Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

As COVID-19 cases creep upward in Sitka, officials hope to avert school closure

City officials are hoping to keep schools open in Sitka, as the number of coronavirus cases in the community edges closer to the threshold for closing them.

Mt. Edgecumbe student tests positive for coronavirus, prompting campus lockdown

Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka briefly locked down and quarantined around 25 students, after another student at the state-run boarding school tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this week.

With its budget uncertain, Sitka Assembly postpones annual nonprofit grant awards

The Sitka Assembly is postponing its decision on how to distribute $50,000 in funding to the community’s nonprofit organizations, until it has more clarity on its own budget.

Assembly approves second wave of business grants, utility subsidies

Earlier this year, the Sitka Assembly budgeted $5 million of available CARES Act money for business and nonprofit grants, without really knowing how many businesses would take advantage of the program. The application period closed last month, and on Thursday (9-25-20), the assembly had the opportunity to take stock of how much coronavirus relief funding is left in the pot.

Assembly declares economic disaster due to COVID-19, salmon returns

Sitka has joined other Southeast communities in declaring an economic disaster due to COVID-19 and poor salmon returns across the region.

SEARHC ‘on track’ to kick off hospital expansion next year

A little over a year after the city sold Sitka Community Hospital to the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, SEARHC is moving forward with its promised hospital expansion project. According to CEO Charles Clement, the project is on track to break ground next year.

Assembly rejects police commission applicant, citing social media posts

The assembly had no qualms about appointing Ben Hughey to the Parks and Recreation Committee, voting quickly and unanimously to approve his appointment. But what about a seat on the Police and Fire Commission too? Not so fast.

Sitka educator Rebecca Himschoot seeks assembly seat

Rebecca Himschoot, is among eight candidates running for one of two open Sitka Assembly seats. Himschoot is an educator who says her experience on boards and commissions will aid her at the assembly table.

After long vacancy, assembly approves Human Resources hire

After a year and a half with no permanent leadership in the Human Resources Department, the city of Sitka has hired a new HR Director. When the Sitka Assembly met Tuesday night (9-8-20), it approved a hire offer for Michelle Murdock, but not without some reservations.

Albertson stands by inflammatory rhetoric, may ‘tone it down’ if elected to assembly

Marshall Albertson is one of eight people vying for two open seats on the Sitka Assembly. And while he wants to make Sitka more affordable, he’s received more attention for his online videos.