Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Utility Payment System Update: In-Person Services Restored

9/8/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka’s utility payment system outage is ongoing; however, in-person payments are once again available at the Utility Counter during regular business hours. Staff can now process all standard in-person payment methods.

The online Utility Portal and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system are still not functioning. The outage is limited to these customer-facing services, and staff are working with IT partners to restore full functionality. Updates will continue to be shared as new information becomes available.

The City and Borough of Sitka thank the community for their patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue.

Assembly Regular Meeting - September 9

9/5/2025

The Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, meeting room 6, located at 330 Harbor Drive. 

The full meeting packet and supporting documents are available online HERE. Watch the meeting live at www.cityofsitka.com or on the City’s YouTube channel.

City League Basketball Registration Open

9/3/2025

Registration for the 2025 City League Basketball season is now open! Games begin on Monday, October 6 in the Blatchley Middle School Gym. There will be four divisions: Women’s, Recreational, Competitive, and Master’s (45+).

Interested players can complete registration and pay the $80 player fee online at recreation.cityofsitka.com. Sponsor forms can also be found online; the cost is $500 per team. All payments and registration must be turned in prior to play.

For more information, contact Sitka Parks and Recreation by emailing recreation@cityofsitka.org or by calling 907.747.4031.

New Airport Terminal Addition Opened September 4

9/3/2025

Please be advised that the new airport terminal addition is open for operation as of Thursday, September 4. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening checkpoint has been relocated to allow passengers access into the new passenger holding area. The existing passenger holding area will no longer be in use. Travelers will head south from the ticketing/check-in area to the TSA checkpoint and into the new addition to board their flight. 

Deplaning travelers will exit through the addition into the existing building and access the baggage claim through the concourse. There are no changes to the baggage claim operations or location at this time.

Registration Open for Couch to 5K

8/29/2025

Register now for the City and Borough of Sitka Parks & Recreation division’s Couch to 5K!

Join KK Prussian for this free 8-week running program starting September 15. This group will meet Mondays and Wednesday from 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. at the Lower Moller Track.

Participants will be prepared with the skills and training to run in the WhaleFest 5k on November 8 (separate registration required). No experience needed, all are welcome.

Though this program is free, registration is required at recreation.cityofsitka.com. For questions, contact Parks and Recreation at 907.747.4031 or recreation@cityofsitka.org. 

Registration For Afterschool Explorers: Habitats

8/29/2025

The City of Sitka Parks and Recreation division announces registration for Afterschool Explorers: Habitats. First graders are invited to discover different biomes and the animals that live in them including coral reef, desert, rainforest, and the arctic. Each week will include plants and animal yoga poses, an art project, and a STEM project. This program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. starting September 30. All classes are held in the Xóots Breakfast Room.

Register now at recreation.cityofsitka.com. The fee for this program is $50. Scholarships are available, apply online prior to registration.

For questions, contact Parks and Recreation at 907.747.4031 or recreation@cityofsitka.org.

Notice of Regular Election Tabulator Testing

8/29/2025

REVISED 9/3/25

Pursuant to Sitka General Code 2.80.370, Logic and Accuracy testing on the automatic tabulating equipment to be used for counting ballots for the October 7 City and Borough of Sitka Regular Election is scheduled for Monday, September 8, 2025, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Testing will take place at Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive, in meeting room 3. Testing is open to the public.

Special WWII History Walking Tour

8/28/2025

A free World War II walking tour for those 55 and older is offered, sponsored by Sitka Recreation Foundation in coordination with Sitka Parks & Recreation and the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society. Tour will be held on Friday, September 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. starting at the Japonski Boathouse, 1490 Seward Avenue.

This tour will feature the historic Japonski Island Boathouse and other WWII buildings. Participants will learn about what military infrastructure was here, why it matters, and how it relates to Sitka's long history and this place as Tlingit Land. The tour will be led by Rebecca Poulson, a researcher and writer about Sitka's history.

While the event is free, pre-registration is required. Registration can be found online at recreation.cityofsitka.com or by calling the Sitka Parks & Recreation Office at 907.747.4031. Space is limited to 20 participants.

For more information, contact Sitka Parks and Recreation at recreation@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.4031.

Commercial Recreational Land Use Plan

8/25/2025

Help shape the future of commercial recreation. The 2026 Commercial Recreational Land Use Plan is being developed and the City of Sitka needs your input. Public comments will directly inform the guidelines for issuing permits, so join us at our public meetings and make your voice heard. Open Comment Period September 1 – 21, in person public engagements and meetings; September 25 6PM at Harrigan Centennial Hall, October 2 6PM at Sitka High School Library, October 14 regular Assembly meeting. For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at recreation@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.4031.

Sitka Babies and Books September Program

8/23/2025

Sitka Babies and Books and Sitka Public Library invite babies, toddlers and preschoolers to Bear is Sleeping, a program happening at the library on Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 am. A reading and activities around the theme of hibernation will be part of the event. Pre-register children will receive a free new book.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Fall Teen Poetry Café at the Library

8/23/2025

The Sitka Public Library Teen Advisory Board invites tweens and teens to a Fall poetry café at the library on Saturday, September 20 from 4 to 5 pm. Hosts are exchanging a poem for a beverage and a pastry. Poems and materials to work on blackout poetry will be available and read aloud will be welcome. All are welcome.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Leader Library Teen to meet

8/20/2025

Sitka Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, September 11 at 5:00 pm in the library’s multipurpose room. Conversation about books, planning for upcoming teen library programs, and hang-out time are part of the agenda. Teens 13 and older are invited to join the board. This is a stress-free, fun event and free pizza and snacks are included.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Junior Reporter Club Registration Opens

8/14/2025

The City of Sitka Parks and Recreation division, in partnership with the Daily Sitka Sentinel, offers a Junior Reporter Club to students grades 6-8, starting September 15. Participants will explore journalism with Daily Sitka Sentinel reporters Anna Laffrey and Cathy Li. Students will practice the fundamentals of news reporting, writing, and editing. Learn how journalists contribute to their communities and build media literacy. The club will feature field trips and special guests with lessons in photojournalism, broadcasting, social media and more. Each participant will write a project for publication in the Daily Sitka Sentinel.

Register now at recreation.cityofsitka.com. Class fee is $40, scholarships are available through the Sitka Recreation Foundation. For questions, contact Parks and Recreation at 907.747.4031 or recreation@cityofsitka.org. 

Free STEM Kits at Sitka Public Library

8/13/2025

Children 7-10 are invited to pick up a STEM kit-to-go at Sitka Public Library. This program will run every Friday from September 5 to September 26, and every Friday from November 7 to December 12. Kits are free and they will be available until they are gone.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.