Rebekah Garcia waits in line for the 10 p.m. showing of the latest movie, “Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker” outside the 20th Century Theatre dressed as Boushh, a character from the “Empire Strikes Back” on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Star Wars hardcore: Fans line up hours ahead of premiere

Fans brave the elements for their love of a galaxy far, far away.

Rebekah Garcia waits in line for the 10 p.m. showing of the latest movie, “Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker” outside the 20th Century Theatre dressed as Boushh, a character from the “Empire Strikes Back” on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Western bacon cheeseburger from Sandbar & Grill. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Beyond the Ale: Sandbar and Grill

The fish and chips really is all that.

Western bacon cheeseburger from Sandbar & Grill. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Task force considers Eaglecrest’s summer plans
Task force considers Eaglecrest’s summer plans
Juneau’s City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Katzeek, leader of the Shangukeidi clan, speaks about the power of language during an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kenny Solomon-Gross retrieves packages at the Federal Building Post Office on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Post offices hustle to handle holiday haul

Deadlines for shipping to the Lower 48 are coming up fast.

Kenny Solomon-Gross retrieves packages at the Federal Building Post Office on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Auke Bay Elementary School principal Nancy Peel introduces Angie Wright, center, who received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, alongside Superintendent Dr. Bridget Weiss, during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

School board recognizes outstanding teachers, old and new

The school board and members of the Legislature came together to thank some outstanding educators.

Auke Bay Elementary School principal Nancy Peel introduces Angie Wright, center, who received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, alongside Superintendent Dr. Bridget Weiss, during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Members of the Juneau Audubon Society pose for a picture with members of the Idea Homeschool Program team at the FIRST Lego League competition to commend their novel approach to reducing bird strikes. The competition was at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Alexia Kiefer | Courtesy Photo)

Students recognized for idea to stop birds from flying into windows

Bird strikes claim more than 1 billion birds a year.

Members of the Juneau Audubon Society pose for a picture with members of the Idea Homeschool Program team at the FIRST Lego League competition to commend their novel approach to reducing bird strikes. The competition was at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Alexia Kiefer | Courtesy Photo)
City awards Care-A-Van contract, OKs motor vehicle tax increase
City awards Care-A-Van contract, OKs motor vehicle tax increase
Seats filled up quickly for the Visitor Industry Task Force at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tourism Task Force talks management methods

There’s a method to the management.

Seats filled up quickly for the Visitor Industry Task Force at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The seats are filling up for the start of the Visitor Industry Task Force at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The seats are filling up for the start of the Visitor Industry Task Force at City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
SEACC’s former Executive Director Bart Koehler sings his testimony to oppose the U.S. Forest Service’s lifting of the Roadless Rule as stenographer Lynda Barker records are Northern Light United Church on Dec. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

SEACC makes one last push for Roadless Rule

‘Keep those logging roads away.’

SEACC’s former Executive Director Bart Koehler sings his testimony to oppose the U.S. Forest Service’s lifting of the Roadless Rule as stenographer Lynda Barker records are Northern Light United Church on Dec. 16, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Raylynn Lawless, who keeps bees with her husband, Cody Barril, gestures toward the hive in her Mendenhall Valley backyard. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Beekeeping in Southeast Alaska ain’t easy

Specially adapted bees and overwintering procedures help mitigate the cold.

Raylynn Lawless, who keeps bees with her husband, Cody Barril, gestures toward the hive in her Mendenhall Valley backyard. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Gina Chi-Mott, general manager of the Breakwater Inn, shows a burned mattress on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, from a room fire on Sunday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sunday marred by fires in Mendenhall Valley, near Aurora Harbor

Winter leads to an increase in residential fires, assistant chief for CCFR says.

Gina Chi-Mott, general manager of the Breakwater Inn, shows a burned mattress on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, from a room fire on Sunday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents attend a vigil to end gun violence sponsored by Moms Demand Action at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vigil remembers lives lost to guns, hopes for improvements

It’s been seven years since Sandy Hook.

Juneau residents attend a vigil to end gun violence sponsored by Moms Demand Action at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Pedestrian struck by vehicle, medevaced to Seattle

Pedestrian struck by vehicle, medevaced to Seattle

JPD did not release the names of either person.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle, medevaced to Seattle
Man sentenced to 99 years for 2016 Klawock murder
Man sentenced to 99 years for 2016 Klawock murder
A tree swallow flies from a nesting box after feeding chicks at the Juneau Community Gardens in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A tree swallow flies from a nesting box after feeding chicks at the Juneau Community Gardens in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Loaded Tots and Afterschool Special from Imperial Grill at Imperial Billiard and Bar downtown. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Beyond the Ale: Imperial Grill

There’s no need to keep looking for your god, because it’s called the Crunchy Wrap, and it loves you.

Loaded Tots and Afterschool Special from Imperial Grill at Imperial Billiard and Bar downtown. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Downtown bar closes for business

Downtown bar closes for business

Monthly drag shows are still planned.

Downtown bar closes for business