Author: kfskadmin

Petersburg organizers are developing a new charitable foundation. It has a broad mission to help fund local non-profit efforts – from education and the arts to health, community heritage and local infrastructure projects. Called the Frederick Sound Community Foundation, it’s essentially an endowment that’s invested with many other such funds around the state under the umbrella of the Alaska Community Foundation. The idea is to minimize administrative costs and maximize interest so the fund can award grants each year to local causes. The statewide Rasmussen foundation is encouraging the development of these community foundations by offering matching grants to help build start-up funds like the one in Petersburg. Matt Lichtenstein sat down with the Frederick Sound Community Foundation steering committee members Kris Norosz, Cindy Lagoudakis (log-uh-dock-us) and Sue Paulsen to find out more about how it will work:

Petersburg police have brought-on two new officers in the past year. In February, we spoke with newly –hired trainee Joey Bogs who is now at the law enforcement academy in Fairbanks. Petersburg's next newest officer is Jerrod Pop. Originally from Fairbanks, pop is 22 years old and has already attended the academy. He’s been on the job in Petersburg since July. Matt Lichtenstein recently spoke with Pop about his experience so far:

The latest design for a new Petersburg library met with good reviews this week. A crowd of over 40 people turned out for the architect’s presentation, including two city councilors who say they support putting a library bonding measure on the fall ballot.
(Note: The report incorrectly refers to a 75 hundred square foot building. The latest design is now 8800 square feet, which is up from the previous design)

The education funding bill state lawmakers passed this month will mean some significant boosts for k to 12 education in Alaska over the next five years. However, educators say it will mean a relatively small increase for schools this coming year. Matt Lichtenstein has a look at what it will mean for Petersburg:

Lilly Herwald made her first campaign stop in Petersburg last week. The Sitka democrat is running for the district two house seat now held by Wrangell republican Peggy Wilson.
Herwald grew up in green bay Wisconsin and moved to Sitka in 1985 where she’s lived ever since. She currently works as a grant and program writer for the southeast Alaska health consortium or search. Prior to that, Herwald spent 16 years working for k-c-a-w public radio in Sitka including six years as manager. Matt Lichtenstein spoke with Herwald over the weekend about why she decided to run for the house seat representing Petersburg, Wrangell and Sitka.