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An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)

Last-minute changes on the table for JACC ballot proposal

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members are running out of time to make adjustments to possible ballot measures for the Oct. 2 election.… Continue reading

An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)
Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Good weather expected to continue

The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and conditions are absolutely lovely at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. That means manager Merrill Jensen isn’t having much… Continue reading

Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
James and Rachael are tour brokers who meet three years ago, got married in 2016 and they just gave themselves new last names. James Marcus Skywalker Gunn and Rachael Elizabeth Skywalker Gunn. Rachael is a big Star Wars fan and James’ grandmother has a maiden name of Gunn. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The force is with them: Couple writes own love story with Star Wars-inspired name change

Even in kindergarten, she told people her name was Skywalker. Rachael wasn’t a fan of her last name of Gammon, especially because her mother had… Continue reading

James and Rachael are tour brokers who meet three years ago, got married in 2016 and they just gave themselves new last names. James Marcus Skywalker Gunn and Rachael Elizabeth Skywalker Gunn. Rachael is a big Star Wars fan and James’ grandmother has a maiden name of Gunn. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Prepping for 2018 election, state looks at 2020

The Alaska Division of Elections is in the middle of preparations for this fall’s statewide primary and general elections, but in a meeting Wednesday, the… Continue reading

Dr. Johnny Holland feeds his ballot into a counting machine while voting during a special election for mayor of Juneau at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in 2016. The Alaska Division of Elections is considering new voting equipment statewide. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Russell Read, chief investment officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is seen in an August 2016 photo provided by the corporation. (Courtesy photo)

Permanent Fund Corp. seeks new investment boss

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation is making a change at the top. Two weeks after chief investment officer Russell Read announced his resignation, the state-owned… Continue reading

Russell Read, chief investment officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is seen in an August 2016 photo provided by the corporation. (Courtesy photo)
A stock image of a gun care kit. This is not the gun involved in this past Friday’s incident. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)

Nobody harmed after gun goes off near children

As children enjoyed the sunshine this past Friday afternoon, their playtime was interrupted by an unwelcome sound: a gunshot. A 69-year-old man was in his… Continue reading

A stock image of a gun care kit. This is not the gun involved in this past Friday’s incident. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)
A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon ballot measure proponents fight back after legislative hearing

Proponents of the pro-fisheries Ballot Measure 1 are fighting back after a Friday legislative hearing that saw state officials discuss the costs and consequences of… Continue reading

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talks about the district’s decision on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, to send a formal request to the Alaska School Activities Association to consolidate its football, cheer and hockey teams to Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

School superintendent steps down

After four years in his position, Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller resigned Wednesday and is taking a superintendent job closer to his family in… Continue reading

Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talks about the district’s decision on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, to send a formal request to the Alaska School Activities Association to consolidate its football, cheer and hockey teams to Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Public Libraries installed a new piece of public art outside the Mendenhall Valley Public Library titled “The Librarian” by Ohio-based steel sculptor James Havens on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The 5-foot tall piece was donated by a local Juneau resident Fred Koken. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Valley Library displays ‘Librarian’ sculpture

People driving on Riverside Drive by the Mendenhall Valley Public Library will notice something shiny and new outside the library. On Tuesday, the Juneau Public… Continue reading

Juneau Public Libraries installed a new piece of public art outside the Mendenhall Valley Public Library titled “The Librarian” by Ohio-based steel sculptor James Havens on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The 5-foot tall piece was donated by a local Juneau resident Fred Koken. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Election signs at the corner of 12th and C streets on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New reports reveal primary fundraising frontrunners

Downtown Juneau has the candidates, but the Mendenhall Valley has the money. With 30 days to go before the Aug. 21 statewide primary, new reports… Continue reading

Election signs at the corner of 12th and C streets on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Paul Kelly has announced his run for a seat on the Juneau School District’s Board of Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Board candidate has eye on community partnerships, lower class sizes

Paul Kelly has always been interested in politics, but recently his interest has become a little more personal. Kelly, who moved from Anchorage to Juneau… Continue reading

Paul Kelly has announced his run for a seat on the Juneau School District’s Board of Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responders prepare to load a man into an ambulance after he was hit by a bus at the AJ Dock on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The man’s injuries were minor and he was set to be released from the hospital later in the day. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Man in wheelchair OK after being hit by bus

A pedestrian is in stable condition after being hit by a slow-moving bus at the AJ Dock on Tuesday morning, police and hospital officials said.… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue responders prepare to load a man into an ambulance after he was hit by a bus at the AJ Dock on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The man’s injuries were minor and he was set to be released from the hospital later in the day. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing the tax bill and continuing resolution to fund the government, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. On Friday, the president signed two bills by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump signs two bills from Alaska Rep. Don Young

President Donald Trump has signed a pair of bills from Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. In a Friday ceremony, the president signed House resolutions 219 and… Continue reading

In this Dec. 22, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing the tax bill and continuing resolution to fund the government, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. On Friday, the president signed two bills by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Discovery Southeast staff photo</span> Above and at right, <p> Outdoor Explorer Campers participate in a Discovery Southeast summer camp.

STEM Corner: Use observations to make connections on the trail and in the mind

Where is Here? At Discovery Southeast, this is the question we gravitate toward when fostering curiosity and understanding in our natural environment. In our community,… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Discovery Southeast staff photo</span> Above and at right, <p> Outdoor Explorer Campers participate in a Discovery Southeast summer camp.
Elizabeth (Ebett) Siddon is running for a seat on the Juneau Board of Education. (Elizabeth Siddon | Courtesy Photo)

Biologist intends to run for school board

With municipal election season quickly approaching, more local candidates are beginning to emerge. Elizabeth Siddon, a research fishery biologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Continue reading

Elizabeth (Ebett) Siddon is running for a seat on the Juneau Board of Education. (Elizabeth Siddon | Courtesy Photo)
Trevor Kellar, a community navigator for St. Vincent de Paul, offers Sheila Robinson a cup of coffee on Friday, July 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘A picture of hope’: Social service program offers helping hand to homeless

Michael Good has spent most of his adult life homeless. Just one week ago that all changed and he said he has his faith in… Continue reading

Trevor Kellar, a community navigator for St. Vincent de Paul, offers Sheila Robinson a cup of coffee on Friday, July 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cultural specialist John Smith tells stories about salmon while processing fish during a salmon preservation workshop on Saturday, July 21, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Preserving salmon, culture: Goldbelt workshop look to sustain ancient tradition

Tommy Jimmi Jr. remembers dip-netting for hooligan as a child, his elders behind him on the beach, snow soaking through his clothes. It wasn’t a… Continue reading

Cultural specialist John Smith tells stories about salmon while processing fish during a salmon preservation workshop on Saturday, July 21, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and Finance Committee will meet this week. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

City will receive CCFR staff update

Juneau’s city fire department could be receiving a boost in staffing. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly will hear an update on how many… Continue reading

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and Finance Committee will meet this week. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building, on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City taking time to examine CCFR staffing changes

In examining how to give money to Capital City Fire/Rescue, members of the Assembly are looking to gather more feedback and further examine their options.

Capital City Fire/Rescue cleans up after fighting a fire at 526 Seward Street, next to the Terry Miller Legislative Building, on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Larry Hartig, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks to the Alaska Legislature in 2014. On Friday, Hartig was among the state commissioners who spoke in front of the Alaska Senate’s State Affairs Committee about the effects of Ballot Measure 1. (Juneau Empire file photo)

State officials: Ballot Measure 1 will make some construction projects impossible

In legislative hearing, experts testify about proposal’s side effects.

Larry Hartig, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, speaks to the Alaska Legislature in 2014. On Friday, Hartig was among the state commissioners who spoke in front of the Alaska Senate’s State Affairs Committee about the effects of Ballot Measure 1. (Juneau Empire file photo)