News

Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her year-old business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Currently located out the road near mile 25, Daugherty is working to lease city land in the Lemon Creek area to expand her business. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Composting business aims to help in fight to make landfill last

Some city officials are looking forward to making composting easier in town.

Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her year-old business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Currently located out the road near mile 25, Daugherty is working to lease city land in the Lemon Creek area to expand her business. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Frost-free Halloween forecast this year

Frost-free Halloween forecast this year

There’s no snow on the pumpkin, and there might not be any frost, either. Juneau’s abnormally warm October set a record Sunday as temperatures reached… Continue reading

Frost-free Halloween forecast this year
Police make flurry of warrant arrests at one house

Police make flurry of warrant arrests at one house

Reasons for the warrants included vehicle theft and not showing up to court.

Police make flurry of warrant arrests at one house
Conrado Ebron, 62, talks about working for the United States Postal Service on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Ebron is retiring as a postal carrier, mostly on the downtown route, after 33 years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Beloved downtown postal carrier retiring after 33 years

People on his route referred to him as a “daily friend” and “hero.”

Conrado Ebron, 62, talks about working for the United States Postal Service on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Ebron is retiring as a postal carrier, mostly on the downtown route, after 33 years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
John Jack, Sr. was found dead in his apartment on Oct. 17, 1988. Thirty years later, his killer or killers have not been found. (Photo illustration by Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Murder of elderly Juneau man remains unsolved, 30 years later

Thirty years after the brutal murder of an elderly man, the case remains unsolved.

John Jack, Sr. was found dead in his apartment on Oct. 17, 1988. Thirty years later, his killer or killers have not been found. (Photo illustration by Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Nathan Gaudreault, left, and Tyler Gress work their way up The Rock Dump’s climbing walls on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Rock Dump prepares for creepy climbing on Halloween

Two nights this week, you can celebrate Halloween by climbing for candy. The Rock Dump is getting into the holiday spirit this week, decorating and… Continue reading

Nathan Gaudreault, left, and Tyler Gress work their way up The Rock Dump’s climbing walls on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A Yakutat Borough Police Department vehicle sits in front of the site of a fatal stabbing in Yakutat on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Yakutat Borough Police Department)

Drunken jealousy spurred stabbing, witness speculates

The suspect claimed he was trying to push the victim away during an altercation.

A Yakutat Borough Police Department vehicle sits in front of the site of a fatal stabbing in Yakutat on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Yakutat Borough Police Department)
Time running out to apply for spot on JEDC board

Time running out to apply for spot on JEDC board

There are three open seats on the Juneau Economic Development Council’s Board of Directors, and the deadline to apply for a spot has been extended,… Continue reading

Time running out to apply for spot on JEDC board
A memorial to the passengers and crew of the S.S. Princess Sophia at the Eagle Beach Recreation Area on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, 100 years after the ship hit Vanderbilt Reef and sunk in Favorite Channel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sophia centennial and day of sinking share stormy weather

Weather on Thursday’s centennial and the day of the Princess Sophia’s sinking shared a bit in common — but not to an eerie degree, said… Continue reading

A memorial to the passengers and crew of the S.S. Princess Sophia at the Eagle Beach Recreation Area on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, 100 years after the ship hit Vanderbilt Reef and sunk in Favorite Channel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mary Lou Spartz reads the names of victims buried at the Evergreen Cemetery during a memorial service on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Princess Sophia. The service takes place at the gravesite of Walter Harper and his wife, Frances Wells. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Important and terrible’: Princess Sophia memorial brings attendees from near, far

Windy weather wasn’t enough to deter people from paying their respects.

Mary Lou Spartz reads the names of victims buried at the Evergreen Cemetery during a memorial service on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Princess Sophia. The service takes place at the gravesite of Walter Harper and his wife, Frances Wells. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska Southeast chancellor Rick Caulfield speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon on Oct. 25, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

UAS chancellor updates Juneau Chamber on university’s progress

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield shared good news with the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday: The number of new students is rising, and… Continue reading

University of Alaska Southeast chancellor Rick Caulfield speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon on Oct. 25, 2018. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Officer C.J. Warnaca administers a field sobriety test after a four-car crash on Egan Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Nobody was harmed, authorities said on scene. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Driver in four-car crash charged with felony

One person was treated for minor injuries.

Juneau Police Department Officer C.J. Warnaca administers a field sobriety test after a four-car crash on Egan Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Nobody was harmed, authorities said on scene. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau taxicab is pictured in February 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Free cab rides available Saturday night

This Halloween weekend, there’s reason for celebration but no reason to drive drunk. Those who are looking to have a few drinks at a bar… Continue reading

A Juneau taxicab is pictured in February 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
A view of the Princess Sophia’s port side, The ship, which was bound for Seattle, struck Vanderbilt Reef because of a confluence of conditions, including a late train and poor visibility. The ship sunk Oct. 25 1918. (Alaska State Library-Historical Collections, ASL-P87-1699)

Events commemorate Sophia’s centennial

Three major events are taking place Thursday.

A view of the Princess Sophia’s port side, The ship, which was bound for Seattle, struck Vanderbilt Reef because of a confluence of conditions, including a late train and poor visibility. The ship sunk Oct. 25 1918. (Alaska State Library-Historical Collections, ASL-P87-1699)
Broken windows are covered up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, after reports of vandalism on Monday night. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vandalism spree hits four Valley churches

One church suffered about $10,000 in damages.

Broken windows are covered up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, after reports of vandalism on Monday night. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sitka man charged with having, making pipe bomb

The man allegedly attempted to ignite a bomb near Herring Cove Road in Sitka on Oct. 4.

The new Project Playground design is based on the old playground, but includes a few upgrades. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Project Playground will close briefly for repairs

The newly reopened playground will be closed for a couple days.

The new Project Playground design is based on the old playground, but includes a few upgrades. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Free skate brings costumes to the rink

Free skate brings costumes to the rink

The forecast for Halloween weekend is a little icy for some. The 16th annual Halloween Open Skate is taking place at 7:45 p.m. Friday at… Continue reading

Free skate brings costumes to the rink
The city has received an offer to buy the area known as Pocket Park at Front and Franklin Streets to be used as a food court, but is likely to hold off on deciding a long-term future for the park. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

What next for downtown’s Pocket Park?

The owner of Deckhand Dave’s offered to buy the entire property.

The city has received an offer to buy the area known as Pocket Park at Front and Franklin Streets to be used as a food court, but is likely to hold off on deciding a long-term future for the park. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel wheel a man to a waiting ambulance at the scene of a two-car accident near the Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road intersection in the Mendenhall Valley in March 2016. Two people were treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital for minor injuries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

CCFR hopes $25K bonus attracts, keeps paramedics

The department has had a hard time recruiting and retaining paramedics.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel wheel a man to a waiting ambulance at the scene of a two-car accident near the Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road intersection in the Mendenhall Valley in March 2016. Two people were treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital for minor injuries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)