RED AT THE ROUNDABOUT – More than 200 demonstrators rally at the roundabout Wednesday afternoon in support of raising the state’s contribution to public schools. The Sitka School District faces a shortfall of $1.5 million to $3.2 million in the 2025 budget, depending on the amount the Legislature finally approves. The School Board is obligated to submit a budget to the Sitka Assembly by next Wednesday. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Decked out in matching red T-shirts and waving signs c [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
As the Alaska Senate prepared on Wednesday to launch a legislativ [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
Late Wednesday night, the Alaska House of Representatives advance [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
April 23
Three vehicles at Se [ ... ]
School Budget
To be Discussed
Members of the Sitka School Board will hold a community hearing and budg [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly its regular meeting Tuesday approved dou [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
“We want to hear from the public, what they value i [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Sitka schools were notified at around noon today that the city administrator had re [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
Sitka High’s track and field athletes faced off aga [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
Alaska is getting an infusion of nearly $125 million to build and [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Senate voted unanimously on Monday to make it easier f [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
The Alaska House’s Rules Committee has eliminated, at least temporaril [ ... ]
By DAVID A. LIEB
The Associated Press
A conservative quest to limit diversity, equity and inclusion in [ ... ]
By NATHANIEL HERZ
Northern Journal
Alaska’s three-member, bipartisan congressional delegation is sid [ ... ]
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
April 23
At 3:14 a.m. a downtown bar report [ ... ]
Vaughn Blankenship
Dies at Age 91
Vaughn Blankenship, a longtime Sitka resident, died Tuesday at SEARH [ ... ]
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 [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Dennis Heller
Dennis Heller 66, of Sitka and formerly of Montpelier, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday, December 23, 2015.
Dennis was born in Wauseon, Ohio, to George and Velma (Henry) Heller. After graduating high school in 1967, Dennis joined the United States Air Force and served in Spain and Libya during the Vietnam War.
After returning to the States, Dennis moved to Indiana and graduated from Tri-State University with a civil engineer degree. He worked at a few jobs, including the Midland Nuclear Plant in Michigan, before packing up all of his belongings and moving to Alaska – a dream he had had for many years.
He worked in Dillingham and Adak before settling in Sitka in 1989. For the next 24 years he worked for SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital as Deputy Director of Facility Services, retiring in 2013.
Dennis was a kind person, a gentleman and a gentle man. He loved to fish, camp, hunt, hike, boat and watch the Ohio State Buckeyes win. He was a member of the Sitka Elks Lodge and American Legion Post No. 13 Sitka.
Dennis is survived by his son David (Kristi) Heller, and grandsons Tyler and Connor Heller of Spanish Fort, Alabama; his twin sister Janice (Jim) Thompson of Montpelier; best friend and caregiver Julie White; and many loyal and caring friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn Davis, and two brothers-in-law.
A military gravesite memorial service will be held at the Sitka National Cemetery in January.
“In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that you take a moment to hug your loved one, or walk in the woods for a moment, an hour, or a day. Time waits for no one. Cherish every day,” his family wrote.
Stories about Dennis and condolences for his family can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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20 YEARS AGO
April 2004
Photo caption: Luke Johnson helps Kathy Fournier as she removes trash from Swan Lake Saturday.
The Citywide Spring Cleanup this year included the lake cleanup by volunteers and was organized by Parks and Recreation Coordinator Lynne McGowan.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1974
A 12-hour dance marathon sponsored by Sheldon Jackson College students will be held Saturday at Blatchley Junior High. .... Added attractions include twist and limbo contests. The city curfew will be extended until 1 a.m.