KCAW Staff, Author at KCAW

Tuesday, March 9, 2021: What’s happening at tonight’s Sitka Assembly meeting?

When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (3-9-21), it will consider how it wants to proceed with the sale of the Sitka Community Hospital building.

A new science academy could help keep Port Alexander’s school doors open

Since 1999, more than 40 schools in Alaska have closed because of low enrollment numbers. The Southeast town of Port Alexander has struggled with low enrollment numbers for years, but they’re turning to a creative solution to keep their school alive.

Clean-up efforts conclude for Sitka Sound fuel spill

Hanson Marine removed around 1500 gallons of diesel and oily water from the Haida Lady’s fuel tanks and another nearly 300 gallons of oil from the water nearby. The Coast Guard contracted with the Sitka-based company to conduct clean-up efforts, after noticing a sheen around the sunken fishing vessel on Friday.

Brave Heart Volunteers hosts buoy painting classes

In lieu of the Brave Heart Bowl Fundraiser, the non-profit is asking artists to provide painted buoys that will hang downtown through the summer and later be auctioned off.

Southeast streams play important role in carbon cycle, researchers find

An important part of tackling climate change is understanding how carbon moves through different ecosystems. A recent study examined how the carbon-rich waterways of the Tongass fit into the global carbon cycle.

Sitka Chamber of Commerce hosts first ever ‘Restaurant Week’

Sitka Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rachel Roy joined KCAW's Erin McKinstry to discuss its first ever restaurant week, meant to encourage Sitkans to shop local and boost the restaurant industry.

Sunken fishing vessel causes fuel spill in Sitka Sound

After receiving a report on Friday that there was a sheen on the water between Cobb Island and Silver Point, a Coast Guard crew found the fishing vessel Haida Lady submerged surrounded by a large sheen of diesel. They hired Hanson Maritime to help with clean-up efforts.

Sitka Against Family Violence hosts virtual dessert auction

To help support the organization's continued work addressing domestic violence in the community, SAFV is hosting an online dessert auction in lieu of their annual Family Fiesta Fundraiser.

Sitkans can apply for rent relief until March 5

The application deadline is soon approaching for a federally funded coronavirus rent relief program.

Sitka’s water export dreams face skepticism at Assembly table

For more than two decades, companies have hoped to export Sitka’s water and market it globally. But so far, none of those efforts have come to fruition. That’s part of the reason a new contract for exporting bulk raw water elicited strong skepticism from assembly members at Tuesday’s meeting.