Mark Sabbatini

A Capital Transit bus serving the Riverside/Airport Connector route stops at the Mendenhall Mall. The route, which was suspended last December due to a shortage of drivers, is scheduled to resume Monday. (Photo courtesy City and Borough of Juneau)

Capital Transit resumes two suspended routes, begins core service earlier

Addition of new bus drivers allows restoration of cuts in service made in December due to shortages.

A Capital Transit bus serving the Riverside/Airport Connector route stops at the Mendenhall Mall. The route, which was suspended last December due to a shortage of drivers, is scheduled to resume Monday. (Photo courtesy City and Borough of Juneau)
A city-owned warehouse about a mile south of the Goldbelt Tram is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday. The shelter will have cots, hand-washing stations, outdoor portable restrooms and other basic services. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City: Emergency warming shelter to be open daily 9 p.m.-7 a.m. (8 a.m. Sundays) starting Friday

Multiple evening shuttles from Glory Hall and downtown, one in morning from Thane shelter planned

A city-owned warehouse about a mile south of the Goldbelt Tram is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday. The shelter will have cots, hand-washing stations, outdoor portable restrooms and other basic services. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A flyer left Thursday under a car windshield of an employee at a business near the winter warming shelter scheduled to open Friday at a city-owned warehouse in Thane informs residents of an Assembly meeting Monday to discuss the shelter. The flyer also refers to a petition leaders at Resurrection Lutheran Church are circulating seeking to operate the shelter again at the church this winter after doing so the past two years. Karen Perkins, the church’s pastor, stated church leaders did not put flyers under windshields of businesses in the area or suggest people distributing the notices do so. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Resurrection Lutheran Church leaders circulate petition to again operate winter warming shelter

Objections voiced about shortcomings at planned site, lack of input by affected agencies and people.

A flyer left Thursday under a car windshield of an employee at a business near the winter warming shelter scheduled to open Friday at a city-owned warehouse in Thane informs residents of an Assembly meeting Monday to discuss the shelter. The flyer also refers to a petition leaders at Resurrection Lutheran Church are circulating seeking to operate the shelter again at the church this winter after doing so the past two years. Karen Perkins, the church’s pastor, stated church leaders did not put flyers under windshields of businesses in the area or suggest people distributing the notices do so. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rows of tour buses are parked Thursday next to a city-owned warehouse, at left, a portion of which is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday night. Some businesses managers and employees in the area say people experiencing homelessness have been found sleeping on busses and engaging in other disruptive activity, which is prompting an increase in security and other precautions in preparation for the shelter’s opening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Security and other impacts of winter warming shelter on nearby businesses raise concerns

Resident near Mill Campground says illegal activity surged, worries about same as shelter opens.

Rows of tour buses are parked Thursday next to a city-owned warehouse, at left, a portion of which is scheduled to open as a winter warming shelter starting Friday night. Some businesses managers and employees in the area say people experiencing homelessness have been found sleeping on busses and engaging in other disruptive activity, which is prompting an increase in security and other precautions in preparation for the shelter’s opening. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Joe Wanner is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday. He has previously served in that role at the hospital as well as its controller. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Former Bartlett Regional Hospital CFO returning to job

Joe Wanner scheduled to start Nov. 15, following resignation of Sam Muse amidst leadership turmoil.

Joe Wanner is scheduled to become the new chief financial officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Nov. 15, the hospital announced Thursday. He has previously served in that role at the hospital as well as its controller. (Photo courtesy of Bartlett Regional Hospital)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 21, 2005. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 21, 2005. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen explains the ballot certification process to election workers Monday at the City and Borough of Juneau’s Ballot Processing Center. The results of the Oct. 3 municipal election were certified Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Candidates keep their leads, City Hall bond defeated in final municipal election results

Winter warming shelter among issues for new Assembly, transgender sports ban for new school board.

Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen explains the ballot certification process to election workers Monday at the City and Borough of Juneau’s Ballot Processing Center. The results of the Oct. 3 municipal election were certified Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Half of the students in a clown class perform a hastily constructed song-and-dance routine for the other half of the students acting as the audience at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Class clowns: Getting a lesson in constructive comedy from actor in Oscar-winning best picture

Locals learn to “to climb around in your own self” as Ketchikan native Tallie Medel comes to Juneau.

Half of the students in a clown class perform a hastily constructed song-and-dance routine for the other half of the students acting as the audience at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rhoda Walker, right, Sharon Early, and Audrey Kohler work on their improvisation as Mike Christenson, left, and Seth Caron prepare to enter during a rehearsal at Christenson’s house on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Kohler, now a Seattle resident, is returning as part of a nine-person group to perform an improv comedy show at Crystal Saloon on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Improv poet and performer returns home for a laugh

Former Juneau comic Audrey Kohler bringing members of Seattle troupe for show at Crystal Saloon.

Rhoda Walker, right, Sharon Early, and Audrey Kohler work on their improvisation as Mike Christenson, left, and Seth Caron prepare to enter during a rehearsal at Christenson’s house on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. Kohler, now a Seattle resident, is returning as part of a nine-person group to perform an improv comedy show at Crystal Saloon on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Albert Dick packs belongings into a dry bag at Mill Campground shortly before its official closing for the season at noon Monday. Many people experiencing homelessness who were staying the campsite this summer left before the final day due to problems such as bears ransacking tents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Homeless out in the wind and rain as Mill Campground closes, but warming shelter to open Friday

Due to cold forecast, city plans to open converted warehouse before Assembly gives official OK.

Albert Dick packs belongings into a dry bag at Mill Campground shortly before its official closing for the season at noon Monday. Many people experiencing homelessness who were staying the campsite this summer left before the final day due to problems such as bears ransacking tents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kara Strong (16) knocks the ball past Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Evelyn Richards (12) and Remi Starks (2) during the two local teams’ play-in game to reach the championship of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS finishes second, JDHS third as Chugiak repeats as champs at JIVE tournament

Crimson Bears overcome season-long struggles to make semifinal against high-flying Falcons.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kara Strong (16) knocks the ball past Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Evelyn Richards (12) and Remi Starks (2) during the two local teams’ play-in game to reach the championship of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A city election work handles envelopes from the Oct. 3 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center leading up the scheduled Oct 17 certification of results. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

No changes in election results after relative handful of ballots added Friday

Assembly and school board winners, defeat of City Hall bond seem set ahead of final results Tuesday.

A city election work handles envelopes from the Oct. 3 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center leading up the scheduled Oct 17 certification of results. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
An acid spill and a diesel spill of significant size were detected Wednesday at the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to officials. A spill of a still-unknown toxic substance was also detected the same day at the Auke Bay treatment plant. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Three incidents of toxic substances detected in city’s wastewater system in one day raises concerns

Significant amounts of acid, diesel and a still-unknown substance detected at treatment plants.

An acid spill and a diesel spill of significant size were detected Wednesday at the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to officials. A spill of a still-unknown toxic substance was also detected the same day at the Auke Bay treatment plant. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Mill Campground, seen here Aug. 15, is scheduled to close on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Mill Campground set to close Monday, without winter warming shelter agreement in place

Temperatures expected to stay above freezing, but with frequent rain, during coming week.

Mill Campground, seen here Aug. 15, is scheduled to close on Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Tallie Medel, who will be teaching a series of clowning classes in Juneau next week, arrives for the world premiere of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)

No joke: Clowning classes coming by actor from this year’s Oscar-winning best picture

Ketchikan-born Tallie Medel teaching three days of classes at Perseverance Theatre starting Monday.

Tallie Medel, who will be teaching a series of clowning classes in Juneau next week, arrives for the world premiere of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, March 11, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP)
Jerry Millsaps, who is visually impaired, and Autumn Booths, who teaches local students who are visually impaired, discuss a proposed new roundabout on Mendenhall Loop Road near Millsaps’ house during at open house about the project Wednesday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. Millsaps said he is concerned because he cannot safely cross the street where two other roundabouts already exist, and the new one will create the same problem unless a pedestrian signal with audio and visual cues is installed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sounding concerns about proposed new roundabout on Mendenhall Loop Road

Difficulties for visually impaired pedestrians, side street traffic raised at open house meeting.

Jerry Millsaps, who is visually impaired, and Autumn Booths, who teaches local students who are visually impaired, discuss a proposed new roundabout on Mendenhall Loop Road near Millsaps’ house during at open house about the project Wednesday evening at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. Millsaps said he is concerned because he cannot safely cross the street where two other roundabouts already exist, and the new one will create the same problem unless a pedestrian signal with audio and visual cues is installed. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pianist Phoebe Wu is scheduled to play a contemporary classical concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, plus three other concerts in Southeast Alaska between Oct. 14-21. (Photo courtesy of Phoebe Wu)
Video

Concert offers modern music from a different point of Wu

Chicago pianist featuring a world of contemporary classical composers during Southeast Alaska tour.

Pianist Phoebe Wu is scheduled to play a contemporary classical concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center, plus three other concerts in Southeast Alaska between Oct. 14-21. (Photo courtesy of Phoebe Wu)
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A sign opposing the participation of transgender girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Ban on transgender girls from girls’ sports teams approved 5-3 by state school sports association

Juneau officials say enforcement specifics — and if they affect any local athletes — to be determined.

A sign opposing the participation of transgender girls in girls sports is propped against a fire hydrant outside of the George A. Navarre Admin Building on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Soldotna. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Colony High School’s Morgan Ainsworth sprints for the finish line against Chugiak High School’s Aaliyah Fields at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Cross Country State Running Championships in Palmer on Saturday. (Peter Pounds / Alaska Sports Report)

Juneau girls finish second at state D1 cross-country championships

Local boys team finishes fifth; three Juneau girls and one boy finish in top 10 individually.

Colony High School’s Morgan Ainsworth sprints for the finish line against Chugiak High School’s Aaliyah Fields at the ASAA/First National Bank Alaska Cross Country State Running Championships in Palmer on Saturday. (Peter Pounds / Alaska Sports Report)
A former surplus warehouse at 1325 Eastaugh Way, seen here in 2021 and now used as a city election ballot processing center, is the current preferred location of a winter warming shelter, officials said Monday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Winter warming shelter now likely to be at CBJ Ballot Processing Center, officials say

Use of former warehouse south of downtown criticized by pastor of church hosting shelter last year.

A former surplus warehouse at 1325 Eastaugh Way, seen here in 2021 and now used as a city election ballot processing center, is the current preferred location of a winter warming shelter, officials said Monday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)