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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...

Read previous police reports

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 …

Read more Alaska news

From the Associated Press
National news

2 shot dead and dozens injured at Vienna, Georgia, block party shooting

Georgia law enforcement officials say two people have been shot dead and nearly three dozen were injured at a neighborhood block party early Sunday morning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said …
Opposition presidential candidate Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro accompanies his wife Fernanda Bolsonaro to vote during general elections in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.(AP Photo/Lucas Landau)

The Latest: Brazilians vote in presidential election dominated by Lula and Bolsonaro

Brazilians are voting in a pivotal presidential election featuring incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro. Preelection polls suggest both have a chance of an outright …
Irish players bow their heads during Israeli national anthem before the UEFA Nations League soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Ireland soccer players again wear black armbands and refuse handshakes with Israel team

Ireland players have again worn black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem before the teams’ second Nations League soccer match. The Israeli players also wore black …
FILE - New Orleans Saints' Steve Gleason blocks a punt which the Saints ran in for the first score of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Sept. 25, 2006. (Michael DeMocker/The Advocate via AP)

Saints remember Katrina, a punt block and 'rebirth' as they host the Falcons on Monday night

The New Orleans Saints are commemorating the Superdome's emotional first game after Hurricane Katrina as they host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. The Saints defeated the Falcons 23-3 when the …
International
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for reelection, greets supporters during a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazil presidential vote pits Trump ally against Lula, who is seeking 4th nonconsecutive term

Brazilians are heading to the polls for a high-stakes presidential election. Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro are battling for outright victory. If neither candidate gets …
Bosnia is heading into a pivotal election Sunday without Milorad Dodik appearing on the ballot for the first time in nearly 30 years, even though he remains a dominant force in the campaign and Bosnian Serb politics.

Bosnia votes as pro-Russian politician looms large over the race and ethnic tensions simmer

Bosnia is holding a general election with citizens of all ethnicities focused on everyday problems. But mainstream politicians are whipping up war-era tensions that have kept the country divided …
FILE - Matsapha Correctional Complex is seen in Matsapha, near Mbabane, Eswatini, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo, File)

An immigrant deported by the US and held in an African prison for more than a year has been released

A Laos citizen deported by the United States to Eswatini in Africa under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has been released after spending more than a year in a maximum security …
In this photo taken with a smartphone, pet owners stand in a queue to receive holy water sprinkled by a priest on pet dogs and cats during an animal blessing rites at the Malate Church in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, October. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan)

Wagging tails fill Malate Church as priests bless pets for St. Francis feast

The Malate Church in Manila celebrates the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi with a special blessing for animals. Every October 4, Catholics honor St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and …
National Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (4) gets a face mask penalty against Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) during an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase out because of a concussion after 2nd-quarter hit vs. Jaguars

Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is out because of a concussion after taking a hard hit during the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chase …

Atlanta Dream leading scorer Allisha Gray ruled out for remainder of Game 1 with left hand injury

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray is out for the remainder of Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals after suffering a left hand injury Sunday. Gray, a four-time All-Star who led the Dream in scoring this …
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball past Tennessee Titans defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

After an impressive 1st half, Lamar Jackson leaves Baltimore's game against Titans with ankle injury

Lamar Jackson has left the Baltimore Ravens’ game against Tennessee with an ankle injury. Jackson took a sack in the final seconds of the first half. Baltimore kicked a felt goal on the next play, …
Entertainment
Tom Cruise poses for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere for the film "Digger" in London, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

On cusp of merger, 'Digger bombs for Warner Bros., 'Verity' takes No. 1 at box office

On the cusp of the studio’s merger with Paramount, Warner Bros.’ “Digger” flopped in its opening weekend, handing Tom Cruise one of the worst debuts of his career and serving as a bitter …

Bruce Springsteen performs during the Power To The People Festival on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Md. (AP Photo/Alyssa Piazza)

Inside the DC 'Power to the People' festival headlined by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen and other music legends delivered a powerful message at the “Power to the People” protest festival in Maryland. Organized by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, the event …
Greta Gerwig appears at the 37th annual Producers Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2026, left, and Meryl Streep appears at The Albies in London on Oct. 3, 2025. (AP Photo)

A familiar figure, a new voice: Meryl Streep's Aslan stirs gender debate over Gerwig's ‘Narnia’

Director Greta Gerwig's film adaptation from "The Chronicles of Narnia" is sparking controversy over casting of Meryl Streep to voice Aslan the divine lion in "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew." Some …
Health
President Donald Trump gestures to reporters as he walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Trump announces $90 payments for seniors on Medicare ahead of midterm elections for premium costs

President Donald Trump is promising more payments to voters just ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. This time, the checks are going to more than 20 million seniors, giving them $90 each to help …

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 …
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