News

Kobe Rielly grabs a hot dog Wednesday evening at the grand unveiling of the new pavilion at Riverside Rotary Park. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

One in pavilion

Locals celebrate the new pavilion at the Riverside Rotary Park.

Kobe Rielly grabs a hot dog Wednesday evening at the grand unveiling of the new pavilion at Riverside Rotary Park. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police: No obvious basis for charges in ‘milk’ incident

Investigation of floor sealant being served at summer youth program being reviewed by prosecutors

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. On Wednesday the Juneau Police Department shared the findings of its investigation into an incident in which a dozen children drank floor sealant when it was served instead of milk during a summer program breakfast at the school. There was nothing to obviously suggest criminal charges are appropriate, but the findings have been sent to the district attorney for review, according to JPD. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau's Salmon Creek Dam. (Courtesy Photo / AEL&P)

Salmon Creek Dam to gain engineering landmark status

It’s not the only Southeast structure to earn the status.

This photo shows Juneau's Salmon Creek Dam. (Courtesy Photo / AEL&P)
This photo shows Helping Hands Food Bank as it faces potential closure due to a decline in financial assistance and donations. (Courtesy Photo / Helping Hands Food Bank)

They’re banking on community support

Local food banks say donations needed now more than ever.

This photo shows Helping Hands Food Bank as it faces potential closure due to a decline in financial assistance and donations. (Courtesy Photo / Helping Hands Food Bank)
Gigi Monroe, the event organizer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Packed houses, back to back: GLITZ a roaring success

Sold out sets and heavy-hitting headliners.

Gigi Monroe, the event organizer, performs during Glitz, a major annual drag event celebrated every Pride Month, at Centennial Hall on June 18, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

School’s in for aspiring candidates

Assembly and school board members offer wise words as toolkit and workshop for local races arrive

An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Clinics readying to vaccinate new age group of children

CDC clearance for the new age group went out Tuesday.

Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Commercial property sees record appeals

The reason for the uproar is assessments for all commercial property were increased 50% for 2021.

This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Hali Hall, 4, holds Heidi Hall's hand Saturday afternoon as they walk past a sign honoring to Dr. George Brown at Project Playground. Ben Brown, son of the longtime children's advocate, said during a short dedication ceremony that he was pleased to see the park being enjoyed by children. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘A wonderful, positive person’: Plaque dedication honors much-admired doctor

Impact extends well beyond Juneau.

Hali Hall, 4, holds Heidi Hall's hand Saturday afternoon as they walk past a sign honoring to Dr. George Brown at Project Playground. Ben Brown, son of the longtime children's advocate, said during a short dedication ceremony that he was pleased to see the park being enjoyed by children. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sold sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneteenth celebrated with food and friendship

The event was a celebration and a fundraiser for their college scholarship fund.

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association in Juneau, looks out as the group sold sweet potato pies as a fundraiser for a college scholarship fund during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers reset a gravel pile during the men’s hand mucking event of Juneau Gold Rush Days in Savikko Park on Saturday.

Sun and fun greet return of Gold Rush Days

Good weather and good turnouts welcomed the first day of the event.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers reset a gravel pile during the men’s hand mucking event of Juneau Gold Rush Days in Savikko Park on Saturday.
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduates toss their caps during graduation last month. The Juneau School District Board of Education approved on Friday a policy formally allowing students to wear regalia during graduation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cultural regalia OK’d for big school events

School board OKs wearing of Native items, and those from other cultures, at public events

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé graduates toss their caps during graduation last month. The Juneau School District Board of Education approved on Friday a policy formally allowing students to wear regalia during graduation. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. School district officials are considering procuring a third-party investigator to look into how a dozen children and two adults were served floor sealant instead of milk during a summer youth program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

‘Sip before serve’ policy violated in milk mishap

Food company admits missteps; school board seeks 3rd-party investigator.

This June 14 photo shows Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx – Glacier Valley Elementary School. School district officials are considering procuring a third-party investigator to look into how a dozen children and two adults were served floor sealant instead of milk during a summer youth program. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Melissa McCormick, left, accepts a check from State Farm insurance agent Robin Lonas for the Find Your Fire nonprofit as part of a State Farm outreach program. (Courtesy photo / State Farm)

Insurance company donates $10,000 to local nonprofit

It was part of a program where 100 agents selected organizations to award grants to.

Melissa McCormick, left, accepts a check from State Farm insurance agent Robin Lonas for the Find Your Fire nonprofit as part of a State Farm outreach program. (Courtesy photo / State Farm)
FILE - Dancer Prescylia Mae, of Houston, performs during a dedication ceremony for the mural "Absolute Equality" in downtown Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2021. Recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S., gained traction after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. But after an initial burst of action, the movement to have it recognized as an official holiday in the states has largely stalled. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File)

Juneteenth event set for Twin Lakes

National holiday.

FILE - Dancer Prescylia Mae, of Houston, performs during a dedication ceremony for the mural "Absolute Equality" in downtown Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 2021. Recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S., gained traction after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. But after an initial burst of action, the movement to have it recognized as an official holiday in the states has largely stalled. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP, File)
Chief Ed Mercer presents Robert Partin an award for bravery during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man talks receiving Citizen’s Award for Bravery

Snowy streets and foul weather could have been a recipe for disaster.

Chief Ed Mercer presents Robert Partin an award for bravery during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Pedestrians cross the newly repainted rainbow crosswalk downtown on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Painting of the crosswalk was delayed by supply chain issues.

No paint, no gain: Downtown crosswalk gets belated touch-up

The rainbow crosswalk bursts into full vibrancy again as Juneau celebrates Pride Month.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Pedestrians cross the newly repainted rainbow crosswalk downtown on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Painting of the crosswalk was delayed by supply chain issues.
A special meeting of the school board will begin with a “discussion with NANA Management Services regarding (the) food services incident,” according to an agenda published by the Juneau School District. Twelve kids and two adults ingested floor sealant when it was served Tuesday morning by the company during breakfast at the RALLY program Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School, shown in this June 14 photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Contractor faces public questioning Friday about ‘milk’ incident

Company that served chemical sealant to children to face Juneau’s school board at special meeting

A special meeting of the school board will begin with a “discussion with NANA Management Services regarding (the) food services incident,” according to an agenda published by the Juneau School District. Twelve kids and two adults ingested floor sealant when it was served Tuesday morning by the company during breakfast at the RALLY program Sít’ Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School, shown in this June 14 photo. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A petition booklet seeking to nullify a requirement Juneau property buyers disclose the sales price is exhibited before it was turned in to the city clerk’s office earlier this month. (Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy)

Petition to nix property sale disclosure price requirement needs more signatures

Group will have additional 10 days starting Friday to gather enough signatures for fall ballot

A petition booklet seeking to nullify a requirement Juneau property buyers disclose the sales price is exhibited before it was turned in to the city clerk’s office earlier this month. (Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy)
Divina Rotano, a cashier for the city, provides two COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits at the entrance counter of City Hall on Thursday. The city is also making 24,000 tests arriving from the federal government this week available at public libraries, the Juneau Police Department and Juneau Public Health Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

More free COVID-19 self-tests arrive as local case spike lingers

24,000 rapid antigen tests available at City Hall, libraries, police station and city health center

Divina Rotano, a cashier for the city, provides two COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits at the entrance counter of City Hall on Thursday. The city is also making 24,000 tests arriving from the federal government this week available at public libraries, the Juneau Police Department and Juneau Public Health Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)