Mark Sabbatini

Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin flood tracker: Mendenhall River crests at 15.99 feet, expected to retreat rapidly

New record water level more than a foot higher than last year, causes unexpected damage to some homes.

Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pedestrian on Egan Drive critically injured in early morning hit-and-run collision with vehicle

Relative says victim, 38, has broken neck; man ‘involved’ in accident leads police to damaged vehicle.

The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents in Mendenhall River flood zone preparing, not panicking after Suicide Basin breaks

“Go” bags, alternate places to stay, other safeguards set as people watch waters expected to peak Tuesday.

Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Suicide Basin breaks, Mendenhall River expected to crest Tuesday morning with “worst case” similar to 2023

Forecast for river level of nearly 15 feet will flood numerous homes, according to weather service.

A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)
The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Callers pretending to be police, court officials are scamming locals out of thousands of dollars

People often told to pay a fine online to avoid arrest for missing jury duty, officials say.

The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett employees’ union says contract talks with hospital management at an impasse over wages

Hospital cites financial crisis due to years of deficits; union says recent program cuts free up funds.

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

‘Neutral’ Ship-Free Saturdays voter FAQ published by city; advocates on both sides cite flaws

Document focuses on efforts CBJ is making to limit impacts, plus economic and legal scenarios

Cruise ships and passengers in downtown Juneau on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
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Weather Service: Suicide Basin overflowing from top, but ‘no indication of a release at this time’

“Now is the time to start preparing for potential flooding impacts along the Mendenhall lake and river.”

Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
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The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ed Quinto retired as assistant chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue on Wednesday after 45 years with the department. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

CCFR Assistant Chief Ed Quinto, Juneau’s longest-serving firefighter, retires after 45 years

“When I was a kid I always wanted to help people, so I guess I felt like I found the perfect job for me.”

Ed Quinto retired as assistant chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue on Wednesday after 45 years with the department. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Shooting death of Steven Kissack results in pleas to Assembly for transparency, restoration of trust

Residents commenting at Monday meeting mixed about if police response during standoff was proper.

People fill the Assembly Chambers at City Hall during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. A majority of people who testified during the meeting expressed thoughts about the shooting death of Steven Kissack during a confrontation with police two weeks ago. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bishop says Resurrection Lutheran Church’s pastor and president were legally removed; they disagree

Karen Perkins and Karen Lawfer say they will stay at positions, matter should be resolved in court.

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church following the service on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Proposed Huna Totem dock clears hurdle about legality, now Assembly will decide if it’s wanted

Karla Hart says she won’t further appeal dock’s use permit, will focus on debate of project’s merits.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Participants go to great lengths to run in the rain at the Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Dashing over from cruise ship, long trip around road-blocking landslide among paths to starting line.

Runners begin the 26.2-mile Juneau Marathon at Savikko Park on Saturday morning. More than 85 people registered for the full-length race, a record for the annual event that originated in 1992, but about 20 of them failed to show up for what turned out to be a rainy run. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A skier stands atop a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Two Eaglecrest Ski Area general manager finalists to be interviewed next week

One is a Vermont ski school manager, the other a former Eaglecrest official now in Washington

A skier stands atop a hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson sings to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. He is the featured musician at this year’s Climate Fair for a Cool Planet on Saturday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet expands at Earth’s hottest moment

Annual music and stage play gathering Saturday comes five days after record-high global temperature.

Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson sings to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Sept. 23, 2023. He is the featured musician at this year’s Climate Fair for a Cool Planet on Saturday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on July 26, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital’s crisis stabilization center during its unveiling on June 14, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett Regional Hospital shuts down programs at recently opened Aurora Behavioral Health Center

Crisis stabilization program halted at center due to lack of funds and staff, officials say.

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s crisis stabilization center during its unveiling on June 14, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. Board of Trustees votes for a new chair and vice chair during a meeting in Fairbanks on Wednesday. (Screenshot from APFC livestream)

Ellie Rubenstein resigns from Permanent Fund board, Ethan Schutt displaced as chair in wake of email allegations

Trustees elect new chair, vice chair Wednesday morning; Rubenstein announces resignation hours later

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. Board of Trustees votes for a new chair and vice chair during a meeting in Fairbanks on Wednesday. (Screenshot from APFC livestream)
A car on Gastineau Avenue is partially buried by a mudslide that occurred during record rainfall on Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Photo by Simba Blackman)

New July rainfall record set for Juneau with a week to go; Suicide Basin nears 2023 fill level

No more heavy storms expected this month, according to forecaster.

A car on Gastineau Avenue is partially buried by a mudslide that occurred during record rainfall on Sunday, July 14, 2024. (Photo by Simba Blackman)