Mark Sabbatini

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Students heading to Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé board a bus at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

State revives effort limiting funds municipalities can give school districts for non-instructional costs

Juneau School District could lose millions for buses, food service, student activities, superintendent says.

Students heading to Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé board a bus at Thunder Mountain Middle School on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas pulls into Icy Point Strait in Hoonah, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Douglas cruise port intentionally announced after election, officials say; downtown businesses worry about income loss

Strategy raises questions about citywide cruise tourism economic impacts cited by Ship-Free Saturday opponents.

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas pulls into Icy Point Strait in Hoonah, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
A steady procession of vehicles and students arrives at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before the start of the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Reported surge of student fights — some filmed and luring kids from other schools — alarm parents and officials

Fights taking place on and off JDHS campus, students say; questions about discipline policy raised.

A steady procession of vehicles and students arrives at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before the start of the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge discusses current and future plans for parent company Royal Caribbean Group during a keynote speech Tuesday at the Alaska Travel Industry Association convention at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Royal Caribbean tries to appease angry city leaders with apology after surprise Douglas cruise port announcement

Tensions revived after cruise line president touts project in speech; email apology sent soon after.

Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge discusses current and future plans for parent company Royal Caribbean Group during a keynote speech Tuesday at the Alaska Travel Industry Association convention at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Workers install Hesco Barriers along the Los Angeles River to protect against El Niño flooding in 2016. Similar barriers along the Mendenhall River are being considered by Juneau city leaders. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)

$2M for Hesco barriers OK’d by Assembly, but proposed flood-prevention project far from firmly set

Concerns raised about impacts on properties — and if homeowners will be forced to pay some costs.

Workers install Hesco Barriers along the Los Angeles River to protect against El Niño flooding in 2016. Similar barriers along the Mendenhall River are being considered by Juneau city leaders. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)
President Joe Biden honors the 10 winners of the 2023 National Humanities Medal, including Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl, during a ceremony Monday at The White House. (Screenshot from official video by The White House)
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SHI President Rosita Worl among 10 people receiving National Humanities Medal from President Biden

Ceremony at White House livestreamed online at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

President Joe Biden honors the 10 winners of the 2023 National Humanities Medal, including Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl, during a ceremony Monday at The White House. (Screenshot from official video by The White House)
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Municipal Attorney Emily Wright (left) swears in newly elected Juneau Assembly members Neil Steininger and Maureen Hall as newly reelected Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo during an Assembly meeting Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Hall and Steininger get sworn in to Juneau Assembly; Hale and Blake get poems as they depart

Newly reelected Mayor Beth Weldon offers tributes; Greg Smith chosen as new deputy mayor

Municipal Attorney Emily Wright (left) swears in newly elected Juneau Assembly members Neil Steininger and Maureen Hall as newly reelected Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo during an Assembly meeting Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly member Greg Smith (left) read a formal apology to members of the Douglas Indian Association during an Assembly meeting Monday night, acknowledging the City and Borough of Juneau’s role in the burning of the Douglas Indian Village in 1962. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau offers formal apology for 1962 burning of the Douglas Indian Village

Apology called long overdue, but tribal leader says full story of destruction still needs to be shared.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly member Greg Smith (left) read a formal apology to members of the Douglas Indian Association during an Assembly meeting Monday night, acknowledging the City and Borough of Juneau’s role in the burning of the Douglas Indian Village in 1962. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A chart shows the level of the Mendenhall River dropping steadily after reaching a peak from a glacial outburst flood from Suicide Basin at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Mendenhall River crests at 10.77 feet at 11:30 p.m. Sunday — lower and earlier than expected

Water from Suicide Basin glacial outburst flood retreats rapidly, leaving ice behind after record cold.

A chart shows the level of the Mendenhall River dropping steadily after reaching a peak from a glacial outburst flood from Suicide Basin at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. (National Weather Service Juneau)
The swollen Mendenhall River flows past a condominium and other residences Sunday evening during a glacial outburst flood from Suicide Basin that crested well below the riverbanks that were reinforced with rock fill in many places following then-record flooding in August of 2023. The city is now considering installing up to four miles of Hesco barriers along one side of the river as a semi-permanent levee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

October’s flood doesn’t mean risk of one next year is lower, expert says, as protective efforts continue

Multiple factors in Suicide Basin’s water level makes predicting odds of release dangerous, official says

The swollen Mendenhall River flows past a condominium and other residences Sunday evening during a glacial outburst flood from Suicide Basin that crested well below the riverbanks that were reinforced with rock fill in many places following then-record flooding in August of 2023. The city is now considering installing up to four miles of Hesco barriers along one side of the river as a semi-permanent levee. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Tom Mattice, Juneau’s emergency programs manager, uses a loader to help residents fill sandbags at Melvin Park on Sunday afternoon. The city is distributing 75,000 sandbags for free, with sand available at the park and the Thunder Mountain Middle School parking lot. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents spend their hours before peak of flood preparing for worst-case scenario in various ways

Generators, sandbags, hotel stays, backyard river watching keep people active as water rises Sunday.

Tom Mattice, Juneau’s emergency programs manager, uses a loader to help residents fill sandbags at Melvin Park on Sunday afternoon. The city is distributing 75,000 sandbags for free, with sand available at the park and the Thunder Mountain Middle School parking lot. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center warns people Sunday about flooding on trails due to a glacial outburst flood from Suicide Basin expected to peak early Monday morning. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall River flooding expected to peak at 11.31 feet during 20° cold between 1 and 4 a.m. Monday

People warned to avoid river area due to icy conditions; water-level rise slowing as of 11:30 p.m.

A sign at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center warns people Sunday about flooding on trails due to a glacial outburst flood from Suicide Basin expected to peak early Monday morning. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Nathan and Donna Leigh lift a tube loader off a row sandbags after filling them at Melvin Park on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

People getting free sandbags on same day flood warning issued say they are making, adjusting plans

Distribution started Saturday morning, about 40 hours before flood is forecast to crest.

Nathan and Donna Leigh lift a tube loader off a row sandbags after filling them at Melvin Park on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A hydrograph updated Saturday evening shows the Mendenhall River cresting at of 11.41 feet early Monday morning due to flooding from Suicide Basin. (National Weather Service Juneau)
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Suicide Basin flood warning issued, crest up to 11.5 feet between 1-7 a.m. Monday forecast

City urges immediate precautions in vulnerable areas; some roads and paths will close Sunday afternoon

A hydrograph updated Saturday evening shows the Mendenhall River cresting at of 11.41 feet early Monday morning due to flooding from Suicide Basin. (National Weather Service Juneau)
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Lisa Pearce (center), chief financial officer for the Juneau School District, discusses the district’s financial crisis in her role as an analyst during a work session Feb. 17 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. She announced her intention to resign on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Lisa Pearce resigning as Juneau School District’s chief financial officer after taking on budget crisis

Consultant hired last December became permanent CFO July 1 after helping resolve record deficit.

Lisa Pearce (center), chief financial officer for the Juneau School District, discusses the district’s financial crisis in her role as an analyst during a work session Feb. 17 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. She announced her intention to resign on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
John Blasco, shown coaching the Thunder Mountain High School basketball team during the state tournament in March of this year, was honored as the Juneau Greater Chamber of Commerce’s citizen of the year at the organization’s annual awards gala at Centennial Hall last Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Double take: John Blasco wins local Citizen of the Year award months after state coach of the year honor

Chamber of Commerce also honors Bullwinkle’s, Juneau Bach Society’s Bruce Simonson at annual gala

John Blasco, shown coaching the Thunder Mountain High School basketball team during the state tournament in March of this year, was honored as the Juneau Greater Chamber of Commerce’s citizen of the year at the organization’s annual awards gala at Centennial Hall last Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey team help Mendenhall Valley residents affected by the record Aug. 6 flood fill more than 3,000 sandbags earlier this month. (JHDS Hockey photo)

CBJ distribution of 75,000 sandbags to flood-affected residents occurs as Suicide Basin drops again

Up to 200 sandbags per household available starting Saturday; release of water limited as of Friday.

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey team help Mendenhall Valley residents affected by the record Aug. 6 flood fill more than 3,000 sandbags earlier this month. (JHDS Hockey photo)
Homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Biden OKs federal disaster declaration for Suicide Basin flood, as Congress battles over approving more funds

Other U.S. disasters are straining available assistance; SBA loan program is out of money.

Homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Dwayne Corbin, one of four candidates to become the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal Tuesday for this weekend’s concerts at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Candidate seeks to convey ‘Brilliant Defiance’ during Juneau Symphony’s election-season concerts

Dwayne Corbin, one of four finalists to replace Christopher Koch as music director, conducts weekend shows.

Dwayne Corbin, one of four candidates to become the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal Tuesday for this weekend’s concerts at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows Douglas Island between Outer Point and Point Hilda, where Goldbelt Inc. owns about 1,800 acres of land. The urban Alaska Native corporation announced Wednesday it and Royal Caribbean Group are exploring a proposed cruise ship port with two floating docks and “a recreated 1800s Alaska Native Tlingit village” on the property. (Google Maps image)

West Douglas cruise port proposed by Goldbelt and Royal Caribbean, to surprise and dismay of city officials

Two-ship floating dock, recreated 1800s Tlingit village envisioned on island as soon as 2027.

A map shows Douglas Island between Outer Point and Point Hilda, where Goldbelt Inc. owns about 1,800 acres of land. The urban Alaska Native corporation announced Wednesday it and Royal Caribbean Group are exploring a proposed cruise ship port with two floating docks and “a recreated 1800s Alaska Native Tlingit village” on the property. (Google Maps image)