News

Bill would protect animals in domestic violence situations

JUNEAU — A state House committee plans to hear legislation spelling out protections for animals in domestic violence situations.The bill, which was heard later afternoon,… Continue reading

State construction spending expected to drop 18 percent

ANCHORAGE — A newly released report from the University of Alaska projects a significant drop in state spending this year on the construction industry.The annual… Continue reading

Carlton Smith reads a few words to those to those who attended NCADD's Candlelight Vigil Saturday night at Marine Park.

Shedding light on heroin in Juneau

Juneau resident Reagan Eidsness lost two brothers to heroin overdoses. It’s not an easy thing for her to talk about, but it’s a conversation she’s… Continue reading

Carlton Smith reads a few words to those to those who attended NCADD's Candlelight Vigil Saturday night at Marine Park.
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Pat Pitney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, before a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Monday. Pitney was continuing her budget overview to the committee showing the reduction of state positions.

Report: Juneau suffers biggest drop in state employment

Juneau has lost more state jobs over the past two years than any other place in Alaska, the director of the state office of management… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, speaks with Pat Pitney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, before a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Monday. Pitney was continuing her budget overview to the committee showing the reduction of state positions.
Dean Williams speaks to reporters after Gov. Bill Walker appointed him to be the new commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections on Thursday. Walker is shown behind Williams' shoulder.

Corrections union unhappy with new commissioner

The members of the Alaska Correctional Officers Association say they’re unhappy with the governor’s choice of Dean Williams to run the state’s prisons, and that… Continue reading

Dean Williams speaks to reporters after Gov. Bill Walker appointed him to be the new commissioner of the Alaska Department of Corrections on Thursday. Walker is shown behind Williams' shoulder.
Little snow and recent rains have left minimal snow coverage on the lower part of the Eaglecrest Ski Area on Monday.

Juneau finishes January with least snow since 1942

For the first time since 1942, the National Weather Service measured no sea-level snow in Juneau.According to measurements collected at Juneau International Airport, only a… Continue reading

Little snow and recent rains have left minimal snow coverage on the lower part of the Eaglecrest Ski Area on Monday.

Around Town

Intermediate Microsoft Excel, 9-11 a.m., The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way. Learn to use Excel spreadsheets and other intermediate level skills. Free. Details: 586-5718. Writing… Continue reading

Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School student Greisha Aviles, 9, correctly spells the word "udon" to win the school's spelling bee Tuesday Jan. 26, 2016, in the multi-purpose room, as moderator Jacki Digennaro, at left, listens. James Helem, at right, finished second in the bee. Greisha will travel to Anchorage to compete in the state spelling bee. Eighth-grader Romy Bekeris won the Middle School spelling bee earlier this month, and will also compete at the state level. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

Photo: Sitka spelling bee

Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School student Greisha Aviles, 9, correctly spells the word “udon” to win the school’s spelling bee on Jan. 26 as moderator… Continue reading

Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School student Greisha Aviles, 9, correctly spells the word "udon" to win the school's spelling bee Tuesday Jan. 26, 2016, in the multi-purpose room, as moderator Jacki Digennaro, at left, listens. James Helem, at right, finished second in the bee. Greisha will travel to Anchorage to compete in the state spelling bee. Eighth-grader Romy Bekeris won the Middle School spelling bee earlier this month, and will also compete at the state level. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

Police calls for Monday, Feb. 1, 2016

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed… Continue reading

Business group projects 1,600 job loss in Anchorage in 2016

ANCHORAGE — A 2016 economic forecast prepared for the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. projects a loss of 1,600 jobs in Alaska’s largest city, including 600… Continue reading

Ketchikan holds vigil for missing

More than 125 people came out in the light rain and crisp breeze of Thursday evening for a prayer vigil on behalf of four men… Continue reading

Ketchikan police work multiple missing persons cases

The Ketchikan Police Department has heard local concerns circulating regarding several recent cases — including active missing person cases and a suicide — that foul… Continue reading

Jordan Cooper, left, and Brady Allio receive their first-place certificates in videography from Roger Healy for the Jan Neimeyer iDida Photography and Video Contest at Thunder Mountain High School on Thursday. Healy is the husband of Neimeyer, a local art teacher who died in August 2013.

Juneau iDida digital arts contest celebrates departed teacher

In the Thunder Mountain High School library, a crowd of parents, high school students and elementary students alike filled the available seating to watch the… Continue reading

Jordan Cooper, left, and Brady Allio receive their first-place certificates in videography from Roger Healy for the Jan Neimeyer iDida Photography and Video Contest at Thunder Mountain High School on Thursday. Healy is the husband of Neimeyer, a local art teacher who died in August 2013.

After four months, progress on removing sunken tugboat

Four months after the 96-foot tugboat Challenger sank in Gastineau Channel, detailed efforts to remove the hulk are about to begin.On Friday, U.S. Coast Guard… Continue reading

Economy expected to strengthen after weak 4th quarter

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy struggled to grow in the October-December quarter as consumer spending, business investment and exports slowed. Yet despite global weakness and… Continue reading

ASPCA makes huge seizure of 600 animals from no-kill shelter

RALEIGH, N.C. — One of the largest rescues of companion animals in the history of the ASPCA is being carried out in North Carolina, where… Continue reading

This undated photo provided by Forrest Fenn shows an estimated 2 million dollars of gold jewelry and other artifacts that Fenn has hidden for treasures hunters to find. Thousands have set off into the wilds of the West in search for Forrest Fenn's cache of gold, jewelry and artifacts. But until now, none of the treasure hunters has been in such a dangerous predicament as Randy Bilyeu, who has gone missing along Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. (Forrest Fenn via AP)

Treasure hunter disappears searching for $2 million in gold

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An antiquities dealer who inspired tens of thousands to search the Rocky Mountains for $2 million in hidden treasure now leads an… Continue reading

This undated photo provided by Forrest Fenn shows an estimated 2 million dollars of gold jewelry and other artifacts that Fenn has hidden for treasures hunters to find. Thousands have set off into the wilds of the West in search for Forrest Fenn's cache of gold, jewelry and artifacts. But until now, none of the treasure hunters has been in such a dangerous predicament as Randy Bilyeu, who has gone missing along Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. (Forrest Fenn via AP)

Iran flies unarmed military drone over US aircraft carrier

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran flew a surveillance drone over a U.S. aircraft carrier and published video of the encounter Friday, the latest in a series… Continue reading

Gleyse Kelly da Silva, 27, holds her daughter Maria Giovanna, who was born with microcephaly, outside their house in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. Brazilian officials still say they believe there's a sharp increase in cases of microcephaly and strongly suspect the Zika virus, which first appeared in the country last year, is to blame. The concern is strong enough that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month warned pregnant women to reconsider visits to areas where Zika is present. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Life at Zika epicenter a struggle for afflicted family

RECIFE, Brazil — Around the fifth month of her pregnancy, Daniele Ferreira dos Santos fell ill with a high fever and angry red splotches on… Continue reading

  • Feb 1, 2016
  • By MAURICIO SAVARESE and JENNY BARCHFIELD
  • Nation-World
Gleyse Kelly da Silva, 27, holds her daughter Maria Giovanna, who was born with microcephaly, outside their house in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016. Brazilian officials still say they believe there's a sharp increase in cases of microcephaly and strongly suspect the Zika virus, which first appeared in the country last year, is to blame. The concern is strong enough that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this month warned pregnant women to reconsider visits to areas where Zika is present. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

UN: More child sex abuse cases by European troops in Africa

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights office says it has turned up six more cases of alleged sexual abuse against children by European troops in… Continue reading