Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

City COVID-19 alert level shifts to ‘moderate’ after case count slows

Sitka’s coronavirus alert level shifted to moderate on Monday (1-25-21), after a reduction in cases over the last week.

Court hears more arguments from Tribe, state on herring fishery

A Juneau Superior Court judge will decide whether the state has met its constitutional obligation for subsistence, in the management of the Sitka Sound Sac Roe Herring Fishery. The court heard oral arguments on January 14 from attorneys representing the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, the state, and commercial fishing interests. The outcome could give Sitka’s Indigenous communities a larger role in determining how herring are shared among user groups in the future.

With new vaccine shipment, Sitkans 65+ and frontline workers first in line

If you’ve registered for the COVID vaccine through SEARHC, are 65 or older or a frontline essential worker, keep a close eye on your inbox.

City fast tracks plan to sell hospital building

The city is moving forward with plans to sell the former Sitka Community Hospital building. And the public may get a chance to weigh in during the municipal election next October. But in order for that to happen, the city has to move quickly.

State predicts commercial herring harvest will fall short of annual limit

In an unusual move, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game has set a large guideline harvest level for the commercial herring fishing in Sitka this spring -- on the understanding that the fleet is not likely to hit that mark.

January 12, 2020: What’s happening at tonight’s assembly meeting?

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (1-12-20), it will consider whether to issue a new “request for proposals” seeking bids to build a privately-run marine haulout at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park.

Sitka’s COVID alert level bumped back to ‘high’ after two days at ‘moderate’

After a short-lived dip in cases that saw the city’s alert level drop to “moderate” earlier in the week, Sitka returned to “high” on Friday (1-8-21).

Sitka Tribe scores one win in herring lawsuit and tries for another

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska in November won another round in its legal fight with the state over the management of the commercial herring fishery. And next week (Jan 14) the court will hear new oral arguments, and decide whether the state has upheld its constitutional responsibilities in its management of the fishery.

Over 1000 Sitkans received initial COVID vaccine shot in December

More than ten percent of Sitkans have received the initial coronavirus vaccine shot. As of Monday (1-4-21) morning, SEARHC had vaccinated 2760 people, according to spokesperson Maegan Bosak. 905 of them were in Sitka. That count doesn’t include around 100 first responders who received their first doses at the Sitka Fire Hall in mid-December.

Sitka reported 5 new coronavirus cases last week

The new cases were reported between Monday, December 28 and Sunday, January 3, according to city data. A woman in her 20s, a woman in her 40s and two women in their 60s tested positive, along with a young man under 10.