Author: Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

The late Senator Edward Kennedy toured Alaska in 1968. He addressed the state democratic party convention in Sitka on April 7th, just three days after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Rare video footage of Kennedy’s speech was made available to the public for the first time in January of this year, with the debut of the state library’s digital archival collection. KCAW’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock covered the release of the historic video. The following is an encore presentation of her story. To watch the video, click on this story's title, then on the link "Watch the video here."

The Sitka School board Monday night (8-24-09) postponed final action on a policy that would give the district administration the discretion to permit the promotion of religious activities in schools. Board policy 1325 “Advertising and Promotion” was tabled until November. In addition, the board announced that it would push for continued state and local funding despite the down economy, and welcomed new student member, Berett Wilber.

Sitka celebrated its “culture of baseball” last night (Tue 8-25-09). The Sitka assembly recognized the achievements of both the Little League’s major league all-star team, and the senior league all-star team, in winning their respective Alaska State championships. And while they won’t be going to the Little League World Series, the Sitka teams still have plenty to brag about.

Assembly member Cheryl Westover believes Sitka is headed for one of its toughest budget years ever. Westover earlier this month filed to run for a second term on the assembly. Barring a write-in campaign, her seat will be uncontested. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey met with Westover to discuss her decision to throw her hat in the ring for another term.

Four years after the state Department of Transportation began planning to improve traffic flow at Sitka’s busiest intersection, state and local officials gathered to cut the ribbon on the Swan Lake roundabout. The $1-point-8 million dollar project is one of 600 roundabouts constructed in the United States since 1990. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey sent this audio postcard:

The Hames Wellness Center will not be on the ballot this October. In a special meeting Wednesday night (8-19-09), the Sitka assembly killed the proposed Hames bond initiative, along with two related ballot questions designed to raise property taxes to pay for the bonds.

The University of Dubuque's expression of interest in Sheldon Jackson came as a surprise to many who were expecting something more tentative. KCAW news has spoken informally with people who are concerned that the University of Dubuque will spend the next five weeks possibly deciding the fate of Sheldon Jackson. Others consider Dubuque’s support the best hope for resurrecting the college. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey asked two prominent Sheldon Jackson Alumni who spent time with the Dubuque delegation for their views on the prospective relationship:

Officials from the University of Dubuque in Iowa have pledged to work on a “plan for transformation” with the trustees of the former Sheldon Jackson College. A delegation from Dubuque concluded a four-day visit to Sitka on Wednesday (8-19-09). They said they could help re-establish Sheldon Jackson College, as long as the effort was “revenue neutral.”

For Alaskan residents and service providers, the lifting of the federal moratorium on Personal Care Assistance applications this month comes as good news. But it is only partial relief for those who need any of the wide array of Medicaid services offered under the waivers program. Although the state is required to submit a draft plan of corrective action by September 1st, it could be several months before the moratorium on waivers is lifted. Sitka is home to one of the largest direct services providers in the state, the Center for Community. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey spoke with the center’s executive director, Connie Sipe, about how the ongoing moratorium on Medicaid waivers is affecting her program:

Three brown bear cubs have been captured, and a fourth has died, after their mother was possibly killed in a Sitka neighborhood. Officials with the state department of Fish & Game decided to trap the cubs on Sunday (8-16-09) after it became apparent that the sow was no longer with them. The cubs have been temporarily housed, but their future is by no means certain.