Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Murkowski circles up with Pacific High students

US Senator Lisa Murkowski took time during the congressional recess to make a swing through Sitka this week. She did all the expected things, like addressing the Chamber of Commerce and meeting with community leaders to discuss funding priorities. And the senator did one unexpected thing: She spent the afternoon in a talking circle with just over a dozen students at Pacific High School -- where one of the most influential voices in Washington had to wait her turn.

Questions emerge following delivery of Sitka’s Roadless resolution

A lengthy delay in delivering Sitka’s official position on the proposed “Roadless Rule” exemption to Congress has left some residents wondering if city hall hoped to downplay the resolution. Recently-released public records indicate that only one member of Alaska’s delegation received the “No Action” resolution following a vote by the Sitka Assembly last fall, and it was delivered with a letter that had not received assembly approval.

City settles suit with former jailer for $30,000

The city of Sitka has paid $30,000 to settle the second of three lawsuits brought by former police department employees. Noah Shepard had sued, claiming he was pushed out of his job at the Sitka Police Department.

Assembly looks to sell city-owned Marine Services Center

The Sitka Assembly is looking to sell the city-owned Marine Services Center. When the assembly met on Tuesday (2-11-20), it voted to draft a Request for Proposal, but even those who voted on the process weren’t married to the idea of off-loading the facility.

New tiny house code inches forward, with changes

The Sitka Assembly wants to make room for tiny houses in city code, but the process to create regulations around them is moving at a snail shell’s pace. At a meeting on Tuesday (2-11-20) the group passed an amended version of new rules and regulations for tiny houses, but now the code has to come back to the assembly two more times.

February 11, 2020: What’s happening at tonight’s Sitka Assembly meeting?

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight it will, for the second time, consider making room for tiny houses in city code.

Shortage of childcare: Searching for solutions in Sitka

Childcare is filled with contradictions: It’s an expensive service, but a low-paid profession. Childcare centers are full, with long waitlists, but struggle to meet costs. It is a community problem, borne mostly by working parents who have to scramble to find options that fit.

Assembly approves funding increase for school district

The city is increasing its contribution to Sitka’s public schools this year. When the Sitka Assembly met with the school board Thursday, it approved a $7.6 million dollar contribution. That’s an increase of more than $333,293 from last year.

Shortage of childcare: Centers struggle to balance tuition costs, teacher pay

Childcare is costly and limited in Sitka. The town’s two biggest centers are both at capacity -- and have waitlists -- but the market for childcare is complicated. Even with increased fees, the centers struggle to stay afloat, and can’t afford to pay staff enough to curb high turnover.

Shortage of childcare: new parents scramble to find affordable options in Sitka

In part one of our three-part series on childcare in Sitka, KCAW Reporter Katherine Rose talks to three mothers about how they’re handling the affordability and availability of local childcare.