Emily Russo Miller

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Kara Nelson, an addict in long-term recovery, recovery coach and director of Juneau's Haven House, is one of the movers and shakers striving to strengthen Juneau's recovery community.

Lives worth saving

Christina Love needed to come home.She had just learned that the woman who took her in and raised her for 18 years — a waitress… Continue reading

Kara Nelson, an addict in long-term recovery, recovery coach and director of Juneau's Haven House, is one of the movers and shakers striving to strengthen Juneau's recovery community.
Richard Nault, right, is the interim Director of the Rainforest Recovery Center in Juneau and Mitzi Privett is the Intake Coordinator for the treatment facility.

Rainforest’s red-tape

Editor’s Note: This is the third part of a series that examines why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment… Continue reading

Richard Nault, right, is the interim Director of the Rainforest Recovery Center in Juneau and Mitzi Privett is the Intake Coordinator for the treatment facility.
Kara Nelson, left, and Christina Love, both addicts in long-term recovery, are trained recovery coaches, helping guide drug addicts into recovery.

Juneau ‘Sherpas’ help guide addicts into treatment, recovery

Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a series that examines why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment… Continue reading

Kara Nelson, left, and Christina Love, both addicts in long-term recovery, are trained recovery coaches, helping guide drug addicts into recovery.
A collection of 52.20 grams of black tar heroin photographed at the Juneau Police Department.

This is what it takes to get into treatment

Editor’s Note: This is one part of a series examining why it’s so hard for heroin and drug addicts to get into treatment in Juneau,… Continue reading

A collection of 52.20 grams of black tar heroin photographed at the Juneau Police Department.

No murder charges for teenager

After hearing conflicting evidence from multiple witnesses of a fatal stabbing, a Juneau grand jury last week chose not to indict a 19-year-old teenager on… Continue reading

Play It Again Sports, located on Ralphs Way across from Costco, is going out of business.

Play It Again Sports going out of business

After 11 years of buying, selling and trading second-hand sports gear and fitness equipment, Juneau’s first and only Play It Again Sports is going out… Continue reading

Play It Again Sports, located on Ralphs Way across from Costco, is going out of business.
After falling on hard times and living out of a tent at the Mendenhall Campgrounds a few years ago, Apryle and Shannon McVey, and their chidren, Arthur, 13, Carrie, 14, Katie, 17, have found stable, affordable housing through Saint Vincent de Paul. SVDP is hoping more Juneau residents will participate in its annual "Adopt A Family" holiday program which makes sure children staying at the shelter have presents under the Christmas tree.

Without more donations, Adopt-a-Family looks ‘bleak’

With Christmas just around the corner, St. Vincent de Paul is imploring the Juneau community to participate in its annual “Adopt-a-Family” program, which gives presents… Continue reading

After falling on hard times and living out of a tent at the Mendenhall Campgrounds a few years ago, Apryle and Shannon McVey, and their chidren, Arthur, 13, Carrie, 14, Katie, 17, have found stable, affordable housing through Saint Vincent de Paul. SVDP is hoping more Juneau residents will participate in its annual "Adopt A Family" holiday program which makes sure children staying at the shelter have presents under the Christmas tree.

Ketchikan fishermen fined for violating Lacey Act

Three fishermen from Ketchikan admitted to violating a federal wildlife law on Tuesday for illegally catching halibut without the proper permits and selling it to… Continue reading

66-year-old Craig man accused of drug conspiracy

A 66-year-old Craig man is facing a federal drug conspiracy charge for allegedly possessing and intending to distribute half a pound of methamphetamine that was… Continue reading

Kevin Scott Nauska, 19, reads his charging documents in Juneau District Court on Friday before his arraignment on charges of second-degree murder and assault charges in the stabbing death of Jordon J. Sharclane, 37, and stabbing injuries to Sharclane's son, Michael, 19.

Charges reduced for teen accused in fatal stabbing

A Juneau teenager accused of stabbing two people at a Douglas apartment Thursday morning, killing a 37-year-old father and injuring the man’s 19-year-old son, made… Continue reading

Kevin Scott Nauska, 19, reads his charging documents in Juneau District Court on Friday before his arraignment on charges of second-degree murder and assault charges in the stabbing death of Jordon J. Sharclane, 37, and stabbing injuries to Sharclane's son, Michael, 19.

Victim’s family: Fatal stabbing was over stolen iPhone, iPod

The daughter of a 37-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in a Douglas apartment Thursday morning says her father was senselessly slain over a stolen… Continue reading

Juneau Police Chief Bryce Johnson speaks to reporters about the cause of death of Mayor Stephen "Greg" Fisk during a press conference at the Juneau Police Station on Wednesday. Local, state and national reporters were on hand for the report that Fisk died of natural causes.

Autopsy report: Fisk died of natural causes

Juneau police on Wednesday announced preliminary autopsy results indicate Juneau Mayor Stephen “Greg” Fisk died at home of natural causes, ending speculation that foul play… Continue reading

Juneau Police Chief Bryce Johnson speaks to reporters about the cause of death of Mayor Stephen "Greg" Fisk during a press conference at the Juneau Police Station on Wednesday. Local, state and national reporters were on hand for the report that Fisk died of natural causes.
Police tape and signs block the Kennedy Street walkway in front of Mayor Greg Fisk's house Tuesday morning.

JPD: Fisk’s body found with injuries, cause unknown

Juneau’s police chief said Tuesday there were “some injuries” on the body of Juneau Mayor Greg Fisk when he was found dead inside his Starr… Continue reading

Police tape and signs block the Kennedy Street walkway in front of Mayor Greg Fisk's house Tuesday morning.
Nurse Practitioner Cynthia Mattoni, the new medical provider at Front Street Community Health Center, helps Michael John Townsend with a hand injury at the clinic on Wednesday.

A comeback story: Front Street Clinic fundraises for a stable future

It’s hard to believe the Front Street Clinic was once in danger of closing.On Wednesday, two Filipino patients waited in the clinic’s lobby and chit-chatted… Continue reading

Nurse Practitioner Cynthia Mattoni, the new medical provider at Front Street Community Health Center, helps Michael John Townsend with a hand injury at the clinic on Wednesday.
U.S. Coast Guard LTJG Katharine Martorelli collects donated coats and blankets left at Foodland IGA on Monday. The collected items will be given out when the USCG Cutter Liberty makes a tour of smaller Southeast Alaska coastal communities later this winter.

Coast Guard blanket, coat drive underway

The annual Coast Guard blanket and coat drive is underway in Juneau, and so far, the donation bins have been overflowing.Decorated bins, with signs asking… Continue reading

U.S. Coast Guard LTJG Katharine Martorelli collects donated coats and blankets left at Foodland IGA on Monday. The collected items will be given out when the USCG Cutter Liberty makes a tour of smaller Southeast Alaska coastal communities later this winter.
Rayda Tegen, an addict who was recently sentenced for carrying in a record amount of methamphetamine and heroin into Juneau last year, talks about her addiction at Lemon Creek Correctional Center last week.

Addict-turned-convict: ‘We are the unwanted’

Rayda Tegen had a husband, five children and a $40,000 a year job in Tooele, Utah, for the nearly 20 years she was clean.It’s a… Continue reading

Rayda Tegen, an addict who was recently sentenced for carrying in a record amount of methamphetamine and heroin into Juneau last year, talks about her addiction at Lemon Creek Correctional Center last week.
Billy Brown of the Discovery Channel series "Alaska Bush People" pled guilty Wednesday to PFD fraud along with other family members in Juneau Superior Court.

Juneau judge rejects plea deal for ‘Alaskan Bush People’ family

A Juneau judge on Thursday rejected a proposed plea deal for the reality TV stars on Discovery Channels’ “Alaskan Bush People” who are accused of… Continue reading

Billy Brown of the Discovery Channel series "Alaska Bush People" pled guilty Wednesday to PFD fraud along with other family members in Juneau Superior Court.
Billy Brown of the Discovery Channel series "Alaska Bush People" pled guilty Wednesday to PFD fraud along with other family members in Juneau Superior Court.

‘Alaskan Bush People’ stars plead guilty in PFD fraud case

The stars of the reality TV show “Alaskan Bush People” admitted to lying about their Alaska residency and absences from the state on their Permanent… Continue reading

Billy Brown of the Discovery Channel series "Alaska Bush People" pled guilty Wednesday to PFD fraud along with other family members in Juneau Superior Court.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids. Capital City Fire/Rescue has been increasingly using this drug during emergency calls to save people who have overdosed on heroin.

In one weekend, 5 drug overdoses in Juneau

Juneau police suspect a strong batch of “China White” powder heroin may be to blame for a recent spike in drug overdoses this weekend.Five people… Continue reading

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids. Capital City Fire/Rescue has been increasingly using this drug during emergency calls to save people who have overdosed on heroin.

Man gets 25 years for near-fatal stabbing

Wielding a hunting knife over his step-sister on the stairs of their home, Wayne W. Williams stabbed her 16 times and had no intention of… Continue reading