Mark Sabbatini

The front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 13, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 13, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juvencio Garcia (right) has people sign in to stay at the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter in Thane on the first night of its second year of operation Tuesday. Garcia was among those who stayed at the shelter last year and said he hopes to provide the help shelter staff from the first season provided him. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Warming shelter opens for second season hoping to provide clients, staff and neighbors more relief

Indoor bathrooms, smoking breaks among changes meant to lessen first-year tensions.

Juvencio Garcia (right) has people sign in to stay at the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter in Thane on the first night of its second year of operation Tuesday. Garcia was among those who stayed at the shelter last year and said he hopes to provide the help shelter staff from the first season provided him. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road on April 26, 2023. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck, with a female passenger inside the truck pronounced dead at the scene. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau man arrested for manslaughter, DUI after woman’s death in 2023 vehicle collision

Passenger in truck driven by Patrick Dealexandro, 57, killed in crash at busy Egan Drive intersection.

A line of vehicles responds to the scene of a fatal wreck at Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road on April 26, 2023. The two-vehicle crash involved a car and a truck, with a female passenger inside the truck pronounced dead at the scene. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
Neil Steininger (left) and Maureen Hall are the two newly elected members of the Juneau Assembly, according to results of the Oct. 1 municipal election certified on Tuesday. (Photo of Steininger by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire; photo of Hall provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)

Certified election results put Steininger and Hall on Assembly, sink Saturday cruise ship ban

Turnout of 38.7% is fifth-highest in local election since 2000 — but well below most in prior decade.

Neil Steininger (left) and Maureen Hall are the two newly elected members of the Juneau Assembly, according to results of the Oct. 1 municipal election certified on Tuesday. (Photo of Steininger by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire; photo of Hall provided by the City and Borough of Juneau)
Vincent Colliard navigates past glacier crevasses on the Juneau Icefield during a three-week crossing with fellow polar explorer Børge Ousland as part of their Ice Legacy project, which seeks to cross the world’s 20 largest icefields to raise awareness about the Arctic and impacts climate change is causing there. (Børge Ousland / Copyright photo used with permission)

Two polar explorers add to their ‘Ice Legacy’ with perilous 20-day crossing of the Juneau Icefield

Børge Ousland and Vincent Colliard overcome collapsing snow bridges, impassible crevasses, other challenges.

Vincent Colliard navigates past glacier crevasses on the Juneau Icefield during a three-week crossing with fellow polar explorer Børge Ousland as part of their Ice Legacy project, which seeks to cross the world’s 20 largest icefields to raise awareness about the Arctic and impacts climate change is causing there. (Børge Ousland / Copyright photo used with permission)
People dance to music by The Muskeg Collective during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday night at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

KTOO packs a half century of programming into a six-hour 50-Fest anniversary celebration

Ten mini-concerts, plus interviews, theater and tributes showcase public broadcasting outlet’s history.

People dance to music by The Muskeg Collective during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday night at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Dan Kirkwood (left), pictured performing with Tommy Siegel and Steve Perkins, is among the musicians who will be featured during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday. (Photo by Charlie E. Lederer)

KTOO’s 50-Fest celebrates golden anniversary with six-hour evening of local performers

20 artists representing five decades of Juneau’s music scene scheduled for Saturday’s celebration

Dan Kirkwood (left), pictured performing with Tommy Siegel and Steve Perkins, is among the musicians who will be featured during KTOO’s 50-Fest on Saturday. (Photo by Charlie E. Lederer)
Students eat lunch Thursday, March 31, 2022, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

School district faces $738K deficit in food service and activity funds, but now has money to cover

Board members asked to fix shortfall so it’s not included in audit, but some uneasy without more review.

Students eat lunch Thursday, March 31, 2022, in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé cafeteria. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Suspect in swastika graffiti spray painted at library and other Mendenhall Valley locations arrested

A man suspected of spray painting swastika symbols at multiple locations in the Mendenhall Valley earlier this month has been arrested, the Juneau Police Department… Continue reading

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A city election work handles envelopes from the 2023 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

No changes in local election as updated results show second-highest turnout since 2010

38.35% rate so far is highest since 42.73% in 2020; final certification scheduled next Tuesday

A city election work handles envelopes from the 2023 municipal election at the City and Borough of Juneau Ballot Processing Center. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A graph shows Suicide Basin’s water level rising Thursday afternoon following a drop in the morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Update: Suicide Basin rising again after brief water level drop Thursday morning

Maximum crest of river from full release would be 11 ft., well below peak of record August flood

A graph shows Suicide Basin’s water level rising Thursday afternoon following a drop in the morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 8, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Oct. 8, 2004. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jackie Bryant, director of the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter during its first season, inspects cots after people staying there depart on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Cold-weather shelter in Thane to open for second year Tuesday with indoor bathrooms and other changes

Shelter officials, surrounding businesses plan more active monitoring to safeguard against problems.

Jackie Bryant, director of the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter during its first season, inspects cots after people staying there depart on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Flood protection, second Juneau-Douglas crossing top Planning Commission’s legislative wish list

Draft 19-item list also includes housing, other projects Assembly will rank and seek funds for.

A view of Gastineau Channel, where a second crossing between Juneau and Douglas north of the current bridge is in the evaluation stage. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Tyson Duckworth (left) and Marco Reina face off in the main event at AK Beatdown 36 on Saturday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Fight night returns to Juneau after five years with a 10-count of boxing and MMA bouts

AK Beatdown 36 reunites brawlers from Southeast and beyond, with some eyeing bigger dreams.

Tyson Duckworth (left) and Marco Reina face off in the main event at AK Beatdown 36 on Saturday night at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Eaglecrest facing rocky ski season due to loss of Black Bear lift, problems with snowmaking system

One of two mountaintop lifts may close all season; report says snowmaking needs “immediate safety upgrades.”

The Black Bear chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area may be closed throughout the 2024-25 ski season due to mechanical problems. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS volleyball teams find their new groove hosting JIVE tournament

Varsity built from 91 players seeking spots after consolidation settles in; two JV teams face off in semifinal.

June Troxel (left), a sophomore for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s varsity volleyball team, sets up a teammate during Saturday’s game against Mountain City Christian Academy in an elimination game of the Juneau Invitational Volleyball Extravaganza at JDHS. Pictured on the court with Troxel are Amelia Elfers (13), Lavinia Ma’ake (11) and Braith Dihle (2). Head Coach Jody Levernier is standing behind them holding a clipboard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Updated election results show no change as turnout surpasses last year’s total vote

Ballots from 34.27% of voters tallied as of Friday, final results expected Oct 15; last year’s total 33.98%.

A dropoff box for ballots at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey (right), with his son Emil Mackey IV between them, listen to a presentation during a school board retreat at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Saturday, Sept 28. Recall votes for both board members are failing in the initial vote tally in this year’s municipal election. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

School board that made lots of changes appears it will remain the same after election

Three incumbents leading by large margins; recall petitions against two members failing

Juneau Board of Education President Deedie Sorensen (left) and Vice President Emil Mackey (right), with his son Emil Mackey IV between them, listen to a presentation during a school board retreat at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Saturday, Sept 28. Recall votes for both board members are failing in the initial vote tally in this year’s municipal election. (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)
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Building blocks toward flood prevention being sought by city, community group

Four-mile levy using giant sand barriers proposed to Assembly; neighborhood group seeks own solutions.

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)
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