Meredith Jordan

Derek Bos of Colorado smiles for a photo Sept. 28 outside of City Hall during a visit to Juneau as a finalist for chief of the Juneau Police Department. He was named the new chief on Tuesday and is scheduled to start Feb. 1. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau reaches to Colorado for new police chief

Derek Bos replaces Chief Ed Mercer, who retired July 31

Derek Bos of Colorado smiles for a photo Sept. 28 outside of City Hall during a visit to Juneau as a finalist for chief of the Juneau Police Department. He was named the new chief on Tuesday and is scheduled to start Feb. 1. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Troy Michael Smith, a part-time Juneau resident, at the Mr. Gay World competition in Cape Town, South Africa, where he prevailed among the 11 candidates. (Photo courtesy of Rudi Du Toit Photography)

Juneau resident crowned Mr. Gay World

Troy Michael Smith bests 11 international candidates in Cape Town.

Troy Michael Smith, a part-time Juneau resident, at the Mr. Gay World competition in Cape Town, South Africa, where he prevailed among the 11 candidates. (Photo courtesy of Rudi Du Toit Photography)
Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. A collective $110 million in public investment for mariculture in Alaska is occurring via federal and other funding. (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Forest Service)

Envisioning a future of mariculture boom times

More than $100M helping spur growth in oyster and kelp farming, research and development.

Fishers set out equipment a short distance from shore in the Tongass National Forest. A collective $110 million in public investment for mariculture in Alaska is occurring via federal and other funding. (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Forest Service)
The Tustumena ferry is seen July 20, 2021, in southwest Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)

Current issues dominate ferry system open house for long-term planning

Mainliner specs go to shipbuilders in November while the fate of Matanuska remains unknown.

The Tustumena ferry is seen July 20, 2021, in southwest Alaska. (Photo by James Brooks)
An entangled humpback whale seen from above on Oct. 10 near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. (Photo by Sean Neilson, NOAA MMHSRP Permit No. 24359)

Juvenile whale caught in heavy fishing apparatus freed by team effort

Rescue follows the loss of a whale calf to a vessel strike in August

An entangled humpback whale seen from above on Oct. 10 near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. (Photo by Sean Neilson, NOAA MMHSRP Permit No. 24359)
The back side of a unit in an apartment complex at 2800 Postal Way that caught fire on Sunday evening. No one was injured in the blaze, which left its occupant temporarily homeless and a neighbor’s home with smoke damage. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire.)
The back side of a unit in an apartment complex at 2800 Postal Way that caught fire on Sunday evening. No one was injured in the blaze, which left its occupant temporarily homeless and a neighbor’s home with smoke damage. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire.)
Lyle’s & Jensen’s Home Furnishings on Jordan Avenue, a family business in that location for about 27 years, has sold the building, but will continue to operate in the location until the end of December. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Furniture store closing after a long run, but may be back

Alaska Industrial Hardware purchased the building, according to assessors office.

Lyle’s & Jensen’s Home Furnishings on Jordan Avenue, a family business in that location for about 27 years, has sold the building, but will continue to operate in the location until the end of December. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
A retail complex in the 9100 block of Glacier Highway is where investigators with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force arrested David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, on drug charges Thursday afternoon, according to the Juneau Police Department. JPD said Cox, when approached, re-entered a business, attempting to discard drugs and cash before surrendering. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)

Juneau man suspected of dealing variety of illegal drugs arrested by SEACAD

David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, also faces weapons charges

A retail complex in the 9100 block of Glacier Highway is where investigators with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) task force arrested David Melvin Cox Jr., 35, on drug charges Thursday afternoon, according to the Juneau Police Department. JPD said Cox, when approached, re-entered a business, attempting to discard drugs and cash before surrendering. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
NBA basketball legend Carlos Boozer looks to move the ball in the second half of an NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Carlos Boozer opens up about lessons learned and dreams come true

QA covers his book, lifelong friends in Juneau, faith and Kobe Bryant.

NBA basketball legend Carlos Boozer looks to move the ball in the second half of an NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)
Tanner Johnson, playing the role of Candide, rehearses Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. The operetta “Candide” is based on Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of the classic novella by Voltaire. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Tanner Johnson, playing the role of Candide, rehearses Tuesday at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. The operetta “Candide” is based on Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of the classic novella by Voltaire. (Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire)
Wayne Stevens, right, president and CEO of United Way of Southeast Alaska, greets a person at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Family Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. Stevens retired as head of the organization last month, but remains active in its causes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Wayne Stevens retires as president and CEO of United Way Southeast

Longtime Juneau resident oversaw numerous assistance programs and helped agency through pandemic.

Wayne Stevens, right, president and CEO of United Way of Southeast Alaska, greets a person at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Family Lodge on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. Stevens retired as head of the organization last month, but remains active in its causes. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire
The theme for this year’s annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce event was “Under the Sea: A Celebration of Ocean Industries.” The event was held at Centennial Hall, which was festooned with items linked to the sea such as giant jellyfish decorations.

Chamber adds new award to its biggest night

Gala celebration honored trash collector, plus construction firm key to saving homes during flood.

Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire
The theme for this year’s annual Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce event was “Under the Sea: A Celebration of Ocean Industries.” The event was held at Centennial Hall, which was festooned with items linked to the sea such as giant jellyfish decorations.
City and Borough of Juneau photo
Aurora Harbor is where a Tennessee fugitive wanted for child rape and related charges was staying on a houseboat when he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals last week.

Fugitive renting a houseboat picked up by U.S. Marshals

Adam James Gabarra has been wanted in Tennessee since July.

City and Borough of Juneau photo
Aurora Harbor is where a Tennessee fugitive wanted for child rape and related charges was staying on a houseboat when he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals last week.
Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire
A manager at Alaska Glacier Seafood shows a filleted sea cucumber ready for further processing.

Sea cucumber season off to a good start

Divers seeing much better prices than last year to start

Meredith Jordan/ Juneau Empire
A manager at Alaska Glacier Seafood shows a filleted sea cucumber ready for further processing.
A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)

Salmon drift gillnet season ends with a hint at final numbers

King goals expected to be met in six of 11 index locations

A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)
Muskeg Collective members Erin Heist, Annie Bartholomew, Taylor Vidic and Josh Fortenbery, plus special guest Andrew Heist, perform at The Golden Saloon in McCarthy in early August. The group will be featured at the Cowboy Ball on Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Photo by Cam Jimmo)

Cowboy up for an Alaska-style country music hoedown

Local musicians with eclectic styles come together as Muskeg Collective at Cowboy Ball on Saturday.

Muskeg Collective members Erin Heist, Annie Bartholomew, Taylor Vidic and Josh Fortenbery, plus special guest Andrew Heist, perform at The Golden Saloon in McCarthy in early August. The group will be featured at the Cowboy Ball on Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Photo by Cam Jimmo)
Juneau’s high school tennis team finished second overall in the ASAA Alaska State Tennis Championship that ended Saturday in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of Mona Mametsuka)

Juneau tennis team swings into second overall at state tournament

Team takes first place in mixed doubles, second in girls doubles and third in boys doubles

Juneau’s high school tennis team finished second overall in the ASAA Alaska State Tennis Championship that ended Saturday in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of Mona Mametsuka)
Josie Ferrer addresses the audience with announcements during the Filipino Community Celebration on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the event on Saturday, with more activities planned starting at noon Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Filipino Community Hall hosts hundreds at celebration

Event is part of larger project after state’s recognizes October as Filipino American History Month.

Josie Ferrer addresses the audience with announcements during the Filipino Community Celebration on Saturday. Hundreds of people attended the event on Saturday, with more activities planned starting at noon Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
The Fiddlehead Restaurant & Bakery, which used to be in this building now occupied by the Sandpiper Cafe, is the inspiration for a pop-up restaurant fundraiser scheduled Oct. 21 on behalf of the Southeast Alaska Land Trust.
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
The Fiddlehead Restaurant & Bakery, which used to be in this building now occupied by the Sandpiper Cafe, is the inspiration for a pop-up restaurant fundraiser scheduled Oct. 21 on behalf of the Southeast Alaska Land Trust.
Two queer space cadets cruising the galaxy crash land on a strange planet in the film “Anathema,” which is scheduled to be screened during the HUMP! Film Fest scheduled at the Gold Town Theater Oct. 21-22. (Photo courtesy of HUMP! Film Fest)
Two queer space cadets cruising the galaxy crash land on a strange planet in the film “Anathema,” which is scheduled to be screened during the HUMP! Film Fest scheduled at the Gold Town Theater Oct. 21-22. (Photo courtesy of HUMP! Film Fest)