News

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo, announced Wednesday he will not seek relelection in the Alaska State Senate, where he has served since 2013. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Senate president says he won’t run again

“Honor and a privilege.”

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seen here in this June 16, 2021, file photo, announced Wednesday he will not seek relelection in the Alaska State Senate, where he has served since 2013. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Devil’s Club Brewing Company was named the best craft brewery in Alaska by reviews according to Yelp. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

For local brewery, good Yelp isn’t hard to find

Devil’s Club Brewing Co. named best-reviewed craft brewery in state.

Devil’s Club Brewing Company was named the best craft brewery in Alaska by reviews according to Yelp. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Porter Nelson, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Citrus College, a community college located in Glendora, California, on May 24, 2022. “I was pretty stoked. I didn’t think they were going to answer my email,” said Nelson about the college extending the offer. “They’re the dream for me.” Nelson plays center fielder, and intends to study kinesiology, he said. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS baseball player signs for California college

Porter Nelson, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Citrus College, a community college located… Continue reading

Porter Nelson, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Citrus College, a community college located in Glendora, California, on May 24, 2022. “I was pretty stoked. I didn’t think they were going to answer my email,” said Nelson about the college extending the offer. “They’re the dream for me.” Nelson plays center fielder, and intends to study kinesiology, he said. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
JDHS players and fans recognized seniors Tias Carney, Sam Marnon, Callan Smith, Zayden Schijvens, Samuel Holst, Andre Peirovi, Owen Costello, Ahmed Mezel, Solomon Alper, Will Rehfeldt and Ben Goldstein during senior night on May 22, 2022. They’ll play their final high school games together this week at the state tournament in Anchorage. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau soccer teams celebrate their seniors

For many, their final high school games come this week at the state tournament.

JDHS players and fans recognized seniors Tias Carney, Sam Marnon, Callan Smith, Zayden Schijvens, Samuel Holst, Andre Peirovi, Owen Costello, Ahmed Mezel, Solomon Alper, Will Rehfeldt and Ben Goldstein during senior night on May 22, 2022. They’ll play their final high school games together this week at the state tournament in Anchorage. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Dozens of containers of infant formula, including some eligible to be purchased with WIC benefits, are on shelves at Foodland IGA on Monday. But many other brands are absent and Brad Folckomer, the store’s assistant director, said while certain brands have generally remained available during a critical nationwide shortage, special types some mothers need are missing and it’s unknown when the situation may improve.

Local infant formula shortages likely to persist

Juneau outlets say limited supplies exist, but many brands absent and donations for needy lacking

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Dozens of containers of infant formula, including some eligible to be purchased with WIC benefits, are on shelves at Foodland IGA on Monday. But many other brands are absent and Brad Folckomer, the store’s assistant director, said while certain brands have generally remained available during a critical nationwide shortage, special types some mothers need are missing and it’s unknown when the situation may improve.
Larry Atkinson, left, receives a meal from Erin Youngstrom for the Meals on Wheels program on Monday, May 23, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

They have the meals, they need the wheels

Volunteer shortage.

Larry Atkinson, left, receives a meal from Erin Youngstrom for the Meals on Wheels program on Monday, May 23, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Anchorage’s City Hall is seen as something of a "pilot project" for a new City Hall in Juneau, according architects designing the proposed facility – but primarily in terms of practical features since they say green space is also a key part of the design. ( Ken Graham Photography)

Clear skies and a cleared out virtual meeting

Few attendees and no public input at online presentation of proposed $41.2m facility.

Anchorage’s City Hall is seen as something of a "pilot project" for a new City Hall in Juneau, according architects designing the proposed facility – but primarily in terms of practical features since they say green space is also a key part of the design. ( Ken Graham Photography)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The future of the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street is in a state of uncertainty, with permitting to refit the interior to affordable housing denied by the City and Borough of Juneau. An appeals process is ongoing, with a public meeting set for Tuesday.

Struggle to repurpose Glory Hall as affordable housing continues

The Glory Hall plans to continue the fight to get permitted.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The future of the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street is in a state of uncertainty, with permitting to refit the interior to affordable housing denied by the City and Borough of Juneau. An appeals process is ongoing, with a public meeting set for Tuesday.
Shawen Bueckers, left, meets the girl who she donated bone marrow to, Amelia Bellmore, at a Be the Match event at Brigham Young University in 2022. (Screenshot)

Child cancer survivor meets woman who saved her life

A bone marrow transplant from a woman hundreds of miles away helped this Juneau child survive.

Shawen Bueckers, left, meets the girl who she donated bone marrow to, Amelia Bellmore, at a Be the Match event at Brigham Young University in 2022. (Screenshot)
Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, second from right, updates next year’s city budget to reflect changes made Wednesday night by the Assembly’s Finance Committee during a break in the meeting. The committee approved a $172.3 million general fund spending plan that on paper shows a $10.3 million surplus, but that extra amount is subject to considerable unpredictability – including a potential loss of $16 million in state funds – before a final budget is approved by the full Assembly by June 15. Assisting Rogers with the budget presentation to Assembly members are, from left, Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Budget Analyst Adrien Speegle. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City budget: More last-minute spending, no new taxes

City budget approved by Finance Committee rejects mill rate increase, adds funds for social programs.

Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, second from right, updates next year’s city budget to reflect changes made Wednesday night by the Assembly’s Finance Committee during a break in the meeting. The committee approved a $172.3 million general fund spending plan that on paper shows a $10.3 million surplus, but that extra amount is subject to considerable unpredictability – including a potential loss of $16 million in state funds – before a final budget is approved by the full Assembly by June 15. Assisting Rogers with the budget presentation to Assembly members are, from left, Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Budget Analyst Adrien Speegle. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An online do-it-yourself budget simulator allows users to submit their proposals for Juneau’s budget next year to city officials resulted in 73 spending plans during its first budget cycle, according to officials. (Screenshot)

DIY city budget simulator yields ’educational’ results

More taxes for thee, not me; more community projects for me, not thee among ’unsurprising’ results

An online do-it-yourself budget simulator allows users to submit their proposals for Juneau’s budget next year to city officials resulted in 73 spending plans during its first budget cycle, according to officials. (Screenshot)
Public defender Nicolas Ambrose gestures during a trial centered around a 2019 stabbing May 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Prosecution reconstructs events leading to fatal stabbing

Jurors watched multiple angles of the events leading and following the stabbing.

Public defender Nicolas Ambrose gestures during a trial centered around a 2019 stabbing May 19, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A sign marks the location of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Tourist dies near Mendenhall Glacier

The death is not considered suspicious.

A sign marks the location of the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Zuill Bailey performs a cello concert during a music cruise in Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy Photo)

All that jazz returns to Juneau

Another ‘Classics’ in the books.

Zuill Bailey performs a cello concert during a music cruise in Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy Photo)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Left to right, investigator Emily Chapel, defendant Fenton Jacobs and defense attorney Nicolas Ambrose stand as the jury in Jacobs’ trial enters the courtroom on May 18, 2022.

Fatal stabbing trial begins with statements, witnesses

The prosecution and defense paint different contexts for the events which ended in a death.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Left to right, investigator Emily Chapel, defendant Fenton Jacobs and defense attorney Nicolas Ambrose stand as the jury in Jacobs’ trial enters the courtroom on May 18, 2022.
Assistant U.S. Commerce Secretary Alejandra Castillo, second from left, meets Southeast Alaska Native leaders at the Sealaska Heritage Plaza on Wednesday to discuss the Spruce Roots project, which is among 60 finalists seeking a share of a $1 billion federal development grant. Spruce Roots is hoping to be among the 20-30 winners who will each receive up to $100 million, with the project seeking to create 250 new jobs, $22 million in new annual economic activity and $20 million in new infrastructure. Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire

Spruce Root among 60 finalists for $1B in development grants

Assist. U.S. Commerce Secretary Alejandra Castillo visits SE Native coalition seeking up to $100M

Assistant U.S. Commerce Secretary Alejandra Castillo, second from left, meets Southeast Alaska Native leaders at the Sealaska Heritage Plaza on Wednesday to discuss the Spruce Roots project, which is among 60 finalists seeking a share of a $1 billion federal development grant. Spruce Roots is hoping to be among the 20-30 winners who will each receive up to $100 million, with the project seeking to create 250 new jobs, $22 million in new annual economic activity and $20 million in new infrastructure. Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers clear deadwood and undergrowth as part of the cleanup of the cemetery near Lawson Creek on May 14, 2022.

Clearing and healing: Lawson Creek Cemetery restoration continues

Volunteers are bringing what was neglected back to light.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Volunteers clear deadwood and undergrowth as part of the cleanup of the cemetery near Lawson Creek on May 14, 2022.
This screenshot of Google Earth shows the area of a proposed “green corridor” from Seattle to Southeast Alaska. (Screenshot)

Juneau joins first effort at ‘green corridor’ for cruise ships

Government, industry officials in Seattle, Canda and Juneau set goal of net-zero emmisions by 2050.

This screenshot of Google Earth shows the area of a proposed “green corridor” from Seattle to Southeast Alaska. (Screenshot)
Coast Guard Sector Juneau deployed a number of assets including an MH-60 Jayhawk to search for a woman reported fallen overboard from a cruise ship near the Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal on May 17, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Search for cruise passenger reported overboard suspended

Multiple Coast Guard assets were deployed but no sign of the woman was found

Coast Guard Sector Juneau deployed a number of assets including an MH-60 Jayhawk to search for a woman reported fallen overboard from a cruise ship near the Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal on May 17, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The jury section stands empty between rounds of the jury selection process in the trial for a man charged in a stabbing in downtown Juneau in 2019 on May 16, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Jury selection begins for 2019 stabbing trial

The process, which can take several days, precedes the opening statements by the defense and prosecution.

The jury section stands empty between rounds of the jury selection process in the trial for a man charged in a stabbing in downtown Juneau in 2019 on May 16, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)