Michael S. Lockett

An improvised heating device sparked a February fire in a vehicle near Donna’s, totally destroying the vehicle. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Fire marshal: Homemade heating device sparked February car fire

No one was injured, but the vehicle was immolated.

An improvised heating device sparked a February fire in a vehicle near Donna’s, totally destroying the vehicle. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
A former Army Special Forces medic is raising money to go to Ukraine and set up a triage station there for casualties of the Russian invasion. (Courtesy photo / Brent Kunzler)

Skagway man prepares to head to Ukraine to provide medical aid

He’s raising money to set up an aid station inside the Ukrainian border.

A former Army Special Forces medic is raising money to go to Ukraine and set up a triage station there for casualties of the Russian invasion. (Courtesy photo / Brent Kunzler)
Alaska Seaplanes co-owner Kent Craford, center right, shakes hands with Gary Stears, a principle maintenance inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration as Seaplanes joins the FAA’s Safety Management System program in a ceremony at Juneau International Airport on March 15, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Seaplanes joins new safety program

Acceptance to the FAA program has been a long time coming.

Alaska Seaplanes co-owner Kent Craford, center right, shakes hands with Gary Stears, a principle maintenance inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration as Seaplanes joins the FAA’s Safety Management System program in a ceremony at Juneau International Airport on March 15, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Medical Examiner identified a body found Thursday as a man missing from Juneau since late October 2021. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Body found Thursday ID’d as missing man

The state medical examiner is still investigating the cause of death.

The Alaska Medical Examiner identified a body found Thursday as a man missing from Juneau since late October 2021. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
The FBI is seeking more information about the activities of a former Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officer who was recently indicted for new counts of sexual assault, following his 2021 arrest. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Law)

FBI seeking further information ex-DHS officer charged with sexual assault

They’re investigating his activities inside Anchorage as well as elsewhere.

The FBI is seeking more information about the activities of a former Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service officer who was recently indicted for new counts of sexual assault, following his 2021 arrest. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Law)
The Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau passed an amendment allowing for the possibility of a fifth cruise ship pier in the city’s Long Range Waterfront Plan on March 15, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City OKs ordinance allowing for fifth pier in long-term plan

It’s not that it will be built, but that it can be built under the plan.

The Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau passed an amendment allowing for the possibility of a fifth cruise ship pier in the city’s Long Range Waterfront Plan on March 15, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Association of Alaska School Boards won a $100,000 grant to develop resources to more closely involve families in the education process from the Carnegie Corporation on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Education advocacy organization earns major grant

It’ll help develop resources to help teachers work with families to improve educational outcomes.

The Association of Alaska School Boards won a $100,000 grant to develop resources to more closely involve families in the education process from the Carnegie Corporation on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A student stands in front of building supplies and a temporary structure as a new secondary school goes up with help from a Juneau woman who used to live in the village in Togo. (Courtesy photo / Mary McEwen)

Local woman raises thousands for school construction in Togo

Right time, right place, right contacts to help out.

A student stands in front of building supplies and a temporary structure as a new secondary school goes up with help from a Juneau woman who used to live in the village in Togo. (Courtesy photo / Mary McEwen)
A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Teamwork makes the dream work: Navy, JPD hold bomb drill outside capitol building

It’s good to know what to do before a crisis happens.

A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Folk Fest returns full force to Juneau

The 47th annual performance of the event returns to live concerts with a roar.

The Alaska Folk Festival will take place at Centennial Hall from April 4-10 after two years of being curtailed sharply by the pandemic. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.

One injured in Auke Bay boat fire

The cause of the engine fire is under investigation.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
A boat at the Fisherman’s Bend pier caught fire Tuesday night, injuring one person, according to Capital City Fire/Rescue.
A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official. (Larry Talley / Courtesy photo)

Whale’s body spotted near Tenakee Inlet

The animal with a long history in the area has been necropsied.

A dead whale previously seen and necropsied on a small island near Angoon was spotted afloat on March 3. The cuts visible come from the necropsy effort, said a NOAA official. (Larry Talley / Courtesy photo)
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Brandon sits off Auke Bay after offloading passengers on March 6, 2022 as part of exercise Arctic Edge 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Brandon sits off Auke Bay after offloading passengers on March 6, 2022 as part of exercise Arctic Edge 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
The Mendenhall Wetlands, among the lowest parts of Juneau, are still considerably higher out of the water than the area used to be, said the city’s port engineer.

Sea levels projected to rise nationwide, but Juneau faces different changes

The uplift of the land is actually outsripping sea level rise here in Juneau

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
The Mendenhall Wetlands, among the lowest parts of Juneau, are still considerably higher out of the water than the area used to be, said the city’s port engineer.
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corporation, to divest itself from any Russian investment.

Protesters, politicians call for cutting financial ties to Russia

The governor issued a statment directing state agencies to identify and divest, if appropriate.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire 
Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, speaks during a rally urging the Alaska government, particularly the Permanent Fund Corporation, to divest itself from any Russian investment.
A man involved in a fatal accident at the Glory Hall has been indicted for murder. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Man involved in fatal fall indicted for murder

He’s currently being held at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

A man involved in a fatal accident at the Glory Hall has been indicted for murder. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly recently passed amendements linking all harbor fees to the consumer price index and raising the dockage fees, which applies primarily to large vessels reserving mooring at city piers, such as the Don D. Statter Harbor breakwater. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Amendment passes increasing dockage fee

Harbor fees are now linked to consumer price index.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly recently passed amendements linking all harbor fees to the consumer price index and raising the dockage fees, which applies primarily to large vessels reserving mooring at city piers, such as the Don D. Statter Harbor breakwater. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Team Forget-Me-Not poses with the 2nd place trophy for the Ice Sports Industry 2022 Winter Classic in San Jose, California. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Skating Club)

Juneau Skating Club ices 2nd in travel tournament

Against bigger teams with significantly easier commutes, they carved to a solid second.

Team Forget-Me-Not poses with the 2nd place trophy for the Ice Sports Industry 2022 Winter Classic in San Jose, California. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Skating Club)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé basketball teams will face Thunder Mountain High School one last time in regular season play this weekend, as the school also hosts Senior Night and a suicide prevention event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé basketball teams will face Thunder Mountain High School one last time in regular season play this weekend, as the school also hosts Senior Night and a suicide prevention event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten
Two Avenger Air Defense Systems sit on a flatbed trailer Feb. 25 at the Port of Anchorage for exercise Arctic Edge 2022.

Military holds major Arctic exercise across Alaska

From Juneau to the Arctic Circle, servicemembers will be practicing their cold-weather warfare.

U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class Andrew Britten
Two Avenger Air Defense Systems sit on a flatbed trailer Feb. 25 at the Port of Anchorage for exercise Arctic Edge 2022.