News

Kodiak Island Borough Assemblywoman Louise Stutes will not be seeking a third term. Jay Barrett/KMXT There will be two seats on the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly coming open this fall, but only one incumbent seeing re-election. Assemblywoman Carol Austerman filed yesterday, and is so far the only candidate to do so. Assemblywoman Louise Stutes, who will wrap up her second …

Stephanie Smiley Jay Barrett/KMXT The 2013 Alaska high school basketball coach of the year has found a new job. Stephanie Smiley, who spent two years at the helm of the Kodiak Lady Bears, was announced Wednesday as the director of operations for the Western Michigan University Broncos women’s basketball team. Her new boss, head basketball coach Shane Clipfell, was an …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT A new exhibit is coming to the Alutiiq Museum, one that will focus on weaving traditions. Museum Manager Katie St. John said woven objects were found everywhere in Alutiiq culture, especially in homes. “Because they were sleeping mats, they separated different parts of the area from other parts, they were used to hold food, they were used as …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT If someone is interested in nature, and looking for a summer internship, Kodiak is a pretty swell place to set their sights on. Each summer dozens of internship opportunities pop up across the island offering plenty of adventures and unique experiences. Take for instance the five budding biologists and naturalists that interned with the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Some city staffers are scratching their heads over taxi cabs these days. Sales tax revenue that should be coming from the island’s fleet of 22 cab drivers is down almost 40 percentage point this year, and the city can’t figure out why. During Tuesday’s city council work session, council members and staff discussed the topic at length and …

Jay Barrett/KMXT There’s a new wildlife management biologist in Kodiak. Nate Svoboda joined the Alaska Department of Fish and Game this week. He replaces Larry Van Daele, who has been promoted to Southcentral Regional Wildlife Supervisor. The 39-year-old Svoboda hails originally from Nebraska, and has worked for several years as the biologist for the Ottawa tribe in Michigan. He’s currently …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT Back in July KMXT told you about the effects Kodiak’s unusually sunny summer may have on salmon. The weather has since turned to the wet downpour islanders are used to, but repercussions from the sunny stretches are still visible, most recently on Afognak Island. Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association crews conducted their annual egg take of sockeye salmon in …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT After a summer filled with sunshine, most folks are trying to avoid the thought that this week’s rain might be here to stay. And even less are thinking about the prospect of snowfall in future months. But that’s exactly what the Kodiak City Council had to do during its work session last night as it planned for potential …

Kodiak Coat Company owner Bridget Milligan in her workshop in downtown Juneau. Photo by Annie Bartholomew/KTOO Rosemarie Alexander/KTOO The founder of the Kodiak Coat Company, which got its start here, in Kodiak before moving to Juneau about 15 years ago, is now moving on from water- and wind-proof fleece coats to a more genteel product line. Bridget Milligan, the designer …

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT In June, former Alutiiq Museum Director Sven Haakanson said his goodbyes to the organization, and announced his plans to move to Washington with his family. Now, after more than two months, the museum will begin its next chapter of leadership with Alisha Drabek, who was recently hired as the archaeological repository’s new director. Drabek is a Kodiak local, …