Thane Campground sat empty, save for a small fire, on its first day of operation Saturday. The city is hoping that the campground serves as a spot for homeless to stay. Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire

No arrests, citations of homeless in first weekend of camping ban

The streets of downtown Juneau looked the same as usual Saturday night, despite the city’s anti-camping ordinance going into effect. The ordinance, which rules that… Continue reading

Thane Campground sat empty, save for a small fire, on its first day of operation Saturday. The city is hoping that the campground serves as a spot for homeless to stay. Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire
MICHAEL PENN | JUNEAU EMPIRE A fire started on the outside wall Saturday evening caused about $30,000 damage to a Seward Street building that includes Art Sutch Photography shop.

Downtown fire wrecks photography studio

Local photographer Art Sutch found himself only able to field questions and take stock Monday afternoon, after a fire possibly fueled by a cigarette butt… Continue reading

MICHAEL PENN | JUNEAU EMPIRE A fire started on the outside wall Saturday evening caused about $30,000 damage to a Seward Street building that includes Art Sutch Photography shop.
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Juneau Soccer Club scammed out of more than $13K

A clever “spoofing” scheme — with the sender masking their email to look like a familiar email address — has scammed the Juneau Soccer Club… Continue reading

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Jeff Trucano, left, and Sam Miller, of Trucano Construction, work at installing lighting fixtures on the new dock in Douglas Harbor on Jan. 4. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Douglas Harbor reopens today

Starting this week, the newly renovated Douglas Harbor will return to full capacity after a renovation that’s nearly a decade in the works. Boats will… Continue reading

Jeff Trucano, left, and Sam Miller, of Trucano Construction, work at installing lighting fixtures on the new dock in Douglas Harbor on Jan. 4. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Chloe Abbott checks in with a homeless person camping in a business doorway on South Franklin Street on March 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

No-camping ordinance goes into effect

It’s official: The Thane campground will open on Saturday — and the City and Borough of Juneau’s camping ordinance will go into effect at midnight… Continue reading

Chloe Abbott checks in with a homeless person camping in a business doorway on South Franklin Street on March 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Middle school athletes allowed to travel again

After three years of middle school athletes being required to stay home, they’re now allowed to travel. A 6-1 vote at Tuesday’s Juneau School District… Continue reading

Recommendations for areas to include in Juneau’s borough annexation application. (Courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

Juneau looking to expand borders, looking on Admiralty Island

The City and Borough of Juneau is looking to expand. Juneau already owns a northern portion of Admiralty Island, but is interested in expanding to… Continue reading

Recommendations for areas to include in Juneau’s borough annexation application. (Courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

Man charged with assault after making threats with knife

A Juneau man who allegedly threatened to cut the throats of two people was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of third-degree assault.… Continue reading

Franklin Street construction may be done by mid-May

Construction will keep climbing up South Franklin Street, and the city hopes to be mostly done with the project by May 15. One of the… Continue reading

JDHS, UAS to celebrate housing project

Students from the University of Alaska Southeast and Juneau-Douglas High School are nearing completion of an affordable housing project on Lena Loop. The House Build… Continue reading

Brandon Stone

Pillars features NFL Hall of Fame’s Csonka

This year’s Pillars of America speaker series at Centennial Hall will feature an NFL Hall of Famer, a U.S. Navy SEAL officer and a paraplegic… Continue reading

Brandon Stone
photos by michael penn | juneau empire Krista Telnes lights a training fire as Southeast firefighters update their airport rescue firefighting skills at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Thursday. See more photos on page A10.

Firefighters practice aircraft rescue

As part of their training, firefighters often run simulations with scenarios designed to help them practice their skills in a semi-realistic setting, rescuing “victims” from… Continue reading

photos by michael penn | juneau empire Krista Telnes lights a training fire as Southeast firefighters update their airport rescue firefighting skills at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Thursday. See more photos on page A10.

University, city look to share Auke Bay Marine Station

Both the the University of Alaska Southeast and the City and Borough of Juneau have expressed interest in the Auke Bay Marine Station, and now… Continue reading

The inside of a hospital is shown. (Thinkstock)

‘A scary situation’ for Bartlett Regional Hospital

Repealing the Affordable Care Act would have cost the Bartlett Regional Hospital around $4 million with cuts to Medicaid, BRH Chief Executive Officer Chuck Bill… Continue reading

The inside of a hospital is shown. (Thinkstock)

One of six inmates accused of starting prison riot to stand trial Monday

Only one of the six defendants scheduled to go to trial Monday for their involvement in a 2015 riot at Lemon Creek Correctional Center will… Continue reading

Alaska Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Michaud receives a hug from his son, Kevin, at the Juneau International Airport after taking his last flight in the Guard’s Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday.  Michael Penn | Juneau Empire

Helicopter pilot retires after 35 years with National Guard

For his final flight as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 with the Army National Guard, Mike Michaud knew where he wanted to go. After 35… Continue reading

Alaska Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Michaud receives a hug from his son, Kevin, at the Juneau International Airport after taking his last flight in the Guard’s Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday.  Michael Penn | Juneau Empire
Lands and Resources Manager Greg Chaney presents to the CBJ Assembly on Monday about moving forward with the Pederson Hill subdivision. The Assembly approved a motion granting Chaney’s staff permission to begin designing the subdivision. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Pederson Hill project closer to reality

The biggest challenge for Juneau’s economy is its housing shortage, Lands and Resources Manager Greg Chaney said during Monday night’s City and Borough of Juneau… Continue reading

Lands and Resources Manager Greg Chaney presents to the CBJ Assembly on Monday about moving forward with the Pederson Hill subdivision. The Assembly approved a motion granting Chaney’s staff permission to begin designing the subdivision. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Bat monitoring program looking for volunteers

Local biologists are calling for “citizen scientists” to help them count and track bats in Southeast Alaska. Biologists from the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Bat Monitoring… Continue reading

Motorcyclist crashes, taken to hospital

A Juneau man escaped serious injury after crashing his motorcycle Friday afternoon, but was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. At about 12:30… Continue reading

Folk Fest action revs up this weekend

Musician Scott Wilson’s time on the Centennial Hall stage at Folk Fest began and ended Wednesday night. The full Folk Fest experience, however, was just… Continue reading