Mark Sabbatini

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City mulls trading food tax for higher summer sales tax

Further food for thought.

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This Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities map shows the study area for a proposed second crossing between Juneau and Douglas Island. (Courtesy Image / DOT&PF)

City, state join to consider second Juneau-Douglas crossing

Juneau officials are attempting to make progress on a possible second crossing to Douglas Island, which has been studied since the early 1980s without much… Continue reading

This Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities map shows the study area for a proposed second crossing between Juneau and Douglas Island. (Courtesy Image / DOT&PF)
This screenshot shows the masthead of the new Alaska Beacon website. The nonprofit outlet debuted on Wednesday. (Screenshot)

New news outline shines more light on Alaska politics

Alaska Beacon, a nonprofit outlet debuts.

This screenshot shows the masthead of the new Alaska Beacon website. The nonprofit outlet debuted on Wednesday. (Screenshot)
This March 2020 photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will be asked again this fall if they want to extend a 1% temporary sales tax for another five years and city leaders are in the process of making a priority list of how the money would be spent if approved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Listening and listing: City seeks input on 1% sales tax projects

If you had $60 million to improve Juneau how would you spend it?

This March 2020 photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will be asked again this fall if they want to extend a 1% temporary sales tax for another five years and city leaders are in the process of making a priority list of how the money would be spent if approved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall cash office, all Juneau public libraries, Juneau Public Health Center and the Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

COVID cases are on the rise again

Allergies and flu also see uptick.

At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall cash office, all Juneau public libraries, Juneau Public Health Center and the Juneau Police Department. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a gondola in Austria recently purchased by the City and Borough of Juneau for the Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Courtesy Photo)

City stuck with extra expensive gondola shipping bill

Assembly agrees to pay more than twice the estimated cost for Eaglecrest lift purchased in Austria.

This photo shows a gondola in Austria recently purchased by the City and Borough of Juneau for the Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Courtesy Photo)
Anne Bonino-Britsch, a volunteer, feeds chickens at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. The first case of bird flu tied to a recent outbreak that's killed millions of turkeys and chickens was confirmed in Alaska last week, but local poultry owners said while they're being cautious, they aren't overly concerned. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Bird flu ruffles feathers: No panic among local poultry owners, but they’re taking precautions

No cases in Juneau so far.

Anne Bonino-Britsch, a volunteer, feeds chickens at the Zach Gordon Youth Center. The first case of bird flu tied to a recent outbreak that's killed millions of turkeys and chickens was confirmed in Alaska last week, but local poultry owners said while they're being cautious, they aren't overly concerned. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Zuill Bailey, who is a Grammy Award-winning cellist and artistic director for the Juneau Jazz & Classics festival, will be among artists to perform in the six-day event. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Jazz & Classics)

Sweet sound of freedom: Juneau Jazz & Classics’ 1st post-pandemic festival features 27 visiting musicians

Event includes two military ensembles and first music cruises in four years.

Zuill Bailey, who is a Grammy Award-winning cellist and artistic director for the Juneau Jazz & Classics festival, will be among artists to perform in the six-day event. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Jazz & Classics)
Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (center), Emily Thompson, Parents As Teachers coordinator for the organization (left) and Nikki Love, Community Engagement and ROCK Juneau Coordinator for AEYC (right) address the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Community respite funds get serious scrutiny

Glory Hall funds put on hold, heating assistance and park improvements get the OK.

Blue Shibler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children (center), Emily Thompson, Parents As Teachers coordinator for the organization (left) and Nikki Love, Community Engagement and ROCK Juneau Coordinator for AEYC (right) address the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)

A big unexpected loss, but a bigger unexpected gain

City’s investments return $4M less than predicted, but an extra $16M is coming from the state.

This City and Borough of Juneau chart shows the history of the city's restricted and unrestricted general funds. (Courtesy Image / City and Borough of Juneau)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police and fire dept leaders address armored vehicle concerns

“A really tough, heavy-duty ambulance.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
Lisa Denny wears "Handmaid's Tale"-inspired garb while holding a sign stating "I stand with Planned Parenthood" during a protest held near the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

What does the leaked Supreme Court draft mean for Juneau and Alaska?

Abortion access would remain, but elections and appointments would be heated.

Lisa Denny wears "Handmaid's Tale"-inspired garb while holding a sign stating "I stand with Planned Parenthood" during a protest held near the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, May 3, following a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark case Roe v. Wade. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau 2021 municipal election. The election was conducted primarily by mail. On Monday, city officials discussed (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly to consider changes to election code

Changes include Petition booklets, touch-screen ballots, rules for voting centers and boxes

This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau 2021 municipal election. The election was conducted primarily by mail. On Monday, city officials discussed (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night approved drafting ballot language that would exempt food from sales tax, if a 1% sales tax increase during summer months is approved.

Food sales tax exemption likely to appear on fall ballot

More detailed discussion is expexted.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Monday night approved drafting ballot language that would exempt food from sales tax, if a 1% sales tax increase during summer months is approved.
A 22-foot healing totem pole carved by master carver Wayne Price, who is Tlingit, is now being installed next to the fishing dock at Twin Lakes (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A long road toward healing: Totem pole depicting tale of overcoming domestic violence now being installed at Twin Lakes

It’s expected to debut during Celebration.

A 22-foot healing totem pole carved by master carver Wayne Price, who is Tlingit, is now being installed next to the fishing dock at Twin Lakes (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pandemic impact, staffing shortages shape budget requests

Ski area, hospital and airport factor into Finance Committee meeting.

Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Masks again optional in Juneau schools

School board unanimously waives normal rules and votes to end brief return to mandated masks.

A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau residents, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and CBJ staff in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall during a Monday night meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Lots of funds, little feedback: Few members of the public offer input about next year’s proposed budget

A three-hour meeting saw only a handful of people offer testimony.

This photo shows Juneau residents, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and CBJ staff in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall during a Monday night meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. (Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police plans to buy armored vehicle surprise some city leaders

Concerns raised about “militarizing our police force.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. (Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.

Modest welcome and big hopes for 1st cruise ship of the season

City officials predicting near-normal season, but many uncertainties linger

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.