Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,

Santa’s helpers for the needy can use some holiday help

Annual gifts and meals for Juneau’s struggling continue their traditions, but limited by high demand

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire 
A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,
This photo shows a Coast Guard vessel moored in Auke Bay. Another vessel, an icebreaker, could soon be homeported in Juneau following passage of the NDAA. City officials are considering whether that developed should encourage the city to become involved with plans to develop a cruise ship dock on a waterfront property. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Downtown port development plans make winter waves

City discusses assisting private developers with proposed cruise ship dock with eye on icebreaker.

This photo shows a Coast Guard vessel moored in Auke Bay. Another vessel, an icebreaker, could soon be homeported in Juneau following passage of the NDAA. City officials are considering whether that developed should encourage the city to become involved with plans to develop a cruise ship dock on a waterfront property. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much many parts of the country from Thursday through Saturday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Worsening weather means travel plans could be up in the air

Travel experts advise checking holiday plans and checking them twice.

An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much many parts of the country from Thursday through Saturday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Outgoing Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss smiles during a school board meeting in early December. Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Education approved a contract to search for her replacement. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

District moves forward with firm for superintendent search

The contract is set to begin on Jan. 1 and will run through June. 30

Outgoing Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss smiles during a school board meeting in early December. Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Education approved a contract to search for her replacement. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
From left to right, Duff Mitchell, Army National Guard veteran; Bill Clutton, Army veteran; and Tom Dawson, Navy veteran, stand in a line holding wreaths during a laying of wreaths ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday afternoon.

Juneau residents and veterans commemorate Wreaths Across America Day

The annual ceremony is observed in thousands of locations across the country.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
From left to right, Duff Mitchell, Army National Guard veteran; Bill Clutton, Army veteran; and Tom Dawson, Navy veteran, stand in a line holding wreaths during a laying of wreaths ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday afternoon.
Alfred Torres stands in the lobby on Friday after hearing the judges decision to uphold Ronald Smith’s 70-year prison sentence. Smith was charged for the murder of Kenneth Thomas and assault on Torres in 2001, but due to appeals the case has been retried twice. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Sentencing latest in complicated killing case

“What I’ve always wanted was for him to apologize to my family, and he did that.”

Alfred Torres stands in the lobby on Friday after hearing the judges decision to uphold Ronald Smith’s 70-year prison sentence. Smith was charged for the murder of Kenneth Thomas and assault on Torres in 2001, but due to appeals the case has been retried twice. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A seal pokes its head above the icy and waters at Don D. Statter Harbor on Sunday. National Weather Service Juneau sent out a special weather statement Sunday afternoon warning residents of Arctic air heading through the panhandle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Cold temps and high winds expected to last throughout the week

Officials say check water pipes, boats throughout week

A seal pokes its head above the icy and waters at Don D. Statter Harbor on Sunday. National Weather Service Juneau sent out a special weather statement Sunday afternoon warning residents of Arctic air heading through the panhandle. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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TMHS girls win tournament in Sitka

They rebounded from a tough first quarter to get the win.

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Mr and Mrs. Claus wave to residents from above as they sit in in the basket of a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck for the Santa parade Saturday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mr. and Mrs. Claus bring high spirits to downtown

Not even an Arctic front could stop residents from celebrating the parade.

Mr and Mrs. Claus wave to residents from above as they sit in in the basket of a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck for the Santa parade Saturday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Kiara Kookesh (right) gets a hand on an attempted pass from Ashlyn Gates during a practice drill at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The tough get going: TMHS girls season to start with early challenges

“We have great athleticism, we have size, we have speed.”

Kiara Kookesh (right) gets a hand on an attempted pass from Ashlyn Gates during a practice drill at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.

Volleyball wraps up regular season

Region tournament set for Nov. 4 and Nov. 5

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
JDHS junior Mila Hargrave winds up to spike the ball while TMHS junior Ashlyn Gates attempts to deflect it.
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Santa steps off of a helicopter at Juneau International Airport for Christmas Light Flights. This year marked a triumphant return for the event which offers people an aerial view of Juneau during the holiday season. Flying time and staffing are donated by Coastal Helicopters and fuel from Petro Marine Services for the event.

Santa has landed

Usually it’s the reindeer who soar the sky during the holiday, but this time, it was a helicopter.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Santa steps off of a helicopter at Juneau International Airport for Christmas Light Flights. This year marked a triumphant return for the event which offers people an aerial view of Juneau during the holiday season. Flying time and staffing are donated by Coastal Helicopters and fuel from Petro Marine Services for the event.
Courtesy / Delores Gonzalez 
More than 75 people joined together at St. Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Sunday evening.
Courtesy / Delores Gonzalez 
More than 75 people joined together at St. Paul Catholic Church to celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe this past Sunday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop to visit families at Cedar Park during the annual Capital City Fire/Rescue Santa Parade in December 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Santa rides and chopper guides

Holiday happenings planned for Friday and Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop to visit families at Cedar Park during the annual Capital City Fire/Rescue Santa Parade in December 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Ashlyn Gates and Cailynn Baxter practice boxing out during practice at Thunder Mountain High School. Gates and the Baxter twins are among the athletic core that gives coach Andly Lee confidence that TMHS can compete with any team on its schedule.  (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ashlyn Gates and Cailynn Baxter practice boxing out during practice at Thunder Mountain High School. Gates and the Baxter twins are among the athletic core that gives coach Andly Lee confidence that TMHS can compete with any team on its schedule.  (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy / Judy Campbell 
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Varsity hockey team poses with Santa after sleighing the competition during the team’s weekend stint in Kodiak.
Courtesy / Judy Campbell 
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears Varsity hockey team poses with Santa after sleighing the competition during the team’s weekend stint in Kodiak.
Juneau School Board President Deedie Sorensen and Vice President Emil Mackey discuss ‘milk’ incident investigation bid and extending food vendor’s contract with board members Tuesday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

District discusses ‘milk’ incident investigation bid, extends food vendor’s contract

Juneau School Board discusses third-party bid, allows NANA to serve food for six more months

Juneau School Board President Deedie Sorensen and Vice President Emil Mackey discuss ‘milk’ incident investigation bid and extending food vendor’s contract with board members Tuesday evening. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A map shows the planned phases for the Ridgeview subdivision, which as proposed will have up to 444 housing units upon completion. The Juneau Planning Commission approved 96 units as Phase 1 of the project, highlighted in the lower right, at its meeting Tuesday. (Rooftop Properties, LLC)

First 96 homes of 444-unit Ridgeview Subdivision OK’d

Planning Commission unanimously approves initial phase of complex, despite traffic volume concerns

A map shows the planned phases for the Ridgeview subdivision, which as proposed will have up to 444 housing units upon completion. The Juneau Planning Commission approved 96 units as Phase 1 of the project, highlighted in the lower right, at its meeting Tuesday. (Rooftop Properties, LLC)
Surrounded by other supporters, Jess Cobley, Juneau Education Association middle school representative at large, speaks to the Juneau District School board about the current status of the contract negotiation cycle between the pair at the board’s Tuesday evening meeting at Thunder Mountain High School.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Surrounded by other supporters, Jess Cobley, Juneau Education Association middle school representative at large, speaks to the Juneau District School board about the current status of the contract negotiation cycle between the pair at the board’s Tuesday evening meeting at Thunder Mountain High School.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)