Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

5 new COVID cases and 3 more hospitalizations reported

Five more Sitkans tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday (7-8-21), and three more hospitalizations were reported.

Two rescued following boating accident near Sitka

A possible tragedy was averted in Sitka on Monday morning (7-5-21), after a fishing boat skipper who had fallen overboard was rescued by his girlfriend on an inflatable mattress.

Sitka’s COVID surge driven by unvaccinated cases

Sitka’s active COVID case count nearly doubled today (7-7-21), when local health officials reported 10 new cases.

COVID cases climb over holiday weekend, and Sitka shifts to ‘high’ alert

Sitka’s COVID-19 alert level shifted to “high” today (4-6-21), after local health officials tallied more cases over the long holiday weekend.

Civil rights icon Elizabeth Peratrovich honored with new cedar bench

Despite the absence of an official fireworks show, Sitka’s Fourth of July was celebrated with the usual festivities this year. But the 4th day of the month also marks another important occasion: Elizabeth Peratrovich’s birthday. Some Sitkans honored the Alaska Native civil rights leader with a new -- and useful -- monument.

City staffer steps down, leaving top HR position vacant again

The City of Sitka is again in search of a new Human Resources Director. The position has gone unfilled off and on over the last couple of years. The most recent hire stepped down last month after an appearance in court.

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