Healthcare series

Pandemic reveals lack of storage, limited electrical capacity at community hospital

For many hospitals, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of healthcare infrastructure. At Petersburg Medical Center, failing systems in the aging community hospital have been a concern for years. The medical center’s board has voted to pursue construction of a new building.

Tribal government distributes SEARHC hospital yard signs

The Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, also known as SEARHC, is an Alaska Native run nonprofit interested in building and operating a facility in Petersburg. Petersburg’s tribal government circulated yard signs this summer supporting SEARHC, and some say they're causing division.

What local control means for Petersburg medical care

Community members have asked for a larger discussion about the future of health care in Petersburg. For some, the decision comes down to local control of health services.

Alaska News Nightly

Supply shortages, shipping delays hit Petersburg businesses

A COVID-19 outbreak at a warehouse in Centralia, Wash., has led to shipping delays at grocery stores throughout Southeast Alaska. It’s just one of many industries and businesses experiencing supply shortages and delays more than a year into the pandemic. Produced for the Alaska Economic Report. 

Statewide study measures pollinator populations

When you hear the word “pollinator,” you probably think of a bumble bee. But a lot of different insects act as pollinators, serving a vital role in the ecosystem. Bee populations in North America have been declining for decades, but the scope of that loss, especially in Alaska, is still unclear.

'Rubber ducky, you're the one': Rotary president proposes at fundraiser

The Petersburg Rotary Club’s rubber duck race is an annual fundraiser helping raise money for the club’s community projects, scholarships and exchange programs. This year's event turned into much more than a rubber duck race.

Why the search for invasive crab species 'matters to all of us'

Green crab were recently found in Haida Gwaii, the closest they’ve ever been to Alaska. With the help of volunteers, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hopes to stay one step ahead of this invasive species.
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Forest Service searches for deadly frog fungus on Mitkof Island

A deadly fungus could threaten several amphibian species in the Tongass National Forest. On Mitkof Island, the U.S. Forest Service is using a mix of old and new methods to find it.

KFSK Petersburg

Petersburg violence prevention organization faces budget cuts

Petersburg’s advocacy group for victims of domestic violence says it’s cutting some programs because of a tight budget.

Rainforest Run supports high school cross country team

​Thirty runners and walkers turned out for the eighth annual Rainforest Run in Petersburg. Participants had the option to run a half marathon, run or walk ten kilometers.

Petersburg Medical Center urges travel testing as case numbers rise in region

​“The reason Petersburg is where it is right now, is that people behind the scenes are working really, really hard to make it that way,” said Dr. Mark Tuccillo, a physician at Petersburg Medical Center.

Higher creek water levels carry logs to fish pass, bridge

Last year’s heavy rain and snowfall continue to affect Southeast Alaska. Earlier in the summer, snowmelt led to elevated water levels at the Stikine River, Taku River and other rivers and streams in the region.

'Make new friends, but keep the old': Girl Scout camp comes to Petersburg

Girl Scouts of Alaska organized residential camps and day camps throughout the state this summer. At their community camp in Petersburg, campers and staff share what it means to them.

School board discusses potential COVID safety protocols

Petersburg’s school board and administrators are still hashing out the details of COVID-19 mitigation measures for the upcoming school year.

Mountain View Manor deck project seeks funds as costs rise

Rising freight and lumber costs have impacted construction projects all over the country. That’s the case for a new deck at Mountain View Manor, an elderly housing and assisted living facility in Petersburg. ​

Kinder Skog camp offers hands-on marine science experience

​At a Kinder Skog summer camp last week, kids explored the ocean floor with a new ROV, or remote-operated vehicle, used for underwater research.

Vigil honors Canadian victims, local survivors of Indigenous residential schools

Local Tlingit and Haida leaders reflected on their family histories during a vigil for Indigenous children whose graves were found in Canada.
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Audio postcard: Petersburg resident Art Hammer turns 100

Dozens gathered in the Sons of Norway Hall on Wednesday to wish a happy 100th birthday to local resident Art Hammer. He worked as store manager for 38 years with Hammer and Wikan, the company that’s also celebrating a century in business in 2021.

Alaska women's suffrage exhibit links past to present

In 1913, Alaska joined nine other states in granting suffrage to women. Alaska State Museums has a traveling exhibit about this history, and curator ​Anjuli Grantham says it offers lessons about voting rights today.

The Market returns, with grant recipients ready to share produce

After the pandemic pushed The Market online last year, Petersburg artists and food producers are ready to sell their goods in person again. This year, produce growers received extra support from The Market through microgrants.

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Solar-powered boat sails the Inside Passage

Boaters coming and going in Petersburg’s North Harbor may have noticed a new visitor this weekend. David Borton and his son, Alex, sailed from Bellingham, Washington, in a 27-foot solar-powered boat.

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Teens explore natural resource careers in summer program

The Petersburg Indian Association runs a six-week paid program for a select group of students. They job-shadow and volunteer for various organizations in Petersburg. The goal is to teach teens about career options in the natural resource management field.

State legislators seek to curb vaping, youth tobacco use

In December 2019, the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco increased from 18 to 21. That applied to all products — including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes. Now, Alaska is considering new legislation designed to curb vaping.

Audio postcard: Opening day at the Sandy Beach Park playground

There’s a new playground at Sandy Beach Park featuring slides, swings, monkey bars and a climbing area. Kids, parents, grandparents and volunteers celebrated the finished construction on Wednesday.

Artists celebrate LGBT identity, history in Pride exhibit

June is Pride month, a time when the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community honors its history and identity. Petersburg is celebrating with an art exhibit this week at the Clausen Museum.

Petersburg rowers honor family history in Washington race

The Washington 360, an engineless boat race around Puget Sound, started this week.
Of the 56 teams, just one is from Alaska. Jacob and Jens Hammer are from Petersburg and they’re rowing the course. The brothers see the race as a way to honor their family history.