CoastAlaska

Sitka High School senior Rianna Bergman is a competitive “speedcuber.” She can solve a Rubik’s Cube in 15 seconds, give or take. And with every new algorithm she learns (she knows around 40 of them) she gets faster. buff.ly/3W86xKV

Ketchikan’s Borough Assembly is set to vote Monday on an ordinance that would require owners of short-term rentals to secure free annual permits. It’s part of a larger effort to track how these types of rentals are affecting Ketchikan’s housing market. buff.ly/3GSElVC

As the school year draws to a close, two challenges loom over the Haines School District, low funding and a shortage of teachers for the next year. According to Superintendent Roy Getchell, those challenges are being met. buff.ly/3N2qSym

There are many ways to prepare herring eggs in Sitka. Freshly spawned eggs on hemlock branches, dipped in hooligan (eulachon) or seal oil, is a classic method, as is lightly sauteed in a pan with sesame or olive oil and eaten straight up. buff.ly/3KHDXum

In 2020, Sitka set a record for early voter turnout in the municipal election. Over 1,300 people showed up to cast their ballots in the last weeks of September, rather than on election day. buff.ly/3oryoZn

Deputy Police Chief Bill Simms said police do not suspect foul play in any of the deaths. The last four remain under investigation, and he said officers are waiting on final autopsy reports from the State Medical Examiner. buff.ly/3mNJYhi

The national marine sanctuary would be named Alaĝum Kanuux̂, or Heart of the Ocean — and if approved, it would be the first of its kind in Alaska, possibly creating a new precedent for resource management in the state. buff.ly/3orsrvw

Some Craig residents reported in a local Facebook group that their water tasted bad, left stains in their toilets or irritated their skin. buff.ly/3GWvoLc

Commercial jets are particularly affected by ash when flying at higher altitudes, where particles in the cloud — essentially, tiny rocks — could damage their engines. buff.ly/43KfmOb

Skagway residents will soon be asked whether or not the municipality should sell the Dahl memorial clinic business to SEARHC. The question will be posed in a special election today, April 18. buff.ly/3mErDmD

The Alaska House of Representatives on Monday approved a $6.4 billion state operating budget for the 12 months that begin July 1, passing by a 23-17 vote a major hurdle needed for final acceptance of the state’s annual operating plan. buff.ly/3mNuAS4

The world’s largest flying salmon took its final swim upstream April 17. KSTK went to greet Alaska Airlines’ Salmon-Thirty-Salmon in Wrangell on its ceremonial last flight. buff.ly/3MZEECd

For everyone who eats fish in Alaska: Mercury is in the food chain, and it’s particularly prevalent in seafood. And while the amount of mercury found in Alaskan seafood remains far below dangerous levels, a pair of researchers want to keep an eye on it. buff.ly/41FJpVh

The new curriculum is designed to pair well with the screeners the school will be using starting in the fall. The screeners are standardized tests designed to measure reading proficiency. buff.ly/3mylMz9

“We come together and fight medieval-style combat and battle games, and it’s a lot of fun. Our weapons are made of PVC and foam for safety, but other than that, we fight (in) medieval-style combat with armor and swords and all that.” buff.ly/3UzMLXO

Skagway residents will soon be asked whether or not the municipality should sell the Dahl memorial clinic business to SEARHC. The question will be posed in a special election on Tuesday. buff.ly/3mErDmD

The newly renovated and expanded Unalaska Public Library is scheduled to open April 30. buff.ly/3mylb0n

The 2023 pink salmon harvest is predicted to be around 19 million fish, with a probable range of between 12 and 19 million. That’s what the department classifies as a weak run. buff.ly/3MMpDDG

Early estimates for the season put the total commercial harvest at just under 11,000 tons of herring, a little over a third of the state’s 30,000 ton guideline harvest level. buff.ly/3MMoc8g

"In the past, the Forest Service. . . would come out with a 10-year plan and we would be open to public comment. In this case, there is no plan. We’re asking, instead of commenting on a plan we made, that the public help us make the plan." buff.ly/3o9XoEG