News

Juneau Crime Line highlights Hickok’s Trading Post break-in

The Juneau Crime Line has chosen a recent break-in at downtown store Hickok’s Trading Post as its “Crime of the Week.” Just before 5 a.m.… Continue reading

New JACC architects to meet with public

The design of the new Juneau Arts and Culture Center (JACC) has involved community members at every step of the way, and that collaboration continues… Continue reading

Caleb Comas, left, is the new Marketing and Circulation Manager. Luke Warman is the new Press Room Manager.

Empire welcomes two new employees

Those reading the Juneau Empire in print have Caleb Comas and Luke Warman in part to thank for it. The Empire’s two newest employees are… Continue reading

Caleb Comas, left, is the new Marketing and Circulation Manager. Luke Warman is the new Press Room Manager.
Frank W. Lee, left, and Assistant Public Defender Eric Hedland look toward audible reactions in the public seating area in Juneau Superior Court after the jury found Lee guilty on two of three felony sex crimes in this September 2013 archive photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Conviction upheld in Juneau case involving sexual assault of sleeping woman

A Juneau man convicted of second-degree sexual assault in 2013 — for abusing a younger family member while she was sleeping — has lost an… Continue reading

Frank W. Lee, left, and Assistant Public Defender Eric Hedland look toward audible reactions in the public seating area in Juneau Superior Court after the jury found Lee guilty on two of three felony sex crimes in this September 2013 archive photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The destroyed vehicle in which Juneau-Douglas High School graduate Taylor White died in June 2009 is on display in front of the school as a reminder to current students of the perils of drinking and driving. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Grad party promotes safety on graduation weekend

Two local high schoolers will wake up Monday morning not only as graduates, but also $2,017 richer. The annual Safe Grad event, which provides a… Continue reading

The destroyed vehicle in which Juneau-Douglas High School graduate Taylor White died in June 2009 is on display in front of the school as a reminder to current students of the perils of drinking and driving. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Kara James holds her newborn baby, Andrew Price Jr., at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Saturday. The day before, James received a scholarship that will allow her to attend college and pursue her goal of becoming a teacher in her hometown of Angoon. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Angoon woman earns scholarship to pursue teaching goal

On the day she gave birth to her third child, Kara James learned that her life will be changing even more than planned. Talking via… Continue reading

Kara James holds her newborn baby, Andrew Price Jr., at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Saturday. The day before, James received a scholarship that will allow her to attend college and pursue her goal of becoming a teacher in her hometown of Angoon. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Alaska State Museum named one of nation’s 10 best

The Alaska State Museum has been selected as one of the nation’s 10 best museums by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The award… Continue reading

Delta begins seasonal service to Juneau

Delta begins seasonal service to Juneau

Another sure sign of summer appeared in the air above Juneau this week, as Delta Air Lines’ seasonal service to the capital city began Thursday… Continue reading

Delta begins seasonal service to Juneau

JPD chief eyes Idaho position

Juneau Police Department Chief Bryce Johnson, hired four years ago to replace retiring Chief Greg Browning, is one of four finalists for a position in… Continue reading

Missing Juneau woman quickly located after social media alert

A woman who had been reported missing was quickly found Wednesday, thanks to social media. The Juneau Police Department issued a release on its Facebook… Continue reading

The Gastineau Apartments in 2012. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

City suit against Gastineau owners postponed to December

The city’s lawsuit against owners of the Gastineau Apartments, which was scheduled to go to trial next month, has been postponed. The City and Borough… Continue reading

The Gastineau Apartments in 2012. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Juneau hits 70 degrees for the first time in 2017

Alaska’s capital city saw a high temperature of 71 degrees Tuesday, hitting the 70-degree mark at Juneau International Airport for the first time in 2017.… Continue reading

PHOTOS BY Michael Penn | Juneau Empire U.S. Coast Guard personnel aboard a 25-foot Response Boat conduct a Maritime Security Response operation in the Juneau harbor on Wednesday.

‘Wear it!’: Coast Guard reminds boaters to wear life jackets

Joshua Link has been stationed all over the country in working for the Coast Guard, and the Station Executive Petty Officer in believes boat owners… Continue reading

PHOTOS BY Michael Penn | Juneau Empire U.S. Coast Guard personnel aboard a 25-foot Response Boat conduct a Maritime Security Response operation in the Juneau harbor on Wednesday.
Misty Hasper has been reported missing as of Friday. (Courtesy the Juneau Police Department)

JPD seeks help locating missing woman

UPDATE: Misty Hasper, 39, has been located by Juneau police. Read more here. The Juneau Police Department issued a release on its Facebook page Wednesday,… Continue reading

Misty Hasper has been reported missing as of Friday. (Courtesy the Juneau Police Department)
PHOTO COURTESY OF JDHS Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Evan Rodriguez’s “Great Gray Owl” won second place in a statewide art competition and will be on display at the Spring Semester Art Show at JDHS this week.

Student art show displays award-winning art at JDHS

Students from both Juneau-Douglas High School and Thunder Mountain High School performed well in statewide art competitions, and JDHS students are showing off their work… Continue reading

PHOTO COURTESY OF JDHS Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Evan Rodriguez’s “Great Gray Owl” won second place in a statewide art competition and will be on display at the Spring Semester Art Show at JDHS this week.

Suspect pleads guilty in 2016 burglary in North Douglas, shoplifting at Fred Meyer

The suspect in a residential burglary and a shoplifting incident at Fred Meyer last year pleaded guilty to multiple charges Tuesday, in return for a… Continue reading

Cruise Lines International Association Alaska President John Binkley, second from left, presents a check for $25,000 to the Juneau Playground Fund from the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation on Monday, May 15, 2017, during a fundraiser for the fire-destroyed Project Playground in Juneau, Alaska. With Binkley are Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, left, Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fundraising effort reaches $145K for new playground

The movement to rebuild the Twin Lakes Playground cleared one fundraising hurdle Monday, but there’s still a daunting amount of work to be done and… Continue reading

Cruise Lines International Association Alaska President John Binkley, second from left, presents a check for $25,000 to the Juneau Playground Fund from the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation on Monday, May 15, 2017, during a fundraiser for the fire-destroyed Project Playground in Juneau, Alaska. With Binkley are Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, left, Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A TEMSCO helicopter arrives for a landing at the Juneau International Airport next to land filled with blooming fireweed. Bicknell Inc., a local construction company, is rezoning part of the property for industrial purposes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

City rezones scenic ‘field of fireweed’ to industrial area

In the eyes of one City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member, the CBJ Assembly grew a spine Monday night. In the eyes of one… Continue reading

A TEMSCO helicopter arrives for a landing at the Juneau International Airport next to land filled with blooming fireweed. Bicknell Inc., a local construction company, is rezoning part of the property for industrial purposes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Bicyclist injured, cited in collision with truck

Police on Monday morning cited a bicyclist for riding against traffic after she allegedly caused a collision with a truck. The 34-year-old woman sustained only… Continue reading

ALEX McCARTHY | JUNEAU EMPIRE Representatives from IGA, including, from left, Ace Hardware’s Craig Good, IGA Store Manager Rick Wilson, Perishable Manager Brad Folckomer, Myers Group Director of Operations Mark Graham, Assistant Store Director JP Oudekerk and Point of Sale Manager Silver Ligsay present Juneau Community Foundation Executive Director Amy Skilbred (second from right) with a $5,000 check Monday morning to aid with the Twin Lakes Playground rebuilding effort. The Juneau Community Foundation is nearing the halfway point of its fundraising efforts, with a goal of $100,000.

Fundraising for playground rebuild moving quickly

Fundraising efforts for the Twin Lakes Playground rebuild began quickly and have only been picking up speed, with the help of local and statewide businesses.… Continue reading

ALEX McCARTHY | JUNEAU EMPIRE Representatives from IGA, including, from left, Ace Hardware’s Craig Good, IGA Store Manager Rick Wilson, Perishable Manager Brad Folckomer, Myers Group Director of Operations Mark Graham, Assistant Store Director JP Oudekerk and Point of Sale Manager Silver Ligsay present Juneau Community Foundation Executive Director Amy Skilbred (second from right) with a $5,000 check Monday morning to aid with the Twin Lakes Playground rebuilding effort. The Juneau Community Foundation is nearing the halfway point of its fundraising efforts, with a goal of $100,000.