ON PARADE – Children dressed as their favorite animals hold a Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H Club banner as they march down Lincoln Street on Earth Day, Monday. The Parade of Species was held in recognition of Earth Day. It was hosted by Sitka Conservation Society, University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and the Sitka Sound Science Center. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly its regular meeting Tuesday approved dou [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
“We want to hear from the public, what they value i [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
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Sentinel Sports Editor
Sitka High’s track and field athletes faced off aga [ ... ]
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Alaska Beacon
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Alaska Beacon
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Alaska Beacon
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The Associated Press
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Northern Journal
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Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
April 23
At 3:14 a.m. a downtown bar report [ ... ]
Vaughn Blankenship
Dies at Age 91
Vaughn Blankenship, a longtime Sitka resident, died Tuesday at SEARH [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
With about a month left before the end of the regular [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city will hold a public meeting Wednesday for pub [ ... ]
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Sentinel Sports Editor
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By Sentinel Staff
The Daily Sitka Sentinel and KCAW-FM Raven Radio won awards Saturday at the [ ... ]
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Alaska Beacon
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Alaska Beacon
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City to Conduct
Relay Testing
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly on Tuesday will consider final reading o [ ... ]
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Sentinel Sports Editor
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By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
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Alaska Beacon
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
‘Sonny’ Ulrich, 70, Dies; Was a Longtime Sitkan
Howard “Sonny” Gilbert Ulrich Jr.
Howard “Sonny” Gilbert Ulrich Jr. was born in Pelican, May 6, 1950.
From a young age he worked on the ocean with his father where he learned a love and respect for nature and the sea. On July 9, 1958, Sonny and his father survived the world’s tallest tsunami on record in Lituya Bay, Alaska. At the time of his death, he was the last survivor of the infamous event.
In 1967, the family moved from Pelican to Sitka to be near family and explore new opportunities. Sonny enlisted in the United States Navy in 1970, and served in the Vietnam War on the U.S.S. Saratoga. After his service, he returned to Sitka where he eventually started a family and made his home.
Sonny was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed collecting rocks, reading, cooking, camping, whittling, and foraging. He honored his Tlingit heritage by hunting and harvesting traditional foods, knowledge that he passed on to his two daughters. The outdoor experiences he provided for his family have had a profound and lasting impact on his children – for which they are incredibly grateful for.
He was a kind, sweet and caring soul who had a talent for gift-giving and storytelling. On warm days he could be found on local beaches enjoying the sunset, music, and a fire.
Sonny passed unexpectedly on January 4, 2021, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage at the age of 70. He was a faithful friend with lifelong relationships, a helpful and loving sibling, and devoted son who assisted in caring for his elderly parents. He was a beloved father, who cherished his children. He will be sincerely missed, his family said.
He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Robert Ulrich and Kurt Ulrich; his mother Agnes Ulrich; and father Howard Gilbert Ulrich Sr.
He is survived by his brother Bruce Ulrich, sister Edrie Ulrich, daughters Jennifer Ulrich and Rachel Ulrich, and many cousins. A celebration of his life will be held in Sitka at a later date, to be announced.
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20 YEARS AGO
April 2004
Michael Stringer, environmental specialist for Sitka Tribe of Alaska and a founder of the community garden, takes the concept of Earth Week literally. This weekend he hopes others will share his appreciation for “earth” and things growing in it by joining him in preparing the community garden just behind Blatchley Middle School for another growing season.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1974
Classified ads Houses for Sale: Price dropped to $36,500 for 2-story, 4-bdrm. carpeted home on Cascade. Kitchen appliances, drapes, laundry room, carport, handy to schools.