Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

COVID alert level lingers at ‘moderate’ as 3 more Sitkans test positive

Three more people tested positive for the coronavirus last week, keeping Sitka’s COVID alert level at moderate.

Sitka vigil a chance to mourn, reflect on history of residential schools

Communities across the United States where residential schools were once located are reckoning with their own history this week, following the discovery of a mass burial site at a former residential school for Indigenous children in Canada. At 7 p.m. on Sunday (6-6-21), Sitkans will gather for a candlelight vigil to remember the 215 children and acknowledge local history on the Sheldon Jackson campus.

As parents return to work, childcare providers want a more sustainable model

Sitka’s childcare system was already in crisis, long before the pandemic hit and radically shifted everything. Now, as Alaska’s vaccination rates improve and more parents go back to work, they may not have a place to send their children.

Sitka’s COVID alert level still moderate, with 5 new cases last week

Sitka saw a small uptick in coronavirus cases last week, and the city’s COVID alert level remains “moderate.”

Assembly approves final budget for FY22

After a process that spanned months, the Sitka Assembly set its final budget for next year. When the group met on Tuesday (5-25-21), it approved a general fund budget of just over $29 million dollars for fiscal year ‘22.

After feds pave way for cruising this summer, Assembly gives green light to accept ships

This week, federal legislation paved the way for cruising this summer. Now, Southeast Alaska communities must quickly prepare to receive cruise ships as early as July.When the Sitka Assembly met last night (5-25-21), it gave the city administrator authority to enter into port agreements with cruise companies that plan to visit Sitka this summer. But first, the ships must meet certain criteria required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sitka High School seniors make graduation parade a new tradition

The Sitka High School Class of 2021 graduated during an in-person ceremony on Monday night (5-24-21).

May 25, 2021: What’s on tonight’s Sitka Assembly agenda?

A lot of money is on the table for discussion when the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (5-25-21). Perhaps the biggest chunk of change? The city budget.

Shee Atiká Inc., Adventure Sitka propose to lease city property for planned tourist attraction

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (5-25-21), it will consider a proposal from to lease 17 acres of city-owned property. If the Assembly approves it, the Alaska Native corporation plans to partner with Adventure Sitka to develop the property into a tourism attraction.

Sitka’s COVID alert level shifts back to ‘moderate’

Sitka’s COVID alert level shifted from low, to moderate, and back to low risk over the last week. And Monday (5-24-21) afternoon, the city’s alert level shifted back to moderate again, with Sitka’s case count slowly inching upward.