Dear Editor: The Tulong Aral Scholarship Committee would like to thank the community for their support of students seeking post-secondary learning. We recently awarded scholarships to six seniors: Jaira Costelo, Julia Nabua, Zachary Janssen, Den...

Dear Editor: I was not surprised that capping the number of visitors did not pass. My hope is that the community of Sitka can find a way to meet somewhere in the middle. I like 400,000 to 450,000 as a cap.  The business community ought to be...

Dear Editor: This week Israel bombed a school where Palestinians were sheltering, killing at least 36 people, including 18 children. Video footage of the aftermath shows 7-year-old Ward al-Sheikh Khalil walking through the building while it...

Dear Editor: All Alaskans should be looking at the details of the GOP “Big Beautiful Bill” with alarm. It would be more correct to call it the ‘‘Billionaire Bailout’’ bill. This bill is terrible for Alaska and the country. It passed the House by...

Dear Editor: I would like to thank everyone who made the 10th season of Boys Run I toowú klatseen a success this spring! Twenty-four third- through fifth-grade boys spent 10 weeks building confidence and life skills while forming new friendships...

Dear Editor: On May 15, Blatchley Middle School seventh-grade students got to go out on a boat and practice their navigation skills with great success! To be honest, this year was really hard because we worked for years to integrate the Native...

Dear Editor: As a long-time member of the Sitka community, I care deeply about the health and prosperity of our town. That’s why I urge my fellow Sitkans to vote NO on Ballot Measure 1. My first concern is community well-being. We are a network...

Dear Editor: When I campaigned for the position of mayor in 2024, I was open about wanting the question of industrial levels of cruise tourism to be put to a vote.  Many of the questions asked at the recent forum have been raised many times...

Dear Editor: On behalf of Bill Fredrickson’s family, we wish to thank Dr. Robert Hunter for Bill’s end-of-life care. We can’t thank nurse Beckey and PT Valorie from Home Care for their care and compassion to us, and their professional treatment...

Dear Editor: Obviously, the latest, most controversial and hottest matter facing Sitka is the citizen-driven ballot “cruise ship” initiative, that many people will be voting on tomorrow. Having read many of the views and comments on both sides of...

Dear Editor: I write to shine a light on some of the most dedicated professionals in our Sitka school district – our paraprofessionals who work tirelessly with children experiencing special needs. These remarkable individuals deserve our...

Dear Editor: Like many people who call Sitka home, whether you arrived recently or your family has been here for generations, I care deeply about this place and its future. I believe we all want the same thing: to protect what makes Sitka special...

Dear Editor: On behalf of Blatchley Middle School, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to three generous local businesses for their support of the eighth grade end-of-year picnic: AC Lakeside Grocery Store, Island View Resort &...

Dear Editor: I am writing to encourage thoughtful consideration of the City and Borough of Sitka’s ongoing efforts to manage cruise ship tourism. For over two years, the CBS – through the work of the Assembly, the Tourism Task Force, and now the...

Dear Editor: I want to begin by sharing some powerful words that have fueled my determination through both trials and triumphs – words that remind us of the essence of true courage: “It is not the critic who counts; not the one who points out how...

Dear Editor: Five new cell towers are proposed in Sitka by one provider, who disclosed that information in a meeting before the Planning Commission. Their proposed 120-foot tower at 116 Nancy Court was denied a variance by the Planning Commission...

Dear Editor: The tourist industry in Sitka is thriving, and it will continue to do so if Proposition 1 passes. There’s been a lot of talk and numbers thrown down about how bad Proposition 1 is. There seems to be a false narrative going around that...

Dear Editor: Larry Edward’s recent LTE was very helpful in putting the effects, and lack of dire consequences, of the 300,000 cruise passenger cap in perspective. Two reports were presented at the last Assembly meeting that give me hope and...

Dear Editor: If you live in Sitka, I don’t have to tell you how important the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program is. It helps ensure your schools are well-staffed and that your communities have the resources to maintain roads and provide emergency...

Dear Editor: Please allow me to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge a local business that has been quietly providing Sitkans with a wonderful service for at least two decades. Old Harbor Books has been delivering books to the Sitka Jail...