Mark Sabbatini

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Sam Hatch (left) and Amanda Hatch (right) show pictures of their flood-damaged home to Mike Macans, an individual assistance branch chief for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at a newly opened disaster assistance center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Monday. State and local officials are offering in-person assistance at the center through Wednesday to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Disaster assistance center opens at Mendenhall library for Suicide Basin flood victims

State and local officials offering immediate as well as longer-term help with aid requests.

Sam Hatch (left) and Amanda Hatch (right) show pictures of their flood-damaged home to Mike Macans, an individual assistance branch chief for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at a newly opened disaster assistance center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Monday. State and local officials are offering in-person assistance at the center through Wednesday to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Soil smarts produce a bountiful crop

Growers and buyers share the dirt at 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Anthony Garcia (22) celebrates with Juneau Huskies teammates after intercepting a pass with less than two minutes left in the third quarter against the Dimond High School Lynx on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Field. The interception sparked a rapid 19-point rally by the Huskies, who were trailing 32-14 at the time, as they took a 33-32 lead with about 10 minutes in the fourth quarter before going on to lose by a final score of 40-33. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Big plays and a big rally for Huskies, but Dimond gets final score to win

Juneau scores TDs of 91, 73, 71 and 51 yards, turns 24-7 deficit into 33-32 lead before losing 40-33

Anthony Garcia (22) celebrates with Juneau Huskies teammates after intercepting a pass with less than two minutes left in the third quarter against the Dimond High School Lynx on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Field. The interception sparked a rapid 19-point rally by the Huskies, who were trailing 32-14 at the time, as they took a 33-32 lead with about 10 minutes in the fourth quarter before going on to lose by a final score of 40-33. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sarah Clark pushes a stroller with her 16-month-old daughter Faye across the finish line of the 5K course during the 32nd Annual Beat the Odds: A Race Against Cancer that started and ended at Kax̱dig̱oowu Héen Elementary School on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A course in pushing together toward a common cause

More than 300 people run and walk in the 32nd Annual Beat the Odds: A Race Against Cancer

Sarah Clark pushes a stroller with her 16-month-old daughter Faye across the finish line of the 5K course during the 32nd Annual Beat the Odds: A Race Against Cancer that started and ended at Kax̱dig̱oowu Héen Elementary School on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Hubbard state ferry remains in dock at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday after suffering generator problems that are expected to keep the ship out of service until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hubbard likely out of service until Monday due to generator problems

Newest state ferry suffers failure after carrying Buttigieg from Juneau to Haines.

The Hubbard state ferry remains in dock at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday after suffering generator problems that are expected to keep the ship out of service until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club clean thousands of ducks that have been in storage for four years in preparation for the annual Juneau Duck Derby scheduled Aug. 26 at Twin Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club)

After four years, it’s finally time to duck again at Twin Lakes

Thousands of flightless fowl make return, will be dropped by helicopter during annual Duck Derby.

Members of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club clean thousands of ducks that have been in storage for four years in preparation for the annual Juneau Duck Derby scheduled Aug. 26 at Twin Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club)
Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River sits on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster as he seeks federal-level assistance. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Governor requests FEMA assessment of Suicide Basin flood damage

Action marks another step toward seeking federal disaster assistance.

Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River sits on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster as he seeks federal-level assistance. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Hundreds of people participate in a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School to raise funds for residents affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. More than $20,000 was raised during the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Feeding a need for people forced out of homes by flood

More than $20K raised at spaghetti dinner and dessert auction at TMHS

Hundreds of people participate in a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School to raise funds for residents affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. More than $20,000 was raised during the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Allison Lihou, John Diamond and Brian Thomason (aboard boat) turn in five salmon, including four scholarship fish, to dock volunteers Jason Bailey (orange jacket) and Bobby Dilg at the Douglas Harbor station during the 77th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Updates from the 77th Annual Golden North Salmon Derby

24.4-pound king is top catch at 6 p.m. Sunday deadline, more than 3 pounds heavier than runner-up.

Allison Lihou, John Diamond and Brian Thomason (aboard boat) turn in five salmon, including four scholarship fish, to dock volunteers Jason Bailey (orange jacket) and Bobby Dilg at the Douglas Harbor station during the 77th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Amos Andreassen, 6, hands a piece of debris to his grandmother, Peggy Tutu, on a beach in North Douglas during a community cleanup Sunday following last weekend’s record flooding of the Mendenhall River. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cleaning up the flood’s remaining bits and big pieces

Participants in community cleanup walk the shores where items washed up a week after the disaster

Amos Andreassen, 6, hands a piece of debris to his grandmother, Peggy Tutu, on a beach in North Douglas during a community cleanup Sunday following last weekend’s record flooding of the Mendenhall River. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (left) views the Mendenhall River on Tuesday as Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson explains changes that occurred to the riverbank due to record flooding from Suicide Basin last Saturday. Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan and Andi Story were among the other officials taking part in the trip. (Tom Mattice / City and Borough Of Juneau)

Flood cleanup, fundraising events planned this weekend

As state and federal officials consider large-scale actions, residents can offer immediate help.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (left) views the Mendenhall River on Tuesday as Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson explains changes that occurred to the riverbank due to record flooding from Suicide Basin last Saturday. Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan and Andi Story were among the other officials taking part in the trip. (Tom Mattice / City and Borough Of Juneau)
A team photo of the 2023 Juneau Huskies, who kick off their season with a home game against East Anchorage at 3 p.m. Saturday. (Courtesy of Juneau Huskies Football)

Juneau Huskies start another title prowl

After losing state title game last year, there’s only one way to go up as season starts Saturday

A team photo of the 2023 Juneau Huskies, who kick off their season with a home game against East Anchorage at 3 p.m. Saturday. (Courtesy of Juneau Huskies Football)
Drag queen Gigi Monroe performs an opening song during a Drag Storytime at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 5. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Drag Storytime is just another Saturday afternoon event for children at Juneau’s library

Books, songs, selfies flourish among kids and performers

Drag queen Gigi Monroe performs an opening song during a Drag Storytime at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 5. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows gale-force winds are likely throughout Southeast Alaska during a storm this weekend that is also expected to result in two to three inches of rain in Juneau, according to the National Weather Service. (Map by the National Weather Service)

Weekend storm with gale-force winds may pose risks for flooded riverbank, salmon derby

Storm is expected to peak Saturday, officials warn trees along Mendenhall River may come loose.

A map shows gale-force winds are likely throughout Southeast Alaska during a storm this weekend that is also expected to result in two to three inches of rain in Juneau, according to the National Weather Service. (Map by the National Weather Service)
Steve Bradford (left) and Mark Kissel, both vice presidents of the Riverside Condominiums Homeowners Association, discuss repairs to two of the complex’s buildings on Wednesday as a bulldozer places rock fill under a corner of one building exposed by erosion during record flooding of the Mendenhall River last Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Efforts underway to save two condominium buildings exposed by flood

Property managers hopeful tons of rock fill can allow people in 12 units to return home

Steve Bradford (left) and Mark Kissel, both vice presidents of the Riverside Condominiums Homeowners Association, discuss repairs to two of the complex’s buildings on Wednesday as a bulldozer places rock fill under a corner of one building exposed by erosion during record flooding of the Mendenhall River last Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at an event at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in March, on Tuesday issued a state disaster declaration for the Suicide Basin flood that occurred during the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Governor issues state disaster declaration for Suicide Basin flood

Decision triggers relief funds for individuals as well as public entities

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here at an event at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in March, on Tuesday issued a state disaster declaration for the Suicide Basin flood that occurred during the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ava Christ, who is visiting Juneau for two weeks, picks up pieces of large debris on a beach on North Douglas on Monday afternoon. Christ, who wanted to get involved with helping the community after hearing about the “tragedy” of the flooding, said she filled about four bags of trash in just a few hours of cleanup. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Three residences partially or completely destroyed, 15 condemned by Suicide Basin flooding

Officials assessing which structures might be saved, how to clean up debris and contamination.

Ava Christ, who is visiting Juneau for two weeks, picks up pieces of large debris on a beach on North Douglas on Monday afternoon. Christ, who wanted to get involved with helping the community after hearing about the “tragedy” of the flooding, said she filled about four bags of trash in just a few hours of cleanup. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Amanda Arra (right) explains her plans for evacuating her home to Ric Iannolino at midday Sunday after a record flood Saturday eroded about 50 feet of her backyard and a quarter of the earth under her house. Dozens of local residents are facing the losses of their residences due to erosion and other damage that they say is beyond repair. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents of homes damaged and destroyed by record flooding consider short- and long-term futures

Some say their houses are beyond repair due to erosion, wonder if more instability lies ahead.

Amanda Arra (right) explains her plans for evacuating her home to Ric Iannolino at midday Sunday after a record flood Saturday eroded about 50 feet of her backyard and a quarter of the earth under her house. Dozens of local residents are facing the losses of their residences due to erosion and other damage that they say is beyond repair. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers work on the intermediate-level trail for the new Thunder Mountain Bike Park on Saturday. The new park, scheduled to be ready to ride early next week, will also initially feature a beginner’s trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Volunteers ramping up for new Mendenhall Valley mountain biking trails

Two trails at new Thunder Mountain Bike Park expected to open during coming week.

Volunteers work on the intermediate-level trail for the new Thunder Mountain Bike Park on Saturday. The new park, scheduled to be ready to ride early next week, will also initially feature a beginner’s trail. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An image from the National Weather Service shows the status of Suicide Basin at about 4 p.m. Friday. Updates are posted on the weather service’s website three time a day. (National Weather Service)

Flood warning for Mendenhall Lake, Mendenhall River in effect until Sunday

Release of water from Suicide Basin expected to crest Saturday night.

An image from the National Weather Service shows the status of Suicide Basin at about 4 p.m. Friday. Updates are posted on the weather service’s website three time a day. (National Weather Service)