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Sitkans Testify: Keep Roadless Rule

Cosley Bruno, with Sitka Conservation Society, gives public testimony on rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule in the Tongass Wednesday evening at ANB Founders Hall.
All who testified in the Alaska subsistence hearings the U.S. Forest Service held via teleconference Wednesday said the 2001 Roadless Rule should be kept in place to protect subsistence harvest opportunities, particularly on the Tongass National...
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2026 Municipal Election Hub

Your guide to Sitka’s municipal election, with candidate answers, ballot information, and more.
Today's top stories

Mayoral Candidates State Views, Concerns

Mayoral candiadtes from left, Kevin Mosher, Thor Christianson, and Lisa Lane.
Sitkans will elect two Assembly members, three School Board members and a new mayor, and weigh in on the Assembly’s special election discretion when they vote in the municipal election on Tuesday, Oct. 6. To help voters make informed decisions,...

New Education Credits Raise Local Questions

The governor has approved the state’s first 20 Scholarship Granting Organizations under the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program, the state Department of Education and Early Development announced. Sitka school representatives say...
BRANCHING OUT – A brown-footed booby, a tropical bird, joins Alaska fishermen aboard the 58-foot seiner longliner El Dorado at Kelp Bay recently. Skipper Jasper Allbrett said the bird showed up at the boat about Sept. 19 and hung out with the crew for some three days, perching on the bow, watching the crew work and eating the fish they fed him. "He was feisty,"Allbrett said. "He'd squawk if the boys got too close." A Sitkan since 2007, Allbrett grew up in Hawaii and saw many boobys there. And now El Nino seems to be pushing the warm-weather birds north, Allbrett said. When the El Dorado left the bay, the bird flew off, Allbrett said, with regret. "It's a cool bird – I was bummed."

Branching Out

BRANCHING OUT – A brown-footed booby, a tropical bird, joins Alaska fishermen aboard the 58-foot seiner longliner El Dorado at Kelp Bay recently. Skipper Jasper Allbrett said the bird showed up at the boat about Sept. 19 and hung out with the crew...
OPEN AT LAST - A man and a child walk across Maksoutoff Street Thursday morning as the last of the portable restrooms that blocked the city street the past five months is towed away. The street is the only vehicle connection from Harbor Drive to Sitka's main business street, and was shut down for the benefit of passengers on the 326 port calls to Sitka during the cruise ships season, which ended Wednesday.

OPEN AT LAST

OPEN AT LAST - A man and a child walk across Maksoutoff Street Thursday morning as the last of the portable restrooms that blocked the city street the past five months is towed away. The street is the only vehicle connection from Harbor Drive to...
The Naa Kahidi Dancers perform Wednesday night during the Orange Shirt Day Remembrance Event at the Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. The event, organized by Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Outer Coast, was held to honor the lives and resiliency of those impacted by the Indian residential school experience. More than 100 people attended the evening program that included a dinner served by Outer Coast students.

Orange Shirt Day

ORANGE SHIRT DAY - The Naa Kahidi Dancers perform Wednesday night during the Orange Shirt Day Remembrance Event at the Sheet'ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. The event, organized by Sitka Tribe of Alaska and Outer Coast, was held to honor the lives and...

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Community news
Life Celebration for Burgess Bauder
A celebration of the life of Burgess Bauder will be held at Halibut Point Recreation Area from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 4. Burgess died on Aug. 27 in Sitka. Attendees can take a dish to share, their own drinks, and wear pink in his honor,...
Max E. Williams Services Oct. 10
Services for Max Edmund Williams, whose Tlingit name was K’wanee, will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the New Life Apostolic Church, 101 Cascade Creek Road. Max was born in Yakutat on Sept. 9, 1944, and passed away peacefully at home in...
Fisheries Trust Gets Grant For Data Collection in S.E.
Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust has received $293,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to expand electronic logbook and industry-led oceanographic data collection in the Southeast Alaska salmon troll fishery. Data will be...
School Board Meets Oct. 7
The Sitka School Board will hold its regular meeting 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Harrigan Centennial Hall. The meeting will be preceded by a work session at 4:30 p.m. and staff recognitions at 5:45 p.m. The full agenda can be found by following the link on...
Early Voting Event Oct. 17
All are invited to stop by the Crescent Harbor shelter 10:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 17, to learn about early voting in Alaska – why it is important and where and how to do it. The free public event is sponsored by No Kings and Sitka...
Broadcast Set of Sitka Tells Tales
Sitka Tells Tales, the live storytelling series, will present the broadcast premiere of “Why Not: Stories of Taking Risks, Making a Change and Giving Back,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, airing and streaming on KCAW Raven Radio. The program features...
Unitarians Gather For Discussion
Sitka Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, Oct. 4, will join in a lay-led discussion on the role of prayer in religious faith. The fellowship will gather for coffee and conversation at 10:30 a.m., with the service starting at 10:45. At...
City’s Commercial Passenger Vehicle Ordinance Discussed
An informal meeting with Assembly members Thor Christianson and Scott Saline will be held 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Harrigan Centennial Hall to discuss the proposed Commercial Passenger Vehicle Ordinance. The Ordinance would repeal the city’s...
Sitka Woman’s Club To Meet Saturday
Sitka Woman’s Club will meet noon Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Pioneers Home Manager’s House for a regular business meeting. An informal ‘‘Meet and Greet’’ with Assembly candidates will start the meeting, along with coffee, tea and cookies. ‘‘Bring...
‘Monster Mash Bash’ on Oct. 23
The city Parks and Recreation division will host the Monster Mash Bash 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Blatchley Middle School. The public is invited to this family Halloween event. It will include Halloween-themed games, crafts, prizes, a photo...

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Police blotter

Police Blotter
October 2, 2026

Police Blotter Sitka Police Department logged the following calls Thursday. Thursday, October 1 Vehicles left parked at Back Beach and Eliason Harbor for some time were tagged for impounding. A report of fraud was logged at 1:13 p.m. A...

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Obituaries
Burgess Bauder with LuvBug, left, and Ralph the white greyhound. (Photo provided)
Burgess Bauder's Full Life to be Celebrated
Please print the week of September 28—October 2 Obituary for Burgess Bauder Burgess Bauder finally died… he loved pink. But before he died… he survived. Burgess survived growing up in Tacoma, Washington, as an only child, born December...
Life of Deborah Vilandre To be Celebrated Sept. 20
In the presence of her loving family, Deborah Suzanne (Bernhardt) Vilandre passed away on June 11, 2026, at her home in Cheney, Washington, after a two-year battle with ALS.  She was 63 years old. A celebration of her life will be held 2-4...
Jennifer (Hanson) Mayville Dies in Washington at 61
Jennifer Eileen (Hanson) Mayville went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2026, at her home in Bellingham, Washington. She was 61. She was born in Sitka on November 19, 1964, the daughter of Kent …
In Loving Memory – Keith Gibson
June 13, 1962-August 27, 2026 Keith Gibson of Sitka, Alaska, lived a life marked by service, creativity, faith, and a deep love for the natural world. A gifted storyteller with a remarkable range of talents, Keith brought curiosity, humor, and...

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Sports

Wolves to Take the Courts in Juneau For JIVE Volleyball Tournament

Mt. Edgecumbe High School junior Kasia Barnes spikes as Sitka High senior Bristol Clifton defends Tuesday night at Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
Sitka High will go up against Cordova in opening round pool play this afternoon in the Juneau JIVE volleyball tournament. Other participating teams in the two-day tournament hosted by Yadaa.at Kalé Juneau High School are Juneau-Douglas varsity...

Wolves Ready to Spike, Set, Bump in Juneau

Sitka High School sophomore Addie Marx bumps the ball in a game against Mt. Edgecumbe High School Tuesday night in the B.J. McGillis Gym.
After a late-night win against the Mt. Edgecumbe Braves on Tuesday, the Sitka High volleyball team was full of energy Wednesday as they went back to work on their skills to be ready for this weekend's Juneau Jive tournament, Friday and...

Wolves Volleyball Beats Braves in Second Battle of the Bridge

Sitka High School senior Bristol Clifton spikes past Mt. Edgecumbe High School defenders senior Marlee Chris and junior Kasia Barnes Tuesday night at Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
Just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mt. Edgecumbe High School's B.J McGillis gymnasium, the Sitka High Wolves varsity volleyball team won their third set to secure the second "Battle of the Bridge" game between the two teams this season. "It was an...

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Sitka Yesterday
October 2, 2026

20 YEARS AGO

September 2006

SEARHC will raise the Kooteeyaa Project Wellbriety totem pole during a ceremony in front of the SEARHC Community Health Services building. The totem pole will have the Tlingit name Yei eek kwa neix, which means “you are going to get well.” Tlingit master carver Wayne Price has been working on the pole since April.

50 YEARS AGO

September 1976

Claims from political ads: “Free Rides to the Polls - Call Republican headquarters.  Don Young cares about Southeast Alaska!  Repeal Limited Entry! paid for by Jud Lanier •• District 3 has good, honest, experienced Representation. Why Change? Re-Elect Rep. Richard I. (Dick) Eliason. ** Save Our Salmon! Keep Limited Entry, Vote ‘No” on Prop. 5!!!!

Read previous Sitka Yesterdays

Around Alaska
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in DFW Airport, Texas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The Latest: Trump will campaign in Alabama ahead of the midterm elections

President Donald Trump is back on the campaign trail as he seeks to shore up lagging enthusiasm in his party ahead of next month’s midterm elections. On Friday, he’ll attend a rally in Alabama, …

Navy warship named for Alaska statesman Ted Stevens

Before he was known to Alaskans as “Uncle Ted,” Ted Stevens was a decorated war hero, making dangerous missions behind enemy lines as part of the Flying Tigers, a group of American pilots who fought the Japanese in the China-Burma-India theater of World War II. Stevens represented Alaska as one of the longest-serving U.S. senators […]

Local code and utility tariffs are tools Alaska can use to fix the housing shortage

Alaska has roughly the population it had in 2013. What little growth the state has seen in the past three years came from residents over 65, while the working-age population shrank. A state that is not growing should not have a housing shortage. It has one anyway. Rental vacancy in March was 4.9% in Anchorage, […]

Vice President Vance to visit Fairbanks on Monday, Trump expected in Alaska later this month

Vice President J.D. Vance will hold a campaign event on Monday in Fairbanks to boost Republican candidates in this year’s general election, and President Donald Trump is expected to visit Alaska later this month on a similar mission. The vice-president’s visit was officially announced Friday by the Trump 47 Committee, an operation of the Republican […]

Some commercial fishermen have turned on President Donald Trump, blaming his actions and policies for generating high fuel prices, trade wars and economic uncertainties that undermine their businesses. (AP Video and Production by Rodrique Ngowi)

Trump tried to make an ally out of fishermen. Some have started to turn on him

Some commercial fishermen have come to question whether Trump is meeting the needs of an industry he has long leaned on for support. Trump sought to make an ally out of fishermen during his first …

Korean officials confirm no deal exists to invest in Alaska natural gas pipeline

Korea has not agreed to invest $54 billion in the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline — and has not even agreed to invest at all, its national industry minister, Kim Jung-kwan, told reporters in Seoul on Thursday. His remarks came hours after President Donald Trump held a news conference in the White House to incorrectly […]

Living with bears in Anchorage: We can do better

News that 20 or more bears have been killed in Anchorage this year, mostly because they’ve gotten into the habit of eating human trash, is both disheartening and infuriating. People who live in the municipality, like elsewhere in Alaska, have long known what steps to take to minimize bear-human conflicts. At the top of the […]
FILE - Permafrost melts on the coast in Newtok, Alaska, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Heat-trapping gas once frozen in Arctic ground is slowly leaking and warming the planet

Scientists warn that thawing permafrost in the Arctic is releasing large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide, adding to global warming. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the …

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From the Associated Press
National news
In this image taken from video provided by Jacob Hutzler shows Hutzler flies his paramotor to work as an air traffic controller in Pueblo, Colo., on Aug. 13, 2026. (Jacob Hutzler via AP)

Meet the air traffic controller who flies himself to work

Jake Hutzler spends his workdays directing planes from an airport tower. Once a week, he gets there by strapping a propeller to his back and taking to the skies of Colorado. Before his commute, the …
FILE - Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada speaks to the media after the execution of Harold Wayne Nichols, Dec. 11, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Tennessee's prisons chief is resigning after failed execution of Christa Pike

The head of Tennessee’s prison system is resigning after the failed execution of Christa Pike. The announcement was made by Gov. Bill Lee on Saturday. Tennessee Department of Correction …
FILE - Clockmaker Scott Gow adjusts the hands of a clock at the Electric Time Company, Oct. 30, 2024, in Medfield, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Trump urges calls to Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton in push for permanent daylight saving time

President Donald Trump is urging people to call what appears to be the personal cellphone number of Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas. Trump wants the Senate to help pass the Sunshine Protection Act to …
Palestinians inspect the site of an early morning Israeli airstrike in Gaza city, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Co-pilot in FlyDubai attack is identified, and other Mideast developments

The co-pilot suspected in this week’s FlyDubai attack has been identified as an Omani national. A Gulf diplomat says investigations are underway to establish whether he acted as a “lone wolf or …
International
FILE - An Ethiopian flag is seen in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 5, 2022. (AP Photo, File)

Ethiopian federal forces retake Mekelle airport from Tigrayan fighters, residents say

Ethiopian federal forces have retaken Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters. That's according to residents who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution by …
An FlyDubai plane carrying Israeli passengers who had earlier been aboard another FlyDubai aircraft that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia approaches Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

UAE says FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with cockpit's crash axe

The United Arab Emirates says the co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight that nearly crashed with 182 people on board attacked the captain with the cockpit’s crash axe in a “terrorist attack.” Earlier …
Activists camp during a protest following the eviction last Wednesday of 87-year-old Maricarmen to demand stronger laws to protect renters at Sol square in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

What to know about Spain's housing protests sparked by the eviction of the 87-year-old Maricarmen

Public outrage over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman has put Spain’s left-wing government under immense pressure to tackle the nation’s housing cost crisis. Around a thousand protesters have …
This is a court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Iranian nationals of Salam Ahmadyan, 36, left, of Liverpool and Rahman Salehi, 34, of Salford who have been remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning, Oct. 3, 2026, charged with preparation for terrorist acts over an alleged bomb plot against the Jewish community in Manchester. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

Prosecutor says 2 Iranian men scouted a UK synagogue for a chlorine bomb plot

Two Iranian men have been accused of plotting to bomb a Manchester synagogue. Prosecutors say Salam Ahmadyan and Rahman Salehi conducted surveillance of the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue, which …
National Sports
Coco Gauff, of the United States, returns a ball to Camila Osorio, of Colombia, during the second round of the women's singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Coco Gauff advances to the third round at the WTA's China Open

After a three-week break, U.S. Open semifinalist Coco Gauff has beaten Camila Osorio 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2 in a second-round match at the China Open. It was Gauff’s first match since losing to Elena …

Yoder and Morgan power Lehigh past Fordham 34-0

Luke Yoder rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown and Derek Morgan threw three touchdown passes as Lehigh shut out Fordham 34-0 on Saturday. The Mountain Hawks (6-0, 4-0 Patriot), ranked No. 6 in the …
Philadelphia 76ers' LeBron James, center right, greats VJ Edgecombe, right, as they get ready for a group photos with Tyrese Maxey, center left, and Jaylen Brown, left, during the NBA basketball team's media day, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Camden, N.J.. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

LeBron James was balling, babysitting and putting on a fantastic show in 76ers' debut at scrimmage

Sixers fans had plenty of excitement for the debut of LeBron James in the team's annual scrimmage. Close to 10,000 fans who plunked down $10 a ticket on Saturday to essentially witness a glorified …
Entertainment
Smithsonian data scientist Mike Trizna, shows a copy on a computer screen of the first printed publication of the Declaration of Independence, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

How the Smithsonian is using AI to connect artifacts from the American Revolution

The Smithsonian Institution is using artificial intelligence to better understand its collection related to the American Revolution. The project is called Revolution Crossroads, and it aims to help …

A model wears a creation as part of the Saint Laurent Womenswear Spring Summer 2027 collection presented in Paris, France, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)

Jennifer Lopez and golden glamour dazzle at Paris Fashion Week

Saint Laurent dazzles with a river of gold at Paris Fashion Week, featuring a glossy black runway and a shimmering Eiffel Tower in the background. The show drew stars like Catherine Deneuve and Kate …
FILE - Dolly Parton poses at the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Ceremony in New York, on Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

Dolly Parton's nephew wants more time to defend himself against restraining order from her estate

Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, is seeking more time to secure a lawyer in a legal battle involving a restraining order taken out by her estate. The order was granted to Parton’s estate …
Health
FILE - A Texas Tech player wears a Monster/Big 12 patch on his jersey during an NCAA college football game against Sam Houston State, Sept. 26, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt, File)

Doctors warn about the risks energy drinks pose to kids. What families need to know

Doctors nationwide have warned for years that energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine that can seriously harm children. Effects can include abnormal heartbeats, increased heart rate, sleep …

A doctor collects an enrolled patient's blood for Ebola testing during clinical trials attempting to stop the rare Bundibugyo virus, amidst a deadly Ebola outbreak, in Rwampara Hospital in Ituri, Congo, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Dieudonne Dirole)

Inside the study for a remedy to fight Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak

More than 250 participants have been enrolled in a trial for a drug that could stop them from contracting Ebola in Congo. The Associated Press spoke to participants and doctors involved in the trial …
FILE - This undated photo taken through a microscope and provided by the CDC shows Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts found in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin. (CDC via AP, File)

Cyclospora found at Mexican farmed linked to lettuce outbreak, FDA says

The Food and Drug Administration says it found the cyclospora parasite at a Mexican farm identified as the source of a massive lettuce-borne outbreak. The announcement Friday brings the agency’s …
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