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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
FILE - President Donald Trump listens as Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, speaks while holding up a signed resolution in the Oval Office of the White House, May 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Trump rallies in Ohio to boost Jon Husted in a tight Senate race against Sherrod Brown

President Donald Trump is taking his midterm tour to Ohio, a battleground state with a crucial Senate race. He will headline a rally near Dayton to support key candidates in competitive races for the …
Los Angeles Dodgers fans look on among empty seats as they shield themselves from the sun and heat before Game 1 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Blazing triple-digit heat bears down on Braves-Dodgers NLDS opener in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Dodgers have beaten the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in the second-hottest postseason game at Dodger Stadium in nine years. The game-time temperature hit 100 degrees and the feels-like reading …
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) celebrates his 16-yard touchdown reception against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

After last-second thrills, ranked foes loom for Florida, Iowa and Mississippi State

Week 5 of college football brings suspense as No. 8 Florida, No. 14 Iowa, and No. 16 Mississippi State aim to maintain their momentum. Each team faces a ranked opponent. Florida, after defeating …
FILE - Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a news conference at the Conference Center, Jan. 27, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Mormon leader decries explosion in sports betting, prediction markets

A leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says an explosion in online prediction markets and sports betting is fostering greed among young people. D. Todd Christofferson is a top …
International
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)

Who are the mystery men who stepped in to keep the FlyDubai plane from crashing?

Three days have passed since FlyDubai attack but the two uniformed crew members who stepped in to stabilize and land the lane are still not publicly identified. FlyDubai has described them only as …
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 …
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 …
Serbia's populist leader Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a rally for the de-facto launch of his campaign for prime minister that will culminate in a pivotal election set for Oct. 25 in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo)

Thousands pack arena in Belgrade as Serbia's leader Vucic launches prime minister bid

Thousands of supporters of Serbia's populist leader Aleksandar Vucic have packed Belgrade's largest arena for the launch of his campaign for prime minister. Dozens of buses from across Serbia clogged …
National Sports
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen celebrates after striking out New York Yankees' Cody Bellinger to end the top of the sixth inning of Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Rasmussen has no-hit bid for 7 2/3 innings, Rays open AL Division Series with a 1-0 win over Yanks

Drew Rasmussen didn’t allow a hit until two outs in the eighth inning, Jonathan Aranda homered off Gerrit Cole and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 1-0 in their AL Division Series. …

BYU running back Lj Martin, left, runs into TCU linebacker Hudson Hooper (37) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

RB LJ Martin sidelined for No. 10 BYU at TCU after apparent injury in first half

BYU running back LJ Martin has left the No. 10 Cougars’ game at TCU after suffereing an apparent injury. Martin, who came in averaging 109.3 yards rushing per game, had only two carries for 16 …
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen tosses the ball to first base to throw out New York Yankees' Ryan McMahon on an attempted bunt during the sixth inning of Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Wells ends Rasmussen's no-hit bid in 8th inning in Game 1 of Yankees-Rays AL Division Series

Austin Wells ended Drew Rasmussen’s no-hit bid when he doubled with two outs in the eighth inning in Game 1 of the AL Division Series only to get thrown out trying for a triple, and the Tampa Bay …
Entertainment
FILE - Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy, left, attends an IndyCar auto race Aug. 31, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Barstool's Dave Portnoy pulled from Fox's 'Big Noon Kickoff' appearances, AP source says

Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports will no longer make appearances on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person told the AP …

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 …
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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