Gregory Philson

Mary Lou Spartz talks about her interest in the SS Princess Sophia on Friday, June 22, 2018. The Sophia sank in 1918 with 343 or more people dying in the incident. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Haunting story’: Mary Lou Spartz talks about her fascination with Princess Sophia

Living on 12th street in Juneau, Mary Lou Spartz’s childhood backyard was the Evergreen Cemetery. Spartz never looked at the cemetery as ghoulish, but more… Continue reading

Mary Lou Spartz talks about her interest in the SS Princess Sophia on Friday, June 22, 2018. The Sophia sank in 1918 with 343 or more people dying in the incident. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Brad Robbins, the new owner of the Hooked Seafood Company, holds a fresh king salmon at their Industrial Boulevard location on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Homesick for Juneau, Brad Robbins returns to run Hooked Seafood

Brad Robbins was getting homesick for Juneau. After spending two and half years in Palmer, he finally got his chance to come back and do… Continue reading

Brad Robbins, the new owner of the Hooked Seafood Company, holds a fresh king salmon at their Industrial Boulevard location on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Zach Fansler

Ex-lawmaker Fansler pleads guilty, gets community service for striking woman

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment on Thursday for slapping a Juneau woman, and was sentenced to community service in lieu… Continue reading

Zach Fansler
A bicyclist cross the Douglas Bridge in November 2012. The bridge is the only connection to Douglas Island from the mainland. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City revisits idea of North Douglas crossing

A divisive issue dating back at least to 1984 on whether Juneau should have a second connection between Juneau and Douglas Island has come back… Continue reading

A bicyclist cross the Douglas Bridge in November 2012. The bridge is the only connection to Douglas Island from the mainland. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The crosswalk at Seventh and Gold Street in May 2017 before being painted back to white by the City and Borough of Juneau. (Susan Warner | Courtesy Photo)

Vandalism or art? City seeks solutions to rainbow-painted crosswalks

Rainbow-painted crosswalks downtown have the City and Borough of Juneau trying to find a compromise between public safety and creative expression. The white lines on… Continue reading

The crosswalk at Seventh and Gold Street in May 2017 before being painted back to white by the City and Borough of Juneau. (Susan Warner | Courtesy Photo)
Zach Fansler

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler withdraws from Democratic primary

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler has officially dropped out of the race for Democratic primary for House District 38. Fansler sent a letter to Division… Continue reading

Zach Fansler

Valley intersection may get redesign

A Mendenhall Valley intersection may be getting a redesign to cut down on traffic congestion and vehicle emissions. The intersection at Stephen Richards Memorial Drive… Continue reading

Priscilla Jordan holds up a king salmon caught at Wayside Dock Monday afternoon. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

‘Fishing is fishing:’ Local fishermen take advantage of weather Monday

Payton Grant barely had time to enjoy the beautiful weather before catching two king salmon at Wayside Dock Monday afternoon. Payton, 13, of Juneau and… Continue reading

Priscilla Jordan holds up a king salmon caught at Wayside Dock Monday afternoon. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

Transgender woman awarded for equal rights advocacy

Jennifer Fletcher has spent five years advocating for equal rights in the Alaska state health care coverage plan. Fletcher is a transgender woman who filed… Continue reading

New JACC funding may appear on October ballot

There is a change of plans for the New Juneau Arts and Cultural Center, and the city is being asked to help fund it. New… Continue reading

Veronica Friend leaps over a log during the Women’s Choker Setter contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Gold Rush Days brings family fun, friendly competition

Anybody can be a miner or a logger, even just for one day. That is the one of the reasons that Juneau Gold Rush Days… Continue reading

Veronica Friend leaps over a log during the Women’s Choker Setter contest at the 27th Annual Gold Rush Days Competition at Savikko Park on Sunday, June 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Michelle Bonnet Hale (Photo courtesy of Jim Hale)

Michelle Hale running for city Assembly seat

Michelle Bonnet Hale loves Juneau — even the weather. Combining that fondness with what she has learned in various jobs, Hale has decided to run… Continue reading

Michelle Bonnet Hale (Photo courtesy of Jim Hale)
Teacher Lindsay Hulbert labels boxes on Monday, June 11, 2018, as the Juneau Community Charter School prepares to move out of the Arctic Corp building this summer. The school is moving into space at Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau Charter Community School moving to a new home

Searching through folders in storage rooms at the Juneau Community Charter School, Principal Caron Smith found documents dating back 10 years about the school looking… Continue reading

Teacher Lindsay Hulbert labels boxes on Monday, June 11, 2018, as the Juneau Community Charter School prepares to move out of the Arctic Corp building this summer. The school is moving into space at Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Airport mulls North Gate reconstruction ideas

The Juneau International Airport North Gate reconstruction has two options for the future. Now it is time to decide which direction the airport will go.… Continue reading

Auk’w Kw&

Potential new nonprofit working to reacquire Native land

An ancestrally important site to Alaska Natives may soon be returned to its original inhabitants. Liana Wallace, a member of the Auk’w Kwáan tribe, said… Continue reading

Auk’w Kw&
Alaska Seaplanes announced its first flghts to Whitehorse will start Friday, June 15. Pictured here is a Pilatus PC-12 N721KP that will be making the trips. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska Seaplanes)

Alaska Seaplanes’ first flight to Whitehorse is Friday

Alaska Seaplanes is taking off for Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon territory starting Friday. This will mark Alaska Seaplanes first international destination and its 13th destination… Continue reading

Alaska Seaplanes announced its first flghts to Whitehorse will start Friday, June 15. Pictured here is a Pilatus PC-12 N721KP that will be making the trips. (Courtesy Photo | Alaska Seaplanes)
Nestor Endozo looks at his change after paying his electric bill at Alaska Electric Light and Power on Monday, June 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s utility bills could be lowered, due to federal Tax Act

Utility rates may be lowering for Alaska Electric Lights & Power Company customers due to a new federal tax law. The Regulatory Commission of Alaska… Continue reading

Nestor Endozo looks at his change after paying his electric bill at Alaska Electric Light and Power on Monday, June 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
City to hear update on Indian Point, New JACC, downtown property

City to hear update on Indian Point, New JACC, downtown property

Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch will give an update on the state of Juneau’s Indian Point to the City and Borough Lands and Resources Committee meeting… Continue reading

City to hear update on Indian Point, New JACC, downtown property
Brennan Fisher, a third-grader at Auke Bay Elementary School, describes the mansion he built during Camp Invention this past week at Thunder Mountain High School. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

‘It starts with them:’ Camp Invention gives kids opportunity to build on their own ideas

Trey Gallagher, a sixth-grader at Juneau Adventist Christian School, built a mansion complete with several computers and televisions. Now that mansion was built with cardboard… Continue reading

Brennan Fisher, a third-grader at Auke Bay Elementary School, describes the mansion he built during Camp Invention this past week at Thunder Mountain High School. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

Celebration food contest highlights traditional staples

Seal oil with cracklings — crunchy seal fat — reminds Joe Nelson of early fall mornings growing up in Yakutat. Nelson, Board Chair of Sealaska… Continue reading