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Dozens of people fill the Assembly chambers to testify during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. Most of the people spoke about either a proposed municipal compost facility, or an ordinance updating landslide and avalanche zone maps. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly roundup: Seawalk barriers go off the rails, compost proposal trashed, McEwen clerk of the year

Crowd defends private composter as city weighs own facility; dock rails stall with 2 members absent.

Dozens of people fill the Assembly chambers to testify during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. Most of the people spoke about either a proposed municipal compost facility, or an ordinance updating landslide and avalanche zone maps. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The borders of the proposed Xunaa Borough are seen in a state map. Xunaa Borough — spelled Hoonah in the map — would incorporate more than 10,000 acres of surface area, mostly water, if the Local Boundary Commission and Hoonah voters approve it. (Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs map)

Xunaa Borough would be Alaska’s 20th, under Hoonah city proposal

Area would include 49 people outside of Hoonah, wouldn’t include other Southeast Alaska cities

The borders of the proposed Xunaa Borough are seen in a state map. Xunaa Borough — spelled Hoonah in the map — would incorporate more than 10,000 acres of surface area, mostly water, if the Local Boundary Commission and Hoonah voters approve it. (Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs map)
Alejandro Lamas stretches his arms as a bishop during an Our Lady of Guadalupe play on Sunday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. In the background are Kimberly Valadez, playing the Virgin Mary, and Milagros Correa and Carlos Orozco as the angels. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A visionary celebration for Juneau’s Hispanic community

Church celebrates Mexico’s Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Mass, play and food.

Alejandro Lamas stretches his arms as a bishop during an Our Lady of Guadalupe play on Sunday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. In the background are Kimberly Valadez, playing the Virgin Mary, and Milagros Correa and Carlos Orozco as the angels. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Wrangell junior Della Churchill pins Mt. Edgecumbe junior Nevaeh George in the girls 114-pound championship match of the 2023 ASAA Region V wrestling tournament Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. Churchill was selected the Girls Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament. (Klas Stolpe/ For the Juneau Empire)

Mt. Edgecumbe wins ASAA Region V Division II and Girls Wrestling Championships

Wrangell’s Della Churchill, Haines Leo Wald selected outstanding wrestlers

Wrangell junior Della Churchill pins Mt. Edgecumbe junior Nevaeh George in the girls 114-pound championship match of the 2023 ASAA Region V wrestling tournament Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. Churchill was selected the Girls Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament. (Klas Stolpe/ For the Juneau Empire)
Marion Fawcett, a single mother in Juneau diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, is seen here in a picture for a GoFundMe set up on behalf of her and her children. (Photo by Amber Nickerson)

Comedy fundraiser seeks to bring cheer to mother with cancer and her children

Event at Crystal Saloon on Saturday part of effort to send family to Disneyland.

Marion Fawcett, a single mother in Juneau diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, is seen here in a picture for a GoFundMe set up on behalf of her and her children. (Photo by Amber Nickerson)
Deckhands stack nets on a boat before heading out to sea to fish salmon on Thursday, June 22, in Kodiak. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Commercial fishermen need more support for substance abuse and fatigue, lawmakers say

Sullivan among congressional members seeking changes, more funding for occupational safety program.

  • Dec 11, 2023
  • By Patrick Whittle Associated Press
  • Fishing
Deckhands stack nets on a boat before heading out to sea to fish salmon on Thursday, June 22, in Kodiak. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Thunder Mountain senior Liam Hart uses a cradle to pin Ketchikan High School junior Easton Yoder in the 189-pound Division I championship match of the 2023 ASAA Region V wrestling tournament, Saturday, at Thunder Mountain High School. (Klas Stolpe/ For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain wins historic Region V wrestling championship, ending Ketchikan streak

Eight Juneau grapplers earn Southeast weight division titles

Thunder Mountain senior Liam Hart uses a cradle to pin Ketchikan High School junior Easton Yoder in the 189-pound Division I championship match of the 2023 ASAA Region V wrestling tournament, Saturday, at Thunder Mountain High School. (Klas Stolpe/ For the Juneau Empire)
Luke Bovitz (#4 in white jersey) looks to take a shot for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé against Kodiak High School on Saturday night at Treadwell Arena. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS dominates the battle of the bears

Crimson Bears’ varsity hockey team defeats Kodiak Bears 7-1, 6-1 in games with similar tracks.

Luke Bovitz (#4 in white jersey) looks to take a shot for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé against Kodiak High School on Saturday night at Treadwell Arena. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Three people hospitalized with overdoses, three people arrested after variety of illegal drugs seized

Methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and pills believed to be fentanyl worth about $152,080, police say.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Pauline Golodoff, left, and George Kudrin hold an iPad featuring images of their deceased spouses, Gregory Golodoff and Elizabeth Golodoff Kurdrin, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gregory and Elizabeth were the last two living residents of Attu, Alaska, whose entire population was captured by the Japanese during World War II and sent to Japan until being liberated after the war. The community of Attu was not rebuilt, and residents were resettled elsewhere, mostly in Atka, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Death of last surviving Alaskan taken by Japan during WWII rekindles memories of forgotten battle

ANCHORAGE — Gregory Golodoff spent most of his years on a quiet Alaska island, living an ordinary life, managing a co-op store, fishing for crab… Continue reading

Pauline Golodoff, left, and George Kudrin hold an iPad featuring images of their deceased spouses, Gregory Golodoff and Elizabeth Golodoff Kurdrin, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska. Gregory and Elizabeth were the last two living residents of Attu, Alaska, whose entire population was captured by the Japanese during World War II and sent to Japan until being liberated after the war. The community of Attu was not rebuilt, and residents were resettled elsewhere, mostly in Atka, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
Emma Pokon, commissioner-designee of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, discusses wood stove pollution regulations affecting the Fairbanks-North Star Borough during a Nov. 26 forum. (Screenshot from video by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)

Newly designated state DEC commissioner strong supporter of Dunleavy’s challenge to federal authority

Emma Pokon, as state attorney, wrote legislation eliminating independent cruise monitoring program.

Emma Pokon, commissioner-designee of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, discusses wood stove pollution regulations affecting the Fairbanks-North Star Borough during a Nov. 26 forum. (Screenshot from video by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)
(Photo by Valeriya / Getty Images Plus)

Negotiations to decide insurance status of Alaska patients of Providence affiliates

Three health care provider groups with Alaska’s largest hospital have notified the state’s largest insurer that they are terminating their contracts at year’s end. Premera… Continue reading

(Photo by Valeriya / Getty Images Plus)
The halls are lined with lockers and portraits of elders at the Anna Tobeluk Memorial School in Nunapitchuk, on Oct. 12. (Photo by Claire Stremple / Alaska Beacon)

Same data, gentler framing: State publishes previously suppressed wage analysis for teachers

An article in the latest issue of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s magazine outlines the data behind shrinking teacher wages in Alaska.… Continue reading

The halls are lined with lockers and portraits of elders at the Anna Tobeluk Memorial School in Nunapitchuk, on Oct. 12. (Photo by Claire Stremple / Alaska Beacon)
Colony High School senior Jasmine Anderson, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Emma Fellman, Service High School senior Preston Kwon and Thunder Mountain High School senior PJ Foy at the USA Swimming 2023 Speedo Winter Junior Championships in Westmont, Illinois. (Courtesy photo)

Foy chasing FMC Natatorium pool record

Glacier Swim Club stars competing at USA junior championships

Colony High School senior Jasmine Anderson, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Emma Fellman, Service High School senior Preston Kwon and Thunder Mountain High School senior PJ Foy at the USA Swimming 2023 Speedo Winter Junior Championships in Westmont, Illinois. (Courtesy photo)
Thunder Mountain High School junior Sage Schultz pins Ketchikan senior Alexander Gilley in their 135-pound semifinal match of the 2023 Region V Wrestling Championships on Friday at TMHS. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau grapplers have lead in first day of Region V Southeast Tournament Championships

TMHS, Mt. Edgecumbe top boys’ divisions; Ketchikan, MEHS top girls’

Thunder Mountain High School junior Sage Schultz pins Ketchikan senior Alexander Gilley in their 135-pound semifinal match of the 2023 Region V Wrestling Championships on Friday at TMHS. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)
Harborview Elementary School was briefly evacuated Friday after a bomb threat was received at midday, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Harborview Elementary School briefly evacuated after bomb threat

Police say incident appears connected to other threats at Alaska schools in recent months.

Harborview Elementary School was briefly evacuated Friday after a bomb threat was received at midday, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A car drives by Mendenhall River Community School on Back Loop Road on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Woman, two children struck by vehicle while crossing road near Mendenhall River Community School

Victims in stable condition, initial investigation shows driver not at-fault, according to police.

A car drives by Mendenhall River Community School on Back Loop Road on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Michael Carter selects chips from a large box while Kalie Purkey wheels their 1-year-old daughter, Oaklynn Carter, along the row of tables at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank’s weekly food pantry on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

‘New normal’ is long waits for SNAP benefits and long lines at food pantries

Juneau residents cite variety of reasons for being part of backlog of more than 12,000 applicants.

Michael Carter selects chips from a large box while Kalie Purkey wheels their 1-year-old daughter, Oaklynn Carter, along the row of tables at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank’s weekly food pantry on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Constantine president Peter Mercer descends from a helicopter after a tour of drilling sites in August. Mercer said drilling work will be similar in the next two or three years, as the company starts to transition to more economic, environmental,. and engineering analysis that will result in a full plan for how to access the ore, which the company is shooting to release in 2026. (Lex Treinen / Chilkat Valley News)

Constantine Mining president lays out timeline for Palmer Project work

Project north of Haines at least five years from decisions about mine development, executive says

  • Dec 8, 2023
  • By Lex Treinen Chilkat Valley News
  • mining
Constantine president Peter Mercer descends from a helicopter after a tour of drilling sites in August. Mercer said drilling work will be similar in the next two or three years, as the company starts to transition to more economic, environmental,. and engineering analysis that will result in a full plan for how to access the ore, which the company is shooting to release in 2026. (Lex Treinen / Chilkat Valley News)
The Thunder Mountain High School wrestling team, made up of TMHS and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé athletes, will host the Region V Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday in the TMHS Thunderdome gym. (Photo courtesy of TMHS)

Falcons grapplers have mat mission at Southeast Tournament Championships

Thunder Mountain High School upperclassmen have waited lifetime for title chance.

The Thunder Mountain High School wrestling team, made up of TMHS and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé athletes, will host the Region V Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday in the TMHS Thunderdome gym. (Photo courtesy of TMHS)