Katherine Rose, Author at KCAW

Assembly approves $4M USDA loan for Green Lake Dam repairs

Sitka is facing another hydro project that’s likely to cost more than expected. The Green Lake Dam is nearing its 40th birthday and in need of major repairs. However, not only has borrowing the money to make those repairs become more expensive, the repairs themselves will only grow more costly the longer the city delays taking action.KCAW’s Katherine Rose reports on how the Sitka Assembly tackled the situation at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

$550K federal grant a first step toward improving street safety in Sitka

City staff hope to make Sitka’s streets safer, with the help of half-a-million dollars in federal grant funding.

A Sitka Grand Jury indicted six people in January

A Sitka Grand Jury indicted six people last month with charges ranging from drug use to felony assault. Read a roundup of the charges here.

Assembly considers proposal to study land for future housing

The City of Sitka is determined to open up more land for housing in the community, but where to put it remains an open question. At a special budget meeting last Thursday (2-2-23), the Sitka Assembly considered a study of three possible tracts of land, only one of which it already owns. And on everyone’s mind was figuring out how to make sure that the effort doesn’t result in yet more unaffordable real estate.

Facility for teen trafficking victims on hold in Sitka after neighborhood pushback

A $2 million dollar grant project is on hold in Sitka, while the community decides where to put it.

Kale yeah! Sitka chef Renee Trafton named James Beard Award semifinalist

A Sitka chef is one of four Alaskan semi-finalists for the prestigious James Beard Award. Renee Trafton opened Beak in 2017, and has made the best of her unique situation: Creating award-winning cuisine on an island with some amazing benefits, and many practical challenges.

Runway ready: MEHS students hone pilot skills in aviation ground course

Mt. Edgecumbe High School senior Aiden Panzer, of Unalakleet, practices flying every Friday using...

Assembly greenlights $25,000 to support trollers’ legal fight

The Sitka Assembly is moving forward with plans to donate $25,000 to the Alaska Trollers Association (ATA), to support the organization’s ongoing legal fight against a Washington environmental group that hopes to shut down commercial fishing for king salmon in Southeast Alaska. And other organizations and locals are piling on, in anticipation of a lengthy – and costly – appeals process.

Sitka Superior Court Judge Jude Pate appointed to Alaska Supreme Court

Sitka Superior Court Judge Jude Pate has been appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court. Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Pate’s appointment on Friday afternoon (1-20-23).

Flipping Out: Sitkan to coach Alaska’s gymnastics team at Arctic Winter Games

Later this month, over 2,100 athletes, coaches and staff will gather for the Arctic Winter Games. The international sports competition for northern athletes happens every other year, with Alaskans representing the United States. As KCAW’s Katherine Rose reports, a Sitkan will coach this year’s gymnastics team.