Michael S. Lockett

A diagram of the whaleship Essex, homeported in Nantucket, Massachusetts, before she was sank by a whale in the Pacific. The diagram was drawn by Thomas Nickerson, a survivor of the wreck. (Courtesy photo | Nantucket Historical Association)

What Alaska can learn from the sinking of the Essex

The sea is merciless, but technology can be a lifesaver.

A diagram of the whaleship Essex, homeported in Nantucket, Massachusetts, before she was sank by a whale in the Pacific. The diagram was drawn by Thomas Nickerson, a survivor of the wreck. (Courtesy photo | Nantucket Historical Association)
Keri Williamson, an engineer for the city’s Engineering and Public Works Department, talks about the damage at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park utilities building on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. City waste water pumps were overwhelmed during last weekend’s storm and caused a backup of sewage into park’s building that housing the pumps and controls for the whale statue. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau whale statue pumps to be repaired by spring, hopefully

The whale will winter on the binnacle list this year.

Keri Williamson, an engineer for the city’s Engineering and Public Works Department, talks about the damage at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park utilities building on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. City waste water pumps were overwhelmed during last weekend’s storm and caused a backup of sewage into park’s building that housing the pumps and controls for the whale statue. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
State Farm insurance agent Robin Lonas and Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshall Dan Jager pose for a photo during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9, 2019. (Courtesy Photo)

Insurance agent donates fire safety kit to CCFR

The kit helps children familiarize themselves with a bail-out plan.

State Farm insurance agent Robin Lonas and Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshall Dan Jager pose for a photo during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9, 2019. (Courtesy Photo)
The Juneau Police Department is holding a online vehicle auction for 17 vehicles beginning Oct. 21, 2019 at 8 a.m.

JPD vehicle auction begins next week

It’s JPD vehicle auction time again!

The Juneau Police Department is holding a online vehicle auction for 17 vehicles beginning Oct. 21, 2019 at 8 a.m.
Eric Fullerton makes his investment pitch during the Alaska Tourism Industry Association’s version of “Shark Tank” during their annual conference, held this year at Centennial Center, Oct. 9, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Small businesses win big in Alaska version of ‘Shark Tank’

Some small companies got a big boost Wednesday.

Eric Fullerton makes his investment pitch during the Alaska Tourism Industry Association’s version of “Shark Tank” during their annual conference, held this year at Centennial Center, Oct. 9, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Students, parents raise deep concerns about monitoring software at school board meeting
Students, parents raise deep concerns about monitoring software at school board meeting
Emily Weir’s car fell into chasm washed away on John Street in Douglas the evening of Oct. 5, 2015. Heavy rains in Juneau washed out roads, caused mudslides and damaged houses. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Update: Repairs underway on roads damage by mudslides

Full extent of damage not yet known.

Emily Weir’s car fell into chasm washed away on John Street in Douglas the evening of Oct. 5, 2015. Heavy rains in Juneau washed out roads, caused mudslides and damaged houses. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, gives his closing argument in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Prosecution sticks to evidence as defense attacks witnesses in closing arguments

The trial for a 2015 double murder is now in the hands of the jury.

Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, gives his closing argument in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, during the trial of Laron Carlton Graham. Graham is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Machinery Technician 2nd Class Anthony Delorenzo, Coast Guardsman stationed at Coast Guard Station Juneau, displays his tattoos Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Art on hand: Coast Guard to allow limited hand, finger tattoos with new policy

The Coast Guard is adapting to modern attitudes toward body art.

Machinery Technician 2nd Class Anthony Delorenzo, Coast Guardsman stationed at Coast Guard Station Juneau, displays his tattoos Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Train hard, climb high: How Juneau Mountain Rescue stays on top of the game

Train hard, climb high: How Juneau Mountain Rescue stays on top of the game

Anyone can join, but they’ll have to put in the hours.

Train hard, climb high: How Juneau Mountain Rescue stays on top of the game
The trial of Laron Carlton Graham for the murder of Elizabeth Tonsmeire and Robby Meireis continued in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The trial of Laron Carlton Graham for the murder of Elizabeth Tonsmeire and Robby Meireis continued in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Jacqueline Pata, President & CEO of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, speaks at an announcement of a $1 million grant to help veteran’s housing needs in Southeast Alaska on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tlingit and Haida gets more than $1 million in housing grants

THRHA will help homeless veterans through the grant.

Jacqueline Pata, President & CEO of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, speaks at an announcement of a $1 million grant to help veteran’s housing needs in Southeast Alaska on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Community through coffee: JPD partakes in National Coffee with a Cop day
Community through coffee: JPD partakes in National Coffee with a Cop day
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Overall Alaska crime down, but violent crime is at 5 year high
Overall Alaska crime down, but violent crime is at 5 year high
New JACC ad causes consternation in some ahead of municipal election

New JACC ad causes consternation in some ahead of municipal election

Voting for the contentious Prop 3 is Tuesday.

New JACC ad causes consternation in some ahead of municipal election
Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police detective’s testimony, Fifth Amendment defenses mark trial Monday

Police detective details the thorough murder investigation.

Prosecuting Attorney John Darnall, from the Office of Special Prosecutions, right, shows pictures of recovered bullets and their casings to Juneau Police Department Sgt. Matt DuBois during the double murder trial of Laron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. Graham is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the November 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A moon jellyfish swims in Gastineau Channel on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Seeing lots of jellyfish around Juneau? Here’s why.

Reports of peanutbutterfish are uncomfirmed at this time.

A moon jellyfish swims in Gastineau Channel on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A flashing “X” signals the closed runway as crews work on a repaving project at the Juneau International Airport in 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Grant nets Juneau airport over $25M for maintenance, repairs

The money will be used to repair aging taxiways.

A flashing “X” signals the closed runway as crews work on a repaving project at the Juneau International Airport in 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Termination dust hits the peaks above the Mendenhall Glacier on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Termination dust hits the peaks above the Mendenhall Glacier on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)