Melba VanHorn
Dies at Age 98
Melba E. VanHorn, a longtime Sitka resident, died April 23 at Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center. She was 98.
Starrigavan Rec
Area to Close
Road gates in the Starrigavan Recreation Area will be closed to vehicular traffic April 27-28 so the Sitka Ranger District can fell hazard trees.
The Mosquito Cove loop north of Halibut Point Road will be closed until 5 p.m. April 27. The campground loop south of Halibut Point Road, including access to the artesian well, will be closed until 5 p.m. April 28.
The Sitka Ranger District asks that pedestrians refrain from accessing the recreation area during the scheduled closures for their own safety and to allow employees to work with minimal interruptions.
Call the Sitka Ranger District at 907-747-6671 with questions.
Artistry of Algae
Workshop on Tap
Seaweed enthusiasts can create works of art with algae while learning about Sitka’s seaweed diversity at the ‘‘Artistry of Algae’’ workshop 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
Marine ecologist and scientist-in-residency fellow Dr. Julie Schram will lead the free event. For information and registration details contact Alex McCarrel, 206-331-0897 or visit sitkascience.org.
Sitka Cirque Sets
Aerial Circus Show
Sitka Cirque will present ‘‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’’ an aerial circus show with youths and adult performers, 2 and 6 p.m. April 30-May 1 at 207 Smith Street.
Information on cast lists, live streaming options, and tickets is available at www.sitkacirque.com.
Advance purchase is recommended because of limited seating.
Due to the show’s extended run and for the continued safety of staff and performers, face coverings are required at all shows for patrons age 3 and older.
Big Rigs Sought
For May 7 Event
Big rigs are needed for 3 to 5 Preschool’s annual Big Rig fundraiser 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, rain or shine, at the Mt. Edgecumbe High School parking lot at 1332 Seward Ave.
The preschool especially is looking for rigs kids can experience – riding on and moving the gears. Those having rigs can call Marcia Hirai at 1-360-481-1505.
The family event includes fire trucks, heavy equipment and various big rigs from around town. A kids fun run starts at 10:30 a.m.
Also available will be hot dogs, nachos, pancit, baked goods, and Sitka Swirls ice cream.
Sponsors are Arrowhead Transfer, Sitka Emblem Club, Prewitt Enterprises, Hardrock Construction, Absolute Tree Care, Sitka Swirls, Hames Corporation, Sitka Bulk Foods and Sitka Soup.
F/V Drill Conductor
Training in Sitka
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a fishing vessel drill conductor class 8 a.m.-7 p.m. May 18 at NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road.
The cost for the class is $125 for commercial fishermen and $175 for all others. Register online at www.amsea.org or call (907) 747-3287.
It meets the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements for drill conductors on commercial fishing vessels.
Libertarians Set
Meet-and-Greet
The public is invited to stop by to meet and speak with Chris Bye, candidate for Congress, at an Alaska Libertarian Party informational gathering to be held noon-5 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Pioneer Park picnic shelter.
Libertarian and campaign literature will be available as well as some snacks.
PFD Mailers
Contain Errors
The “Permanent Fund Dividend Notice of Automatic Voter Registration” mailer, Forms C20-N and C20-U, contains an error.
The correct deadline to register or update mailing information is May 12 to be eligible to vote in the June 11 Special Primary Election, the state Division of Elections office said in a press release.
To review information go to https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/ or call PFD offices. The contact information is at: https://www.elections.alaska.gov/.../contactusandsitemap.php.
For those already registered to vote, ballots will be sent to the mailing address the office has on file. Review and update information at https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/ to ensure ballot is sent to the correct mailing address.
The mailers were sent only to people who applied for a Permanent Fund Dividend this year and were not previously registered to vote, and voters who provided a mailing address on their PFD application this year, that is different from the address on their voter registration record, the Division of Elections said.
STA Health
Panel to Meet
Sitka Tribe of Alaska Health and Human Services committee will meet noon April 29. It is open to the public via Zoom.
Email jade.nodes@sitkatribe-nsn.gov for the link.
Summer Hours
At National Park
Sitka National Historical Park’s hours are expanding for the summer season.
Available programming through May will vary based on staffing. Call the park at 907-747-0110 with questions.
Hours are:
–Visitor Center: Now open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
–Russian Bishop’s House: Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. starting in May, except May 1, 5, 8, 10, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29.
