LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
Federal officials on Wednesday approved most of Alaska’s four-y [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
At an hour-long work session with the Assembly Tuesda [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
The story behind a classic, though often misunderstoo [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
The state government risks losing millions of dollars in feder [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday signed a bill that promise [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, known for its steep mountains [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Playing Wednesday in competitive division City League volleyball matches, Ca [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 27
At 2:36 p.m. a dead [ ... ]
This Week in Girls on the Run
By Sitkans Against Family Violence
and The Pathways Coalition
During th [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
The future of management and operations at the Perform [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The Queen Bees’ spotless season record ended Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss [ ... ]
By SHIRLEY SNEVE
Indian Country Today
A major renovation at an Alaska museum to attract tourist [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
A presentation about a jump in the number of inmate deaths in [ ... ]
By NATHANIEL HERZ
Northern Journal
Tribal and environmental advocates calling for a crackdown o [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]
Big Rigs Sought
For April 13
The 3 to 5 Preschool’s spring fundraiser and Big Rig event is happening [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city’s reassessment of taxable real estate, alo [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The third opening in this year’s Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery was held Mon [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
Sitka High’s Lady Wolves bounced back from an openi [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel ports Editor
Competing in the state 3A basketball tournament in Anc [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Playing in a competitive division City League volleyball game Monday evening [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
A bill that passed the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Assembly Turns Down Aid for COVID Victims
By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
A proposal to provide grants to Sitka residents required to isolate for ten days after testing positive for COVID failed on a 3-3 vote by the Assembly Thursday night.
The motion was on one of three emergency ordinances related to the COVID pandemic that were taken up at the Assembly’s special meeting Thursday night.
Rebecca Himschoot, Thor Christianson, and Kevin Knox voted in favor, and Crystal Duncan, Kevin Mosher and Steven Eisenbeisz voted against. Valorie Nelson was absent from the meeting.
The Assembly acted on two other emergency ordinances Thursday night – see related story on this page.
Five affirmative votes are required to pass an emergency ordinance. This one would have given $1,000 to anyone who has tested positive since July 1, with the city’s expense covered by a $300,000 item in the general fund.
In the discussion, it was pointed out that more than $255,000 of the proposed $300,000 fund is already accounted for in cases since July 1.
But that wasn’t the point for Himschoot, who cosponsored the ordinance with Thor Christianson.
“I’m looking for solutions to bring our case count down,” she said at the meeting.
Himschoot said Sitkans shouldn’t have to choose between going to work – potentially spreading the virus – or getting well and staying safe.
She said, too, that employers can access federal funding to help, and that people could combine sick leave with that federal assistance. She noted that CARES funds that were thought to expire Dec. 31 of last year have been extended until September of this year.
Crystal Duncan expressed concern about pushing the motion through as an emergency ordinance, which can be passed on one vote and becomes effective immediately.
Duncan referred to emails she’s received over the past week, and said she hasn’t seen much support for the proposed subsidy.
She, too, was concerned about the financial impact of the ordinance.
Kevin Knox said he understood the hesitation, but also that he saw the importance of providing that funding to Sitkans.
“I, too, kind of hesitate on putting something through as an emergency (ordinance) tonight, though I know the need is there, now,” he said.
The Assembly heard comments from three people speaking from the public: Richard Wein, Mary Todd Andersen, and Jaylene Owen were all opposed to the passage of the ordinance.
Wein said he agreed with “the spirit” of the ordinance, but that to him spending $300,000 from the general fund with so little advance deliberation seemed a bad idea.
“You could be talking about a significant amount of money retrospectively and prospectively,” he said.
He also expressed concern about those who may ask for the grant but who may not need it.
Both Andersen and Owen agreed with Wein, and said they had planned on bringing up similar points.
“This is very misdirected and we don’t have unlimited funds,” Owen said.
Himschoot said she understood the hesitancy people had, but asked fellow Assembly members to keep in mind Sitkans who are struggling and who didn’t come to speak that night.
“I do understand that this could come forward at another time, not as an emergency ordinance,” she said, “but I think it’s important to remember the people who aren’t here in the room.”
Login Form
20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.