Sunny, clear skies for National Weather Service open house

For the first time since it opened in 1998, the National Weather Service in Juneau held a community open house on Thursday.“We want to reacquaint… Continue reading

Around Town

Storytime, 11 a.m., Mendenhall Valley Library. Details: 586-5267. Organ concert, noon, State Office Building. Allice J. Branton to play a variety of music. Senior Lunch,… Continue reading

Police & fire for Friday, June 17, 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

Troopers release names of 3 killed in crash on remote island

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers said the three men killed Tuesday in a traffic crash on a remote Aleutian island were all from Anchorage.Troopers say… Continue reading

Inmates regularly walking away from Anchorage halfway houses

ANCHORAGE — Department of Corrections inmates walking away from halfway houses in Alaska’s largest city are becoming a public safety problem, according to the Anchorage… Continue reading

Anchorage man critically injured in highway off-ramp crash

ANCHORAGE — An Anchorage woman is being held on suspicion of felony assault and operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs after a traffic… Continue reading

Chiropractor Chris Mannino poses in his office Thursday afternoon, April 1, 2010. Mannino, who also deals in firearms, is the Spotlight for the week.

Fairbanks man gets 17 years behind bars in murder-for-hire

FAIRBANKS — A former Fairbanks chiropractor and gun dealer received 17 years in prison for soliciting the murder of federal officers and others involved in… Continue reading

Chiropractor Chris Mannino poses in his office Thursday afternoon, April 1, 2010. Mannino, who also deals in firearms, is the Spotlight for the week.

Permanent Fund bill stalls in House Finance Committee

The Alaska House Finance Committee on Thursday evening failed to muster enough votes to advance a modified version of Senate Bill 128 that preserves its… Continue reading

The only image JPD has of a Trinity Hale, who ran away and hasn't been heard from in six weeks

No one has seen or heard from this missing teen girl in six weeks

The Juneau Police Department is asking the public for help finding a teenage runaway whose recent activity, or lack thereof, has raised a red flag.Trinity… Continue reading

The only image JPD has of a Trinity Hale, who ran away and hasn't been heard from in six weeks

No, there wasn’t a shooting in the valley

A person, possibly suffering from mental health issues, made a false report to police Thursday that there was a shooter in the Mendenhall Valley, an… Continue reading

Tourists take shelter under the Marine Park canopy as a rare thunderstorm passes over Juneau in June 2013.

Why are thunderstorms so rare in Juneau?

The oddly muggy air and dark clouds on Wednesday night foreshadowed a weather phenomena rare to Juneau: thunderstorms.Thunderstorms only happen about once every other year… Continue reading

Tourists take shelter under the Marine Park canopy as a rare thunderstorm passes over Juneau in June 2013.
The site of a boating accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Elfin Cove woman

Woman dies in boating accident near Elfin Cove, 10-year-old in hospital

One woman is dead and a 10-year-old child remains hospitalized after a Wednesday night accident ejected several passengers from a boat into water near Elfin… Continue reading

The site of a boating accident that claimed the life of a 44-year-old Elfin Cove woman
Murray Walsh, of Walsh PLanning and Development Services, speaks on behalf of Miller Construction Ltd. during the Planning Commission's Tuesday night meeting. The commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit, allowing Miller Construction to operate a temporary asphalt plant near the DMV in the Mendenhall Valley.

Confronted by ‘NIMBYers’, Planning Commission OKs valley asphalt plant

Juneau is getting a new asphalt plant, at least temporarily.At its Tuesday night meeting, the Juneau Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing an… Continue reading

Murray Walsh, of Walsh PLanning and Development Services, speaks on behalf of Miller Construction Ltd. during the Planning Commission's Tuesday night meeting. The commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit, allowing Miller Construction to operate a temporary asphalt plant near the DMV in the Mendenhall Valley.

Tribal delegate calls AVCP sinking ship without captain

BETHEL — The Association of Village Council Presidents is like a sinking ship without a captain, according to a tribal delegate for the troubled organization,… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference in Juneau on Wednesday. Gov. Walker congratulated the Senate on passing SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, and asked the House to do the same.

Governor urges action on Permanent Fund bill

Gov. Bill Walker urged lawmakers Wednesday to continue work on the flagship legislation of his 13-point plan to balance Alaska’s multibillion-dollar deficit, tempering his words… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker speaks during a press conference in Juneau on Wednesday. Gov. Walker congratulated the Senate on passing SB 128, the Permanent Fund spending bill, and asked the House to do the same.
Mauricio Yadao looks at a shattered down at the Foodland Center on Wednesday morning. The building was broken into overnight.

Police chase, capture suspect in latest downtown burglary

A 40-year-old man visited a downtown gym early Wednesday morning, but instead of lifting weights, he allegedly stole almost $1,000 worth of merchandise and smashed… Continue reading

Mauricio Yadao looks at a shattered down at the Foodland Center on Wednesday morning. The building was broken into overnight.
Rear Admiral Michael McAllister, left, takes over as Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard 17th District from Rear Admiral Daniel Abel, right, during a Change of Command ceremony at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday. The ceremony was overseen by Vice Admiral Charles Ray, Commander of the Pacific Area and Defense Force West, center.

Coast Guard bids farewell to Alaska commander, ushers in another

Rear Adm. Daniel Abel got a standing ovation for his leadership of the U.S. Coast Guard 17th District over the past two years.“His perspective and… Continue reading

Rear Admiral Michael McAllister, left, takes over as Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard 17th District from Rear Admiral Daniel Abel, right, during a Change of Command ceremony at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday. The ceremony was overseen by Vice Admiral Charles Ray, Commander of the Pacific Area and Defense Force West, center.

Alaska courts to close Friday afternoons in cost-saving move

ANCHORAGE — Alaska officials said all state courts will be closed every Friday at noon beginning July 1 to cut operating costs during the state’s… Continue reading

3 die in crash of passenger van on remote Alaska island

ANCHORAGE — Alaska State Troopers said a traffic crash on a remote Aleutian island killed three people in a van.Troopers said the van was carrying… Continue reading

Climber dies of unknown illness on Alaska mountain

ANCHORAGE — The National Park Service says a climber on Alaska’s Denali mountain died Tuesday of an unknown illness.The climber’s name, gender and home country… Continue reading