Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Sitka’s police chief defends department, calls abuse allegations ‘wounds from the past’

The Sitka Police Department is nearing the end of a two-year period marred by several lawsuits brought by former employees. At a recent assembly meeting municipal attorney Brian Hanson reported that the last of the three suits, a sexual harassment claim against the city by former detective Mary Ferguson, is pending settlement.But as that tumultuous period for the Sitka Police Department draws to a close, new accusations of racism and use of force within the organization have emerged, fueled by the growing national conversation about policing.

Sitka COVID-19 goes up by 1, while 5 cases remain active

Local health officials announced the case today (8-12-20). The man is in his twenties and was exhibiting symptoms when he was tested on August 10.

Coast Guard crew medevacs 24-year-old in Snipe Bay

A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevaced a 24-year-old man from the southwest side of Baranof Island on Saturday.

Two more Sitkans test positive for COVID-19

Local health officials announced the new cases today (8-10-20). Both men are in their twenties and were exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms when they were tested last week. One was tested on August 4, the other on August 6.

Sitka COVID-19 count reaches 40, with 3 cases still ‘active’

Local health officials announced the new case today (8-7-20). The non-resident is in his forties. He did not have symptoms when he was tested for the virus on August 3.

Sitka’s COVID-19 case count reaches 37

Local health officials announced Sitka’s thirty-seventh confirmed coronavirus case today (8-4-20). The woman in her twenties was tested on August 3. She was exhibiting symptoms at the time of testing.

Sitka health officials announce one new COVID-19 case

Pictured: COVID-19 screeners at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport on June 13, 2020. Beginning on...

City aims to support local businesses with CARES Act funds

The city has set aside $5 million in coronavirus relief funding for business and non-profit grants. Applications for the grants went live over the weekend. How much a business qualifies for depends on its previous annual revenue. Even though there’s only one application, there are separate sets of questions for businesses and nonprofits.

Assembly votes to ‘highly encourage’ mask wearing

Just two weeks after a resolution “ordering” mask wearing in public failed at the assembly table, a resolution with more lenient language passed. Sitka’s local government now “highly encourages”-- but still does not require-- mask wearing in public.

Assembly approves COVID-19 relief budget

When the Sitka Assembly met on Tuesday (7-28-20), it approved a final CARES Act spending plan for the city, and most of the budget was unanimously approved.