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Police arrest man suspected in two assaults in Mendenhall Valley

On Thursday morning, Juneau Police Department officers arrested Eric Aguiar, 19, who allegedly matched the description of a man who made aggressive and unwelcome advances… Continue reading

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South Franklin stabbing victim in stable condition

The victim of a stabbing earlier this week was discharged from the hospital in stable condition, a Bartlett Regional Hospital spokesperson said. At 5:41 p.m.… Continue reading

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Fisherman Jev Shelton, pictured on his vessel the F/V Kristin Anna on Friday, has been commercial gillnet fishing for salmon on the Taku River for decades. What he’s seeing on the water and in his own research doesn’t square with Alaska Department of Fish & Game data, the former statistics professor said. Shelton and a group of like-minded gillnetters have argued that flaws in ADFG data are hurting Alaska fishermen in treaty negotiations with Canada. Fish & Game biologists have agreed that they’ve been overestimating sockeye and Chinook numbers on the Taku by 30-42 percent, but they say flaws won’t hurt current treaty negotiations nor do they paint a more dire picture of salmon stocks. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Seals and sulking salmon are causing a data problem for Fish & Game

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has a numbers problem. A statistical bias in the department’s data on the Taku River — conducted via… Continue reading

Fisherman Jev Shelton, pictured on his vessel the F/V Kristin Anna on Friday, has been commercial gillnet fishing for salmon on the Taku River for decades. What he’s seeing on the water and in his own research doesn’t square with Alaska Department of Fish & Game data, the former statistics professor said. Shelton and a group of like-minded gillnetters have argued that flaws in ADFG data are hurting Alaska fishermen in treaty negotiations with Canada. Fish & Game biologists have agreed that they’ve been overestimating sockeye and Chinook numbers on the Taku by 30-42 percent, but they say flaws won’t hurt current treaty negotiations nor do they paint a more dire picture of salmon stocks. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Leah Van Kirk, Southeast Alaska Pretrial Enforcement Supervisor, speaks from the new pretrial office on Sherwood Lane on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Pretrial enforcement showing promising signs

A man came into Southeast Pretrial Enforcement Supervisor Leah Van Kirk’s office about a month ago after being arrested. Van Kirk was going to get… Continue reading

Leah Van Kirk, Southeast Alaska Pretrial Enforcement Supervisor, speaks from the new pretrial office on Sherwood Lane on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 24, 2008 photo, a sea lion eats a salmon in the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam in North Bonneville, Washington. Two species of fish listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act are facing a growing challenge in Oregon from hungry sea lions. The federally protected California sea lions are traveling into the Columbia River and its tributaries to snack on fragile fish populations. After a decade killing the hungriest sea lions in one area, wildlife officials now want to expand the program. (Don Ryan | The Associated Press File)

Sea lions feast on fragile fish in Northwest survival war

NEWPORT, Ore. — The 700-pound sea lion blinked in the sun, sniffed the sea air and then lazily shifted to the edge of the truck… Continue reading

In this April 24, 2008 photo, a sea lion eats a salmon in the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam in North Bonneville, Washington. Two species of fish listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act are facing a growing challenge in Oregon from hungry sea lions. The federally protected California sea lions are traveling into the Columbia River and its tributaries to snack on fragile fish populations. After a decade killing the hungriest sea lions in one area, wildlife officials now want to expand the program. (Don Ryan | The Associated Press File)
SilverSea Cruises’ Silver Shadow at Hubbard Glacier. (Silversea.com)

Tiny Alaska village prepares for its first cruise ship visit

KODIAK — The Alaska village of Larsen Bay — with a population of 87 — will have its first luxury cruise ship visit this summer.… Continue reading

  • Mar 22, 2018
  • By The Associated Press
SilverSea Cruises’ Silver Shadow at Hubbard Glacier. (Silversea.com)
In this May 2014 photo, Mike Scales disconnects an Alaska Seaplanes’ Cessna Grand Caravan from external batteries before a flight departure at the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Seaplanes announces flight to Whitehorse

A new plane means a new destination for Alaska Seaplanes travelers. Alaska Seaplanes General Manager Carl Ramseth announced Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon territory will be… Continue reading

In this May 2014 photo, Mike Scales disconnects an Alaska Seaplanes’ Cessna Grand Caravan from external batteries before a flight departure at the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Filco’s Toby Carandang, left, passes over Juneau Crush’s Jason Morford in the C bracket in the Juneau Lion’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Brackets narrow at Gold Medal

With just two minutes left in a Wednesday C Bracket game at Gold Medal, the result was a foregone conclusion. Juneau Crush were up 10… Continue reading

Filco’s Toby Carandang, left, passes over Juneau Crush’s Jason Morford in the C bracket in the Juneau Lion’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Thursday, March 22, 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

  • Mar 22, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime

Police track down man wanted on probation violation

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously identified the man as Lester Allen Hunt. The man is Lester Allen Hunt III. The Empire regrets… Continue reading

Police calls for Wednesday, March 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

  • Mar 21, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime

DOT employees learn more about challenges for pedestrians with disabilities

Employees from the Alaska Department of Transportation &Public Facilities got a different look at downtown Juneau on Tuesday. As part of a training program funded… Continue reading

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Phone scams becoming more personal, Attorney General’s Office warns

Scam phone calls are on the rise in Alaska, according to the consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Attorney General’s Office, and scammers are taking… Continue reading

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New Acting Regional Forester David Schmid will oversee the U.S. Forest Service’s Alaska Region. (Courtesy Photo | USFS)

Forest Service gets new Alaska head

A new top official will oversee Alaska’s 22 million acres of National Forest System lands. David Schmid, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service,… Continue reading

New Acting Regional Forester David Schmid will oversee the U.S. Forest Service’s Alaska Region. (Courtesy Photo | USFS)
Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, smiles after shooting in the rifle competition of the 21st annual Legislative Shoot on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Juneau Gun Club. Micciche’s team, Majority Arms, took first place overall. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Team named for gun-control bill takes top honors at legislative shoot

Team HB 75, with Rep. Geran Tarr among its members, earned honors as the top-scoring team from the Alaska House of Representatives in last weekend’s… Continue reading

Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, smiles after shooting in the rifle competition of the 21st annual Legislative Shoot on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Juneau Gun Club. Micciche’s team, Majority Arms, took first place overall. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
A rocket takes off from the from the Kodiak launch facility. (Alaska Aerospace Corporation | Courtesy photo)

First commercial launch scheduled for Alaska Aerospace complex

KODIAK — The Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak will be launching its first commercial spaceflight next month, Alaska Aerospace CEO Craig Campbell said. The Coast… Continue reading

  • Mar 20, 2018
  • By The Associated Press
A rocket takes off from the from the Kodiak launch facility. (Alaska Aerospace Corporation | Courtesy photo)

Juneau Rep. Sam Kito III will not run for re-election in 2018

Rep. Sam Kito III ended months of speculation in a Monday interview with the Juneau Empire by declaring he will not run for re-election this… Continue reading

This March 19 underwater video image shows wreckage from the USS Juneau, a U.S. Navy ship sunk by the Japanese torpedoes 76 years ago, found in the South Pacific. Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Allen has announced that wreckage of the sunken ship on which five brothers died in World War II has been discovered in the South Pacific. A spokeswoman for Allen confirms wreckage from the USS Juneau was found Saturday off the coast of the Solomon Islands. (Paul Allen)

Team backed by Microsoft co-founder finds USS Juneau

The recent discovery of the USS Juneau in the depths of the South Pacific has provided some closure to people with connections to the ship,… Continue reading

  • Mar 20, 2018
  • By Becky Bohrer
This March 19 underwater video image shows wreckage from the USS Juneau, a U.S. Navy ship sunk by the Japanese torpedoes 76 years ago, found in the South Pacific. Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Allen has announced that wreckage of the sunken ship on which five brothers died in World War II has been discovered in the South Pacific. A spokeswoman for Allen confirms wreckage from the USS Juneau was found Saturday off the coast of the Solomon Islands. (Paul Allen)

Police calls for Tuesday, March 20, 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

  • Mar 20, 2018
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Members of the Alaska House of Representatives meet for a floor session Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Alaska State Capitol. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Alaska House of Representatives starts budget debate today

The Alaska House of Representatives begins debate today on amendments to Alaska’s proposed $11.3 billion state spending plan, but lawmakers still don’t have an agreement… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives meet for a floor session Monday, March 19, 2018 in the Alaska State Capitol. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)