Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

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.

Coast Guard rescues 4 boaters on Christmas, after vessel capsizes

While many Sitkans were nestled snug in their beds in the wee hours of Christmas morning, a Coast Guard helicopter crew was busy rescuing four boaters whose 15-foot vessel had capsized near the Yamani Islets, around 27 miles south of Sitka.

Sitka reports 5 new COVID cases over weekend

Case counts have slowed a bit just as vaccination access is increasing in Southeast. SEARHC began offering vaccinations to the public this week in Sitka. The vaccine is currently available locally for those aged 65 and older, medically vulnerable individuals and essential workers. A community vaccination clinic will be held Tuesday, December 29th, at Harrigan Centennial Hall from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.