Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Airport Baggage Belt Maintenance

10/6/2025

As part of the Airport Terminal Improvement Project, the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport will perform maintenance on the baggage belt system from Monday, October 6 through Monday, October 13, 2025. During this time, checked-bag screening operations will be temporarily relocated, and staff will be hand-carting luggage between areas. Travelers are encouraged to arrive early and allow additional time for checked luggage screening.

Thank you for your patience while this work is underway to support ongoing improvements at the airport.

For questions, please contact Airport Terminal Manager Joseph Bea at joseph.bea@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.1803.

DBE and ACDBE Public Consultations - Open to Interested Businesses

10/6/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS), in partnership with Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), will host two virtual public consultations Tuesday, October 7, for businesses interested in participating in the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs.

The DBE Public Consultation for the Sitka Seaplane Base will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the ACDBE Public Consultation for the Rocky Gutierrez Airport at 1:45 p.m. These meetings are designed for existing and potential DBE and ACDBE firms, including contractors, subcontractors, concessionaires, vendors, and other stakeholders who wish to learn more about program eligibility and upcoming opportunities.

Both consultations will provide an opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on the Federal Fiscal Year 2026–2028 goal methodologies for each program. Interested businesses are invited to attend. For meeting details and registration information, contact project Manager Megan Zollars at mzollars@dowl.com. Questions may also be directed to the Alaska DOT&PF Civil Rights Office at 907-269-0846 or dbegoalmethodology@alaska.gov. 

Public Invited to Comment on Sitka Seaplane Base Environment Assessment

10/6/2025

The FAA public comment period for the Sitka Seaplane Base (SPB) draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment closes on Monday, October 13, 2025. A public open house will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive, Sitka. The project proposes to address capacity, safety, operational, and condition deficiencies at the existing SPB by deactivating the current facility and constructing a new SPB. Community members are encouraged to review the draft assessment and share feedback before the deadline. 

For questions, please contact Airport Terminal Manager Joseph Bea at joseph.bea@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.1803.

Torch-Fire Enamel Earrings Make & Take Workshop

10/6/2025

Petersburg-based artist Ashley Lohr will teach two torch-fired enamel earring-making workshops at Sitka Public Library on November 8th. The cost of the workshop is $70 per person and all materials will be provided. Classes are open to students aged 18 and older, and all experience and skill levels are welcome. Space is limited and registration begins on October 11th. To register, please visit Sitka Public Library and pay via cash or check to reserve your spot. For more information, please call Margot at 907.747.4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.

GPIP Scrap Yard Closure

10/6/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka’s Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Scrap Yard located at 4655 Sawmill Creek Road will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., GPIP Scrap Yard will resume regular business hours until 4:00 p.m.

Please contact the CBS Public Works Department with any questions. 907.747.1804.

Commission Meeting Updates: Week of October 6

10/4/2025

• The Port and Harbors Commission meeting originally scheduled for October 8 has been postponed (new date to be determined).

• The Sustainability Commission meeting scheduled for October 6 has been cancelled.

• The Tourism Commission meeting scheduled for October 9 has been cancelled.

Sitka Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - October 8

10/3/2025

The Sitka Historic Preservation Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. The Commission will review a nomination of 103 Cathedral Way to the National Register of Historic Places, a mariculture facility at 1332 Seward Avenue, a Section 106 request for comment of a cell tower on wheels at 1332 Seward Avenue, a Section 106 review and consideration of an associated MOA relating to a seaplane base at 1190 Seward Avenue, and a Section 106 re-review of a cell tower at 404 Sawmill Creek Road. Commission meetings are open to the public; for more information, please contact the Planning Department at planning@cityofsitka.org or call (907) 747-1814.

Strategic Plan Update Survey Open Through November 1

10/3/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) is inviting community members to participate in a Strategic Plan Update Survey, open now through Saturday, November 1.

The survey is designed to gather feedback on where CBS should focus its efforts in 2026 and to determine whether adjustments to the current strategic plan are needed.

To learn more and take the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CBS-SP-3B.

For questions, please contact: melissa.lunas@cityofsitka.org. 

Pickup Indoor Ultimate Frisbee

9/30/2025

The City of Sitka Parks and Recreation division announces dates for pickup indoor Ultimate Frisbee. Games will be Saturday, October 11 and Saturday, October 25 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Blatchley Middle School Main Gym. No experience needed. Standard open gym rates apply, $4 for youth & seniors, $6 for adults. For questions, contact Parks and Recreation at 907.747.4031 or recreation@cityofsitka.org.

Harrigan Centennial Hall Planned Closure for Maintenance October 5

9/26/2025

Harrigan Centennial Hall at 330 Harbor Drive will be closed on Sunday, October 5 for maintenance. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, October 6.

Please contact Harrigan Centennial Hall Manager for information or questions at 907.747.4090.

Fall 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

9/25/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka will hold a Fall 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 5. 

All households are eligible to participate free of charge, and items can be delivered to the Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 100 Alice Loop off Airport Road. Small businesses and government agencies may participate for a fee with prior arrangements by contacting the Public Works Office at 907.747.1804. 

Acceptable items include solvents, oils, paints, antifreeze, cleaners, poisons, acids, lead acid batteries (excluding lithium ion and nickel-metal hydride), caustics, furniture stripper, herbicides, pesticides, flares, and printing or photographic chemicals.

For more information, visit www.cityofsitka.com or contact Public Works at 907.747.1804 or publicworks@cityofsitka.org.

Hey Riddle Riddle Halloween Scavenger Hunt at the Library

9/19/2025

Sitka Public Library invites youth of all ages to answer riddles by finding a number of Halloween themed pictures hidden at the library to decipher two words. Those who guess it can claim a sweet prize. This self-directed scavenger hunt runs October 1 to October 31.

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

Flight Path Library Program: Bird Scavenger Hunt

9/19/2025

Sitka Public Library invites youth of all ages to join Flight Path, a Spark of Science @ My Library initiative to celebrate the science of birds and bird migration. The first event will be a self-directed Bird Scavenger Hunt that will run October 1-October 31. Participants are challenged to hone their birdwatching skills by completing an outdoors scavenger hunt. Once they find it all, they can return the sheet to enter a random raffle to win a prize. The drawing will be on October 31.

Flight Path is a partnership between the STAR Library Education Network, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Sitka Public Library.

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

Adopt a Ghost Library Program

9/19/2025

Sitka Public Library invites youth 6 to 12 to check out any spooky book in the library collection and adopt a Library Ghost. Participants will receive an adoption certificate, and directions on how to take care of their adopted ghost. The program opens October 4 and runs until all the library stuffed ghosts have found a new home.

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

Reminder: Check Your Utility Account Online

9/24/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka encourage all customers to log in to the online portal and review their accounts as soon as possible to ensure payments are current and to avoid service interruption.

As a reminder, customers who were enrolled in autopay prior to August 1 must re-enroll through the new portal. After re-enrolling, please confirm your autopay settings so future payments process correctly.

For questions or assistance, please contact the Utility Office at 907.747.1818 or utilities@cityofsitka.org.

Seasonal Sales Tax Rate Change October 1

9/15/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka Tax Office would like to remind all citizens that the seasonal sales tax rate will decrease to 5% effective October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Bed Tax for rentals less than 30 days remains at 6% year-round. If you have any questions, please contact the Tax Office at 907.747.1840 or tax@cityofsitka.org.

Sitka Cross Trail - Granite Creek Bridge Closure Until Further Notice

9/12/2025

The Granite Creek Bridge on the new section of the Cross Trail near Harbor Mountain Road has sustained significant storm damage and is closed until further notice. The bridge experienced structural damage and pedestrian traffic could cause further damage. 

For your safety, please avoid the area and follow all posted signage. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this timeframe. Please contact the CBS Public Works Department with any questions. 907.747.1804.

Adult Game Night at Sitka Public Library

9/11/2025

Sitka Public Library will host free adult game nights from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 14th and 28th. Games from the Sitka Public Library collection will be available, and games from home are welcome! Individuals and groups of all skill levels are invited to join. For more information, please call Margot at 747-4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.

Directors' Forum at Sitka Public Library

9/9/2025

The American Documentary Film and Animation Festival (AmDocs) and Sitka Public Library will host a diectors’ forum moderated by Ellen Frankenstein at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 11th in the Sitka Public Library Multipurpose Room. Join us to meet some of the featured directors from the AmDocs Festival and learn more about the art and industry of filmmaking. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call Margot at 907.747.4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.

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.

Traffic Flow Modification at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Terminal