News

Vendors and shoppers met under misty skies on Saturday, June 5, at the Fresh Air Market, sponsored by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. The event marked one of the first community events of the summer season after COVID-19 forced the cancelation of many events in 2020. Vendor Kelsey Hoke Martin said that about 20 people had stopped by her booth in the first half-hour of business. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Community events begin to return

Outdoor market, community garage sale, herald return of summer events

Vendors and shoppers met under misty skies on Saturday, June 5, at the Fresh Air Market, sponsored by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. The event marked one of the first community events of the summer season after COVID-19 forced the cancelation of many events in 2020. Vendor Kelsey Hoke Martin said that about 20 people had stopped by her booth in the first half-hour of business. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
The parking lots at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center were packed on Feb. 13, 2021, and plans to improve the facilities include expanding the parking lot. Those plans were criticized by residents for the impacts to the environment and a draft environmental impact statement is expected later this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Federal funds go toward more analysis for visitor center area plan

Still in development.

The parking lots at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center were packed on Feb. 13, 2021, and plans to improve the facilities include expanding the parking lot. Those plans were criticized by residents for the impacts to the environment and a draft environmental impact statement is expected later this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions.

Shaping up, shipping in: Tour companies eagerly readying for shortened season

Even if it’s a short season, it’ll set them up for success in 2022, companies say.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire With a shortened cruise season rapidly approaching, companies are working to get ready and staff seasonal positions.
An Alaska Earthquake Center map of all the earthquakes that happened in the year 2020, including the epicenter of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that happened May 30, 2021. (Courtesy Image / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska earthquake stirs many

The beat goes on.

An Alaska Earthquake Center map of all the earthquakes that happened in the year 2020, including the epicenter of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that happened May 30, 2021. (Courtesy Image / Ned Rozell)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Friday, June 4, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Jun 4, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
Visitors depart from the Baranoff Hotel in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just days after the typically year-round hotel reopened its doors after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are returning, hoteliers say, but many of their rooms remain empty. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Visitor numbers rebound, but hotel vacancies remain high

Hotels, motels, nobody’s in.

Visitors depart from the Baranoff Hotel in downtown Juneau on Thursday, June 3, 2021, just days after the typically year-round hotel reopened its doors after closing for the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are returning, hoteliers say, but many of their rooms remain empty. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Thursday, June 3

The most recent state and local figures.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
The Juneau Police Department is investigating the death of a 48-year-old man found floating dead in Don D. Statter Harbor on June 3, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man found dead in water at Statter Harbor

The death is not considered suspicious, but police are investigating how he ended up in the water.

The Juneau Police Department is investigating the death of a 48-year-old man found floating dead in Don D. Statter Harbor on June 3, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

CDC: Florida lawsuit imperils summer cruises to Alaska

CDC lawyers say injunction win would “end cruising in Alaska for the season.”

The Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth sails through Cook Inlet Thursday, May 16, 2019, for a port call in Anchorage. Federal officials say a lawsuit in Florida could block cruise ships from visiting Alaska in summer 2021. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
The New Squids on the Dock, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl team from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé is celebrating a top 10 finish at the national competition. Here, team members show off the hardware they brought home in the regional competition called the Tsunami Bowl. Team members include Elin Antaya, Jack Marx, team captain Tias Carney, Adrian Whitney and Addy Mallot. (Courtesy photo/Shannon Easterly)

JDHS students secure a top 10 spot in national ocean science competition

New Squids on the Dock hung tough through an unusual season

The New Squids on the Dock, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl team from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé is celebrating a top 10 finish at the national competition. Here, team members show off the hardware they brought home in the regional competition called the Tsunami Bowl. Team members include Elin Antaya, Jack Marx, team captain Tias Carney, Adrian Whitney and Addy Mallot. (Courtesy photo/Shannon Easterly)
This July 26, 2017 file photo shows the Emerald Princess cruise ship docked in Juneau, Alaska. Kenneth Manzanares, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Kristy while aboard the ship on a cruise to Alaska, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Juneau Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a cabin last month on the ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Man sentenced to 30 years for cruise ship murder

The brutality of the crime was cited as reason for the stiff sentence.

This July 26, 2017 file photo shows the Emerald Princess cruise ship docked in Juneau, Alaska. Kenneth Manzanares, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife Kristy while aboard the ship on a cruise to Alaska, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Juneau Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Kristy Manzanares was found dead in a cabin last month on the ship while it was in U.S. waters off Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Chamber offers gift cards, $1,000 drawing to incentivize vaccination

The program, called the Healthy Juneau Initiative, runs June 3-29.

It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Thursday, June 3, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Jun 3, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
The Alaska State Capitol was quiet on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, with several lawmakers excused even as negotiations over the state's budget continue. Lawmakers said they couldn't say when the budget might be put to a vote, but talks were moving to the more contentious items in the budget.

With nothing to vote on, many lawmakers head home

Session ends June 19.

The Alaska State Capitol was quiet on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, with several lawmakers excused even as negotiations over the state's budget continue. Lawmakers said they couldn't say when the budget might be put to a vote, but talks were moving to the more contentious items in the budget.
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, June 2

The most recent state and local figures.

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
A Utah man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife is being sentenced in United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building, seen here on June 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man charged for cruise ship killing to be sentenced soon

Suspect pleaded guilty to killing his wife aboard ship in 2017.

A Utah man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife is being sentenced in United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building, seen here on June 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The author cooks steak over a beach fire over the Memorial Day weekend. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Finding success on its terms

Any weekend adventure typically has a few objectives with varying levels of enthusiasm.

The author cooks steak over a beach fire over the Memorial Day weekend. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Company recently won an award for the art on their newly-released Citrus Wheat ale. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Can you dig it: Alaskan Brewing Co. wins award for zesty beer can art

It’s their first time winning an award from this organization.

Alaskan Brewing Company recently won an award for the art on their newly-released Citrus Wheat ale. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Karla Hart, who led the efforts to add a trio of initiatives to limit cruise ships in Juneau, talks about the failed effort at a press conference on June 2, shortly after announcing that the group did not collect enough signatures to move the questions to the October ballot. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Cruise-curbing initiatives won’t be on the ballot

Supporters failed to reach the signature threshold but vow to fight on

Karla Hart, who led the efforts to add a trio of initiatives to limit cruise ships in Juneau, talks about the failed effort at a press conference on June 2, shortly after announcing that the group did not collect enough signatures to move the questions to the October ballot. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
The first rule of wild harvesting is, “Don’t harvest what you don’t know.” It’s also the second rule. That’s because for a novice harvester, it can be easy to confuse the potentially deadly false hellebore with watermelon berry shoots. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Mork Yéilk’)
Capital City Weekly

Harvesting watermelon berry shoots. What to know before you go

“Don’t harvest what you don’t know.”

The first rule of wild harvesting is, “Don’t harvest what you don’t know.” It’s also the second rule. That’s because for a novice harvester, it can be easy to confuse the potentially deadly false hellebore with watermelon berry shoots. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Mork Yéilk’)