Zach Fansler

Ex-lawmaker Fansler pleads guilty, gets community service for striking woman

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment on Thursday for slapping a Juneau woman, and was sentenced to community service in lieu… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Gregory Philson Juneau Empire
  • Local News
Zach Fansler

12-year-old intentionally set brush fire, fire marshal says

A 12-year-old boy intentionally set a brush fire in the Mendenhall Valley on Wednesday, according to a statement from Capital City Fire/Rescue. At about 4… Continue reading

A male yearling black bear is pictured trapped in a snare on Douglas Island. The bear was euthanized because of extensive injuries due to the snare. (Alaska State Troopers | Courtesy Photo)

Trapper pleads not guilty in illegal snare case

Mark David Mitchell, charged with attempting to trap wolves during a closed season, was not present at his arraignment Thursday, but his attorney entered a… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Alex McCarthy Juneau Empire
  • Local News
A male yearling black bear is pictured trapped in a snare on Douglas Island. The bear was euthanized because of extensive injuries due to the snare. (Alaska State Troopers | Courtesy Photo)
Annie Bartholomew emcees the costume contest before the 2016 Only Fools Run at Midnight Fun Run at Centennial Hall. The race will be housed at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center this year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Revamped Fools Run set for Saturday

Several changes are coming to the 34th annual Only Fools Run at Midnight on Saturday night. Most notably, the race won’t start at midnight like… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Nolin Ainsworth Juneau Empire
Annie Bartholomew emcees the costume contest before the 2016 Only Fools Run at Midnight Fun Run at Centennial Hall. The race will be housed at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center this year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this undated photograph, Richard “Dick” Willoughby poses for a portrait. (Alaska State Library, Historical Collections | Courtesy Photo)

The glacial hoax that captured the nation’s attention

Richard “Dick” Willoughby was the kind of person to gaze into a raincloud and see the sun. One of the most colorful characters in Juneau’s… Continue reading

In this undated photograph, Richard “Dick” Willoughby poses for a portrait. (Alaska State Library, Historical Collections | Courtesy Photo)

Alaskans could face internet sales tax

A new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court may put sales taxes on internet purchases across Alaska and bring millions of dollars to local coffers.… Continue reading

A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska stream in August 2010.

State receives disaster relief for pink salmon crash

Alaska will receive more than $56 million in disaster relief for groups affected by the 2016 pink salmon failure in the Gulf of Alaska. The… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska stream in August 2010.
Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Number of crimes trending downward in early 2018, police say

Burglaries, thefts, robberies and aggravated assaults in the first quarter of 2018 are down compared to the first quarter of 2017, according to numbers shown… Continue reading

Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Zach Fansler

Ex-lawmaker Fansler pleads guilty, gets community service for striking woman

Former Alaska legislator Zach Fansler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment on Thursday for slapping a Juneau woman, and was sentenced to community service in lieu… Continue reading

Zach Fansler

Trapper pleads not guilty in illegal snare case

Mark David Mitchell, charged with attempting to trap wolves during a closed season, was not present at his arraignment Thursday, but his attorney entered a… Continue reading

Mack Arthur Parker, 51 at the time, appears in Juneau District Court for an arraignment on burglary charges on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Parker was accused of breaking into the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Sunday, July 2, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Visitor center burglar sentenced to two years in prison

Mack Arthur Parker, who pleaded guilty to burglarizing the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center last year, was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison. Parker, 52,… Continue reading

Mack Arthur Parker, 51 at the time, appears in Juneau District Court for an arraignment on burglary charges on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Parker was accused of breaking into the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Sunday, July 2, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

12-year-old intentionally set brush fire, fire marshal says

A 12-year-old boy intentionally set a brush fire in the Mendenhall Valley on Wednesday, according to a statement from Capital City Fire/Rescue. At about 4… Continue reading

In this April 2014 photo, Trove manager Meghan Johns, left, hands Travis McCain a bag of items he bought during the cash mob orgainized by the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaskans could face internet sales tax

A new ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court may put sales taxes on internet purchases across Alaska and bring millions of dollars to local coffers.… Continue reading

In this April 2014 photo, Trove manager Meghan Johns, left, hands Travis McCain a bag of items he bought during the cash mob orgainized by the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau residents listen to the music of Papertrail and enjoy the beach during a solstice party at the North Douglas Boat Launch on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau sees third-hottest day ever

Wednesday’s sunny weather resulted in the third-highest temperature ever recorded in the capital city and the warmest day in five years. According to the National… Continue reading

Juneau residents listen to the music of Papertrail and enjoy the beach during a solstice party at the North Douglas Boat Launch on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Police calls for Thursday, June 21, 2018

Police calls for Thursday, June 21, 2018

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

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Police calls for Thursday, June 21, 2018
A bicyclist cross the Douglas Bridge in November 2012. The bridge is the only connection to Douglas Island from the mainland. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City revisits idea of North Douglas crossing

A divisive issue dating back at least to 1984 on whether Juneau should have a second connection between Juneau and Douglas Island has come back… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Gregory Philson Juneau Empire
  • Local News
A bicyclist cross the Douglas Bridge in November 2012. The bridge is the only connection to Douglas Island from the mainland. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The crosswalk at Seventh and Gold Street in May 2017 before being painted back to white by the City and Borough of Juneau. (Susan Warner | Courtesy Photo)

Vandalism or art? City seeks solutions to rainbow-painted crosswalks

Rainbow-painted crosswalks downtown have the City and Borough of Juneau trying to find a compromise between public safety and creative expression. The white lines on… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Gregory Philson Juneau Empire
  • Local News
The crosswalk at Seventh and Gold Street in May 2017 before being painted back to white by the City and Borough of Juneau. (Susan Warner | Courtesy Photo)
Brigham Young University’s Naomi Welling runs in the 4x400-meter relay at the BYU Robison Invitational in April 2018. (Courtesy Photo | BYU)

Checking in with Naomi Welling

Naomi Welling knows how to make a splash. Welling won three state championships in her Thunder Mountain High School track debut five years ago. Over… Continue reading

  • Jun 21, 2018
  • By Nolin Ainsworth Juneau Empire
Brigham Young University’s Naomi Welling runs in the 4x400-meter relay at the BYU Robison Invitational in April 2018. (Courtesy Photo | BYU)
Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)

Ruling may allow more professors to campaign for office

The Alaska Public Offices Commission may approve a legal opinion today that could encourage University of Alaska professors to run for state office. In March,… Continue reading

Liz Snyder, candidate for House District 27, is seen in a May photo from her campaign. (Courtesy photo)

Juneau sees third-hottest day ever

Wednesday’s sunny weather resulted in the third-highest temperature ever recorded in the capital city and the warmest day in five years. According to the National… Continue reading