Mark Sabbatini

Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Healy icebreaker talk with Juneau residents stopping by to look at the ship on Thursday at the downtown cruise ship dock. Public tours of the vessel are being offered from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard icebreaker Healy stops in Juneau amidst fervor about homeporting newly purchased ship here

Captain talks about homeporting experience for Healy in Seattle; public tours of ship offered Friday.

Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Healy icebreaker talk with Juneau residents stopping by to look at the ship on Thursday at the downtown cruise ship dock. Public tours of the vessel are being offered from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A recount of ballots from the Nov. 5 election is observed Wednesday morning by Alaska Division of Elections officials and participants in a challenge to the outcome of a measure to repeal ranked choice voting in the state. The recount at the division director’s office in Juneau began Tuesday and is expected to last up to 10 days. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Recount for ranked choice ballot measure begins under watchful eyes of attorneys

Relative handful of oddly marked ballots questioned, few of those “quarantined” for further scrutiny.

A recount of ballots from the Nov. 5 election is observed Wednesday morning by Alaska Division of Elections officials and participants in a challenge to the outcome of a measure to repeal ranked choice voting in the state. The recount at the division director’s office in Juneau began Tuesday and is expected to last up to 10 days. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Traffic navigates a busy intersection covered with ice and slush on Monday afternoon. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Update: Pedestrian recovering after being critically injured by truck; driver arrested for DUI

Man hit while near his house is conscious and improving at Oregon hospital, fundraising organizer says.

Traffic navigates a busy intersection covered with ice and slush on Monday afternoon. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jeff Campbell moves a Santa figurine into the front yard of his annual Christmas-themed holiday house on West 11th Street in the downtown neighborhood known as The Flats on Thursday, Nov. 28. Campbell begins the decorating after removing Halloween fare and usually turns on the lights in December. Campbell has created this masterpiece annually for over 30 years. Besides Santas, the display includes candy canes, drummer boys, nativity scenes, reindeer and Disney and Winnie the Pooh characters and some of his own creations. He also has thousands of lights and speakers wired to play Christmas music and his electricity bill doubles over the display’s longevity. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

An icebreaker, a world-premiere play, a new ski season and holiday events galore arriving at week’s end

Gallery Walk, landmark anniversary for “Nutcracker,” Mexican holy feast day among seasonal celebrations.

Jeff Campbell moves a Santa figurine into the front yard of his annual Christmas-themed holiday house on West 11th Street in the downtown neighborhood known as The Flats on Thursday, Nov. 28. Campbell begins the decorating after removing Halloween fare and usually turns on the lights in December. Campbell has created this masterpiece annually for over 30 years. Besides Santas, the display includes candy canes, drummer boys, nativity scenes, reindeer and Disney and Winnie the Pooh characters and some of his own creations. He also has thousands of lights and speakers wired to play Christmas music and his electricity bill doubles over the display’s longevity. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Ariel Estrada rehearses his one-man play “Full Contact” at Perseverance Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 30. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ariel Estrada rehearses his one-man play “Full Contact” at Perseverance Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 30. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 5, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Dec. 5, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Assembly members, city administrative leaders and other officials gather for the Assembly’s annual retreat where they discuss policy and budget goals for the coming year in the Juneau International Airport’s conference room on Dec. 2, 2023. This year’s retreat is scheduled Saturday at the same location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

CBJ’s budget being squeezed by lots of requests for extra funds, finance director warns

City ended FY24 with extra $10M in bank, but Assembly spent extra $6.5M during first five months of FY25.

Juneau Assembly members, city administrative leaders and other officials gather for the Assembly’s annual retreat where they discuss policy and budget goals for the coming year in the Juneau International Airport’s conference room on Dec. 2, 2023. This year’s retreat is scheduled Saturday at the same location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Porcupine lift on the beginner’s hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area is scheduled to open Saturday, but rain is keeping the main portion of the resort closed, officials announced Wednesday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest to open Porcupine lift on Saturday with tickets as low as $11, but rain thwarts full opening

Ski area offering 50% off ticket price for beginner hill lift for people donating to food drive.

The Porcupine lift on the beginner’s hill at Eaglecrest Ski Area is scheduled to open Saturday, but rain is keeping the main portion of the resort closed, officials announced Wednesday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Rose Burke, 9, a fourth-grade student from Kenai, flips the switch to illuminate the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during a ceremony Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson watches next to her. (Screenshot from C-SPAN broadcast)

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from Wrangell decorated with 10,000 ornaments made by Alaskans is lit

Rose Burke, 9, of Kenai, flips the switch after reading her essay about the tree during ceremony Tuesday.

Rose Burke, 9, a fourth-grade student from Kenai, flips the switch to illuminate the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during a ceremony Tuesday night in Washington, D.C., as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson watches next to her. (Screenshot from C-SPAN broadcast)
The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel)

Coast Guard suspends search for five people aboard fishing boat that reportedly capsized near Juneau

Officials search more than 108 square nautical miles for Sitka-based boat in wintry conditions.

The fishing vessel Wind Walker fishes near Sitka on March 29, 2022. (James Poulson/The Daily Sitka Sentinel)
A map shows projected population changes in Alaska between 2023 and 2050. (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section)

Southeast Alaska’s population expected drop 17% by 2050, by far the most statewide

State expects to lose 15,000 residents, 12,000 of them from Southeast, according to report.

A map shows projected population changes in Alaska between 2023 and 2050. (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section)
Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
William James (standing) hands plates of Thanksgiving food to family members during a communal holiday meal hosted by The Salvation Army Juneau Corps on Thursday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Feeling full and thankful among family, friends and strangers

About 300 people indulge in introductions and feast fixings at annual communal Thanksgiving meal.

William James (standing) hands plates of Thanksgiving food to family members during a communal holiday meal hosted by The Salvation Army Juneau Corps on Thursday at the Juneau Yacht Club. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A storm warning for Juneau, extended until noon Monday, shows snow totals expected between 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. (National Weather Service Juneau)

CBJ and state closes facilities all day Monday, remote learning day for schools as heavy snowstorm fouls roads

“If you don’t have to be on the road, stay home” due to snowy/icy roads, CCFR warns Monday morning.

A storm warning for Juneau, extended until noon Monday, shows snow totals expected between 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. (National Weather Service Juneau)
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

First update in 20 years of citywide commercial-use rules for parks and trails proposed in new study

Plan to be discussed Tuesday bans commercial use of Perseverance Trail, Sunshine Cove Natural Park.

A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
John and Laura Doogan pick up Pakistani soul food from Sara Fatimah, owner of Alaska Desi Aunty, one of the food stands at the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Friday. The market continues through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hot start for Juneau Public Market as holiday season begins with frigid, wintry weekend

About 200 clothing, craft, food and other vendors at Public and Indigenous markets through Sunday.

John and Laura Doogan pick up Pakistani soul food from Sara Fatimah, owner of Alaska Desi Aunty, one of the food stands at the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Friday. The market continues through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mary McGee, the first U.S. woman to become a professional motorcycle racer, is seen in a documentary of her life that debuted on Thursday, one day after her death. (Promotional photo from ESPN Films)
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‘Motorcycle Mary’ McGee, a Juneau-born woman who became a racing pioneer, dies at age 87

Life of first U.S. woman to race motorcycles captured in documentary released day after her death

Mary McGee, the first U.S. woman to become a professional motorcycle racer, is seen in a documentary of her life that debuted on Thursday, one day after her death. (Promotional photo from ESPN Films)
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The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 23, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 23, 1984. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alan Young (left) conducts while John Cooper reads the words to “The Night Before Christmas” during a rehearsal Wednesday for holiday concerts by the Taku Winds brass ensemble at K̠unéix̠ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Taku Winds takes on challenge of opening “Christmas Wrapped in Brass”

Concerts featuring holiday music from 10 to 1,000 years old scheduled Friday and Saturday

Alan Young (left) conducts while John Cooper reads the words to “The Night Before Christmas” during a rehearsal Wednesday for holiday concerts by the Taku Winds brass ensemble at K̠unéix̠ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Austin Treston (wearing Santa hat) and Oliver Albrecht, both 11, lead off participants in the mile-long course during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday along the Airport Dike Trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Snow makes things extra flaky for more than 300 people at 11th annual Turkey Trot

Big costumes and big strollers still show up to plunge along the pre-Thanksgiving feast trail.

Austin Treston (wearing Santa hat) and Oliver Albrecht, both 11, lead off participants in the mile-long course during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday along the Airport Dike Trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)