Author: Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

In Southeast Alaska, fishermen are looking at fuel saving measures to cut costs, or they risk staying tied to the docks. As part of a CoastAlaska series on how people are adjusting to the high cost of energy, KCAW’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock reports on how some Sitka fishermen are coping, and how a new loan program endorsed by the Governor is slated to help:Click on "more" to hear other reports in our series.

Presidential politics have arrived in Sitka. Staff and volunteers for the Obama campaign last week canvassed over 5-hundred homes in the community. Statewide campaign officials were unwilling to announce whether the canvassing effort signaled that Sitka would be the site of the next Obama office in Alaska, but it appears likely that one will open here – a definite first for the town.

Last weekend (8-16-08) The Fort Rosseau Causeway State Historical Park was dedicated in Sitka, becoming the newest state park in the Alaska system in eleven years. As KCAW’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock reports, the park will appeal not only to those interested in Sitka’s trail system, but also in its history dating back to WWII:

Two young boys who capsized a canoe in chilly ocean waters near Angoon last Friday (8-15-08) are doing fine. Injury-prevention specialists credit a pair of loaner lifejackets from the statewide “Kids Don’t Float” program for saving the boys’ lives.

A ballot initiative seeking to make land disposal deals in excess of five hundred thousand dollars at Sawmill Cove Industrial Park subject to voter approval, is still awaiting a decision. Superior Court Judge David George held a full hearing today (8/19/08) and hopefully will make a decision before August 26th. KCAW’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock has this update:

Democratic Candidate for US House of Representatives, Diane Benson says she believes in clean elections, alternative energy, and universal health care, among other things. She stopped by Raven Radio and filled in KCAW's Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock on just a few of the things she feels strongly about, starting with her refusal to accept campaign donations from industry lobbyists.

While many Sitka residents have long known the value of eating local seafood or wild edible plants, organizers of the town’s first farmer's market hope to increase the community’s ability to “eat locally” even more. The Farmer’s market is slated to run for three consecutive Saturdays, beginning this weekend (8-16-08) at the ANB Hall. KCAW’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock reports:

A superior court judge has ordered the city of Sitka to prepare petition booklets for a voter initiative about large land disposals. Representatives of Sitkans for Responsible Government are calling Judge David George’s decision Monday morning (8-13-08) “good news.”

Sitka voters are not going to weigh in on the much-debated roundabout question after all. The Sitka assembly last night (8-12-08) struck down a proposed advisory question for the October election, and granted the Department of Transportation the right-of-way to proceed with the project.

The victims of Sunday night’s plane crash in Peril Straits have been identified, and with the help of Sitka Mountain Rescue the bodies have been recovered and sent to Anchorage as part of the ongoing investigation into the crash. But as KCAW’s Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock reports, it’s a big week for missing aircraft in other parts of the state as well: