Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

5 new coronavirus cases bump Sitka alert level to ‘moderate’

Sitka’s COVID alert level increased from low to moderate today (6-30-21).

SEARHC mandates COVID-19 vaccines for employees

Employees of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium must be vaccinated for COVID by June 30, or risk losing their jobs. The Tribal health consortium operates hospitals in Sitka and Wrangell, and clinics in Haines, Juneau, and many smaller communities throughout Southeast. SEARHC staff and contractors were notified of the policy in late May.

Assembly green lights land lease to Shee Atiká for tourist destination

The Sitka Assembly is moving forward with plans to lease a large parcel of city-owned property to Shee Atiká Incorporated to develop a tourist destination about seven miles from downtown.

Fuel, marijuana tax questions progress at Assembly table

Two proposed ballot questions got a tentative thumbs up from the Sitka Assembly last night: -- an excise tax on motor fuels and sales tax on retail marijuana.As KCAW’s Katherine Rose reports, it’s still undecided whether either tax question will be on October’s ballot

Assembly to consider motor fuel, marijuana taxes for October ballot

Sitkans may consider two new tax proposals in this fall’s municipal election-- a tax on motor fuels, and a marijuana retail tax. When the Sitka Assembly meets on Tuesday night/tonight (6-22-21)-- it will consider the proposals on first reading. If approved, both could end up on the ballot in October.

Free COVID screening is still available in Sitka’s airport, but few travelers are testing

Alaska began offering COVID-19 vaccinations this month to out-of-state travelers at airports, and continues to focus heavily on getting shots in arms of unvaccinated residents. But one state-run program that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention lately has been COVID screening. The tests are still available, they’re still free at most airports in the state. But very few travelers are getting a swab.

Sewage leak prompts emergency repairs for aging Brady Lift Station

An estimated 11,000 gallons of sewage spilled onto the beach and into the Sitka Channel when the aging Brady Lift Station developed a leak in April.

In step with libraries across the country, Sitka Public Library eliminates late fines

When a child receives their first library card, they often learn two things. First--the card is a window to the rest of the world, to endless knowledge and adventure found in the pages of books. The second? If you return those books late, you’ll be charged a fee. That’s no longer the case at the Sitka Public Library.