News

Police report for Wednesday, April 5, 2017

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

  • Apr 5, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
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Burglar steals $10K in fishing equipment

The Juneau Police Department is investigating a theft of an estimated $10,000 in fishing equipment. Police said the theft was discovered Monday by a business… Continue reading

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These Native Alaskan-style masks were recovered from an impounded vehicle by the Juneau Police Department. While these might be mass-produced knockoffs of popular masks, good authentic pieces would be worth in the vicinity of $900 to a few thousand dollars, said an employee of Mt. Juneau Trading Post.

Police seek rightful owner of Alaska Native-style masks, jewelry

Three decorative Alaska Native-style masks. Two ornately decorated jewelry boxes. A pair of woven baskets. Juneau Police Department Lt. Kris Sell has her fingers crossed… Continue reading

  • Apr 5, 2017
  • By LIZ KELLAR
These Native Alaskan-style masks were recovered from an impounded vehicle by the Juneau Police Department. While these might be mass-produced knockoffs of popular masks, good authentic pieces would be worth in the vicinity of $900 to a few thousand dollars, said an employee of Mt. Juneau Trading Post.
Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, speaks in the House chambers on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Rep. LeDoux is sponsoring HB 200 that would establish a top two nonpartisan open primary election system for elective state executive and state and national legislative offices. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska lawmaker wants primary elections to be more like California

The chairwoman of the powerful House Rules Committee believes she has a plan to drive Alaska politics toward the center. Her Republican critics say it’s… Continue reading

Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, speaks in the House chambers on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Rep. LeDoux is sponsoring HB 200 that would establish a top two nonpartisan open primary election system for elective state executive and state and national legislative offices. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
House wavers on income tax

House wavers on income tax

Does the Alaska House of Representatives have the votes to approve Alaska’s first income tax since 1980? “We’re working on it,” Speaker of the House… Continue reading

House wavers on income tax
Customers pass the GCI store at the Dimond Center Mall in Anchorage in August 2016. In a deal announced April 4, GCI will sell a controlling interest to Colorado-based Liberty Interactive Corp. for $1.12 billion. No changes in company structure or management are planned; the deal benefits Liberty by allowing it to spin off an asset-backed subsidiary in a tax-free transaction. GCI shareholders will receive a 58 percent premium on their shares, or $32.50. (Photo/Andrew Jensen/AJOC)

Colorado firm buys GCI for $1.12 billion

ANCHORAGE — It was a good day to be a shareholder in General Communication Inc. Shares of the Anchorage-based telecom leapt 62 percent, from $20.56… Continue reading

Customers pass the GCI store at the Dimond Center Mall in Anchorage in August 2016. In a deal announced April 4, GCI will sell a controlling interest to Colorado-based Liberty Interactive Corp. for $1.12 billion. No changes in company structure or management are planned; the deal benefits Liberty by allowing it to spin off an asset-backed subsidiary in a tax-free transaction. GCI shareholders will receive a 58 percent premium on their shares, or $32.50. (Photo/Andrew Jensen/AJOC)
Juneau Home School students standing before their artwork at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Kid Art Exhibit. (Courtesy photo)

Bartlett Regional Hospital hosts Kid Art Exhibit Friday

Bartlett Regional Hospital, in partnership with Juneau Home Schools, will host their Kid Art Exhibit on Friday, April, 7 at 6 p.m. Artwork made by… Continue reading

Juneau Home School students standing before their artwork at Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Kid Art Exhibit. (Courtesy photo)

April storms could affect boats

April showers might bring May flowers, but they could also bring damage to boats out in the elements. The Docks & Harbors division of the… Continue reading

Will Uber soon be allowed in Alaska?

A bill authorizing Uber, Lyft and similar companies to operate in Alaska is headed to a vote of the House of Representatives. The Alaska House… Continue reading

City Attorney Amy Mead, pictured here at the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting March 20, will have an additional $100,000 to work with in the lawsuit against the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The Assembly will still make decisions on how the money will be spent. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

City prepares for lawsuit against cruise ship industry

The City and Borough of Juneau could be nearing the end of a stay of action in its legal battle with the cruise industry, and… Continue reading

City Attorney Amy Mead, pictured here at the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting March 20, will have an additional $100,000 to work with in the lawsuit against the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The Assembly will still make decisions on how the money will be spent. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Aaron Baldwin with two “stink lilies” that bloomed at his home on Sunday. From a family of plants called Araceae (the Aroids) and is also called Voodoo Lilies, Dragon Lilies and Corpse Lilies. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Pungent ‘stink lily’ blooms for Juneau zoologist

Upon entering Aaron Baldwin’s home in Juneau, you’ll immediately see evidence of his science-fiction fandom. A poster for “2001: A Space Odyssey” is directly inside… Continue reading

Aaron Baldwin with two “stink lilies” that bloomed at his home on Sunday. From a family of plants called Araceae (the Aroids) and is also called Voodoo Lilies, Dragon Lilies and Corpse Lilies. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Charity run for end-of-life care Saturday

Catholic Community Services is hosting its 12th annual Heart of Hospice Run this Saturday, April 8 at Twin Lakes. The run is a benefit for… Continue reading

Murder suspect to be retried, double jeopardy claim denied

Murder suspect to be retried, double jeopardy claim denied

A Juneau resident accused of murder for allegedly shooting a man in the Mendenhall Valley will likely be retried after a judge rejected the defense’s… Continue reading

  • Apr 4, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
Murder suspect to be retried, double jeopardy claim denied

Police & Fire for Tuesday, April 4, 2017

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

  • Apr 4, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, right, listens to David Teal, fiscal analyst for the Alaska Legislature, during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Monday, April 3, 2017. Sen. Dunleavy offered amendments to the operating budget bill to cut funding for public broadcasting and significantly reduced funding for the Alaska Marine Highway system. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Senate plan slashes education, university, transportation, health services

The Alaska Senate has proposed slashing the state’s public education system, university system, department of transportation, and health care. The Senate Finance Committee on Monday… Continue reading

Sen. Mike Dunleavy, R-Wasilla, right, listens to David Teal, fiscal analyst for the Alaska Legislature, during a Senate Finance Committee meeting at the Capitol on Monday, April 3, 2017. Sen. Dunleavy offered amendments to the operating budget bill to cut funding for public broadcasting and significantly reduced funding for the Alaska Marine Highway system. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lemon Creek Correctional Center is seen in this undated photo. The Alaska Senate advanced a criminal justice reform rollback on Monday that could have untold costs for the prison system. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Criminal justice reform rollback nears a vote in the Senate

A bill allowing judges to impose tougher sentences for many crimes is advancing toward a vote in the Alaska Senate. The Alaska Senate Finance Committee… Continue reading

Lemon Creek Correctional Center is seen in this undated photo. The Alaska Senate advanced a criminal justice reform rollback on Monday that could have untold costs for the prison system. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
(Abby Lowell | Juneau Empire File)

Paralytic Shellfish Toxin found in mollusks at Auke Rec

Researchers with Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research found high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin in a population of mollusks at Auke Recreation Area in Juneau… Continue reading

(Abby Lowell | Juneau Empire File)
City drops charges, Bergmann Hotel manager ‘vindicated’

City drops charges, Bergmann Hotel manager ‘vindicated’

Charges have been dismissed against the building manager of the Bergmann Hotel. Charles Cotten was facing criminal prosecution for allegedly recklessly violating a lawful order… Continue reading

City drops charges, Bergmann Hotel manager ‘vindicated’
Brian Naplachowski

Brian Naplachowski named new GM of the Juneau Empire

Brian Naplachowski has been named the new General Manager of the Juneau Empire. The announcement was made Monday by Deedie McKenzie, Group Publisher of Alaska… Continue reading

  • Apr 3, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
Brian Naplachowski

Alaska House is on pace for a record number of bills

The Alaska House of Representatives has been a factory for legislation this year. Through Thursday, the 73rd day of the legislative session, members of the… Continue reading