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Film Festival Bonus

Cuban-born flutist, composer, educator and conductor Sheila Del Bosque performs for Mt. Edgecumbe High School students this morning in the Gil Truitt Activities Center. Del Bosque is in town, with her husband and fellow Berklee College of Music graduate, Nacho González Nappa, as part of the AMDocs Sitka 2026 documentary and animation film festival which kicks off tonight at the Performing Arts Center. Del Bosque will perform two original pieces in a program that includes the screening of "Sheila: Between Two Winds" a 14-minute documentary about her life by director Harry J. Xu.
FILM FESTIVAL BONUS - Cuban-born flutist, composer, educator and conductor Sheila Del Bosque performs for Mt. Edgecumbe High School students this morning in the Gil Truitt Activities Center. Del Bosque is in town, with her husband and fellow...
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Historical Society to Salute 'Magic' Creators

A 1983 Sitka High School yearbook photo shows Anson Maddox carried on a table by fellow Sci-fi Fantasy Book Club members, including Chris Tedin, left, and Mark Tedin, right. The three went on to create popular fantasy artworks.
Sitka Historical Society is preparing for some “magic” for its annual meeting, as well as a photo exhibit and fundraisers just before the Alaska Day holiday. “We go through a lot of effort to provide things for the public but it’s our mission,...
MONDAY IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY -- Mt. Edgecumbe High School's Inpuiaq Dance group performs during the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Harrigan Centennial Hall in 2025. Festivities will be similar this year, with a "Sheet'ká Indigenous Peoples Day" celebration beginning 5 p.m. Monday at Centennial Hall. Outer Coast is organizing the event, which is free and open to the public. Festivities will include a fish and fry bread dinner and dance performances from local Tlingit dance groups as well as Native dance groups from Mt. Edgecumbe High School. Attendees are encouraged to bring potluck dishes, organizers said. (Sentinel File Photo by James Poulson)

Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day

MONDAY IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY - Mt. Edgecumbe High School's Inpuiaq Dance group performs during the Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Harrigan Centennial Hall in 2025. Festivities will be similar this year, with a "Sheet'ká Indigenous...
STUDENTS HONORED - At the Sitka School Board meeting on Wednesday, Sitka High math teacher Peter Vu recognizes students (left to right) Wyatt Crosiar, Silas Toss, Daniel Muéller and Eir Christianson for their achievements at the Alaska Association of Student Governments conference in Healy, Sept. 25-27.Crosiar, Todd and Muéller co-authored a resolution that passed with unanimous consent at AASG. It would require the state to provide funding so that each school can have free menstrual products in school bathrooms. The executive board of AASG chose it as the "resolution of the conference," Vu said Wednesday.Meanwhile, Eir Christianson was elected by Southeast region representatives at AASG as "delegate of the region," or the Southeast delegate who best exemplified the values of AASG. "I'm very proud of this bunch," Vu said.  "They not only won those two awards, but I was approached by an executive board member who expressed that she really values our school's presence at the conference for being kind, engaging, and collaborative with other student council groups." (Sentinel staff photo by Anna Laffrey)

Board Hears Report On Enrollment Drop

Honors for school principals, student government leaders, the Sitka High softball and track teams, and district “students of the month” lit up the Sitka School Board meeting on Wednesday, before the board heard reports from middle school and...
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sitkans Against Family Violence Shelter workers plant flags in the Sitka Courthouse lawn Wednesday. The flags represent statistics at the shelter including the number of bed nights provided over the year, 5,415; the number of women at the shelter, 43; the number of men at the shelter, 10; the 13 children at the shelter; and the 35 domestic disturbance calls made to the Sitka Police Department. Pictured are, from left, Martina Kurzer, Jackie DeBell and Susan Cross.

DV Awareness

DV AWARENESS - In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sitkans Against Family Violence shelter workers plant flags in the Sitka Courthouse lawn Wednesday. The flags represent statistics at the shelter including the number of bed...
Cascadia Works: Tend Gather Harvest Restore, co-edited by Tele Aadsen and Jessica Gigot, is out now from Empty Bowl Press. Cover art is by Carly Brock.

Sitkans Are Writers, Subjects of New Anthology

Sitka locals share stories from the sea in Cascadia Works: Tend, Gather, Harvest, Restore, an anthology of literary and artistic pieces co-edited by Tele Aadsen, a Southeast Alaska troll fisherman, and Jessica Gigot, a Skagit Valley farmer, and...

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Community news
Community Calendar
October 13-15, 2026
TUESDAY 6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open  Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information  Noon Rotary Club, UAS-Sitka Campus Room 230 1:30 p.m. Free Strong & Steady senior exercise class, Swan Lake...
Unitarians Gather
"The Call for a New Economy" will be the topic of Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship.  The discussion will follow the showing of the video "Closer to Home – Voices of Hope in a Time of Crisis." Gathering is at 10:30 a.m....
Sitka Chamber Sets Fall Speaker Series
The Sitka Chamber of Commerce Fall Speakers Series speaker Oct. 21 will be Monique Anderson. Anderson will tell about the master plan for Sitka’s Parks and Recreation. Other members of the foundation will speak, and invite conversation with...
4-H Pie Day Set For 4-H Members
New and returning 4-H members can make mini apple pies to take home at the Sitka Pioneer Manager's Home on Friday, Oct. 23. Cloverbuds (ages 5-8) will meet 2-3 p.m. and ages 9 and up will meet 3-4 p.m.  Contact Jasmine Shaw with any...
4-H Birding Club Meetings Planned
Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H Club invites youths ages 5-18 to join a monthly birding club. Greg Filipek will lead a bird walk through Sitka National Historical Park at the next club meeting on Oct. 15. Youths must be registered as 4-H members to attend....
BHV Caregiver Support Offered
Brave Heart Volunteers is inviting caregivers to its monthly caregiver support dinner 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the BHV office, 120 Katlian Street. The event is a space for caregivers to have a meal and build community. Call 907 747-4600 or...
Octobear Fest at Fortress of Bear
Fortress of the Bear is planning its annual OctoBEAR Fest event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24-25 on the  organization’s last open weekend of the season. Last admission will be at 1:30 p.m. Events will include games, crafts, activities, a photo...
Literary Pumpkin Pageant at Library
Sitka Public Library invites the public to participate in a Literary Pumpkin Pageant. Decorated pumpkins with a bookish theme can be dropped off at the library on Oct. 24. The public will vote on their favorites from Oct. 26 to 31. The winning...
BMS Triathlon Slated Saturday
Blatchley Middle School will host its triathlon 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Motorists should be aware bike riders and runners will be along Halibut Point Road during that time.
School Policy Panel to Meet
Sitka School District Policy Committee will meet 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the Sitka School District office board room. A link to a full list of policies to be reviewed may be found on the district website. No action will be taken at the...

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Police blotter

Police Blotter
October 9, 2026

Sitka Police Department logged the following calls Thursday. Thursday, October 9 Police checked out a caller's concern over what an ailing woman had said, and found she was not suicidal. A man and woman were reported fighting in the 400 block...

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Obituaries
 Former Sitkan Mackenzie Clarke Dies in Seattle
The family of Mackenzie Augustus Clarke, 37, with profound sadness writes that he died unexpectedly on September 16 in Seattle. The former Sitkan, a Sitka High graduate, was the beloved son of David and Raine Clarke, brother of Kelsie and Zachary...
Wrangell Teacher, Coach Phil Wayne Dies in Sitka
Phillip I. Wayne passed away peacefully at his home in Sitka on Monday, September 27, at the age of 89. Phil’s arrival on February 7, 1937, in Corbin, Kentucky, was prominently featured in the Corbin Times as the first Caesarean birth in Laurel...
SE Alaskan Harlan Adams Dies at 86
Harlan J. Adams passed away on May 26, 2026, at Swedish Hospital, Cherry Hill Campus, Seattle, Washington. Harlan was born on February 9, 1940, in Yakutat, Alaska. He and his family moved to Kake, Alaska in 1953. Harlan married Lavina on May 13,...
Max Edmund Williams Dies; Life-long Alaskan Was 81
Max Edmund Williams, whose Tlingit name was K’wanee, was born in Yakutat, Alaska, on September 9, 1944, to Ned and Emma Williams. He passed away peacefully at home in Sitka on August 11, 2026, leaving behind a life filled with adventure, family,...

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Sports

Flipside: Main Venue For AK Pinball Champs

Derek Bowen plays pinball as Luke Johnson gets ready to play at the Flipside Arcade on Lincoln Street during a tournament in 2025.
State pinball officials this week announced that Flipside Arcade will be the permanent home of the Alaska State Pinball Championships, including for the upcoming state tournament January 15-17. “Establishing Flipside Arcade as the permanent home...

Wolves Post High Scores at Tri-meet

Sitka High School's Taryn Fleming swims the girls 100 yard butterfly during the Juneau Invitational at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center on Friday, September 4. Fleming placed first in both the 200IM and 100 back at the tri-meet in Anchorage, Friday October 2.
Sitka High swimmers posted competitive times and results in Friday’s tri-meet with Dimond and East High School in Anchorage. Sitka boys scored the most points in the meet with 105 followed by Dimond with 76 and East High School with 36. On the...

City League Basketball Update

The 2026 City League basketball season continued Wednesday night at the Blatchley Middle School gymnasium, with The Real Allen Marine defeating Harry Race 81-45 in a matchup between two masters teams. Jeremy Plank led all scorers with 16...

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Sitka Yesterday
October 9, 2026

20 YEARS AGO

September 2006

The Sitka Mountain Rescue Team has become the first search and rescue squad in the state to receive state certification as a certified ambulance service. “By doing this we’re setting a precedent to standardizing wilderness care around the state, said SMR Director Don Kluting.

50 YEARS AGO

September 1976

Don and Jan Craddick bring us good news from their friend Capt. H. F. Olson, skipper of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, now stationed in Honolulu. The 375-foot ship with 19 officers and 160 enlisted men aboard will be here for Alaska Day and have an open house.

Read previous Sitka Yesterdays

Around Alaska
President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Covelli Centre, in Youngstown, Ohio, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The Latest: Trump’s diesel deal with Putin draws criticism from a frustrated Congress

Republicans and Democrats alike are criticizing President Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They're saying it's fueling Russia’s war against Ukraine and violating …

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, as he speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Washington, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright applaud. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump is heading all the way to Alaska in a sign of just how close its Senate race may be

President Donald Trump is making an unusual campaign trip with the midterm elections looming. He's heading to Alaska to support Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, holding a Tuesday rally in Wasilla. The …

As King Cove road issue heads to federal appeals court, Peltola reiterates her support

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola reiterated her support for construction of the proposed Izembek road between Cold Bay and King Cove during a visit to King Cove this month. Peltola’s position is identical to the one held by incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, whom Peltola is challenging in the November general election. In […]

Indigenous Peoples Day event at Alaska college showcases tradition, food and fellowship

Alaska has for years designated the second Monday of October as a holiday to honor the nation’s Indigenous cultures and acknowledge the harms of colonialism instead of observing Columbus Day. In Alaska, Indigenous Peoples Day has been an official holiday since 2015. Gov. Bill Walker’s  yearly proclamations were followed by a 2017 bill passed by […]

Alaska candidates for governor address growing gap in childcare

One of the many issues before the next governor of Alaska will be the growing gap between available providers and the demand for childcare, which some advocates are calling a “childcare crisis.”  Many Alaska families are grappling with finding reliable care due to a lack of childcare facilities and workers that contributes to fewer slots, […]

How the Alaska Beacon covers elections

The Alaska Beacon’s election coverage is aimed at informing the state’s electorate with timely, nonpartisan news and information that they need to cast their vote. We think our work connecting Alaskans to their state government is key to a healthy democracy.

Forgotten no more: Alaska community embraces long-lost student’s return

This story was originally published by ICT. WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about boarding schools and includes photos of caskets. If you are feeling triggered, here are healing-informed resources from the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition in the U.S. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Hotline in Canada can be reached at […]

Renters in Alaska aren't moving. Here's what the data shows.

TurboTenant reports on renter mobility in Alaska.

Read more Alaska news

From the Associated Press
National news
Displaced Yemeni children sit in a vehicle as families gather to receive aid at the Al-Fallahine displacement camp in Dar Saad district, Aden, Yemen, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)

Houthi rebels say multiple airstrikes targeted them in Yemen, and other Mideast developments

The Iran-backed Houthi Rebels say a string or overnight airstrikes targeted the Red Sea island of Kamaran, the Qanawis district north of the port city of Hodeida and the province of Jawf. The …
FILE - Duane Davis, right, and his attorney Michael Sanft sit in a courtroom, after a jury found Davis guilty of first-degree murder in his trial related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court Regional Justice Center on Aug. 31, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, Pool)

Duane 'Keffe D' Davis faces life in prison for orchestrating murder of rapper Tupac Shakur

Duane “Keffe D” Davis is set to be sentenced Tuesday for orchestrating the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur. Jurors convicted Davis of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in late August. …
Demonstrators attend a protest against Cornell University's handling of the 2024 fraternity-house gang rape allegations at the campus, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Ithaca, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Cornell suspends fraternity parties, gives state police role in investigating campus assault reports

Cornell University is suspending parties and other social events at fraternity houses for the rest of the academic year. The announcement came Tuesday amid mounting outrage over its handling of …
FILE - Payton Gendron, center, listens as he is sentenced, Feb 15, 2023, in Buffalo, N.Y. (Derek Gee/The Buffalo News via AP, Pool, File)

Jury selection to begin in federal hate crimes trial over Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket shooting

Jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the trial that could see the white supremacist who killed 10 people in a 2022 Buffalo supermarket get the death penalty. The attack is believed to be the …
International
A mosaic of Pope Leo XIV is displayed inside a shop selling religious items near St. Peter's Square, in Rome, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Leo XIV is set to enter a Rome hospital for removal of a lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule, a procedure that will determine if the lesion is malignant. The Vatican has canceled all his audiences through Oct. 20. The pope …
People walk on the beach after the passing of Hurricane Simon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Death toll rises to 6 as Hurricane Simon and Rachel remnants unleash floods in Mexico

Hurricane Simon and the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel have led to six deaths along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Authorities report that Simon, a Category 1 storm, is bringing heavy rain to Nayarit …
Director General of MI5 Ken McCallum speaks at Thames House, the headquarters of the UK's Security Service in London, Tuesday Oct. 13, 2026. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP, Pool)

MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’

The head of MI5 says Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K. and the suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in September is not unique. Ken McCallum, who leads the U.K.’s …
A truck loaded with firewood drives through the Al-Basateen neighborhood in Aden, Yemen, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)

Saudi-led coalition struck oil facilities west of Yemen’s capital, Houthi-run broadcaster says

The Saudi-led coalition launched new airstrikes on oil facilities in western Sanaa, according to Houthi-run broadcaster Al Masirah and residents of Yemen’s capital. The strikes on Tuesday followed …
National Sports
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands crosses the finish line to win the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix race in Singapore, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool)

Max Verstappen leads start to finish in Formula 1 as NASCAR heads to Phoenix Raceway

Max Verstappen earned his first victory in Singapore. Chase Briscoe wins narrowly in the Cup Series. Corey Day gets his second O'Reilly Auto Parts victory in a row. While Layne Riggs inches closer to …

Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons throws during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/James Pugh)

Now stars for No. 13 Mizzou, QB Simmons and WR Lee ready to face former teammates at No. 9 Ole Miss

It will be a reunion of sorts on Saturday at Ole Miss, where the No. 9 Rebels play No. 13 Missouri in a crucial Southeastern Conference matchup. Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons and wide receiver …
FILE - Manchester City fans wave the team's flag prior to the League Cup soccer match final between Aston Villa and Manchester City, at Wembley stadium, in London, England, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Ian Walton, File)

English soccer's regulator insists there will be no political pressure in Man City case

The chair of English soccer’s regulatory body has said he would resign if there were any political interference over potential sanctions for Manchester City. The club has been found guilty of …
Entertainment
Greta Gerwig arrives at the opening night celebration for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Greta Gerwig debuts first look at an epic, full-hearted 'Narnia' for Netflix — and the big screen

Greta Gerwig has debuted a first look at “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew" that offers a full-hearted adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ allegorical adventure. Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” …

A roller coaster is shown at Six Flags over Georgia on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 in Austell, Ga. (AP Photo/Emilie Megnien)

A man falls to his death from a Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia

Police are investigating after a man fell to his death from a roller coaster at a Six Flags near Atlanta, watched by other visitors to the amusement park as he was catapulted from the ride. Officials …
The X2 roller coaster is seen at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia , Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A list of US roller coaster fatalities dating back to 2003

A man who fell to his death from a roller coaster at an Atlanta-area amusement park was not the first to die on such a ride in recent years. Authorities have not released information about how …
Health
A mobile lab is set up to test for Ebola virus in Butembo, Congo, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Sebastien Kitsa Musayi)

Congo's confirmed Ebola cases exceed 9,000 as containment efforts falter

Congo's Ebola outbreak has surpassed 9,000 confirmed cases, with over 4,300 deaths, according to government figures. The Health Ministry reported on Tuesday 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths. …

A view of the Mediterranean Sea at the entrance to the port of Ceuta in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday Oct. 13, 2026, ahead of the visit by Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Spain's king and queen to visit Ceuta as territory grapples with protracted migration crisis

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia are visiting Ceuta to show solidarity with residents facing a migration crisis. The Spanish city in North Africa has seen tensions rise after about 80,000 migrants …

Hidden fees cost Michigan patients millions. Lawmakers push reforms

Michiganders are paying millions in hidden healthcare fees each year, often for hospitals they've never visited. These "facility fees" cover costs like laundry and security but aren't disclosed to …
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