DRIVING AHEAD – Construction workers drive piles at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park this afternoon. After months of waiting, the city has received a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to start work on the new haulout and boatyard at Gary Paxton Industrial Park. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

Corps Permit Opens Haulout Work in Bay
25 Nov 2024 15:52

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    After months of waiting, the city has received a U.S. [ ... ]

Sitka Nurse Honored for Infusion Services
25 Nov 2024 15:47

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
    A health care nonprofit has recognized Sitka nurse Ter [ ... ]

MEHS, SHS Wrestlers Compete at Local Meet
25 Nov 2024 15:46

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    In an invitational meet over the weekend in Sitka, Mt [ ... ]

Troopers Seek Info On Deer Meat Left At Starrigava...
25 Nov 2024 15:44

By Sentinel Staff
Alaska Wildlife Troopers are asking for information after they found dumped deer me [ ... ]

Alaska Salmon Harvest Low in Quantity, Value
25 Nov 2024 15:44

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    The number of Alaska salmon harvested by commercial fishers was t [ ... ]

Alaska’s Rates of STIs Among Highest in U.S.
25 Nov 2024 15:43

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska had the nation’s highest rate of gonorrhea last year and [ ... ]

November 25, 2024, Police Blotter
25 Nov 2024 15:39

Sitka Police received the following calls as of midnight last night.
    November 22/>At 1:38 a.m. a [ ... ]

November 25, 2024, Community Happenings
25 Nov 2024 15:37

Thanksgiving
Dinner Thursday
The community Thanksgiving dinner, sponsored by Alaska Native Sisterhood  [ ... ]

Shelter Talks On Track Despite Rough Patch
22 Nov 2024 15:35

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Discussions on volunteers helping at the city animal s [ ... ]

Warm Shelter Readied for Dec. 1 Reopening
22 Nov 2024 15:27

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The Sitka Homeless Coalition is preparing to reopen i [ ... ]

City Adds Attractions to Holiday Celebration
22 Nov 2024 15:26

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Following the 2023 holiday extravaganza featuring tra [ ... ]

Mining Project in SE Getting a New Owner
22 Nov 2024 15:24

By MAX GRAHAM
Northern Journal
    A potential copper and zinc mine has fueled intense political de [ ... ]

Fewer Seafood Crews But Higher Paid In '23
22 Nov 2024 15:23

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska seafood processors hired fewer people in 2023 but paid the [ ... ]

November 22, Police Blotter
22 Nov 2024 15:13

Sitka Police received the following calls as of midnight last night.
November 21
At 12:58 a.m. a calle [ ... ]

November 22, 2024, Community Happenings
22 Nov 2024 15:12

Thanksgiving Dinner Set
The community Thanksgiving dinner, sponsored by Alaska Native Sisterhood Ca [ ... ]

Expert Offers Advice On Living with Bears
21 Nov 2024 15:45

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    As residents continue sighting bears close to town, t [ ... ]

Sitka Pinball Tourney Draws Players, Crowd
21 Nov 2024 14:19

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff
The second Sitka Classic Pinball Tournament drew more than 30 playe [ ... ]

Ranked Choice, Begich Unofficial Vote Winners
21 Nov 2024 14:18

By ANDREW KITCHENMAN
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska’s open primary and ranked choice voting system surv [ ... ]

Study: More PSP Toxin In Bigger Butter Clams
21 Nov 2024 14:16

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    Butter clams, important to many Alaskans’ diets, are notorious  [ ... ]

November 21, 2024, Police Blotter
21 Nov 2024 14:14

Sitka Police received the following calls as of midnight last night.
November 20
At 12:40 a.m. three b [ ... ]

November 21, 2024, Community Happenings
21 Nov 2024 14:13

Lifelong Resident
Myrna Lang Dies
Myrna Lang, a lifelong Sitka resident, died Wednesday at her home. S [ ... ]

Wolves' Clare Mullin to Race with Gonzaga
20 Nov 2024 14:51

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    After four years of racing on trails and tracks with  [ ... ]

Rec Division City League Games
20 Nov 2024 14:40

By Sentinel Staff
    Competing in recreational division City League basketball games Tuesday at t [ ... ]

November 20, 2024, Community Happenings
20 Nov 2024 11:58

Sacred Harp Sing
Listed on Sunday
The public is invited to Sacred Harp singing, an American a capella  [ ... ]

Other Articles

Daily Sitka Sentinel

Candlelight Service Honors EMT Ahlgren

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    A number of Sitkans gathered at the fire hall Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil in memory of Molly Ahlgren, the only member of the Sitka Fire Department to die in the line of duty.
    Fire Chief Dave Miller said he conferred with a number of others about having a brief remembrance of Ahlgren on the 15th anniversary of her death.
    “We don’t want her to be forgotten in the public,” the chief said.
    Ahlgren, a volunteer EMT and rescue diver, was fatally injured Nov. 30, 2004, when the boat she was in ran aground in the dark as she and two other volunteers responded to a medical call. The boat was headed to a nearby island in response to a call for medical assistance for someone injured in a state trooper training exercise.
    Ahlgren was an aquatic ecologist and a highly respected fisheries professor at Sheldon Jackson College. Apart from her fisheries and volunteer work with the fire department, Ahlgren loved to dance and performed as “Mother Ginger” in a local production of The Nutcracker.
    “Molly was the most enthusiastic person about all things marine, especially the unsung heroes – invertebrates,” said friend Lisa Busch, director of the Sitka Sound Science Center. “She was a kind and lovely person who gave so much to the community.”

Sitka Fire Department volunteers and staff, and friends of the late Molly Ahlgren, gathered Saturday evening to honor Ahlgren on the 15th anniversary of her death in the line of duty. They are, from left, back row, Eric Matthes, John McCrehin, Greg Raschick, Sherry Raschick, Karen Kluting, Mike Motti, Matt Hunter, Dave Miller, Jenny Klejka, David Birky, Lolly Dahl, David Johnson, Robert Dennard. Front row, Cindy Edwards, Lisa Busch, Bob Reid and Cathy Watson. (Photo provided)

    A year after her death the Sitka Fire Department established The Molly Ahlgren Memorial Award for Community Act of Valor. It’s conferred for an extraordinary selfless act in service to others, regardless of the event. Only a few people have received the honor, Miller said.
    The award is listed on the city website.
    “Those of us who knew Molly well, knew a compassionate and caring person who always had a smile on her face,” it says. “We will never forget her.”
    Miller said the candlelight remembrance had been talked about for a month, but it finally came about “in the spur of the moment,” with the help of fellow volunteer John McCrehin.
    “She was one of those unique ladies out there to help people,” Miller said. “It wasn’t about her – it was about everyone else. ... She was always such a great leader, everybody liked her. She was an active volunteer, that’s what made her well-known in the department.”
    While Ahlgren is the only volunteer or staff member of the SFD to die in the line of duty, Miller said serving as a first responder always comes with risks, whether responding to a fire, a medical emergency, a dive mission or a search and rescue. Nationwide, 100 responders die in the line of duty each year.
    “Any time we go on a call ... there is a risk,” the chief said. “It’s one of those things that happen.”



   

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20 YEARS AGO

November 2004

Sitka Tribe of Alaska has received a $104,000 grant to research and document a collection of historic photographs at Kettleson Memorial Library.  The federal grant proposal is focused on preserving and increasing access to an archive of 800 photos covering Sitka tribal history from the 1920s to the 1960s.


Photo caption: Tina Guy and Reba Hitchcock cuddle twins Michele and Andrea Winger while working at their booth during the Christmas Bazaar at Centennial Hall. Hundreds attended the Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services annual event.

50 YEARS AGO

November 1974

Sitka Elks Lodge 1662 will hold its annual fund-raising Purple Bubble Ball Saturday at the Centennial Building. Elks, Emblem Club members and invited guests will gather at 6 p.m. for cocktails followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m., and dancing to the music of the Joli Jax until 2 a.m. Tickets are $10.

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