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Nancy Keen, left, and Leona Santiago, right, pay tribute to the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group as they perform during a Celebrate Survivors gathering sponsored by Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and AWARE in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: ‘Celebrate Survivors’ gathering in Juneau

People attend a Celebrate Survivors gathering sponsored by Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and AWARE in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on… Continue reading

Nancy Keen, left, and Leona Santiago, right, pay tribute to the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group as they perform during a Celebrate Survivors gathering sponsored by Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and AWARE in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Community gathers to Celebrate Survivors
Features

Community gathers to Celebrate Survivors

Pauline Stepetin capped a marker and passed a wood chip to her mother, Lois Jamestown, who placed in a bowl. The chip, which bore the… Continue reading

Community gathers to Celebrate Survivors
The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)

‘Emerging’ pollutant contaminates Gustavus well water

Some residents of the small town of Gustavus, near Glacier Bay National Park, are relying on state-provided drinking water after testing of private wells showed… Continue reading

The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)
Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Trauma in Vladivostok turns into Juneau resolve for candidate Sara Hannan

For Sara Hannan, there is a night in Vladivostok that she’ll always remember.

Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Best photos of week of Oct. 19

Best photos of week of Oct. 19

Best Pictures of the Week by staff photographer Michael Penn. • Contact staff photographer Michael Penn at 523-2262 and mpenn@juneauempire.com.… Continue reading

Best photos of week of Oct. 19
Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)

After Walker quits, governor race now ‘down to the wire’

Mike Dunleavy still leads the race to become Alaska’s next governor, latest poll shows.

Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)
Visiting African musician talks garbage guitars and playing Mandela’s inauguration
Features

Visiting African musician talks garbage guitars and playing Mandela’s inauguration

Vusi Mahlasela has a mug full of coffee, and he was ready to talk. “All right, let’s go,” Mahlasela said smiling in the green room… Continue reading

Visiting African musician talks garbage guitars and playing Mandela’s inauguration
The Fairbanks Four — Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese — hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed in December 2015 in Fairbanks. (Rachel D’Oro | The Associated Press file)

Federal judge dismisses Fairbanks Four lawsuit

A federal judge ruled against the Fairbanks Four in an opinion issued Monday.

The Fairbanks Four — Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese — hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed in December 2015 in Fairbanks. (Rachel D’Oro | The Associated Press file)
The city has received an offer to buy the area known as Pocket Park at Front and Franklin Streets to be used as a food court, but is likely to hold off on deciding a long-term future for the park. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

What next for downtown’s Pocket Park?

The owner of Deckhand Dave’s offered to buy the entire property.

The city has received an offer to buy the area known as Pocket Park at Front and Franklin Streets to be used as a food court, but is likely to hold off on deciding a long-term future for the park. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel wheel a man to a waiting ambulance at the scene of a two-car accident near the Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road intersection in the Mendenhall Valley in March 2016. Two people were treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital for minor injuries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

CCFR hopes $25K bonus attracts, keeps paramedics

The department has had a hard time recruiting and retaining paramedics.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel wheel a man to a waiting ambulance at the scene of a two-car accident near the Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road intersection in the Mendenhall Valley in March 2016. Two people were treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital for minor injuries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Angela Rodell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks in July 2018. An APFC spokeswoman said the corporation has declined an invitation to a Saudi investment conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation not attending Saudi conference

But not for political reasons.

Angela Rodell, executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks in July 2018. An APFC spokeswoman said the corporation has declined an invitation to a Saudi investment conference. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

For House candidate Andi Story, the secret to success is mobilization

The House District 34 candidate believes making good decisions involves bringing as many ideas into play as possible.

Andi Story is running for Alaska House District 34. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated file photo. (Alaska Division of Elections)

State seeks poll workers in village that failed to vote

The Alaska Division of Elections is seeking poll workers in a Yukon River village that failed to turn in any ballots for the August statewide… Continue reading

A ballot box logo is seen on election materials from the Alaska Division of Elections in this undated file photo. (Alaska Division of Elections)
‘The Princess Sophia’ commemorates shipwreck 100 years later
Features

‘The Princess Sophia’ commemorates shipwreck 100 years later

“The Princess Sophia” is nearly ready for its maiden voyage. The opera named for the ill-fated ship makes its world premiere 8 p.m. Thursday in… Continue reading

‘The Princess Sophia’ commemorates shipwreck 100 years later
Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Quiet start to early voting

Byron Mallott is usually one of the first early voters when polls open at the State Office Building. This year, the first person in line… Continue reading

Libby Bakalar, left, receives her ballot from election official Tami Burgett, right, as Michael Grubbs waits during early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Voting is on the 8th floor of the State Office Building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The Elections Office in the Mendenhall Mall Annex is also open for voting during the same times plus Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, noon-4 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Ty Grussendorf, 24, left, appears in Juneau Superior Court with his attorney, John P. Cashion, to plead guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Grussendorf pleads guilty to sex abuse

The sentence will likely be handed down in January.

Ty Grussendorf, 24, left, appears in Juneau Superior Court with his attorney, John P. Cashion, to plead guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Early voting opens today

Juneau voters don’t have to wait until the Nov. 6 General Election to cast ballots. Starting today, they can do so during business hours at… Continue reading

Election official Jacqueline Fowler, left, hands Becky Dierking her ballot in the Municipal Election at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Yakutat Borough Police Department vehicle sits in front of the site of a fatal stabbing in Yakutat on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Yakutat Borough Police Department)

Yakutat murder suspect, victim were longtime friends

It’s the first murder in Yakutat in more than 20 years.

A Yakutat Borough Police Department vehicle sits in front of the site of a fatal stabbing in Yakutat on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Yakutat Borough Police Department)
Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Galvin campaign comes to Juneau on eve of early voting

Before the start of her town hall meeting, Alyse Galvin led her audience in a team-building exercise. “I’m going to need everyone to move about… Continue reading

Alyse Galvin, Alaska’s independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, holds a town hall-style meeting to an overflowing room at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael Christenson placed first in the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí grand slam. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Features

Annual Grand Slam poetry event crowns a winner

After delivering three caustic poems en route to the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí Grand Slam title, Michael Christenson was all smiles. The night and the… Continue reading

Michael Christenson placed first in the eighth annual Woosh Kinaadeiyí grand slam. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)