Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Assembly begins trimming deficit budget for FY26

Increased sales tax revenue has made the annual budgeting cycle for the Sitka Assembly a bit smoother over the last couple of years, but some bumps are starting to appear in the road ahead. At the last meeting of the Sitka Assembly (2-27-25) the city’s Finance Department said the recent federal funding freeze, among other issues, could contribute to a possible deficit.

Assembly approves agreement with animal shelter volunteers

A nonprofit volunteer organization will officially resume its role supporting Sitka’s animal shelter, after the assembly unanimously signed off on an agreement Tuesday night (2-25-25).

City, FOSAS reach tentative agreement for animal shelter operations

After months of uncertainty, a nonprofit group of animal shelter volunteers and the City of Sitka have drafted an agreement for shelter operations moving forward.

Following release of animal shelter report, local veterinarians call for change

The city’s admission that a Sitka police officer euthanized several animals in the local shelter by gunshot late last summer has generated a strong response from the community’s veterinarians. Seven vets – both practicing and retired – dispute the administration’s claim that shooting the dogs and cats was an acceptable practice under guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Sitka’s mayor gives update from cruise industry conference

Sitka’s mayor says that cruise industry leaders are worried about the effects of an upcoming ballot initiative, which would limit how many of their visitors can come to Sitka. Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz attended the Pacific Northwest Symposium in Vancouver, BC in January. He said his meetings with cruise executives were marked by both positivity and angst.

Board of Fish rejects proposal to close Promisla Bay to commercial fishing

Near the end of its two-week meeting on Sunday, the Alaska Board of Fisheries considered a proposal to close off a small bay north of Sitka to commercial herring fishing. Proposal 179 earned considerable support from Sitka’s subsistence community, but ultimately was rejected by the Board of Fish on a split vote.

Board of Fish reduces harvest level for commercial herring fishery

The maximum harvest level for Sitka’s commercial herring fishery has been reduced, despite recent increases in the biomass. State fishery managers point to research from Canada that suggests more caution is needed in setting harvest rates than the 20-percent target used up until now. The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted the new strategy – to mixed reviews – at its meeting in Ketchikan, which wrapped up on Sunday.

Investigation confirms SPD euthanized six pets by gunshot

Four cats and two dogs were euthanized by the Sitka Police Department following a break-down of shelter operations last summer that left police supervising the facility without an animal control officer or volunteers. These details were included in an internal investigation emailed to the Sitka Assembly over the weekend (2-8-25).

Board of Fish hears first traditional knowledge reports from Southeast

Three Southeast Alaskans delivered “traditional knowledge reports” to the Alaska Board of Fisheries this week (2-3-25). It’s the first time Indigenous perspective has been officially incorporated into Southeast fisheries policy deliberations.