Author: Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

Sitka has joined Petersburg in signing on to the Alaska Coastal Communities Climate Change Compact, recognizing that CO2 levels contributing to ocean acidification are of considerable concern to fisheries and coastal communities that depend on the health of the ocean.

The fifty dollar cruise ship head tax that the state charges passengers that visit Alaska has hurt the industry. That’s what Fred Reeder, of Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska told the Sitka assembly last night (3-24-09) at its regular meeting.

Four men were rescued by the Coast Guard and Sitka Mountain rescue Monday night (3-23-09) after their 16' boat capsized in Silver Bay. Persistent text messaging by the distressed party helped aid the rescue effort.

National Native HIV/AIDS awareness Day is March 20th, coinciding with the first day of Spring, its meant to draw attention to the high rates of Alaska Natives and American Indians diagnosed with the disease every year. At the same time, organizers say it’s also about looking forward with hope for the future.

With roots going back almost thirty years, the Bobs remain one of the most vibrant, original bands in contemporary music. Richard Bob Greene, Dan Bob Schumacher, Amy Bob Englehardt, and Matthew Bob Stull performed on Morning Edition before their Sitka concert on Friday (3-20-09). With KCAW's Robert Woolsey.

A retired school district librarian will head up Sitka’s public library. The Sitka assembly earlier this month (3-10-09) confirmed the appointment of Sarah Jones as the director of Kettleson Memorial Library. Jones retired from the school district in 2003, after working twenty-six years in the libraries. She came to Sitka shortly after earning her master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Oregon. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Japanese Language and Literature. KCAW’s Robert Woolsey spoke with Jones recently about her plans for one of the state’s most active libraries:

Former School Board President Scott McAdams reacts to Palin turning down nearly 90 million dollars in education funding for Alaska.

With three bolt-together catamarans in production in its Sitka yard, Allen Marine is weathering the economic downturn, and maintaining a winter payroll of $400-thousand dollars a month. Company VP John Dunlap discussed the company's history in boat building and touring as it nears its fortieth anniversary, in a presentation to the Sitka Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday (3-18-09).

The Alaska Supreme Court has thrown out the latest University lands transfer measure as unconstitutional. Nearly two hundred thousand acres, including three dozen parcels in Southeast Alaska, recently transferred to the University must now be reconveyed back to the State.

With more than 500 songs in his catalogue, folk singer David Mallett has come a long way in the thirty years since he penned the Garden Song. Top artists like Emmylou Harris continue to cover his material. Mallett spoke with KCAW's Robert Woolsey before his Sitka concert on 3-11-09.