SITKA, Alaska (AP) – The board of the troubled Sitka Community Hospital has selected a local businessman as the facility’s interim CEO following the abrupt departure of his predecessor.

Rob Allen was selected at a special meeting of the hospital board Wednesday, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported.

For now, Allen replaces Jeff Comer, who resigned suddenly amid the hospital’s financial problems. Comer planned to leave Sitka over the weekend, saying he was assaulted on a trail after he was recognized as the hospital CEO.

Comer took over in September and told city administrator Mark Gorman...