Police seek information on pistol stolen from car

The Juneau Crime Line is highlighting an unsolved property theft case from mid-June when a pistol was stolen from a man’s unlocked car. According to… Continue reading

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. (Courtesy photo | Stephen Prysunka via the U.S. Coast Guard)

One dead, 10 safe after canoe overturns near Haines

One man is dead after a canoe overturned near Haines on Monday, sending 11 people into the water near Glacier Point, according to an Alaska… Continue reading

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter. (Courtesy photo | Stephen Prysunka via the U.S. Coast Guard)
Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp speaks to Juneau Police Department Officer Jason Van Sickle during the trial of Leron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday. Graham is representing himself on 14 counts of allegedly assaulting a woman and stealing a car in the Lemon Creek area in March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau district attorney among applicants for judgeship

Six people have applied to fill an open judge position on the Juneau Superior Court, including Juneau’s district attorney, according to a release from the… Continue reading

Assistant District Attorney Angie Kemp speaks to Juneau Police Department Officer Jason Van Sickle during the trial of Leron Carlton Graham in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday. Graham is representing himself on 14 counts of allegedly assaulting a woman and stealing a car in the Lemon Creek area in March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Nugget Mall, pictured in April. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘We do this and we’re good at it:’ New Nugget Mall owners confident in revamping mall

After the sale of the Nugget Mall fell through in June, Seattle-based corporate lending company Columbia Pacific Advisors took ownership of the mall.

The Nugget Mall, pictured in April. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Glacier Valley Rotary President Sharon Burns and Mayor Ken Koelsch cut a ribbon on the new playground equipment at Riverside Rotary Park on Saturday, July 28, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

New playground equipment open for playtime

Glacier Valley Rotary President Sharon Burns stood on stairs of a brand-new playground structure at Riverside Rotary Park as a little girl slid down a… Continue reading

Glacier Valley Rotary President Sharon Burns and Mayor Ken Koelsch cut a ribbon on the new playground equipment at Riverside Rotary Park on Saturday, July 28, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Master Haida weaver Delores Churchill, in the white vest, speaks about spruce root baskets. (Sealaska Heritage Institute | Courtesy Photo)

Program will document how to make spruce-root basketry

In an effort to stop weaving techniques from being lost, a Juneau nonprofit is teaming up with a travel company to make a documentary.

Master Haida weaver Delores Churchill, in the white vest, speaks about spruce root baskets. (Sealaska Heritage Institute | Courtesy Photo)
In this Aug. 9, 2012 photo, Dan Austin, general manager of St Vincent de Paul, stands on property across from Smith Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Dan Austin, ‘Mother Teresa for Southeast Alaska,’ dies of cancer

The man who led Juneau’s branch of St. Vincent de Paul, caring for hundreds of homeless and destitute Juneauites for more than 20 years, has… Continue reading

In this Aug. 9, 2012 photo, Dan Austin, general manager of St Vincent de Paul, stands on property across from Smith Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller speaks during a Board of Education meeting on Friday, July 27, 2018. The board unanimously voted to release Miller from his contract after he submitted his resignation Wednesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

School board begins search for superintendent replacement

With just three weeks left until the school year starts, the Board of Education is looking to move fast to replace departed superintendent Mark Miller.… Continue reading

Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller speaks during a Board of Education meeting on Friday, July 27, 2018. The board unanimously voted to release Miller from his contract after he submitted his resignation Wednesday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Mayor Ken Koelsch is seen in this file photo from March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau mayor Ken Koelsch won’t run for re-election

Juneau Mayor Ken Koelsch will not run for re-election, he announced Friday morning. In an interview with the Empire, Koelsch said he had been holding… Continue reading

Mayor Ken Koelsch is seen in this file photo from March. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Assembly Member Norton Gregory shares a report during Monday night’s City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting. Mayor Ken Koelsch selected Gregory as the chair of the city’s new subcommittee to look into the future of mining in Juneau. Assembly member Beth Weldon (left) will also be on the committee. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Assembly members Gregory, Weldon announce candidacy for mayor

In the hours following Mayor Ken Koelsch’s announcement that he will not run for re-election this fall, two Assembly members declared their candidacies for the… Continue reading

Assembly Member Norton Gregory shares a report during Monday night’s City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting. Mayor Ken Koelsch selected Gregory as the chair of the city’s new subcommittee to look into the future of mining in Juneau. Assembly member Beth Weldon (left) will also be on the committee. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Permanent Fund hiring more workers in Juneau

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation will hire 10 new workers in Juneau, CEO Angela Rodell told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, earning a… Continue reading

Angela Rodell, Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Josh Keaton

Juneau school board member will not seek re-election

School board member Josh Keaton will not run for re-election, he announced by email Thursday, making him the second of two incumbents to drop out… Continue reading

Josh Keaton
An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)

Last-minute changes on the table for JACC ballot proposal

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members are running out of time to make adjustments to possible ballot measures for the Oct. 2 election.… Continue reading

An artist rendering of the New JACC. (Courtesy image)
Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Good weather expected to continue

The sun is shining, the weather is warm, and conditions are absolutely lovely at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. That means manager Merrill Jensen isn’t having much… Continue reading

Merrill Jensen, Director & Horticulturist for the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, moves a watering hose on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. During dry spells Jensen has to move the watering hose every two to four hours around the clock. It takes four days to water the entire garden. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
James and Rachael are tour brokers who meet three years ago, got married in 2016 and they just gave themselves new last names. James Marcus Skywalker Gunn and Rachael Elizabeth Skywalker Gunn. Rachael is a big Star Wars fan and James’ grandmother has a maiden name of Gunn. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The force is with them: Couple writes own love story with Star Wars-inspired name change

Even in kindergarten, she told people her name was Skywalker. Rachael wasn’t a fan of her last name of Gammon, especially because her mother had… Continue reading

James and Rachael are tour brokers who meet three years ago, got married in 2016 and they just gave themselves new last names. James Marcus Skywalker Gunn and Rachael Elizabeth Skywalker Gunn. Rachael is a big Star Wars fan and James’ grandmother has a maiden name of Gunn. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A stock image of a gun care kit. This is not the gun involved in this past Friday’s incident. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)

Nobody harmed after gun goes off near children

As children enjoyed the sunshine this past Friday afternoon, their playtime was interrupted by an unwelcome sound: a gunshot. A 69-year-old man was in his… Continue reading

A stock image of a gun care kit. This is not the gun involved in this past Friday’s incident. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">COURTESY PHOTO</span>                                An artist rendering of the 300-seat theater in the new JACC, which will include a central seating area and a balcony.

New JACC picks up large donation

A fellow Alaska organization is helping make the new Juneau Arts and Culture Center a reality. The Carr Foundation, an Anchorage-based foundation that helps fund… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">COURTESY PHOTO</span>                                An artist rendering of the 300-seat theater in the new JACC, which will include a central seating area and a balcony.
Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talks about the district’s decision on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, to send a formal request to the Alaska School Activities Association to consolidate its football, cheer and hockey teams to Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

School superintendent steps down

After four years in his position, Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller resigned Wednesday and is taking a superintendent job closer to his family in… Continue reading

Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talks about the district’s decision on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, to send a formal request to the Alaska School Activities Association to consolidate its football, cheer and hockey teams to Juneau-Douglas High School. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Public Libraries installed a new piece of public art outside the Mendenhall Valley Public Library titled “The Librarian” by Ohio-based steel sculptor James Havens on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The 5-foot tall piece was donated by a local Juneau resident Fred Koken. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Valley Library displays ‘Librarian’ sculpture

People driving on Riverside Drive by the Mendenhall Valley Public Library will notice something shiny and new outside the library. On Tuesday, the Juneau Public… Continue reading

Juneau Public Libraries installed a new piece of public art outside the Mendenhall Valley Public Library titled “The Librarian” by Ohio-based steel sculptor James Havens on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The 5-foot tall piece was donated by a local Juneau resident Fred Koken. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Paul Kelly has announced his run for a seat on the Juneau School District’s Board of Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Board candidate has eye on community partnerships, lower class sizes

Paul Kelly has always been interested in politics, but recently his interest has become a little more personal. Kelly, who moved from Anchorage to Juneau… Continue reading

Paul Kelly has announced his run for a seat on the Juneau School District’s Board of Education. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)