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)
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Sentinel Staff Writer
After months of waiting, the city has received a U.S. [ ... ]
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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Sitka Police received the following calls as of midnight last night.
November 22/>At 1:38 a.m. a [ ... ]
Thanksgiving
Dinner Thursday
The community Thanksgiving dinner, sponsored by Alaska Native Sisterhood [ ... ]
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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At 12:58 a.m. a calle [ ... ]
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At 12:40 a.m. three b [ ... ]
Lifelong Resident
Myrna Lang Dies
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Sacred Harp Sing
Listed on Sunday
The public is invited to Sacred Harp singing, an American a capella [ ... ]
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.