Say goodbye to 2017: Ring in 2018 with dancing, kindness and a chilly dip

Juneauites will ring in 2018 at a bevy of concerts and events around Juneau. Here’s a breakdown of every event we could track down on… Continue reading

In this Aug. 31 photo, Lt. Kris Sell receives at her retirement party at the Juneau Police Department. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Year Of Kindness wrapup party

The Year Of Kindness, a Juneau Police Department initiative also know as 17YOK, will wrap up with a community party on Sunday, Dec. 31 from… Continue reading

In this Aug. 31 photo, Lt. Kris Sell receives at her retirement party at the Juneau Police Department. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Michael Keays, U.S. Consul General stationed in Vladivostok, Russia, introduces himself during a meeting at City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. Keays, halfway through a three year assignment in Vladivostok, is touring Alaska cities to meet with Sister City committees and to voice opportunities to U.S. citizens and business in Russia’s Far East. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

From Russia, with gov: Assembly breaks the ice with U.S. consulate general from the Russian Far East

It’s a trying time for diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Russia. U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential campaign. Special counsel… Continue reading

Michael Keays, U.S. Consul General stationed in Vladivostok, Russia, introduces himself during a meeting at City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. Keays, halfway through a three year assignment in Vladivostok, is touring Alaska cities to meet with Sister City committees and to voice opportunities to U.S. citizens and business in Russia’s Far East. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Meet the Empire at Gonzo

The Empire’s last meet-and-greet of the year will be today at Gonzo in Auke Bay. Stop by the restaurant (formerly known as Southeast Alaska Waffle… Continue reading

Pennie Peterson, owner of Vintage Fare Cafe & Espresso in the Nugget Mall, talks Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, about her cafe’s closure because of sewer pipe issues since early October. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)  An exposed pipe at Vintage Fare Cafe & Espresso in the Nugget Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mall plumbing closes Vintage Fare, Peter’s Oriental

An order of teriyaki chicken from Peter’s Oriental or a quiche and a coffee from Vintage Fare Cafe and Espresso used to be staples of… Continue reading

Pennie Peterson, owner of Vintage Fare Cafe & Espresso in the Nugget Mall, talks Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, about her cafe’s closure because of sewer pipe issues since early October. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)  An exposed pipe at Vintage Fare Cafe & Espresso in the Nugget Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Quincy Malacas, 10, right, and his brother Tristen, 7, pose for their mother at Holiday Village in the Alaska Shirt Company on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. The Village is a fundraiser for the Southeast Alaska Foodbank, Meals on Wheels, AWARE and The Glory Hole. It will be open until Saturday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Christmas spirit shines through at Juneau Holiday Village

Every Christmas as a child, Samantha Adams would look forward to her mother’s intricate Christmas village display in their home, marking the start of the… Continue reading

Quincy Malacas, 10, right, and his brother Tristen, 7, pose for their mother at Holiday Village in the Alaska Shirt Company on Friday, Dec. 22, 2017. The Village is a fundraiser for the Southeast Alaska Foodbank, Meals on Wheels, AWARE and The Glory Hole. It will be open until Saturday, Dec. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Police investigate gunshot that broke up dog fight

The Juneau Police Department is investigating an incident where someone discharged a firearm to deter two dogs from fighting. In a release Tuesday, police said… Continue reading

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Swimmers wait with excitement before the 24th annual Polar Bear Dip at the Auke Village Recreation Area on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

‘Invigorating’ Juneau New Year’s tradition carries on

New Year’s Day means something different for everybody. For some, it’s the first day of making their resolutions come true. For others, it’s a time… Continue reading

Swimmers wait with excitement before the 24th annual Polar Bear Dip at the Auke Village Recreation Area on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Engineer Jim Rehfeldt trades information with Glacier Valley Elementary Teacher Mareta Weed during a networking event for teachers and STEM community members at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017. The SouthEast Exchange is a new collaboration started by scientists and school teachers, in conjunction with the Juneau STEM Coalition and JEDC. Its broad mission is to share ideas, experience and knowledge within our community and, particularly, to facilitate connections among professionals and teachers to enrich education for Juneau students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

STEM isn’t just for kids

“We don’t know anything about how electronics work,” my two students told me when we started. In less than an hour they had made a… Continue reading

Engineer Jim Rehfeldt trades information with Glacier Valley Elementary Teacher Mareta Weed during a networking event for teachers and STEM community members at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017. The SouthEast Exchange is a new collaboration started by scientists and school teachers, in conjunction with the Juneau STEM Coalition and JEDC. Its broad mission is to share ideas, experience and knowledge within our community and, particularly, to facilitate connections among professionals and teachers to enrich education for Juneau students. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Youth Center offers into to rock climbing

The Zach Gordon Youth Center is hosting a free four-day introduction to rock climbing class this week. Classes, which start Wednesday, will cover everything from… Continue reading

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Attorney Tom Wagner is retiring from his position as a contract public defender for City and Borough of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City’s public defender retiring after working more than 11,000 cases in 17 years

The numbers from the past 17 years of Tom Wagner’s life are staggering. Wagner, who is retiring from being a public defender for the city… Continue reading

Attorney Tom Wagner is retiring from his position as a contract public defender for City and Borough of Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A passenger jet lifts off from the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Feds investigate laser pointing at plane approaching Juneau airport

Landing a plane in Juneau is a hard enough job, and the task got even more difficult for one plane Wednesday night. As an aircraft… Continue reading

A passenger jet lifts off from the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Teresa Bleakley holds her 3-year-old cat Percy at her valley home on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Percy was found after being lost for nine months. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cat returns home after being missing for 9 months

Percy Jackson Bleakley had never been away from home for more than three days until this March. It was then that Percy, a 2-year-old tabby… Continue reading

Teresa Bleakley holds her 3-year-old cat Percy at her valley home on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Percy was found after being lost for nine months. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gigi Monroe prepares backstage for a Christmas-themed drag show in December 2015. (Juneau Empire File)

Drag show looks to heat up holiday weekend

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be on the naughty list at Christmastime, look no further than the Rendezvous stage this Saturday night.… Continue reading

Gigi Monroe prepares backstage for a Christmas-themed drag show in December 2015. (Juneau Empire File)
Jack Marshall visits the senior lunch at the Douglas United Methodist Church on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

39 years a Claus: Jack Marshall has brought Christmas cheer for nearly four decades

When Jack Marshall first donned the white gloves to spread Christmas cheer, the year was 1978. The hot gift was the Atari 2600 video game… Continue reading

Jack Marshall visits the senior lunch at the Douglas United Methodist Church on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Two Juneau men indicted for 1995 murder

An unsolved homicide went cold for years until recently, as two Juneau men were arrested and indicted Wednesday for a 1995 murder, according to a… Continue reading

Troopers arrest two on felony parole warrants

Alaska State Troopers arrested two Juneau residents on felony parole warrants on Tuesday, including one man who was involved in a burglary spree in 2014… Continue reading

Event takes Christmas spirit to the moon and back

Ever wonder how Christmas is celebrated on the moon? An event the day after Christmas might be able to lend some insight. Marie Drake Planetarium’s… Continue reading

The Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City set to begin negotiations for land sale to Alaskan Brewing

The City and Borough of Juneau and one of Juneau’s most recognizable businesses are about to enter negotiations on the purchase of land. On Monday,… Continue reading

The Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City looking to sell or lease Valley property to community-minded organization

A city-owned property is up for sale or lease next month, and city officials are hoping it can go to a good cause. At the… Continue reading