Ben Hohenstatt

An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, amid a day of rain and snow. According to an airlines spokesperson, air travel this holiday season has rebounded to about 85% of what it was before the pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Air travel numbers are up, still lagging pre-pandemic levels

More than reindeer fly this time of year.

An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, amid a day of rain and snow. According to an airlines spokesperson, air travel this holiday season has rebounded to about 85% of what it was before the pandemic. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alwen Carrillo, player for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, dribbles during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. Both JDHS teams will compete in the Capital City Classic beginning on Dec. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Happy ball-idays: Teams ready for Princess Capital City Classic

Teams from near and far will face down on the basketball court after Christmas.

Alwen Carrillo, player for the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, dribbles during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. Both JDHS teams will compete in the Capital City Classic beginning on Dec. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)
This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)
Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 18, 2020. This year’s parades are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. ((Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Santa parades set for Friday and Saturday

Event scheduled for Lemon Creek, too.

Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 18, 2020. This year’s parades are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. ((Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

TMHS readies for season tipoff

The Falcons’ basketball season is ready to take flight.

The Thunder Mountain High School boys basketball team is heading into the season with a team that’s primarily a blend of sophomores and seniors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This electron microscope image made available and color-enhanced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility in Fort Detrick, Md., shows Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, orange, isolated from a patient. Putting an end to the COVID-19 pandemic will mean priming the immune systems of everyone on Earth but the virus is mutating and could take years to "settle down," says an expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID/National Institutes of Health

State detects 1st omicron case in Anchorage resident

The person had previously tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling internationally in November

This electron microscope image made available and color-enhanced by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Integrated Research Facility in Fort Detrick, Md., shows Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, orange, isolated from a patient. Putting an end to the COVID-19 pandemic will mean priming the immune systems of everyone on Earth but the virus is mutating and could take years to "settle down," says an expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-NIAID/National Institutes of Health
Cheryl Fellman checks her watch before attempting an Ice Mile. An Ice Mile is a type of endurance swim that tasks swimmers with covering a mile in water that is 41 degrees or colder. Fellman swam a mile in just under 35 minutes on Saturday at Auke Recreation Area. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Ice day for a swim

Juneau woman completes a mile in near-freezing water

Cheryl Fellman checks her watch before attempting an Ice Mile. An Ice Mile is a type of endurance swim that tasks swimmers with covering a mile in water that is 41 degrees or colder. Fellman swam a mile in just under 35 minutes on Saturday at Auke Recreation Area. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the album cover for Whiskey Class’ new self-titled EP being released on vinyl. The album artwork was done by Kelsey Lovig. (Courtesy Photo)
This photo shows the album cover for Whiskey Class’ new self-titled EP being released on vinyl. The album artwork was done by Kelsey Lovig. (Courtesy Photo)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Participants in the eighth annual Turkey Trot 5K take off from the starting line on a dreary Thanksgiving.

‘We were ready’: Turkey Trot returns with in-person fun run

Conditions along the trail were more suitable for a trudge than a trot.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Participants in the eighth annual Turkey Trot 5K take off from the starting line on a dreary Thanksgiving.
Meagan Bryd, an AmeriCorps volunteer, carries a box load of meals toward a vehicle for delivery on Thanksgiving. (Ben Hohenstatt Juneau Empire)
Meagan Bryd, an AmeriCorps volunteer, carries a box load of meals toward a vehicle for delivery on Thanksgiving. (Ben Hohenstatt Juneau Empire)
Marie and Molly Heidemann smile as molly pets Penny the turkey on Saturday at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé IGNITE Club’s second annual turkey shoot event. The photo shoot raised money to support the club, which hopes to build a small barn at the school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Marie and Molly Heidemann smile as molly pets Penny the turkey on Saturday at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé IGNITE Club’s second annual turkey shoot event. The photo shoot raised money to support the club, which hopes to build a small barn at the school. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File
Chris Shapp, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank, stands outside the food bank on Feb. 18, 2021 as a van full of food donations arrives. Schapp hopes more donations are in store for Saturday as the food bank holds its annual drive.

With demand up, food bank hopes for successful drive

Expect volunteer as local grocery stores on Saturday

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File
Chris Shapp, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Food Bank, stands outside the food bank on Feb. 18, 2021 as a van full of food donations arrives. Schapp hopes more donations are in store for Saturday as the food bank holds its annual drive.
Arthur Birling (Dan Wayne) answers a phone call delivering unwelcome news during a dress rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s upcoming “An Inspector Calls.” (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Arthur Birling (Dan Wayne) answers a phone call delivering unwelcome news during a dress rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s upcoming “An Inspector Calls.” (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A sign reading “Masks Required” lies on the ground near a softball field at Melvin Park in this May photo. The City and Borough of Juneau is lowering the community risk level for COVID-19, but masks remain required inside public spaces. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

City lowers community risk level

While masks are still required in public places, some mitigation measures will immediately relax.

A sign reading “Masks Required” lies on the ground near a softball field at Melvin Park in this May photo. The City and Borough of Juneau is lowering the community risk level for COVID-19, but masks remain required inside public spaces. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sarah (Erin Tripp) and Carl (Jared Olin) laugh while working on the Voyager project during a dress rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre's "Voyager One." The play, which is running now, is simultaneously two period pieces. One is set in the '70s, the other is in the distant future. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sarah (Erin Tripp) and Carl (Jared Olin) laugh while working on the Voyager project during a dress rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre's "Voyager One." The play, which is running now, is simultaneously two period pieces. One is set in the '70s, the other is in the distant future. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sarah (Erin Tripp) talks to Carl (Jared Olin) while the two low-level NASA workers work to make the 1970s Voyager project happen in a dress rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre’s “Voyager One.” (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New Perseverance Theatre season is ready to launch

In-person plays return with “Voyager One.”

Sarah (Erin Tripp) talks to Carl (Jared Olin) while the two low-level NASA workers work to make the 1970s Voyager project happen in a dress rehearsal for Perseverance Theatre’s “Voyager One.” (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Police are working to identify a body found near the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Man hospitalized, woman arrested after man found in roadway

He was medevaced to Harborview, according to police.

Police are working to identify a body found near the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)

Juneau’s title chase comes to an end against East Anchorage

The Juneau Huskies finished their 2021 season as runner-ups for the state’s Division I title.

James Connally (10), a senior, and Payton Grant, a junior, embrace following a touchdown. Connally caught and threw for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 30-17 loss to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. (Courtesy Photo / Larry Schrader)
Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Empire Live: Huskies play hard, fall short of title

Thunderbirds win the state championship 30-17.

Payton Grant, a junior wide receiver, makes a move following a reception against Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School. The Huskies won their last game against East 39-28 on Saturday, Sept. 4 at home. The two teams will play again for a state championship at Service High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Robin Pelkey just before her 18th birthday, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Pelkey was recently identified as a victim of convicted serial killer Robert Hansen. (Courtesy Photo)
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This photo shows Robin Pelkey just before her 18th birthday, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Pelkey was recently identified as a victim of convicted serial killer Robert Hansen. (Courtesy Photo)
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