Daily Sitka Sentinel

July 23, 2020, Community Happenings

U.S. Coast Guard,

Partners Continue

Missions in Sitka

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau personnel will continue to conduct missions in Sitka with assistance from small boat teams from Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Seattle from July through September.

Mission goals include search and rescue, recreational and commercial vessel safety, and the protection of Alaska’s fisheries. 

The Coast Guard and partner agencies will continue to maintain a regular presence on the water and conduct boardings at sea with special safety procedures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, a press release from the Coast Guard said. 

Prior to deploying to Alaska, MSST personnel underwent one week of pre-deployment self-isolation followed by a COVID-19 test. Upon arrival to Sitka, they received a second COVID-19 test. After 14 days in a restricted movement status in Sitka, all tests came back negative and the team became fully operational on July 15, the press release said.

Boarding safety precautions include MSST personnel wearing full personal protection equipment including masks and gloves. They determine COVID-19 exposure risks by asking a series of pre-boarding questions. Small vessel inspections are completed alongside the vessel, if possible, to maximize social distancing. MSST personnel report the majority of boaters have been compliant with safety and fishing regulations.

The Coast Guard is conducting these operations with Sitka Police Department and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.

 “We are closely monitoring local COVID-19 trends and following all the latest CDC safety guidance as we continue to perform vital missions in Sitka,” said Capt. Stephen White, Sector Juneau Commander.

School District

Sessions Set on

Opening Schools

The Sitka School District will hold  Smart Start information sessions 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 29-30 at Centennial Hall.

School district employees will meet July 29 and parents and students on July 30. A Zoom link will be posted on the website under announcements.

Superintendent John Holst and members of the Smart Start Task Force will answer questions, hear concerns, and gather suggestions regarding the opening of schools on Aug. 27.

WIC Enrollees

Given Notice

Individuals enrolled in WIC may receive coupons to the Sitka Farmers Market.

Call 623-0942 or email wic@searhc.org to request coupons. To determine eligibility with the equal opportunity program, call or email, especially if income has changed in the last 30 days. WIC serves children up to the age of 5 years old, and pregnant and postpartum moms.

Lutherans Worship

Outside on Sunday

Sitka Lutheran Church will hold worship outside 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 26, at Crescent Harbor shelter.

It will include worship and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Social distancing will be practiced and masks will be worn. All are invited to attend. For information call 752-0123.

COVID Testing

Now Available

On Weekends

Testing for the COVID-19 virus will be available to everyone in Sitka starting Saturday, regardless of whether they have symptoms, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium announced Monday.

Testing by “self-swab nasal collection” will be available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the drive-up testing center next to Mountainside Family Clinic, 209 Moller Avenue, the health consortium said. Walk-ups or bike-ups are welcome, SEARHC marketing and communications director Maegan Bosak said.

There is no charge for the testing, which is being funded through a grant from the U.S. Indian Health Service, SEARHC said.

The testing type will be self-swab nasal collection and staff will be available on-site to instruct and answer questions.

“SEARHC is excited to offer COVID testing to asymptomatic patients in Southeast,” said SEARHC Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl. “Quickly identifying and responding to positive cases in our communities is the most effective way to combat the pandemic. Asymptomatic testing will be a reality in the coming weeks and paint a clear picture of how COVID has penetrated our region.”

For information on SEARHC’s pandemic response, including testing guidelines, visit covid19.searhc.org or contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 966-8799.

City Seal Redesign

Project Reveal Set

Entries in the city’s contest to redesign the official city seal can now be viewed.

An open house for the public to view entries is 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Entries will be on display, and a survey available for the public to fill out.

The survey also is online through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. It can be accessed at: https://forms.gle/yqx2EKKSKWoypvw76.

A guided discussion on the entries will be hosted over Zoom 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30. Those who wish to participate can contact planning@cityofsitka.org for the meeting link.

Call the city planning department at 747-1814 with questions.

Mountain Goat

Trends Discussed

The Sitka District Ranger, under authority granted by the Federal Subsistence Board, will hold a public meeting and hearing 7 p.m. tonight to give information and solicit comments to help guide federal subsistence mountain goat management in Unit 4.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will review the current management strategy, and present information related to mountain goat harvest and population trends.

The meeting and hearing will be held by phone. Join by dialing (888)844-9904 and entering the passcode 5936793#.

Food Distribution

At ANB Hall

Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 and Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4, in collaboration with ACC’s USDA Food Box Program, will be handing out boxes of vegetables and dairy products to families in need 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at the ANB Founders Hall. The event will last until noon, or until all boxes are distributed.

Food pickup is curbside only.