Bear Warnings Issued
At Sitka National Park
The fish are running in Kaasdahéen (Indian River) and bear sign and human/bear encounters have been reported in Sitka National Historical Park.
Because of the recent activity, the park is now at level 2, medium risk (yellow) for bear activity in accordance with the Human and Bear Management Plan.
The National Park Service posted yellow advisory signs at trail entrances and is continuing morning roves along trails, using an airhorn to discourage bears from remaining in the area during the day.
Those who see bears can help park staff bycalling the new bear hotline (907-747-0145), reporting sightings at the visitor center, or telling park ranger. The date, time and location of the bear sighting and a description of the bear and what it was doing should be included, park personnel said.
Visitors to Sitka National Historical Park are being encouraged to be bear aware by following bear safety tips:
Stay Alert – Use your eyes, ears and even your nose to detect the presence of a bear. The sooner you are aware of a bear, the more time you have to react
appropriately.
Keep Fido Leashed – Dogs are required to be on a leash in the park and under your immediate control.
Be Visible, Make Noise – Bears don’t like to be surprised. A surprise encounter with a bear is dangerous. Avoid surprises by traveling in open areas with good visibility. Talk or clap to make noise as you walk, particularly if there’s low visibility. Be extra alert in windy conditions or near noisy streams that mask your sound.
Safety in Numbers – The larger your group is, the less risk of a bear attacking. Group members should stay within a few feet of each other, particularly if
visibility is poor.
Avoid Bears – If possible, change your course to avoid bears that you’ve
detected, or move slowly away from them. Never approach a bear, even from a boat or kayak; approaching a bear can cause undue stress and provoke an attack.
Store Food and Trash Properly – Keep all food, trash, and scented items under your immediate control, at all times. At home and while camping, keep a clean
area and store food appropriately. Do not allow a bear to get your food or trash. It will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for the next person.
Report Bear Encounters – If you have an encounter with a bear in the park, report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. This will alert others and enable park staff to respond appropriately to the situation, if necessary.
More information about staying safe in bear country can be found on the National Park Service website at nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Clinics Available
COVID-19 vaccine clinics are available at two sites in Sitka: Harry Race Pharmacy and SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.
To schedule with Harry Race, go to www.sitkapharmacies.com.
Call Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center Primary Care at 907-966-8318 or Sitka Medical Center at 907-966-8761 to schedule a vaccine at SEARHC.
ANS to Meet
On Saturday
Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 4 is having a regular meeting 1 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the ANB Founders Hall downstairs office.
Those with questions can call Josephine at 907-738-0712.
ORCA Plans
Book Challenge
Outdoor Recreation and Community Access will meet virtually for a book challenge, talk about weekend plans, do stretches and exercises, and play a game.
All are invited 2:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83148179417
Health Networking
Lunch on Thursday
The Sitka Health Summit Coalition’s monthly Wooch.een (together in Tlingit) health networking and learning meeting will be held virtually noon-1 p.m. Thursday, July 28.
The purpose of the meeting is to spark partnerships and to promote cross sector collaboration, learning and networking to improve the well-being in Sitka. For information go to sitkahealthsummit.org. If interested in joining the meeting, contact Amanda Roberts at amandar@searhc.org.
PST Levels Up
At Starrigavan
Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research has released advisories concerning sites with shellfish that have paralytic shellfish toxins levels above the FDA regulatory limit of 80 μg/100 g.
Consuming wild shellfish from Starrigavan North beaches may result in an increased risk of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
For more information contact Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s SEATOR program at 907-966-9650 or go to seator.org.
UAS Announces
Academic Lists
University of Alaska Southeast is recognizing students for their scholarly achievements by announcing the dean’s and chancellor’s lists for spring semester.
Sheridan L. Bacon is named to the chancellor’s list.
Those placed on the dean’s list are Abbie R. Fish, Brayden D. Massey-Jones, Julie R. Sorrells and Paula Veshti.
These undergraduates have been admitted to a certificate or degree program. Eligibility is based on a minimum of 12 credits of graded (letter grades A, B, C, D and F) course work for the semester through the UA system.
Students are recognized for achieving a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.99. Chancellor’s List students achieved a grade point average of 4.0.
