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Today's top stories
Letter from Alaska Superintendents Association

Dunleavy Says He'll Veto School Funds

The Sentinel received the following press release after we had gone to print today.
Sitka Studio of Dance students rehearse recently for this Saturday's  spring dance recital at the Performing Arts Center, "Dancing through Time." The show will be in two sections, one for smaller kids starting at 2 p.m., and one for older dancers starting at 7 p.m.

Recital to Feature Dancers of All Ages

Dancers of all ages will take to the stage with a broad range of performances, from traditional ballet pieces to hip hop and jazz numbers in two different showings, Saturday, in this year’s spring recital put on by the Sitka Studio of...
Janine Holzman holds up one of the quilts that will be on display at Fraser Hall on the SJ campus as part of the Ocean Wave Quilt Guild’s annual show. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

Quilt Show Opens: Mothers Day Tea Sunday

Crews of local quilters hung 92 of their finished pieces in Fraser Hall this morning in preparation for the 5 p.m. kick-off tonight of the 42nd annual Ocean Wave Quilt Guild show that will be open to viewers daily through next Sunday, May...

T&H Food Program Faces Challenges

The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska announced last week that its community distributions of traditional foods are on hold for 2025 due to federal funding cuts. CCTHITA’s foods security department was planning to use a...
Community news
Celebration of Life For Rance Dailey
A celebration of the life of Rance J. Dailey will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at Halibut Point Recreation Area main shelter. ‘‘Please join us to celebrate the life of Rance J. Dailey,’’ family members said. ‘‘We will gather to share our...
Centennial Hall Sunday Closure
Harrigan Centennial Hall at 330 Harbor Drive will be closed on Sunday, May 11, for maintenance. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, May 12. Call the Harrigan Centennial Hall manager for information or questions at 907 747-4090.
Earns Degree
Grace Harang of Sitka was included in the Utah Tech University graduating class of 3,088 students at its 114th commencement ceremonies this week. She earned an associate of science in general studies degree. The 2021 Sitka High graduate is the...
No Tobacco Day Marked May 30
SEARHC is teaming up with the Sitka HOPE Coalition for a community event to observe World No Tobacco Day. The organizations will be set up outside AC Lakeside Grocery 4-6 p.m. Friday, May 30, with prize giveaways, quit resources, information on...
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Discussed
Dr. Kena Westergaard and Kari Roe-LaFramboise, LNP, will offer an introductory presentation on the emerging use of psychedelic-assisted therapies in mental health services at this Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship. Westergaard is...
Climate Connection May 9
Priorities for Climate Solutions The rise in global temperature is happening faster than scientists predicted. Fossil fuel use is increasing, along with their emissions. It is time to set priorities for what solutions are most important. We have...
Scrap Yard Closure
Gary Paxton Industrial Park scrap yard will close 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 9. It will resume regular hours at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Call 907 747-1804 with questions.
Rites of Passage At Blatchley Set
Blatchley Middle School will hold its annual Rites of Passage ceremony 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 21 at Sitka High School gymnasium.  Parents and guests are asked to park at the front of the building and enter through the gym door.  Students...
Comments Invited on Hunting, Trapping Regulation Changes
The Federal Subsistence Board is accepting public comment on proposed changes to federal subsistence hunting and trapping regulations.  They would affect seasons, harvest limits, methods and means, and customary and traditional use...
GCI Offers Suicide Prevention Grants
GCI has opened applications for its 2025 Suicide Prevention Fund.  The $100,000 annual grant program to support mental health across Alaska has awarded approximately $900,000 to nearly 100 nonprofits since its launch in 2016, GCI said in a...
Police blotter

Police Blotter May 9, 2025

Police Blotter Sitka Police Department received the following calls as of 8 a.m. today. May 8 At 9:28 a.m. a small dog was reported running at large on Andrews Street. The animal control officer was called but the dog's owner picked it up...

Obituaries
Life of Irene Shuler, 85, To be Celebrated May 24
Irene Shuler, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends, on April 24, 2025, in Sitka, Alaska. Irene is survived by her cherished husband of 47 years, Kaye Dethridge; her loving brother, Dennis; her nieces Chelsea and Elyse,...
Former Sitkan Cindy Davis Dies in Hawaii at Age 69
Today would have been Cindy Davis's 70th Birthday. However, it was not meant to be. This is a clip of Cindy's life. She always said, “Every year after 30 is a bonus.” Cynthia Nadine...
Donald R. Soukup
Donald R. Soukup Services April 26
The family of Donald R. Soukup invites friends and community members to join them 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church for memorial services. Following the service, a celebration of life will take place in the See...
Victor D. Jones Sr. Dies; Celebration of Life April 19
A celebration of the life of Victor D. Jones Sr. will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi community house, 200 Katlian Street. Following the service and refreshments, a potluck barbeque will be held at Pioneer...
Sports

Runners Celebrate Herring in 5k

Runners competed in the annual Herring Protectors 5 kilometer race along the shore of Eastern Channel on the Sawmill Creek multi-use path, Sunday. There were 20 runners on the course, running in a brief period of fair weather in an otherwise rainy...

Wolves Sweep Series against Crimson Bears

Propelled by strong pitching that kept the Crimson Bears from scoring runs – or even getting on base much of the time – Sitka High swept to victory in a three-game baseball series against Juneau-Douglas, last Friday and Saturday in Juneau. Sitka...

Sitka Splits Games with Juneau

Playing in fair weather on the turf at Moller Field, Sitka High’s softball team split a two-game series against the Juneau-Douglas Crimson Bears, Wednesday. The Lady Wolves fell 18-9 in the opening match, but rallied in the second game, winning...

Lady Wolves Sharpen Softball Skills in Anchorage

Squaring off against a wide range of teams in two different softball brackets, Thursday through Saturday last week, the Lady Wolves scored victories over five rivals and only lost a single game in a two-tiered tournament in Anchorage. Sitka led...
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Sitka Yesterday, May 9, 2025

20 YEARS AGO

May 2005

Camille Joy Skannes, a 2005 Sitka High graduate, has been named an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy. She was nominated by Peggy Boydston, business English teacher. She is the daughter of John and Joan Skannes.

50 YEARS AGO

May 1975

Chamber Notes by Jim Davis, manager: Due to a tremendous effort by the City and Borough government, Halibut Point Highway will see the beginning of its rebuilding this summer. New water mains in a portion of it is a first step. ... The complete rebuilding from the entrance of Lake Street to Davidoff Street will be finished next summer.

Around Alaska

Long-term efforts to clean air in Alaska’s second-largest city are paying off

Just 140 miles south of the Arctic Circle, far from any major industrial or population centers, Alaska’s second-largest city has struggled for decades with some of the nation’s worst winter air pollution. Now years of work to clear particulate pollution from the air in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the approximately 7,500-square mile district encompassing […]

An Alaska Mother's Day tradition: Mingling with ice age survivors on a farm

It is one of Alaska’s favorite Mother’s Day traditions, getting up close and personal with animals that have survived the ice age. All moms get a flower and free admission Sunday at the Musk Ox …

Conservation group lawsuit seeks to speed listing of Alaska king salmon under Endangered Species Act

A Washington state-based conservation group filed a lawsuit this week in an effort to speed up the federal government’s review of a proposal to list king salmon as threatened or endangered across the Gulf of Alaska. The Wild Fish Conservancy filed its lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., saying that the National […]

Alaska small businesses need investment, not abandoned contracts

This week is National Small Business Week, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs who keep our communities vibrant and full of opportunity. In Anchorage, we’re lucky we don’t have to look far to see that spirit in action. Just last  week, a room full of small business owners, proud families, and community members gathered in […]

Arctic refuge oil exploration could begin as soon as this winter, court documents indicate

Alaska’s state-owned investment bank could get permission to start oil exploration work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as soon as the third quarter of this year, according to court documents filed Friday in Anchorage. In a status report on a series of lawsuits seeking to block oil development in the refuge, attorneys representing the […]

Alaska to resume bear-killing program, despite court order finding it to be void

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game said Friday it will resume its predator control this weekend in Western Alaska, despite a court ruling two days earlier that determined the program remains in violation of the state constitution. The program, which is using aircraft to kill bears in the area used by the ailing Mulchatna […]

A contentious mining project in SE Alaska just changed hands. Its new owner already wants to sell.

Critics of a mining project that’s long stirred political debate in the Southeast Alaska town of Haines are celebrating an announcement that the development is on the market — just months after its owner acquired it. A small, Vancouver-based company, American Pacific Mining Corp., assumed full ownership of the Palmer Project late last year. At […]

In unusual move, Alaska House declines to honor conservative political writer

The Alaska House of Representatives has issued messages honoring high school sports teams, Olympic gold medalists, farmers, anniversaries, and even notable animals. In an unusual move on Friday, it declined to bestow honors on conservative political commentator Suzanne Downing.  In a 21-17 vote, the House tabled a citation from Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River that […]
From the Associated Press
National news
FILE - Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean "Diddy" Combs appear at the premiere of "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story" on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

Opening statements are expected in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial

Testimony is set to begin soon in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial in New York. After a final phase of jury selection Monday morning, federal prosecutors will begin trying to prove …

Former longtime New Jersey mayor who was convicted in corruption probe dies at 89

Sharpe James, the former longtime mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has died. He was 89. The charismatic mayor oversaw efforts to attract development to the Newark's downtown, but his political …

Four men arrested in West Africa for extortion scheme linked to California teen's suicide

Three years after a California teenager died by suicide, four men in West Africa have been arrested on suspicion of participating in what investigators are calling an “international sextortion …
FILE - People walk between buildings, Dec. 17, 2024, on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Harvard says it won't abandon ‘core’ principles to meet Department of Education demands

Harvard University has responded to threats from the Education Department to halt grant funding to the Ivy League school. Harvard's president released a letter Monday highlighting reforms it's …
International
Dealers walk past near the screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Asian shares advance as details awaited on progress in China-US trade talks

Asian shares are higher after two days of trade talks between China and the U.S. made what the U.S. side said was “substantial progress.” U.S. futures and oil prices advanced. Officials said a …
FILE - Cattle graze next to the Victoria reservoir in the State of Mexico, Mexico, Oct. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)

Mexico says US suspension of beef imports because of screwworm is unfair

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has described as “unfair” the decision by the Trump administration to suspend imports of Mexican beef cattle for 15 days due to the detection of screwworm in …
Italy's Jannik Sinner serves the ball to Netherlands' Jesper De Jong during their tennis match at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The pope and Sinner: Love, service and a match made in heaven

Jannik Sinner says it’s “a good thing for us tennis players” that the new pope likes to play the sport. Even if Leo XIV jokingly said he wouldn’t want to arrange a game with the top-ranked …

2 small children die in Mediterranean migration voyage, charity says

A German charity says four people, including two small children, have died during a migration voyage in the Mediterranean. The nonprofit group RESQSHIP said that dozens of migrants had departed …
National Sports

Ireland captain Doris out for up to 6 months after shoulder surgery

Ireland and Leinster captain Caelan Doris is out for up to six months after shoulder surgery. Leinster says Doris had the operation last Friday and he will be out of action for four to six months. …

Monday's Transactions

BASEBALL American League CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Designated 3B Gage Workman for assignment. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS — Optioned SS Brayan Rocchio to Columbus (IL). Recalled RF Will Brennan …

Rachael Blackmore, the first female Grand National-winning jockey, has retired

Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win the Grand National, has retired from horse racing. The 35-year-old Blackmore became globally renowned in 2021 when she rode Minella Times to victory …
Entertainment

As Biden-era 'junk fee' rule takes effect, Ticketmaster says it will display fees more clearly

A Biden administration ban on so-called “junk fees” took effect Monday. In response, Ticketmaster said it will start displaying the full price of a ticket as soon as U.S. consumers begin …

The Latest: Sean 'Diddy' Combs gives a thumbs up to spectators at racketeering trial

Federal prosecutors will begin trying to prove Monday that Sean “Diddy” Combs turned his hip-hop conglomerate into a racketeering enterprise that forced women to satisfy his sexual desires for …

Cannes makes it official: No nudity on the red carpet

The Cannes Film Festival red carpet is perhaps the most rigidly controlled red carpet in the world. Now, the festival has added a new stipulation. No nudity. While nudity was never previously …
Health
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care

House Republicans have unveiled the cost-saving centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” The legislation revealed Sunday tallies hundreds of pages and involves at least …

What to know about food poisoning illnesses caused by listeria

U.S. health officials say a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat sandwiches and snacks has sickened at least 10 people. A producer has voluntarily recalled several products sold to retail stores, …

Pharmaceutical industry criticizes the drug pricing plan Trump says he'll sign

President Donald Trump’s plan to change the pricing model for some medications is facing fierce criticism from the pharmaceutical industry before he’s even signed an executive order he says will …