In this May 2009 photo, the Mendenhall River flows out of the Mendenhall Valley past the northwestern tip of the Juneau International Airport and through the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

River erosion leads to ‘unique’ pipe break

Last month, erosion on the Mendenhall River led to a situation that has never happened in Juneau. On Sept. 1, City and Borough of Juneau… Continue reading

In this May 2009 photo, the Mendenhall River flows out of the Mendenhall Valley past the northwestern tip of the Juneau International Airport and through the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Christopher Strawn raises an objection against Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige’s question of a witness at his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

As murder trial continues, Strawn prods eyewitness

Tuesday was a pivotal day in the ongoing murder trial of Christopher Strawn, as eyewitness Tiffany Johnson endured several hours of tense cross-examination from the… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn raises an objection against Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige’s question of a witness at his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City verifies official election results

Juneau’s election results are official and certified. A week after the Oct. 3 election, Municipal Clerk and Election Official Laurie Sica signed and verified the… Continue reading

City seeks input on youth, senior Parks & Recreation programs

The City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation Department is looking for input on how to best serve some of Juneau’s youngest and oldest… Continue reading

Delays next week on Calhoun Avenue

Those looking to drive along Calhoun Avenue next Tuesday should be prepared for it to take a little longer than usual. On Tuesday, Oct. 17,… Continue reading

THINKSTOCK

Free fair features baby talk at Valley library

A free fair will be taking place from 4-6 p.m. at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library for families and expectant families with questions about their… Continue reading

THINKSTOCK
This map, compiled by the City and Borough of Juneau, illustrates the maximum water depth that would be caused by an inshore, landslide-caused tsunami. (Courtesy of City and Borough of Juneau)

Study reveals worst-case scenarios for tsunamis in Juneau

Generally, there’s a low risk of a large tsunami hitting Juneau. There aren’t tsunami sirens in town, as City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Programs… Continue reading

This map, compiled by the City and Borough of Juneau, illustrates the maximum water depth that would be caused by an inshore, landslide-caused tsunami. (Courtesy of City and Borough of Juneau)
Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Eyewitness takes stand in murder retrial

Tiffany Johnson was shaken but undeterred as, for the second time in eight months, she took the witness stand and described the most terrifying night… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local comics set for Saturday show

Juneau’s sole comedy club, Club Baby Seal, will play two shows at the Gold Town Nickelodeon on Oct. 14 at 9 and 10:30 p.m. Admission… Continue reading

Commission on Aging reconfigures, looks for new members

As Juneau’s senior population continues to grow, issues facing that group are becoming increasingly important for the city. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly… Continue reading

Don Morgan, owner of Haa Shagoon Gallery, said Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, he is closing his downtown business next week because homeless people outside of the Marine View Building are keeping customers away. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

One business owner cites homelessness, economic downturn for store closure

Those walking down Ferry Way downtown might notice something missing. For the past two years, the stretch of windows lining the south side of the… Continue reading

Don Morgan, owner of Haa Shagoon Gallery, said Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, he is closing his downtown business next week because homeless people outside of the Marine View Building are keeping customers away. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Natalie Soto, 2, helps sing with the All Nations Children Dancers as Juneau residents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

First official Indigenous Peoples Day proves satisfying, hopeful

Richard Peterson walked to the microphone at Monday night’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, clearly emotional. Peterson, the president of Central Council… Continue reading

Natalie Soto, 2, helps sing with the All Nations Children Dancers as Juneau residents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Sgt. Jeremy Weske speaks from the witness stand during the trial of Christopher Strawn in Juneau Superior Court on Friday. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015.

Police, paramedic take stand in murder trial

“Are you asking me if he was dead?” “Yes.” “He was dead, and there was no struggle or anything. The blood was in a perfect… Continue reading

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Sgt. Jeremy Weske speaks from the witness stand during the trial of Christopher Strawn in Juneau Superior Court on Friday. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015.
Members of the Absentee Questioned Ballot Review Board open ballots before counting at the City Hall on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Absentee, early ballots boost turnout, but still short of 2016 numbers

Though the results are still unofficial until they’re certified this Tuesday, voter turnout climbed by nearly 7 percent thanks to absentee and questioned ballots counted… Continue reading

Members of the Absentee Questioned Ballot Review Board open ballots before counting at the City Hall on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Darin Jensen talks about the companies award-winning collaboration with Heritage Coffee Roasting Company. The joint venture won gold in the coffee category at the Great American Beer Festival on Saturday in Denver. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Breakfast brew best in nation

Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Bagels and cream cheese. Coffee and beer? It’s a winning combination. Alaskan Brewing Company and Heritage Coffee Roasting… Continue reading

Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Darin Jensen talks about the companies award-winning collaboration with Heritage Coffee Roasting Company. The joint venture won gold in the coffee category at the Great American Beer Festival on Saturday in Denver. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Human remains ID’d as missing hiker

Human remains ID’d as missing hiker

Human remains found by a duck hunter have been identified as missing Juneau hiker Teri Heuscher, police say. Heuscher, 53, was last seen on June… Continue reading

Human remains ID’d as missing hiker
Christopher Strawn speaks with Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige at the start of his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Strawn murder trial begins, again

Brandon Cook was killed two years ago this month in Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park. On Thursday, following three and a half days of jury… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn speaks with Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige at the start of his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AEL&P gets OK for special electric-vehicle charging rate

Alaska’s state utility regulator has approved a plan from Alaska Electric Light and Power to help the utility cope with Juneau’s rising number of electric… Continue reading

University of Alaska system wants help from businesses to see future employment needs

The University of Alaska is looking to almost double the amount of Alaskans who attend college in the next decade, but has to do so… Continue reading

Buddy Tabor performs at Resurrection Lutheran Church in January 2009. Albert McDonnell and his daughter Hazel are shown at left. (Juneau Empire File)

Gold Street music concert

A group of local pickers will play at the Resurrection Lutheran Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The lineup is features a long roster of… Continue reading

Buddy Tabor performs at Resurrection Lutheran Church in January 2009. Albert McDonnell and his daughter Hazel are shown at left. (Juneau Empire File)