Author: Robert Woolsey

Petersburg resident Steven Samuelson is challenging incumbent Peggy Wilson for the republican party nomination to District 2 in the Alaska House of Representatives. House District 2 represents Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Pelican, and surrounding communities.

KCAWs Andi McDaniel attended a recent Saturday work party at Stratton Library, to find out what happens when the oldest college library in Alaska shuts its doors.

A barge that appeared to have run aground near Magic Island in Sitka on Sunday (7-27-08) was in no danger – it was laying fiber-optic cable. Telecommunications company GCI is midway through running a 750-mile fiber-optic cable between Southeast Alaska’s major communities. Sunday was Sitka’s turn.

On an otherwise quiet Sunday afternoon at Raven Radio, Celtic sounds drifted down from Castle Hill into the windows of the Cable House. The music lured reporter Andi McDaniel up there with her recording equipment, and she returned with this audio postcard.

The Sitka roundabout is back – possibly as a public advisory question, or possibly as a straight assembly decision – depending on how the vote breaks at the next regular assembly meeting. The roundabout issue resurfaced during a special meeting of the assembly early Tuesday evening (7-22-08) – this time as much a cost-savings measure as a matter of traffic safety.

Sitka voters will not see an advisory question regarding a multi-purpose dock on the ballot this fall. The Sitka assembly last night (Tue 7-22-08) rejected a proposed ballot question that would have asked the voters to give the go-ahead to plan for a dock at Sawmill Cove industrial park. In an eleventh-hour meeting on Monday, Cove board members endorsed the “no” vote in order to have more time to involve and educate the public about the project.

Alaska Airlines plans to experiment with onboard broadband internet service starting next month. The carrier will charge for the wireless service, although rates have not been set. Passenger advocates say Wi-Fi will be welcomed … with limits.

More people are riding state ferries in Southeast this summer. Figures from the marine highway system show both passenger and vehicle numbers up for the region’s ports. Officials credit schedule changes including increased fast ferry service to Sitka and more sailings from Prince Rupert.

House District 2 Democratic primary candidates Marko Dapcevich and Lily Herwald addressed issues and answered questions during a July 15 forum on KCAW. Listen here for the 60-minute forum including call-in questions.A Republican candidates forum is planned for August 8th.

The sounds of folk, Americana, hip-hop and roots will fill Sitka stages this weekend. It’s the 3rd annual Homeskillet Festival, put on by the local record label by the same name. Andi McDaniel spoke with organizer Nick Galanin and dug up some musical samples. Here’s a backstage look at what’s to come.