WEEKEND HANGOUT – Gina Lusher, foreground right, and other Sitka Cirque aerialists rehearse Thursday night for this weekend’s show, Cirque Noir, at the 207 Smith Street studio. The show includes cage dancers, live music and champagne. Kids from first grade through high school will have a separate fundraiser showcase event Saturday afternoon from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tickets for both shows are available online at sitkacirque.com. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By GARLAND KENNEDY Sentinel Staff Writer Ongoing construction of a stretch of Sitka’s sea walk a [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND Sentinel Staff Writer Sitka Tourism Task Force’s second open house drew more [ ... ]
By ARIADNE WILL Sentinel Staff Writer The Planning Commission unanimously approved three condition [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff Sitkans can get a glimpse into a chapter of local history at an open house 1 to 3 [ ... ]
By NATHANIEL HERZ Northern Journal The Biden administration could jump into a high-profile lawsuit [ ... ]
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today: December 7 A woman asked police to help [ ... ]
Climate Connection: Outdoor and Indoor strong style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;">Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide (CO2) is formed from burning [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY Sentinel Staff Writer Two housing professionals –– a banker and a real esta [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND Sentinel Staff Writer Sitka Sound Science Center has announced that Arleigh Re [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND Sentinel Staff Writer Students from Outer Coast will take the stage at Sitka T [ ... ]
By JOAQLIN ESTUS Alaska Beacon The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will soon issue an Environmenta [ ... ]
Boat Parade Dates Listed Sitka’s annual boat parade is planned to go north on Sunday, Dec. 17, a [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND Sentinel Staff Writer The Sitka Tourism Task Force and city staff are hoping T [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY Sentinel Staff Writer Aerial performances on silks, a champagne chandelier and [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff The Sitka High drama, debate and forensics team invites the community to watch So [ ... ]
Police Blotter Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today: December 5 At 12:51 p.m [ ... ]
David Williams Jr. Dies in N. Carolina Sitka resident David Grayson Williams Jr., 61, passed away [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND Sentinel Staff Writer With winter weather on the way, the Sitka Homeless Coali [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY Sentinel Sports Editor With only days to go before the Region V wrestling tourn [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE Alaska Beacon The Alaska Police Standards Council voted down a regulation chang [ ... ]
By ANDREW KITCHENMAN Alaska Beacon The body charged with policing the ethics of members of the Ala [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE Alaska Beacon Charlene Apok sat in front of multiple computer monitors in an An [ ... ]
Winter Tumbling Registration Open Registration is open for winter tumbling programming at recreati [ ... ]
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today: December 4 At 8:44 a.m. a two-car accid [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
January 17, 2023, Letters to the Editor
Homeless Shelter
Dear Editor: It is sad that it takes a village to raise a child. It should also be noted that it takes heart to make a village.
Many hearts. Hearts full of caring and compassion and the human instinct to help one’s kin. And we in Sitka are all kin.
We breathe the same clean air, are drenched by the same rains.
Of course we all dwell in varied circumstances – some folks are in dire need, and others live lives of overflowing opulence. Some people prefer a frugal, easy on the planet lifestyle. Others may not consider any consequences of their choices.
Some have become trapped by circumstances, and have hardly any choices.
But there is one thing we can all agree on – shelter from the elements is crucial for survival. After finding basic shelter, those who are now homeless can begin to reshape their lives. How they do so should be our concern only in as much as health and safety are concerned.
Then can come the fulfillment of natural desires we all have – for joy, and fun, solidarity, and love.
Hunger once assuaged, creativity may flow.
Roof over one’s head – then there is time to look around and lend a helping hand to others.
Now it is our time to lend a helping hand, we who have that roof.
We are all in this.
The Sitka Homeless Coalition, with the support of Lisa Murkowski and others are well under way to the creation of a safe haven of shelter – Hitx’i Saaani – and we the public might well be encouraged to show our support as well.
As I read articles about draconian anti-homeless laws around the country for example this: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/05/us-states-homelessness-laws-alarm: my blood runs cold.
Sitka, we’re better than this.
We can do it.
Nancy Metashvilli, Sitka
SAFV Board
Dear Editor: On behalf of SAFV’s staff, I would like to thank all of the community members and businesses that supported our staff after the loss of two beloved co-workers.
SAFV’s generous board organized a gathering over the holidays for SAFV’s staff that included an amazing meal and gifts. We would like to express our gratitude to SAFV’s Board Chair Yeidikook’áa Brady-Howard for all of her support and care. We would also like to thank board members Maite Lorente, Dave Levesque, Cheryl Vastola, Shauna Thornton and Brian McNitt.
Thank you to the following individuals and businesses that supported us: the Allen Family, Shee Atika Inc., Sitka Tribe of Alaska, WinterSong Soap Company, Chocolate Moose, Harry Race Pharmacy and Photo, Artists Cove, Russell’s, Tina Moore, Tim Holder, Rebecca Wilbur, Tonia Puletau-Lang, Rachel Roy.
Also, Tamara Ongtowasruk, Chelsey Dunton, Daaljini Cruise, Signiq Designs, Christine Paul, Ryan Hill, Kitti Birkhead, Norma Perkins, Ken Truitt, Randy and Carol Hughey, Roby Littlefield, Steve Johnson, Paul Rioux, Nick Galanin.
Also, Brent Turvey, Laurie Jones Serka, Ben Hughey, Christine Davenport, Anna Laffrey, Michael Mausbach, Ellen Frankenstein, Katie Mulligan, Dave Vastola, Pam Steffes, Larisa Manewal, Matthew Jackson, Julie and Loyd Platson, Caroline Goodwin, Sotera Perez, Patrick O’Donnell, Alex Jenkins, and Tori O’Connell.
Natalie Wojcik,
Sitkans Against Family Violence
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AK COVID-19
At a Glance
(updated 9-12-2023)
By Sentinel Staff
The state Department of Health and Social Services has posted the following update on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alaska as of 8:57 a.m. Tuesday, September 12.
New cases as of Tuesday: 278
Total cases (cumulative) statewide – 301,513
Total (cumulative) deaths – 1,485
Case Rate per 100,000 – 38.14
To visit the Alaska DHSS Corona Response dashboard website click here.
COVID in Sitka
The Sitka community level is now "Low.'' Case statistics are as of Tuesday.
Case Rate/100,000 – 152.50
Cases in last 7 days – 13
Cumulative Sitka cases – 3,575
Deceased (cumulative) – 10
The local case data are from Alaska DHSS.
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20 YEARS AGO
December 2003
The Sawmill Cove Industrial Park board of directors endorsed a final contract tuesday for the city to sell a minimum of 40 million gallons of reservoir water per year to an export company based in New York City. ... under the contract Quest would have the right to purchase up to 1 billion gallons of water per year at 1 cent per gallon
50 YEARS AGO
December 1973
The City and Borough of Sitka conducted a community public opinion poll evaluating municipal services and facilities. ... The overall results gave this priority order: 1. roads and highways; 2. water and sewer; 3. downtown parking; 4. garbage collection and disposal; 5. hospital and medical facilities; 6. planning and zoning; 7. boat harbors.