Mark Sabbatini

Audience members listen to Port Director Carl Uchytil present the proposed docks and harbors budget for next year to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The public will get an opportunity to comment on the city’s full spending plan at an Assembly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Audience members listen to Port Director Carl Uchytil present the proposed docks and harbors budget for next year to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The public will get an opportunity to comment on the city’s full spending plan at an Assembly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Axel Gillam, inventory supervisor for the Alaskan Kush Company, talks the state of business ahead of 4/20. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau empire)

Regulations, wait time make future of on-site pot consumption hazy

Some retail outlets see sobering loss of sales as first post-COVID 4/20 arrives.

Axel Gillam, inventory supervisor for the Alaskan Kush Company, talks the state of business ahead of 4/20. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau empire)
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Gondola is a go: City agrees to pay $1.33 million for used lift in Austria

Now, the trick is getting it home and installed at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

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Paula Casperson (center) meets Wednesday at JDHS with Amanda Duvall (left) the district’s teacher and learning support coordinator, and Carrie Pusich, an activities assistant for the district. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A principal of matter: Longtime JDHS leader Paula Casperson named regional principal of the year

Ordinarily parents aren’t thrilled to get a call from the principal…

Paula Casperson (center) meets Wednesday at JDHS with Amanda Duvall (left) the district’s teacher and learning support coordinator, and Carrie Pusich, an activities assistant for the district. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Cassee Olin, director of administrative services for Juneau School District, Superintendent Bridget Weiss and City Manager Rorie Watt participate in a City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Budgeting one tough step at a time

Lack of funds, people and certainty add to challenges as city leaders review spending plans.

Cassee Olin, director of administrative services for Juneau School District, Superintendent Bridget Weiss and City Manager Rorie Watt participate in a City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Mix and mask: Administrators, students say ‘variety of strategies’ working well with masking optional

“It seems to be going very well,” said Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss.

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This screenshot from a video shown during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting shows Riverbend Elementary School students working on a project. The school may soon have a new name, Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School. The name translates to “going back to clear water," in English. (Screenshot)

Renaming Riverbend: School board expresses support for gifted name

Further consideration of Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School comes next month.

This screenshot from a video shown during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting shows Riverbend Elementary School students working on a project. The school may soon have a new name, Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School. The name translates to “going back to clear water," in English. (Screenshot)
This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Off-road vehicle park gets traction

City pols OK negotiations for park at Mile 35 Glacier Highway.

This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)
This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lot next to Centennial Hall emerges as preferred site for new City Hall

Putting chambers for public meetings in convention center to save costs is a possibility.

This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pricier parking: Downtown parking garages see a fee increase

As of July 1 monthly permits at both parking sites will cost $70 and annual permits $770.

This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center to close

Development furthers Juneau’s already perilous pet care shortage.

This photos shows Southeast Alaska Animal Medical Center, which recently announced its closure. The clinic intends to begin processing records requests from clients in May, according to an announcement from the clinic. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin.  (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)

‘A consummate community volunteer’: Rosemary Hagevig, former Juneau citizen of the year, dies

Hagevig served two terms on the Assembly, was one of 11 Alaskans to carry the Olympic Torch in ‘96.

This undated photo shows Rosemary Hagevig, who passed away on Thursday after a battle with illness. Hagevig is remembered as a consummate volunteer and longtime community lynchpin.  (Courtesy Photo / Candy Behrends)
This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)
This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)
Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Uncertainty looms as city begins its budget process

A deficit is projected, additional federal funds are not.

Robert Barr, deputy city manager; Rorie Watt, city manager; Jeff Rogers, city finance director and Adrien Speegle, a budget analyst, participate Wednesday night in a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.

Assembly narrowly rejects suspending relationship with Russian sister city

“People, not government,” was the prevailing sentiment.

This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

J&J Deli and Asian Mart, a local favorite for 43 years, faces closure in August unless a new owner is found

Owner says pending closure is due to health rather than economic reasons.

Neil Doogan, owner of J&J Deli and Asian Mart, rings up purchases while his wife Alma makes a sandwich for a customer Saturday. The deli that opened in 1979 is scheduled to close in August if a new owner can’t be found. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)

Mendenhall overhaul: Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar

Residents ask questions about expansion plans during webinar.

This conceptual rendering shows what a proposed welcome center near the the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center would look like. The center is part of a proposed overhaul for the popular recreation area. (U.S. Forest Service)
A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

With federal funding ending, full-priced school lunches could be on the menu for many students next year

District hopes to continue to offer free breakfast, “reasonably priced” lunches.

A.J. Wilson, 17, DeAndre Pittman, 16, and Elora Johnson, 16, eat lunch Thursday in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. They, like many students, agree the free meals available during the pandemic are worth continuing if funding can be found after it ends June 30, but they are likely to look off-campus for food if they are required to pay for school lunches again. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)