Mark De Simone listens as a guilty verdict is read in his murder trial. A jury found De Simone guilty of first-degree murder for the 2016 shooting death of Juneau jeweler Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Jury convicts Mark De Simone for first-degree murder of Duilio Rosales

Many questions surrounding the shooting death of Juneau jeweler Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales will never be answered, but a jury made one conclusion Friday: Mark… Continue reading

Mark De Simone listens as a guilty verdict is read in his murder trial. A jury found De Simone guilty of first-degree murder for the 2016 shooting death of Juneau jeweler Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Chad Kendrick, a local firearms instructor and owner of Juneau gun and ammunition store Taku Tactical, is watched by Judge Philip Pallenberg during the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Could De Simone have unintentionally fired twice? Defense expert says it’s possible.

The main question on the final day of witness testimony in the Mark De Simone murder trial was not what happened on May 15, 2016… Continue reading

Chad Kendrick, a local firearms instructor and owner of Juneau gun and ammunition store Taku Tactical, is watched by Judge Philip Pallenberg during the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Bob Bartholomew speaks to the City Finance Committee during Wednesday’s meeting.

City votes against funding pre-K pilot program

The Best Starts for Juneau pre-kindergarten pilot program is not receiving funding from the city this year. The City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee… Continue reading

City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Bob Bartholomew speaks to the City Finance Committee during Wednesday’s meeting.
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter crew prepares to hoist a 61-year-old man from a tugboat in Chatham Strait on May 9, 2018. The man was experiencing stroke-like symptoms. (Coast Guard Air Station Sitka | Courtesy Photo)

Coast Guard hoists man in distress on boat in Chatham Strait

Coast Guard Sector Juneau personnel assisted in the rescue of a man who was experiencing possible signs of a stroke in Chatham Strait on Wednesday,… Continue reading

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter crew prepares to hoist a 61-year-old man from a tugboat in Chatham Strait on May 9, 2018. The man was experiencing stroke-like symptoms. (Coast Guard Air Station Sitka | Courtesy Photo)
Vice Admiral Fred M. Midgette, Commander of Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Force West, left, Rear Admiral Michael F. McAllister, outgoing Commander of the Coast Guard 17th District, center, and Rear Admiral Matthew T. Bell Jr., incoming Commander of the Coast Guard 17th District, shake hands after a Change of Command Ceremony for the U.S. Coast Guard 17th District at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Meet the new head of Alaska’s Coast Guard

There’s a new top official in charge of Coast Guard operations in Alaska. Rear Admiral Michael F. McAllister passed command to Rear Admiral Matthew T.… Continue reading

Vice Admiral Fred M. Midgette, Commander of Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Force West, left, Rear Admiral Michael F. McAllister, outgoing Commander of the Coast Guard 17th District, center, and Rear Admiral Matthew T. Bell Jr., incoming Commander of the Coast Guard 17th District, shake hands after a Change of Command Ceremony for the U.S. Coast Guard 17th District at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Ceremonies around state honor fallen officers

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that Friday night’s ceremony is taking place at 6 p.m., due to misinformation from an Alaska… Continue reading

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Juneau man Derick Nathaniel Skultka, 35, was arrested in February 2018 for a parole violation. He was also tied to the theft of guns. (Juneau Police Department | Courtesy photo)

February arrest was related to stolen guns, authorities say

In February, about 24 firearms and multiple gold items were stolen from the home and business of a Juneau resident, according to an indictment filed… Continue reading

Juneau man Derick Nathaniel Skultka, 35, was arrested in February 2018 for a parole violation. He was also tied to the theft of guns. (Juneau Police Department | Courtesy photo)
Chad Kendrick, firearm instructor and owner of Taku Tactical in Juneau, performs a firearm demonstration for members of the jury in the murder trial of Mark De Simone on May 8, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Firearm experts to exchange evaluations in murder trial

Five words from an expert witness Tuesday brought the murder trial of Mark De Simone to a halt. Chad Kendrick, a local firearms instructor and… Continue reading

Chad Kendrick, firearm instructor and owner of Taku Tactical in Juneau, performs a firearm demonstration for members of the jury in the murder trial of Mark De Simone on May 8, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A pleasure boat sits on the rocks on the north side of Coghlan Island on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The boat grounded on Monday evening. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Boat wrecks near Coghlan Island Monday night

A boat hit a rock about 50 yards from Coghlan Island Monday night and began taking on water, prompting a search and rescue by the… Continue reading

A pleasure boat sits on the rocks on the north side of Coghlan Island on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The boat grounded on Monday evening. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Coffee shop burglar caught, thanks to surveillance camera

A Juneau resident is behind bars after allegedly burglarizing a coffee shop Sunday morning, according to a release from the Juneau Police Department. Employees of… Continue reading

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Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters respond to a fire at a boat condominium on Brandy Lane on May 6, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)

Explosion leads to boat condo fire

A boat owner was working on the wiring of his boat Sunday when he inadvertently caused a spark and triggered an explosion, Capital City Fire/Rescue… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters respond to a fire at a boat condominium on Brandy Lane on May 6, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)
Dr. Todd Grey, a retired medical examiner, testifies to the possible path of the bullet wounds in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, May 6, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Defense begins to make its case in murder trial

On Sunday, retired forensic pathologist Dr. Todd Grey took the Styrofoam head and went to work. After making marks behind the right ear and on… Continue reading

Dr. Todd Grey, a retired medical examiner, testifies to the possible path of the bullet wounds in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, May 6, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

United in loss: fishing fleet blessed at annual ceremony

Two hundred and eighteen names are engraved on the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial, a half circle of stone facing the water in downtown Juneau. Seven… Continue reading

Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School sixth-grade receives help getting out of a wet survival suit by teacher Cheyenne Cuellar during a class from the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Juneau dock on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sixth grade survival lessons

Lillie Fredrick, a sixth-grader at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, is no stranger to the water in Juneau. She goes fishing and pulls crab pots with… Continue reading

Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School sixth-grade receives help getting out of a wet survival suit by teacher Cheyenne Cuellar during a class from the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Juneau dock on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Trooper Ryan Anderson illustrates how Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales’ boots were arranged when Anderson found Rosales deceased at an Excursion Inlet cabin in 2016. Anderson is a witness in the trial of Mark De Simone, who is accused of shooting and killing Rosales. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

As prosecution wraps up case, motive still unclear in 2016 shooting death

The prosecution wrapped up its case Friday against Mark De Simone, a former Arizona legislator accused of killing Juneau jeweler Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales on… Continue reading

Alaska State Trooper Ryan Anderson illustrates how Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales’ boots were arranged when Anderson found Rosales deceased at an Excursion Inlet cabin in 2016. Anderson is a witness in the trial of Mark De Simone, who is accused of shooting and killing Rosales. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Sitka drug ring involved violent intimidation, authorities say

Sitka drug ring involved violent intimidation, authorities say

Juneau resident Eric Stephen Morisky, 30, also known as “Curly,” was one of seven people indicted in April on charges of possessing and distributing heroin… Continue reading

Sitka drug ring involved violent intimidation, authorities say
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Riverbend Elementary names new principal

A new face will be taking over as principal at Riverbend Elementary School for the 2018-19 school year. According to a release from the Juneau… Continue reading

Scott Nelson
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter/EMTs Conner Hoyt, left, and Mattheus Tempel transport victim Keren Goldbergbell during a mass casualty drill at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, May 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Preparing for a real-life disaster

Bartlett Regional Hospital staff were hustling Thursday morning. In less than two hours, a bus crash with 25 casualties needed immediate attention, an emergency room… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter/EMTs Conner Hoyt, left, and Mattheus Tempel transport victim Keren Goldbergbell during a mass casualty drill at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, May 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Deputy State Medical Examiner Cristin Rolf testifies in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, May 3, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Medical examiner gives detailed look into finding of homicide

Deputy State Medical Examiner Cristin Rolf spent about an hour on the witness stand Thursday explaining the details of the autopsy, but her conclusion was… Continue reading

Deputy State Medical Examiner Cristin Rolf testifies in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, May 3, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Early-morning electrical fire damages sailboat in Aurora Harbor

In the early hours of the morning Thursday, a boat caught fire in Aurora Harbor while its owner was away, Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief… Continue reading