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Mitkof Dance Troupe to debut “Myths and Legends” this weekend
Genies, fauns, griffons, the Loch Ness Monster — these are just a few of the critters that will be dancing onstage in Petersburg this weekend. Mitkof Dance Troupe’s spring show is titled, “Myths and Legends.” Audiences can expect to see a veritable zoo of mythological beings and legendary creatures in the production.
Midday Report – April 26, 2024
On today’s Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Petersburg residents joined a statewide demonstration in support of school funding. The Alaska House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a proposal that would ban children under 14 from creating social media accounts. And following a harsh winter the village of Shishmaref is emerging from a fuel crisis.
KFSK News Recognized by Alaska Press Club – 6 Awards, Well Done Team
Congratulations to our wonderful team – revisit the award winning stories here. Thomas Copeland – 1st place Best Education Reporting Alaska schools struggling to keep up with the cost of food – KFSK. 2nd place Best Public Safety Reporting Alaska’s volunteer firefighting force halved over the last...
Sitka High School mock trial team wins state
Sitka High Mock Trial teams finished 1st, 3rd, and 6th ahead of Diamond High [two teams], West Anchorage [2 teams], South Anchorage/Steller High, and West Valley High School at the state tournament earlier this month. Zoe Trafton joined KCAW’s Meredith Redick for the Morning Interview to discuss the competition.
Petersburg Medical Center’s old septic pipes are buckling; facility engineers to hold off on major repairs as new hospital is underway
Petersburg Medical Center’s septic pipes are failing, and its maintenance department is trying to stretch the aging system to its limits until the new hospital facility is built. That’s according to a report that will go before the Borough’s Hospital Board at its meeting tonight. Wolf Brooks...
Petersburg residents march to demand more state education funding
Around 100 people, many wearing red, flooded the sidewalks of Petersburg’s downtown on April 24. They were marching in support of increased state funding for education. Bipartisan education legislation that would have increased the state’s per-student funding formula by $680 was vetoed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy last month. A veto override failed by one vote. An operating budget with $175 million in one-time education funding has passed the House and seems to have support in the Senate. The one-time funding is equivalent to a $680 per-student increase. Dunleavy can line-item veto some or all of that funding.
As concerns mount over user conflict, board bumps fees for cruise passengers at Sitka’s industrial park dock
The Gary Paxton Industrial Park board met on April 22 and agreed that the $1 per head tariff charged last year for use of the GPIP floating dock was too low, and out of line with fees at Sitka’s other public facilities. Executive director Garry White said the city was examining rates charged in other Southeast cities, with the goal of establishing a consistent rate in Sitka.
Following statewide protest, Sitka teachers ask board for specifics on staff and program cuts
Note: The Sitka School Board will hold a public budget hearing 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, April 27, in the district office board room. Final adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget is scheduled for the board’s regular meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in Harrigan Centennial Hall. May 15 is the deadline to notify staff of non-retention.
Petersburg School District receives national recognition for school lunches
Petersburg’s school district received national recognition in March for bringing in more local flavor to its kitchens. Carlee Johnson McIntosh oversees Petersburg School District’s food program. She spent the last half-year using a $100,000 USDA grant to put more locally-sourced food on the menu. She says the district partnered with Petersburg’s tribe, the Petersburg Indian Association to put traditional foods on the menu. Johnson McIntosh fsays it was a hit with the students.
Former assembly candidate denied police commission seat
Sitkan Austin Cranford works as a technology specialist for the University of Alaska Southeast. In his application to serve on the city’s police and fire commission, Cranford told the assembly that he was applying due to the, “constant issues that plague the city and its administration.”. Cranford tried...
Inflation and flat state funding complicate teacher contract negotiations in Petersburg
Talks are stalled between Petersburg’s teachers union and the school board. The two groups have been negotiating a new contract for teachers since January. Petersburg School Superintendent Erika Kludt-Painter is the spokesperson for the school board’s negotiation team. “It is necessary to look at a very reasonable increase,”...
Assembly approves one-year property tax exemption for YAS
Youth Advocates of Sitka (YAS) will likely get a property tax exemption for a duplex the nonprofit owns on Halibut Point Road, but only for one year, to give the organization time to establish a new program for teens. YAS purchased the house last year after the nonprofit scored a...
KFSK’s Spring Drive
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HOPE Coalition, police raise awareness about fentanyl
This week, Sitka Counseling’s HOPE Coalition and the Sitka Police Department are joining forces to share information about the dangers of fentanyl overdose. In collaboration with the Alaska Fentanyl Response Project, they will hold a community town hall this Thursday. Loyd Platson and Sandy Snodgrass joined KCAW’s Brooke Schafer to talk about fentanyl awareness and what Sitkans can do. Listen to the full interview here:
‘Super Piano Brothers’ aim to dazzle with broad repertoire
A piano duo known for their arrangements of video game and film soundtracks will be performing in Sitka this weekend. Oskar Yao and Wesley Chu, known as the “Super Piano Brothers,” have played classical and popular music around the world. Yao, Chu, and Sitka Fine Arts Camp’s Kenley Jackson sat down with KCAW’s Brooke Schafer to talk about the upcoming show. Listen to the full interview here:
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