City of Unalaska

A total of 200 ballots were counted in this year’s municipal election, down from 345 last year. Of those, 183 were cast on Election Day and 17 were early and absentee ballots.

Unalaska’s geothermal power project collapsed in 2024. But the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska is going back to the drawing board, hoping the project could cut the island’s diesel consumption.

On Tuesday, the Unalaska City Council voted unanimously to appoint Bart Hinkle to be the city's new manager.

Dozens of people gathered at the Burma Road Chapel last month for Unalaska’s second annual Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the city’s Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation.

The Unalaska City Council is again searching for a permanent city manager after candidate Abner Hoage turned down an offer for the position earlier this month.

The city’s solution is a project called DRIVE. It’s short for Developing Recycling Infrastructure and Vehicle End-Of-Life. The plan came together in 2024 and was approved by the City Council in January 2025. In December, the project got a major financial boost. Unalaska was selected for a $3.8 million grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to keep the work going.

The Unalaska Fire Department has a familiar face leading it again. Edward “Eddie” Athey took over as fire chief on March 25, returning to the same job he held on the island 20 years ago.

The Unalaska City Council will interview permanent city manager candidates next weekend. Three applicants have been selected to advance to the first round of interviews, according to a Tuesday press release from the city.

The four-day storm hit Unalaska on Dec. 26-29, bringing 100 mph gusts, elevated tides and a storm surge that swept the coastline. It damaged the airport’s runway and closed off Summer Bay Road for vehicles.

At its regular meeting Tuesday night, the Unalaska school board approved a proposed FY27 budget. It includes flat funding from the state, but a slightly larger ask of the city, which almost always grants the district its full request.