News

Participants sit in “jail” Wednesday afternoon at a reentry simulation at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall hosted by the Juneau Reentry Coalition. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Reentry simulation gives a glimpse of life after incarceration

Juneau residents and stakeholders learn about the challenges faced by former convicts

Participants sit in “jail” Wednesday afternoon at a reentry simulation at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall hosted by the Juneau Reentry Coalition. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Mendenhall River and Mendenhall Lake, heavily used by rafters and other non-motorized vessel operators, are the targets of a lawsuit by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that seeks to seize state control of the waters from the federal government. The lawsuit is based on claiming the state owns the submerged lands beneath the waters, which the federal government has failed to recognize. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Gov sues to seize Mendenhall lake, river from feds

Lawsuit filed a week before election claims state owns submerged land; feds disagree.

Mendenhall River and Mendenhall Lake, heavily used by rafters and other non-motorized vessel operators, are the targets of a lawsuit by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that seeks to seize state control of the waters from the federal government. The lawsuit is based on claiming the state owns the submerged lands beneath the waters, which the federal government has failed to recognize. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
CCFR Acting Captain John Adams poses with plaque awarded at his presentation ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Adams was awarded the 2022 Fire Life Safety Educator of the Year for his dedication to educating Juneau youth and community of fire safety. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

CCFR captain recognized for commitment to fire safety education

John Adams first member of department to earn the statewide award.

CCFR Acting Captain John Adams poses with plaque awarded at his presentation ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Adams was awarded the 2022 Fire Life Safety Educator of the Year for his dedication to educating Juneau youth and community of fire safety. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Luke, Wesley and Elsie Stevens smile alongside other trick-or-treaters as they walk down Franklin Street Monday afternoon during the downtown trick-or-treat event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Halloween is back in business: Downtown trick-or-treating returns

Thrills and chills

Luke, Wesley and Elsie Stevens smile alongside other trick-or-treaters as they walk down Franklin Street Monday afternoon during the downtown trick-or-treat event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A person enters the Division of Election’s office at the Mendenhall Mall, where early voting is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 8. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mail-in remains popular for early voters

Half of 30,000 ballots during first week of early arrive via mail, requests far above 2018 midterms

A person enters the Division of Election’s office at the Mendenhall Mall, where early voting is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 8. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A jack-o'-lantern carved to depict an alien from "Toy Story" rests outside a Mendenhall Valley residence. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Drop off your pumpkins at Juneau RecycleWorks

Drop off begins Saturday, Nov. 5

A jack-o'-lantern carved to depict an alien from "Toy Story" rests outside a Mendenhall Valley residence. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a structure fire in the 3000 block of Wood Duck Avenue Sunday morning, Oct 30. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

No injuries reported in Sunday morning fire

Firefighters say Wood Duck Avenue blaze was unintentional

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a structure fire in the 3000 block of Wood Duck Avenue Sunday morning, Oct 30. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Mari Fester holds up a carved spaghetti squash that filled in for a pumpkin during an underwater carving event held Sunday at Auke Rec. With more standard fare in short supply locally, acorn pumpkins, warty pumpkins and even a pumpkin sourced from Anchorage thanks to a traveler passing through served as canvases for the aquatic artists. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Splashing pumpkins: Underwater carving puts a twist on Halloween tradition

Alternative headline: The knife aquatic.

Mari Fester holds up a carved spaghetti squash that filled in for a pumpkin during an underwater carving event held Sunday at Auke Rec. With more standard fare in short supply locally, acorn pumpkins, warty pumpkins and even a pumpkin sourced from Anchorage thanks to a traveler passing through served as canvases for the aquatic artists. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
TMHS senior Kylie Morris helping attendees paint hands to leave their mark at the school’s first annual Fall Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 29. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau high schools fall into the Halloween spirit

TMHS and JDHS host fall carnival fundraisers

TMHS senior Kylie Morris helping attendees paint hands to leave their mark at the school’s first annual Fall Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 29. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This May photo shows Mount Edgecumbe on a relatively clear day. New research has shed new light on magma activity underneath the “historically active” volcano. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

New research finds magma rising under Mount Edgecumbe

No signs of imminent eruption

This May photo shows Mount Edgecumbe on a relatively clear day. New research has shed new light on magma activity underneath the “historically active” volcano. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire A Capital Transit bus drives near the site of the new Mendenhall Valley transit center on Mall Road. The center is set to open Nov. 7.

Transit center set to open, bus routes to change

Bus’ a move.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire A Capital Transit bus drives near the site of the new Mendenhall Valley transit center on Mall Road. The center is set to open Nov. 7.
From left, onstage on Wednesday in Anchorage for a debate in Alaska’s U.S. House race: former Gov. Sarah Palin, Rep. Mary Peltola, Nick Begich III and Chris Bye. (Mark Thiessen/Associated Press)

Here’s what was said during the House debate — guess who said it

Democratic incumbent, two Republicans and a Libertarian often overlap in statewide TV forum

From left, onstage on Wednesday in Anchorage for a debate in Alaska’s U.S. House race: former Gov. Sarah Palin, Rep. Mary Peltola, Nick Begich III and Chris Bye. (Mark Thiessen/Associated Press)
The former Glory Hall homeless shelter downtown, founded in 1982, is slated to be converted into seven low-income apartments after the Juneau Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the project Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Glory Hall’s apartment project finally prevails

Planning Commission OKs turning former homeless shelter into low-income housing after one-year fight

The former Glory Hall homeless shelter downtown, founded in 1982, is slated to be converted into seven low-income apartments after the Juneau Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the project Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Seaplanes co-owner and president Kent Craford seen in this photo at the Golden Shovel ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to break ground on Alaska Seaplanes’ new cargo facility adjacent to the North Terminal at the Juneau International Airport. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Cargo-ing the distance: Seaplanes breaks ground on new building

New facility could be up and running by this summer.

Alaska Seaplanes co-owner and president Kent Craford seen in this photo at the Golden Shovel ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to break ground on Alaska Seaplanes’ new cargo facility adjacent to the North Terminal at the Juneau International Airport. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Officials at Catholic Community Service in Juneau, which operated a hospice and home care program for 20 years before discharging all patients as of Oct. 19, are now working with Bartlett Regional Hospital administrators and attorneys on a transition plan. Hospital leaders said it may take anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years before a full hospice and home care program is implemented there. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Transition underway for hospice, elderly care

BRH hopes to provide hospice and home care within months; new grant boosts other elderly services

Officials at Catholic Community Service in Juneau, which operated a hospice and home care program for 20 years before discharging all patients as of Oct. 19, are now working with Bartlett Regional Hospital administrators and attorneys on a transition plan. Hospital leaders said it may take anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years before a full hospice and home care program is implemented there. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
In this Sept. 27 2021, photo Bridget Weiss, superintendent of Juneau Public Schools, stands outside the classroom of former math teacher and basketball coach Bill Szepanski, who inspired her to pursue a degree in education and a teaching and coaching career. Weiss recently informed district staff she will be stepping away from her position at the end of June. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Weiss departing as Juneau School District superintendent

Announcement comes after intense few years, and she is stepping away at the end of June.

In this Sept. 27 2021, photo Bridget Weiss, superintendent of Juneau Public Schools, stands outside the classroom of former math teacher and basketball coach Bill Szepanski, who inspired her to pursue a degree in education and a teaching and coaching career. Weiss recently informed district staff she will be stepping away from her position at the end of June. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
Dan Earl stands in front of his home which temporarily is transformed into Earl’s Haunted Garage around the time of Halloween in Juneau for nearly the last 20 years. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Haunted garage seeks to scare up donations

He’s putting the caring in scaring.

Dan Earl stands in front of his home which temporarily is transformed into Earl’s Haunted Garage around the time of Halloween in Juneau for nearly the last 20 years. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Darrell Harmon, left, is challenging state Rep. Sara Hannan for the newly drawn House District 4 seat in Juneau. The other two Juneau candidates, District 3 Rep. Andi Story and state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, are unopposed.

Many differences in lone competitive local legislative race

Two-term Democratic state Rep. Sara Hannan faces low-profile challenger Darrell Harmon

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Darrell Harmon, left, is challenging state Rep. Sara Hannan for the newly drawn House District 4 seat in Juneau. The other two Juneau candidates, District 3 Rep. Andi Story and state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, are unopposed.
Courtesy Photo / Stephany Day The Juneau Huskies cheer team poses for a photo on Saturday in Palmer after competing in this year’s Rally in the Valley Cheer competition. The team took first place in the game time and half time divisions, as well as earned the title of grand champion for garnering the highest score within the competition.

Juneau cheer team leads the way at Rally in the Valley

Team takes top spot among other honors.

Courtesy Photo / Stephany Day The Juneau Huskies cheer team poses for a photo on Saturday in Palmer after competing in this year’s Rally in the Valley Cheer competition. The team took first place in the game time and half time divisions, as well as earned the title of grand champion for garnering the highest score within the competition.
City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members unanimously agreed on a city ordinance which appropriates $700,000 — pulled from the Affordable Housing Fund — to fund a predevelopment loan for the proposed Gastineau Lodges project which, if developed, would create a 72-unit apartment building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Downtown housing project takes step forward

Assembly agrees to predevelopment loan for 72-unit Gastineau Lodges project.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members unanimously agreed on a city ordinance which appropriates $700,000 — pulled from the Affordable Housing Fund — to fund a predevelopment loan for the proposed Gastineau Lodges project which, if developed, would create a 72-unit apartment building in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)