Daily Sitka Sentinel

ON THE WAY - Paddlers circle to shore before heading out on a five-day trip to Juneau to attend 2026 Celebration, an annual Native gathering hosted by Sealaska Heritage Institute, this morning at Starrigavan. The canoe trip is sponsored in part by SEARHC. More than 100 Sitka well-wishers turned out at the Starrigavan boat launch for a short ceremony that included prayers, song and rituals for safe travel. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

On the Way - Daily Sitka Sentinel Paddlers circle to shore before heading out on a five-day trip to Juneau to attend 2026 Celebration, an annual Native gathering hosted by Sealaska Heritage Institute, this morning at Starrigavan. The canoe trip is sponsored in part by SEARHC. More...

From the future of Alaska’s gas pipeline to Sitka’s housing crunch and school funding battles, Sen. Bert Stedman weighs in on the issues shaping Southeast Alaska’s future.

Sen. Stedman Discusses State Finance Decisions - Daily Sitka Sentinel Sitka Sen. Bert Stedman worked with his fellow Senate Finance Committee members at the capitol today in a special legislative session, called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy last week so state lawmakers can work on his proposed multibillion-dollar tax break...

In Sitka, Memorial Day is more than remembrance as local veterans are helping fellow veterans heal through the support and connection fostered by the non-profit Freedom Alliance.

Memorial Day a Special Time for Sitka Veterans - Daily Sitka Sentinel Dusty Kidd thinks that Memorial Day is the most misunderstood holiday in the calendar.  Rather than buying mattresses at steep discounts or having cookouts, Kidd’s tradition every year is putting American flags on grave markers at the...

TIME AND TIDE - Tim Eddy with K&E Excavating sets a stone at the foundation of the state-funded seawalk project under construction beside the O'Connell Bridge embankment at Harbor Drive and Maksoutoff Street, Tuesday. Construction of the riprap is scheduled before daylight this week as early low tides dictate pre-dawn work. Work on the $5.6 million project is expected to be completed by December. (Sentinel Photo by Reber Stein)

Time and Tide - Daily Sitka Sentinel Tim Eddy with K&E Excavating sets a stone at the foundation of the state-funded seawalk project under construction beside the McConnell Bridge embankment at Harbor Drive and Maksoutoff Street, Tuesday. Construction of the riprap is scheduled...

Community Calendar
WEDNESDAY
6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open
11-2 Salvation Army Little Store open
Noon-1 p.m. “Alaska Summer Delights - An Interactive Meditation,” Sitka Public Library
Noon White Elephant Shop open
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
4:30 p.m. Sitka Parkinson’s Support Group, 1212 Seward Ave. (the old BOQ) 907 747-3461
7 p.m. Sitka Sportsman’s Association Indoor Range open
7 p.m. AA, St. Gregory’s Church, 606 Etolin Street, info: 907-747-8866
THURSDAY
6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sitka Tribe of Alaska citizens fish distribution, City Cold Storage
10 a.m. Sitka canoe sendoff to Celebration at Juneau, Starrigavan boat launch
11-2 Salvation Army Little Store open
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, AA hotline 907-747-8866 for information
Noon Alanon Zoom, [email protected], for login info
Noon White Elephant Shop open
12:30-2 p.m. Lap Swim, Blatchley Pool
1-4 p.m. Swan Lake Senior Center cleanup event, volunteers needed
6:30 p.m. Women’s AA, Unitarian Fellowship Hall, AA Hotline 907 747-8866
7 p.m. AA, St. Peter’s basement, 611 Lincoln Street, AA hotline 907-747-8866
FRIDAY
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 907-747-8866 for information
12:30 p.m. Lap Swim, Blatchley pool
5:30 p.m. NA Meeting, St. Peter’s Church basement
6-7 p.m. Open Swim, Blatchley Pool
7-9 p.m. Lap Swim, Blatchley Pool
7 p.m. Mina Brooks-Schmidt senior soprano recital, Performing Arts Center
7 p.m. AA, St. Peter’s basement, 611 Lincoln Street, hotline 907-747-8866

Members of the Sitka Emblem Club conduct a flag folding ceremony as club officer Mindy Lowrance narrates the meaning of the thirteen folds during a Memorial Day program with the Sitka Elks Lodge in Totem Square on Monday. (Sentinel Photo by Reber Stein)

Totem Square Ceremony Honors Memorial Day - Daily Sitka Sentinel Under the American Flag in Totem Square, Sitka Emblem Club #142 and Elks Lodge #1662 members held a Memorial Day ceremony Monday honoring service members who died in the service of their country. “Today, and every day, we proudly stand behind our...

Community Calendar
TUESDAY
6 p.m. Sitka Land Trust Board, Harrigan Centennial Hall
6 p.m. Assembly, Harrigan Centennial Hall
7 p.m. Lola Hitchcock voice recital, Odess Theater on SJ Campus
7 p.m. Brave Heart Volunteers Grief Support, 120 Katlian Street
WEDNESDAY
6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open
11-2 Salvation Army Little Store open
Noon-1 p.m. “Alaska Summer Delights - An Interactive Meditation,” Sitka Public Library
Noon White Elephant Shop open
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
4:30 p.m. Sitka Parkinson’s Support Group, 1212 Seward Ave. (the old BOQ) 907 747-3461
7 p.m. Sitka Sportsman’s Association Indoor Range open
7 p.m. AA, St. Gregory’s Church, 606 Etolin Street, info: 907-747-8866
THURSDAY
6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sitka Tribe of Alaska citizens fish distribution, City Cold Storage
10 a.m. Sitka canoe sendoff to Celebration at Juneau, Starrigavan boat launch
11-2 Salvation Army Little Store open
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, AA hotline 907-747-8866 for information
Noon Alanon Zoom, [email protected], for login info
Noon White Elephant Shop open
12:30-2 p.m. Lap Swim, Blatchley Pool
1-4 p.m. Swan Lake Senior Center cleanup event, volunteers needed
6:30 p.m. Women’s AA, Unitarian Fellowship Hall, AA Hotline 907 747-8866
7 p.m. AA, St. Peter’s basement, 611 Lincoln Street, AA hotline 907-747-8866

Fourth graders at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School eagerly learned which instruments they’ll play in fifth grade band, beginning their journey in the school’s music program.

Kids Celebrate Instrument Day at Keet - Daily Sitka Sentinel Amber Blumer (alto saxophone): “I listened to it in the fifth grade band, and I especially listened to the saxophone, so I chose it because it sounds so good.” Sally Kyle (baritone): “It’s the only instrument I got a Plus on, which is the highest...

Bert Stedman says a $37 million funding package for repairs and upgrades at Mt. Edgecumbe High School is a key step toward turning the school around.

Stedman: State Funds Meeting Needs of MEHS - Daily Sitka Sentinel Sitka’s senator Bert Stedman said the $37 million in capital improvements slated for Mt. Edgecumbe High School and additional funding for school operations should help get the state boarding school turned around and heading in the right...

RITE OF PASSAGE - Blatchley Middle School Principal Ben White pauses with graduating eighth-grader Dalton Turner during presentation of certificates at today's Rites of Passage ceremony for 87 students who will be Sitka High freshmen in the fall and seniors in 2030.

Rite of Passage - Daily Sitka Sentinel RITE OF PASSAGE - Blatchley Middle School Principal Ben White pauses with graduating eighth-grader Dalton Turner during presentation of certificates at today's Rites of Passage ceremony for 87 students who will be Sitka High freshmen in the fall...

Community Calendar
FRIDAY
11 a.m. Right of Passage for eighth grade, Sitka Performing Arts Center
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 907-747-8866 for information
2 p.m. Pioneers Home Auxiliary, Pioneers Home Chapel
5:30 p.m. NA Meeting, St. Peter’s Church basement
6 p.m. Open Swim, Blatchley Pool
7 p.m. Lap Swim, Blatchley Pool
7 p.m. AA, St. Peter’s basement, 611 Lincoln Street, hotline 907-747-8866
SATURDAY
7 a.m. Sitka Salmon Derby Opens
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Open Swim, Blatchley pool
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Salty Spoke Bike Cooperative open, 4 Lincoln Street
Noon Sitka Voices for Peace and Democracy vigil, Roundabout
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
Noon-3 p.m. Salvation Army Little Store open
Noon-3 p.m. White Elephant Shop open
1-3 p.m. Lap swim, Blatchley Pool
4-6 p.m. Shark Tales Movie Night, Blatchley Pool
7 p.m. AA, St. Peter’s Church basement, call 907-747-8866, potluck upstairs at 6 p.m. on last Saturday of the month
SUNDAY
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
1-3 p.m. Lap Swim, Blatchley Pool
3-6 p.m. 3 p.m. Sacred Harp Sing, Sitka Pioneers Home Chapel
7 p.m. AA, St. Peter’s basement, 611 Lincoln St., hotline 907-747-8866
MONDAY
6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
5:30-6:30 p.m. AA, Sitka Pioneers Home Recreation Kitchen, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
6 p.m. White Elephant Shop open
TUESDAY
6-8 a.m. MEHS Aquatic Center Pool Open
Noon AA, St. Peter’s basement, call AA hotline 747-8866 for information
Noon Rotary Club, UAS-Sitka Campus Room 230
6 p.m. Sitka Land Trust Board, Harrigan Centennial Hall
6 p.m. Assembly, Harrigan Centennial Hall
7 p.m. Lola Hitchcock voice recital, Odess Theater on SJ Campus
7 p.m. Brave Heart Volunteers Grief Support, 120 Katlian Stree