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Ben Patterson, the city’s park maintenance supervisor, tries to read a moss-covered gravestone as he gives a tour of the cemetery sections in Douglas on Monday, August 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City might help maintain overgrown Douglas cemeteries

Ben Patterson had to pull the devil’s club and alder to the side to get a good look at the gravestone. Patterson, the landscape maintenance… Continue reading

Ben Patterson, the city’s park maintenance supervisor, tries to read a moss-covered gravestone as he gives a tour of the cemetery sections in Douglas on Monday, August 13, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this June 2017 photo, a pedestrian walks by City Hall. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Early childhood education funding will not appear on October ballot

Despite the majority of sitting City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members being in favor of putting a child care funding initiative on the October… Continue reading

In this June 2017 photo, a pedestrian walks by City Hall. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Norton Gregory gives Carole Triem a high-five as he arrives at City Hall to resign from his Assembly seat to run for mayor on Monday, August 13, 2018. Triem was waiting for Gregory to resign so she could file to run for his areawide seat. The Candidate Filing Period for the Oct. 2 Municipal Election closed Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Crowded races abound in municipal election

All was quiet at the Clerk’s Office at City Hall on Monday, until about 3 p.m. At that point, an hour and a half before… Continue reading

Norton Gregory gives Carole Triem a high-five as he arrives at City Hall to resign from his Assembly seat to run for mayor on Monday, August 13, 2018. Triem was waiting for Gregory to resign so she could file to run for his areawide seat. The Candidate Filing Period for the Oct. 2 Municipal Election closed Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
An insect has three body parts, something kids learned with a dance at Bug Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Ecosystem ‘glue:’ Kids learn insect ins and outs at Bug Day

They’re creepy. They’re crawly. And in Alaska, they’re the bane of any fishing expedition. But bugs — even mosquitos — are also a vital part… Continue reading

An insect has three body parts, something kids learned with a dance at Bug Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
City Hall stands on a quiet morning on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Field almost set for municipal election

Entering the final day for candidates to register for the municipal election, there are still a few details that need to be worked out. The… Continue reading

City Hall stands on a quiet morning on June 7, 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Joe Kahken, a retired President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc., speaks about his time with the Juneau-area Alaska Native corporation during an interview on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People of Juneau: Goldbelt’s first CEO reflects on lifetime of involvement

Today, Goldbelt Inc. is a booming Alaska Native corporation that owns lands throughout Southeast Alaska and has thrived in the realms of logging and tourism.… Continue reading

Joe Kahken, a retired President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc., speaks about his time with the Juneau-area Alaska Native corporation during an interview on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Court: Some sex offenders don’t have to register in Alaska

Some Outside sex offenders do not have to enter their names into a statewide registry, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday. In a decision that… Continue reading

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A stock image of a gun care kit. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)

Man dies from gunshot wound

A Juneau man died Saturday from a gunshot wound to the head, according to a Juneau Police Department press release. The man, identified as 63-year-old… Continue reading

A stock image of a gun care kit. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)
Smoke rises from a home on Fritz Cove Road on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)

Nobody harmed in Fritz Cove basement fire

A fire broke out at a home on Fritz Cove Road on Saturday night, Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Tod Chambers said, but nobody was… Continue reading

Smoke rises from a home on Fritz Cove Road on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)
Firefighters battle a fire at a mobile home at Switzer Village Mobile Home Park on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)

Fire destroys trailer, kills dog

A Saturday morning blaze in Switzer Village resulted in the total loss of a double-wide trailer. The home didn’t have any humans inside during the… Continue reading

Firefighters battle a fire at a mobile home at Switzer Village Mobile Home Park on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)
Kevin Allen, pictured in 2016 as a candidate for Juneau School Board.

Thunder Mountain grad will run for school board again

Kevin Allen is hoping that the third time will be the charm. Allen, a 2016 Thunder Mountain High School graduate, has run for a spot… Continue reading

Kevin Allen, pictured in 2016 as a candidate for Juneau School Board.
In a photo provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker waves from the stage at Lathrop High School during a signing ceremony for four bills Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Courtesy photo)

Gov. Walker signs Parish’s education bill

Justin Parish’s bill has become law. In a Friday ceremony in Fairbanks’ Lathrop High School, Gov. Bill Walker signed four education-related bills into law. Among… Continue reading

In a photo provided by the governor’s office, Gov. Bill Walker waves from the stage at Lathrop High School during a signing ceremony for four bills Friday, Aug. 10, 2018. (Courtesy photo)
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Indictments handed down for Franklin Street thefts

A woman became violent after being caught stealing from a downtown jewelry store in July, according to charging documents, and she was indicted on robbery… Continue reading

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The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City might commit money to Housing First expansion

Housing First might be expanding sooner than planned, and the city might again help foot the bill. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members asked… Continue reading

The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Passionate progressive Morphet seeks Alaska House District 33 nomination

Passionate progressive Morphet seeks Alaska House District 33 nomination

Tom Morphet used to write the news. Now, he’s trying to make it.

Passionate progressive Morphet seeks Alaska House District 33 nomination
Eva Bornstein, program officer for the Juneau Economic Development Council, speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 alongside JEDC intern Gunnar Schultz. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Visitors, legislative staff concerned about safety in downtown Juneau, survey says

Visitors to Juneau would like to see downtown cleaned up, both literally and figuratively, according to two Juneau Economic Development Council surveys. The results of… Continue reading

Eva Bornstein, program officer for the Juneau Economic Development Council, speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 alongside JEDC intern Gunnar Schultz. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Donald Habeger, community coordinator for the Juneau Reentry Coalition, opens a community meeting addressing the barriers to housing that post-incarcerated people in Juneau face. The meeting took place at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)

Habeger declares run for Assembly

Don Habeger has lived in Juneau for nearly 40 years, and though he’s worked in politics, he’s never run for a spot on the Assembly.… Continue reading

Donald Habeger, community coordinator for the Juneau Reentry Coalition, opens a community meeting addressing the barriers to housing that post-incarcerated people in Juneau face. The meeting took place at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)
Seafood byproducts are processed into cat food in this 2015 file photo in Juneau. Tariffs could have a significant impact on Alaska seafood being shipped to secondary processing plants in China. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute prepares to protest Trump’s seafood tariffs

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute will push back against a steep seafood tariff suggested by the Trump Administration. In a board meeting Thursday morning, ASMI… Continue reading

Seafood byproducts are processed into cat food in this 2015 file photo in Juneau. Tariffs could have a significant impact on Alaska seafood being shipped to secondary processing plants in China. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters work to secure a former Waste Management recycling building that caught fire on Aug. 9, 2018. The building was already being demolished when the fire happened, CCFR officials said (Courtesy Photo | Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Demolition efforts spark fire at former recycling building

A building that was being demolished caught fire early Thursday morning, Capital City Fire/Rescue officials said. Just after 5 a.m. Thursday, a Waste Management employee… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters work to secure a former Waste Management recycling building that caught fire on Aug. 9, 2018. The building was already being demolished when the fire happened, CCFR officials said (Courtesy Photo | Capital City Fire/Rescue)
Lilah Gaguine, 4, laughs as her mother Becca holds her near Project Playground on the first day of the community build, Aug. 8, 2018. Lilah saved up her allowance for a year to donate to the rebuild, and was invited as an honorary volunteer. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

As community playground build begins, volunteers honor young girl for donation

Volunteers arrived at Project Playground on Wednesday for the first day of the community rebuild, wielding saws, hammers, tape measures and electric sanders.

Lilah Gaguine, 4, laughs as her mother Becca holds her near Project Playground on the first day of the community build, Aug. 8, 2018. Lilah saved up her allowance for a year to donate to the rebuild, and was invited as an honorary volunteer. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)