Mark Sabbatini

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Mindy and Will Jones, who lived next door to Resurrection Lutheran Church, talk to neighbor Elva Bontrager in their yard on Wednesday. The couple said they are sympathetic to disadvantaged residents staying at the church’s warming shelter during sub-freezing winter nights, but there have been incidents with people being loud and rowdy outside late at night. The church provided the warming shelter for the first time last winter and on Tuesday the city approved extending the number of days and hours the shelter can be open during the coming winter. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Longer season, hours OK’d for warming shelter

Extended operations for church’s second year as host seeks less frigid winter for homeless, neighbors

Mindy and Will Jones, who lived next door to Resurrection Lutheran Church, talk to neighbor Elva Bontrager in their yard on Wednesday. The couple said they are sympathetic to disadvantaged residents staying at the church’s warming shelter during sub-freezing winter nights, but there have been incidents with people being loud and rowdy outside late at night. The church provided the warming shelter for the first time last winter and on Tuesday the city approved extending the number of days and hours the shelter can be open during the coming winter. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Investigators: Permanent Fund CEO’s firing legal but departed from policy

Trustees acted legally, despite not following official policy, and governor didn’t influence decision

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau is scheduled to be the site where the board of trustees will select a new executive director on Monday, following the investigation into the firing of former CEO Angela Rodell last December being presented to state lawmakers on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Visitors take in the view from the porch of the U.S. Forest Service’s Mount Flemer Cabin in the Wrangell Ranger District. The Forest Service is preparing to accept public input on how to spend about $14.4 million in federal funds for new cabins and repairing existing ones in Alaska, including an anticipated 10 to 12 new cabins in the Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Where to put a dozen new cabins in Southeast Alaska?

U.S. Forest Service seeking public’s input on spending $14.4M at new and upgraded state sites

Visitors take in the view from the porch of the U.S. Forest Service’s Mount Flemer Cabin in the Wrangell Ranger District. The Forest Service is preparing to accept public input on how to spend about $14.4 million in federal funds for new cabins and repairing existing ones in Alaska, including an anticipated 10 to 12 new cabins in the Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)

AIDEA’s fiscal performance fishy, critics say

Report presented by salmon industry advocates asserts state business subsidy agency cost public $10B

A chart shows what critics claim is poor financial performance by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, especially in subsidizing private industry projects intended to boost the state’s economy, during its 55-year existence. The chart is part of a report released Tuesday criticizing the agency. (MB Barker/LLC Erickson & Associates/EcoSystems LLC)
A tree lies across Gastineau Avenue on Monday evening after falling between two homes and crushing at least one vehicle. Firefighters and police closed the street to traffic, and evacuated homes along the street as well as buildings extending down to Franklin Avenue. The evacuation is expected to last at least 24 hours. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Landslide damages building, prompts evacuation

No one hurt, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.

A tree lies across Gastineau Avenue on Monday evening after falling between two homes and crushing at least one vehicle. Firefighters and police closed the street to traffic, and evacuated homes along the street as well as buildings extending down to Franklin Avenue. The evacuation is expected to last at least 24 hours. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Zack Clark, right, of the visiting Simply Three string trio borrows a violin from Arlo Carlton, 12, to demonstrate a technique during a workshop Friday evening at Sitʼ Eeti Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School for a dozen students in grades 6-12 who are alumni of the Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program. The students performed a 30-minute concert Saturday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before Simply Three took the stage to perform the finale of the fall Juneau Jazz & Classics festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

JAMM students jazz up festival finale

Alumni of local youth music program get tips from pro trio before taking center stage at JDHS.

Zack Clark, right, of the visiting Simply Three string trio borrows a violin from Arlo Carlton, 12, to demonstrate a technique during a workshop Friday evening at Sitʼ Eeti Shaanáx̱ Glacier Valley Elementary School for a dozen students in grades 6-12 who are alumni of the Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program. The students performed a 30-minute concert Saturday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before Simply Three took the stage to perform the finale of the fall Juneau Jazz & Classics festival. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Many merry after massive muddy meet

Juneau’s cross-country runners and coaches in sunny spirits about chances going into championships

A total of 145 boys from 10 Southeast Alaska high schools dash out from the starting line at the Capital City Invite at A Káx Yaa Andagan Yé (Sandy Beach) on Saturday morning. The 5K race for boys’ and girls’ teams was the region’s largest cross-country race of the season, and final regular season competition before the regional championship in Sitka this weekend. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jim Scheufelt, right, explains how his newly purchased Ford Mustang Mach-E operates to a couple of visitors at the ninth annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. He said he has always driven Fords because his father worked for the company, but decided this year to make the switch from gas to electric. He said his wife drives a similar model and their son an electric Ford Focus, making them “an all-EV household.” (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

EV owners rally ’round rain, resourcefulness and solar rays

Ninth annual event celebrates Juneau’s electric vehicle growth as one of fastest in U.S.

Jim Scheufelt, right, explains how his newly purchased Ford Mustang Mach-E operates to a couple of visitors at the ninth annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. He said he has always driven Fords because his father worked for the company, but decided this year to make the switch from gas to electric. He said his wife drives a similar model and their son an electric Ford Focus, making them “an all-EV household.” (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).

Begich: Third climb is the charm

Republican challenger staying the course despite trailing in recent recent polling and fundraising

Nick Begich III, a Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks about wanting to maximize mining in the state to provide materials beneficial to electric vehicles during the 9th annual Juneau EV EBIKE Roundup on Saturday. Begich, who finished third among the major candidates for the seat in the August special election and remains in that spot in polls about six weeks before the November general election, spent Saturday at numerous campaign-related events in town. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire).
Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.

Dunleavy faces more accusations in campaign complaint

Governor’s response calls allegations “specious and unfounded.”

Screenshot from complaint filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission An image purportedly from the computer screen of a digital media specialist for Gov. Mike Dunleavy shows numerous files and folders of alleged campaign advertising. A complaint filed against the governor, plus other individuals and organizations, claims administrative staff is illegally doing paid campaign work on behalf of the governor.
A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)

Poll: Peltola has 23% lead over Palin

Survey shows Democratic winner of special election repeating feat against two Republican opponents

A survey of 394 likely voters in Alaska shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola with a dominant lead over Republican challengers Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III, and increasing that lead over Palin in ranked choice voting rounds, about six weeks before the November general election. But many pundits still suggest a Republican is most likely to win the race and Begich would win a head-to-head match against Peltola. (Dittman Research)
Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)

Top Justice Dept. official reflects on Alaska’s unique concerns

Help for Juneau tribal court, emergency rural services may result from aid touted at Anchorge summit

Attendees of a government-to-government consultation look on as kuspuks were displayed during the Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation held this week in Anchorage. (Courtesy Photo / Lisa Houghton)
Dave Ringle, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau, removes a face mask after exiting transitional housing Wednesday at the organization’s complex on Teal Street, where a public open day will be part of an annual fundraiser Saturday. The complex is in the midst of various upgrades and Ringle said the fundraiser is intended to help both the projects and provide direct aid to residents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent’s seeking healthy recovery with fundraiser

Annual event comes as agency tackles long list of housing, other projects in wake of Covid crisis

Dave Ringle, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau, removes a face mask after exiting transitional housing Wednesday at the organization’s complex on Teal Street, where a public open day will be part of an annual fundraiser Saturday. The complex is in the midst of various upgrades and Ringle said the fundraiser is intended to help both the projects and provide direct aid to residents. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘It is not the past’: Conference confronts high rate of violence against Indigenous women

“It comes at an especially important moment.”

Joel Jackson, president of the Organized Village of Kake and a featured presenter at the Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation in Anchorage on Wednesday, speaks during a memorial service at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Friday, June 7, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.

Presentation details cons of constitutional convention

Yes-vote rallies seek end to PFD “political football” as Southeast leaders warn of regional harm

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho displays a slide showing some of the arguments being made for voting in favor of a state constitutional convention in the November general election while explaining the reasons he opposes such a convention during a lecture Tuesday at the Walter Soboleff Building. He said voters have rejected a convention by large margins almost every time it has come up every ten years since statehood, but a current mood of higher political distrust in government nationwide means there appears to be a higher likelihood of passage this year.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.

$3,284 payments make their way to many residents

Others arrive at PFD office bright and early with questions.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Kelsey Martin asks about the status of her son’s Permanent Fund Dividend check after arriving first at Juneau’s PFD office in the State Office Building on Tuesday, the first day direct deposit payments of the $3,284 dividends are being credited. Eligible residents who did not receive direct deposits will be paid by checks that will be mailed starting Oct. 6.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka answers a question during a town hall Friday evening at Juneau Christian Center. About 40 people showed up for the event, following a luncheon and door-to-door knocking in the Mendenhall Valley by Tshibaka during the afternoon. She said she plans to continue her local door-to-door campaign Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Tshibaka goes to town on Friday night

Republican U.S. Senate challenger attacks Biden, Murkowski, other familiar foes in Juneau visit

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Tshibaka answers a question during a town hall Friday evening at Juneau Christian Center. About 40 people showed up for the event, following a luncheon and door-to-door knocking in the Mendenhall Valley by Tshibaka during the afternoon. She said she plans to continue her local door-to-door campaign Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Peltola nets huge financial catch

Filings show $1.5M raised for most recent period , Palin $250K, Begich $118K

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, is followed by her staff and members of the media at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before she was sworn in after winning Alaska’s special election in August. As as result of her win she has since far outraised the two Republican challengers she will again face in the November general election. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Ferry schedule shows long service gaps for 4 Southeast communities —for now

Kake, Pelican, Angoon and Tenakee Springs omitted from schedule, but additions are pending

Passengers lounge on the dock of an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry as it departs Juneau in this photo posted Sept. 1 at the AMHS Facebook page. (Alaska State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)

U.S. House candidates positive — to a point

Begich and Palin both clashed and found common ground in Ketchikan.

Republican Nick Begich, left, responds to a question at Thursday’s candidate forum for Alaska’s U.S. House candidates, hosted by Southeast Conference in Ketchikan. Republican Sarah Palin participated in the forum by teleconference. Southeast Conference Executive Director Robert Venables, right, acted as the moderator of the forum. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was unable to participate in the forum but briefly provided an update to conference attendees remotely later in the day. (Sam Stockbridge / Ketchikan Daily News)