KCAW Staff, Author at KCAW

Three out of four schools in Chatham School District open their doors to in-person classes

On Tuesday (8-25-20) some schools in Chatham School District opened their doors for the first time in five months. Gustavus, Klukwan, and Tenakee Springs are giving students the option to attend classes in-person, full-time. Angoon’s students will work remotely until the end of the month. Chatham School District Superintendent Bruce Houck discusses the district’s plan to operate safely during the pandemic.

Angoon reports its first case of the coronavirus

The City of Angoon’s Emergency Operations Center announced the case Monday evening in a press release on Facebook. SEARHC notified the city of the case. The Angoon City Office is closed until further notice, and the city plans to begin community-wide testing Wednesday.

Brave Heart Volunteers hosts outdoor event to celebrate donors

Brave Heart Volunteers is hosting an event to thank donors to the "Fill the Heart" campaign on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crescent Harbor Shelter. Organizers are encouraging social distancing and masks.

Tlingit master carver recreates Haida totem pole for Sitka National Historical Park

Tlingit master carver Tommy Joseph is prolific: He’s created nearly twenty totem poles in Sitka alone, not to mention his work around Southeast and in other parts of the state and country. His latest project is a reproduction of the “Waasgo Pole” for the Sitka National Historical Park.

Pelican’s school opens to students with a mixture of in-person and virtual instruction

Over the last few months, schools across Alaska have been busy creating detailed plans for how to operate safely and effectively during the coronavirus pandemic. One of the first schools in the region to put the plan to the test is Pelican’s. School started Wednesday, Aug. 19 in the small Chichagof Island community. KCAW’s Erin McKinstry spoke with the Pelican City School District superintendent, Norma Holmgaard about the school's plans for the upcoming school year.

Kake officials announce three new coronavirus cases

Officials in Kake announced Monday, Aug. 17 that they will continue to encourage community-wide testing in the Southeast village following the news that three more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the community. The Kupreanof Island community of around 500 people reported its first case last week and has restricted non-essential travel.

Sitka non-profits, small businesses and self-employed impacted by the pandemic can now apply for relief

Congress passed the federal CARES Act in March, and since then, businesses, organizations and individuals across the country have started receiving money from a variety of programs meant to help blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Sitka has rolled out several programs fed by the federal dollars, including utility relief, funding for the Sitka School District, and now, a grant program for small businesses, non-profits and the self-employed.