new meme page

The world may have “Banksy,” but Sitka now has its own anonymous artist, who uses the internet -- rather than buildings -- as a canvas for a satirical take on local news and events. KCAW recently discovered the person who runs the “Sitka Memes” account on Instagram -- but the identity of the “memester” remains a mystery.

Assembly approves $3M funding for trash compactor on first reading

After months of negotiations, Sitka’s garbage shipping problem is finally coming to a head. When the Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday, it tentatively approved $3 million in funding for a compactor, but some Assembly members were concerned that the loan city staff want to use to pay for the equipment isn’t what the money is meant for.

New COVID cases tied to outbreak at Pioneer Home, Trooper Academy

Four new coronavirus cases were reported in Sitka on Wednesday (10-27-21), according to data from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

October 26, 2021: What’s on the agenda when the Sitka Assembly meets tonight?

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (10-26-21), it will consider purchasing a $3 million dollar solid waste compactor that would compact Sitka’s garbage into “bails” to reduce the risk of shipping fires at sea.

Sitka reported 5 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, keeping alert level ‘high’

Five new COVID cases were reported in Sitka on Tuesday (10-19-21), according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Sitka health providers report steady rollout of COVID boosters, third doses

Health providers report around 1,200 third dose and booster shots of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered in Sitka.. Sitka Fire Chief Craig Warren told the Sitka Unified Command last week (10-14-21), that the third dose is causing some confusion over vaccination rates because the state’s COVID-19 information system was designed to track two doses, not three or more.

Coast Guard rescues mariner in storm 145 miles west of Sitka

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a man whose sailboat had overturned Monday (10-11-21), while sailing solo across the Gulf of Alaska about 145 miles west of Sitka.