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Juneau-Douglas High School assistant volleyball coach Dale Bontrager speaks at practice last season. Bontrager retired from coaching volleyball at the beginning of the season. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)

High school volleyball coach legacy spans two generations

The Juneau-Douglas High School volleyball team’s senior night is Saturday right before its regular season finale against Thunder Mountain at 6:30 p.m. In addition to… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School assistant volleyball coach Dale Bontrager speaks at practice last season. Bontrager retired from coaching volleyball at the beginning of the season. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)
George Edwardson, board member for Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and President of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) stands in front of the UK HQ of cruise industry giant Carnival Corporation. (Courtesy Photo | Jiri Rezac via Stand.earth)

Alaskans travel to UK to protest cruise’s heavy oils

Alaska indigenous leaders traveled to the United Kingdom this week to deliver a petition asking a cruise industry giant to stop using inexpensive fuel believed… Continue reading

George Edwardson, board member for Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska and President of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS) stands in front of the UK HQ of cruise industry giant Carnival Corporation. (Courtesy Photo | Jiri Rezac via Stand.earth)
Golden hour on Auke Lake. 30 Seconds from the road. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Photos: Resting in Juneau

I guess it’s OK to take a break.

Golden hour on Auke Lake. 30 Seconds from the road. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)
Time running out to apply for spot on JEDC board

Time running out to apply for spot on JEDC board

There are three open seats on the Juneau Economic Development Council’s Board of Directors, and the deadline to apply for a spot has been extended,… Continue reading

Time running out to apply for spot on JEDC board
Concert to premiere locally written and performed music
Features

Concert to premiere locally written and performed music

7 musicians, 12 new works and 24 musicians.

Concert to premiere locally written and performed music
Museum Mask-erade brings in funds and fun
Features

Museum Mask-erade brings in funds and fun

The Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum had a temporary exhibit on charitable parties last Saturday. The Mask-erade Ball brought a crowd to the Andrew… Continue reading

Museum Mask-erade brings in funds and fun
A memorial to the passengers and crew of the S.S. Princess Sophia at the Eagle Beach Recreation Area on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, 100 years after the ship hit Vanderbilt Reef and sunk in Favorite Channel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sophia centennial and day of sinking share stormy weather

Weather on Thursday’s centennial and the day of the Princess Sophia’s sinking shared a bit in common — but not to an eerie degree, said… Continue reading

A memorial to the passengers and crew of the S.S. Princess Sophia at the Eagle Beach Recreation Area on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, 100 years after the ship hit Vanderbilt Reef and sunk in Favorite Channel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mary Lou Spartz reads the names of victims buried at the Evergreen Cemetery during a memorial service on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Princess Sophia. The service takes place at the gravesite of Walter Harper and his wife, Frances Wells. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Important and terrible’: Princess Sophia memorial brings attendees from near, far

Windy weather wasn’t enough to deter people from paying their respects.

Mary Lou Spartz reads the names of victims buried at the Evergreen Cemetery during a memorial service on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Princess Sophia. The service takes place at the gravesite of Walter Harper and his wife, Frances Wells. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska Southeast chancellor Rick Caulfield speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon on Oct. 25, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

UAS chancellor updates Juneau Chamber on university’s progress

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield shared good news with the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday: The number of new students is rising, and… Continue reading

University of Alaska Southeast chancellor Rick Caulfield speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon on Oct. 25, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEWLocal 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Begich to visit Juneau, Dunleavy gets Trump endorsement

The latest from the campaign trail.

Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich greets and speaks to Juneau residents interested in his campaign for governor at the IBEWLocal 1547 Union office on Thursday, June 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Officer C.J. Warnaca administers a field sobriety test after a four-car crash on Egan Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Nobody was harmed, authorities said on scene. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Driver in four-car crash charged with felony

One person was treated for minor injuries.

Juneau Police Department Officer C.J. Warnaca administers a field sobriety test after a four-car crash on Egan Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Nobody was harmed, authorities said on scene. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau taxicab is pictured in February 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Free cab rides available Saturday night

This Halloween weekend, there’s reason for celebration but no reason to drive drunk. Those who are looking to have a few drinks at a bar… Continue reading

A Juneau taxicab is pictured in February 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Glacier sends up bat signal with weekend activities

Just in time for Halloween, the U.S. Forest Service will celebrate National Bat Week at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this weekend. Youth-oriented activities and… Continue reading

A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto points out a new paving project on the southeast corner of the airport to allow for new hangers and more parking of planes and jets on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Airport starts plane parking expansion

Help is on the way for Juneau’s packed aircraft parking.

Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto points out a new paving project on the southeast corner of the airport to allow for new hangers and more parking of planes and jets on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A view of the Princess Sophia’s port side, The ship, which was bound for Seattle, struck Vanderbilt Reef because of a confluence of conditions, including a late train and poor visibility. The ship sunk Oct. 25 1918. (Alaska State Library-Historical Collections, ASL-P87-1699)

Events commemorate Sophia’s centennial

Three major events are taking place Thursday.

A view of the Princess Sophia’s port side, The ship, which was bound for Seattle, struck Vanderbilt Reef because of a confluence of conditions, including a late train and poor visibility. The ship sunk Oct. 25 1918. (Alaska State Library-Historical Collections, ASL-P87-1699)
Coach Mark Kappler walks with Brice Norton, right, Mackenzie Lam and Renee Win, left, as they practice their trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Youth trap shooters to compete locally

The Juneau Trap Team is hosting the fourth annual Southeast Fall Tournament this weekend at the Juneau Gun Club. Close to 20 team members will… Continue reading

Coach Mark Kappler walks with Brice Norton, right, Mackenzie Lam and Renee Win, left, as they practice their trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Broken windows are covered up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, after reports of vandalism on Monday night. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vandalism spree hits four Valley churches

One church suffered about $10,000 in damages.

Broken windows are covered up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, after reports of vandalism on Monday night. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sealaska Plaza and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are seen during a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Sealaska Corp., the regional Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska, says it is not making an endorsement in the new-look governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tlingit & Haida, Sealaska Corp. decline to endorse gov candidate

Sealaska Corp. will not make an endorsement in the new-look Alaska governor’s race.

Sealaska Plaza and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are seen during a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Sealaska Corp., the regional Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska, says it is not making an endorsement in the new-look governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sitka man charged with having, making pipe bomb

The man allegedly attempted to ignite a bomb near Herring Cove Road in Sitka on Oct. 4.

The new Project Playground design is based on the old playground, but includes a few upgrades. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Project Playground will close briefly for repairs

The newly reopened playground will be closed for a couple days.

The new Project Playground design is based on the old playground, but includes a few upgrades. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)