Mark Sabbatini

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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)
A map shows locations for new cabins being considered by the U.S. Forest Service in and near Juneau. A multiyear project to add about 25 cabins in the Tongass and Chugach national forests, funded largely by $14 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is in the early stages. (U.S. Forest Service map)

New Forest Service cabin coming to Mendenhall Campground

Cabin may open by next summer, is among first of 25 planned in Tongass and Chugach national forests.

A map shows locations for new cabins being considered by the U.S. Forest Service in and near Juneau. A multiyear project to add about 25 cabins in the Tongass and Chugach national forests, funded largely by $14 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is in the early stages. (U.S. Forest Service map)
Juneau catcher Isaac Kirsch looks to catch a pop-up foul against Dimond West in the deciding fifth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Gastineau Channel Little League video of game)

Juneau all-stars defeated 14-7 in state Little League championship game

Anchorage’s Dimond West breaks away from earlier close games to win best-of-five series

Juneau catcher Isaac Kirsch looks to catch a pop-up foul against Dimond West in the deciding fifth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage. (Screenshot from Gastineau Channel Little League video of game)
A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Doctor: ‘Inhumane treatment’ of behavioral health care patients at Bartlett Regional Hospital

Staff shortage puts patients and employees at risk, some officials say; hospital CEO blames policies

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Golfers test their skills at the “chip shot challenge” during the Annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Saturday at the Mendenhall Golf Course. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

It’s not easy being on the green

88 participants brave heat, go clubbing on “fast” turf during annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic.

Golfers test their skills at the “chip shot challenge” during the Annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Saturday at the Mendenhall Golf Course. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau player connects on a hit against Dimond West during the fourth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage on Sunday. Juneau won the game 3-1, tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The deciding fifth game for the state title is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from video of game by Gastineau Channel Little League)

Juneau’s all-star Little League baseball team to play for state title Monday

Win on Sunday ties best-of-five series against Anchorage’s Dimond West at 2-2.

A Juneau player connects on a hit against Dimond West during the fourth game of the Alaska Little League Majors Baseball State Tournament in Anchorage on Sunday. Juneau won the game 3-1, tying the best-of-five series at two games apiece. The deciding fifth game for the state title is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Anchorage. (Screenshot from video of game by Gastineau Channel Little League)
Samuel and Justine Carlisle, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, cross the finish line of the Juneau Half Marathon on Saturday at Savikko Park. Organizers of the event, which includes full and half marathons, estimate about half of the participants are from outside Juneau because it is considered a "destination" race. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Trail and Road Runners)

A smokin’ Saturday for big crowd of racers in Juneau Marathon and Half Marathon

Big increase in runners this year who take on full- and half-length courses on hot and hazy day.

Samuel and Justine Carlisle, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, cross the finish line of the Juneau Half Marathon on Saturday at Savikko Park. Organizers of the event, which includes full and half marathons, estimate about half of the participants are from outside Juneau because it is considered a "destination" race. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Trail and Road Runners)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Mark Whitman, a Douglas resident, joins others in offering opinions about the future of Telephone Hill during an open house at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Wednesday.

Residents say they feel disconnected at first Telephone Hill redevelopment meeting

Lots of possible projects for historic downtown area met with lots of doubts.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Mark Whitman, a Douglas resident, joins others in offering opinions about the future of Telephone Hill during an open house at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Wednesday.