EARTH DAY – Chelsea Christenson checks on her kids, Avery and Beckett, inside a whale costume prior to the annual Parade of Species. Dozens of participants marched from Totem Square to the Crescent Harbor Shelter dressed as their favorite animals. The event was hosted by Sitka Conservation Society, University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and the Sitka Sound Science Center. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By DAVID A. LIEB
The Associated Press
A conservative quest to limit diversity, equity and inclusion in [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
With about a month left before the end of the regular [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city will hold a public meeting Wednesday for pub [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
With only days to go before the statewide Native Yout [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The Daily Sitka Sentinel and KCAW-FM Raven Radio won awards Saturday at the [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
To address a surge in mental health problems among young Alaskans [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
A bill passed Thursday by the Alaska House of Representatives wou [ ... ]
City to Conduct
Relay Testing
The city electric department is conducting systemwide relay testing th [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Another lawsuit that has implications in Southeast Al [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly on Tuesday will consider final reading o [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
Competing in their first home games of the season, Si [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
Citing what they characterized as unacceptable risks to wildlife [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
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Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
April 19
A dispute between a boss and a con [ ... ]
Kenneth Nielsen Sr.
Dies in Sitka at 72
Lifelong Sitka resident Kenneth Nielsen Sr., 72, died Sunday n [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Significant staffing cuts are likely in Sitka’s scho [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly at a special meeting Thursday improved t [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
From solar flares, to black holes, comets and shootin [ ... ]
By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
At its regular meeting Wednesday, the Planning Commission [ ... ]
By NATHANIEL HERZ
Northern Journal
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By CLAIRE STREMPLE and
JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
Over the last 26 years, Penelope Gold has used [ ... ]
HOME OPENER - Sitka’s Sadie Saline runs after hitting what became a two-run triple against Thu [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
April 18
At 1:22 p.m. a dog w [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Ferry System Study: DOT Given Options
ANCHORAGE (AP) — The Alaska Department of Transportation is considering how to act on a study addressing issues within the Alaska Marine Highway System, including an aging fleet and decreased ridership, officials said.
The study conducted by research firm Northern Economics evaluated 11 options for overhauling the network of vessels that moves people, vehicles and goods, The Alaska Journal of Commerce reported Wednesday.
The ferry system reaches 35 communities spread over more than 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) from the Aleutian Islands to Bellingham, Washington.
Ferry ridership has declined from about 350,000 passengers in 1998 to 251,000 passengers in 2018. The drop coincides with GPS and other technological advances that have made flying safer and more consistent, transportation department Commissioner John MacKinnon said.
“The chance of them doing a flyover now and not being able to land is a lot smaller than it used to be, so our competition is just technology that the airlines have been able to use to improve their performance,” MacKinnon said.
Vehicle transport has remained steady at about 100,000 car, truck and van shipments per year, according to ferry service figures.
Ten of the state’s 12 ferries are 37 years old on average and six ferries are more than 40 years old. Two fast shuttle ferries are docked and will be sold because they are not fuel efficient and have been plagued by engine problems and hull cracking, officials said.
The ferry system’s budget has been cut in half since its peak of $111.2 million in fiscal year 2012 and service levels have been cut about 25% over that time. This year’s budget calls for a $56 million state subsidy, which is a compromise between the Legislature and Republican Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy’s original proposal of $21.8 million.
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20 YEARS AGO
April 2004
Michael Stringer, environmental specialist for Sitka Tribe of Alaska and a founder of the community garden, takes the concept of Earth Week literally. This weekend he hopes others will share his appreciation for “earth” and things growing in it by joining him in preparing the community garden just behind Blatchley Middle School for another growing season.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1974
Classified ads Houses for Sale: Price dropped to $36,500 for 2-story, 4-bdrm. carpeted home on Cascade. Kitchen appliances, drapes, laundry room, carport, handy to schools.
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