News

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.

Forest Service set to approve Kensington expansion

Objections period is open.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.
Two hikers, third and fourth from the right, were rescued after being stranded on Mount Roberts Wednesday evening by rapidly changing weather. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Mountain Rescue)

2 hikers stranded by weather rescued off Mount Roberts

Juneau’s mercurial weather left them high, but not dry.

Two hikers, third and fourth from the right, were rescued after being stranded on Mount Roberts Wednesday evening by rapidly changing weather. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Mountain Rescue)
The second of two summer school terms offered by the Juneau School District started on July 6. Harborview School, shown here in May 2020, is one of the locations offering the program. Summer sessions offer an opportunity for students to brush up on content they may have missed over three semesters marked by COVID-19-related schedule disruptions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Hitting the books this summer

In-person summer programs offer catch-up opportunity

The second of two summer school terms offered by the Juneau School District started on July 6. Harborview School, shown here in May 2020, is one of the locations offering the program. Summer sessions offer an opportunity for students to brush up on content they may have missed over three semesters marked by COVID-19-related schedule disruptions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Team Waldon Trolls shows off their sandcastle, “Elephant Playing Checkers with a Troll,” which was awarded first place in the sandcastle competition sponsored by the Douglas Fourth of July committee on July 4, 2021. (Courtesy photo/Zane Jones)

Douglas Fourth of July Committee shares winners

The committee sponsored a wide range of contests

Team Waldon Trolls shows off their sandcastle, “Elephant Playing Checkers with a Troll,” which was awarded first place in the sandcastle competition sponsored by the Douglas Fourth of July committee on July 4, 2021. (Courtesy photo/Zane Jones)
Juneau businesses now offer rewards through the Local Frequency application. The smartphone-based app aims to give locally-owned businesses loyalty, rebate, and promotion opportunities with a community-based twist. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New app offers rewards for shopping local

The Local Frequency app is now available

Juneau businesses now offer rewards through the Local Frequency application. The smartphone-based app aims to give locally-owned businesses loyalty, rebate, and promotion opportunities with a community-based twist. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Coast Guard investigating multiple sinkings from last week

No casualties were reported, and owners are working to refloat one of the vessels.

The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, left, takes command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen J. White, right, in a change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sector Juneau holds change of command ceremony

The new commander is no stranger to Juneau, however.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, left, takes command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen J. White, right, in a change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Because of a worldwide shortage of fireworks this summer, the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska only received about one-third of the products they ordered to sell locally. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Global fireworks shortage led to decreased local sales

When the City and Borough of Juneau’s new fireworks ordinance took effect late last month, compliance with the new rules may have gotten a boost… Continue reading

Because of a worldwide shortage of fireworks this summer, the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska only received about one-third of the products they ordered to sell locally. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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Police calls for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

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Alaska State Capitol

Lawmakers announce PFD working group

First meeting Wednesday.

Alaska State Capitol
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Police calls for Monday, July 5, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

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Juneau residents watch the city’s fireworks display on July 4, 2021. In late May, the city assembly passed an ordinance that banned loud, mortar-style fireworks in Juneau’s neighborhoods and imposed limits on the types, times, and locations where residents can use fireworks. This holiday weekend was the first test of the new rules. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

July 4 holiday tests city’s new fireworks rules

JPD fields complaints but issues no citations during a generally quieter holiday weekend

Juneau residents watch the city’s fireworks display on July 4, 2021. In late May, the city assembly passed an ordinance that banned loud, mortar-style fireworks in Juneau’s neighborhoods and imposed limits on the types, times, and locations where residents can use fireworks. This holiday weekend was the first test of the new rules. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Personal fireworks were being shot off nearby, leading one onlooker to shout, “Double fireworks! I love America!” (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau and Douglas enjoy Independence Day festivities

‘We’re really excited it’s all back’

Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Personal fireworks were being shot off nearby, leading one onlooker to shout, “Double fireworks! I love America!” (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers from the Juneau Raptor Center cared for this eaglet, who was found on the ground near Angoon and named Pearl. Local volunteers rescued the raptor and Alaska Seaplanes transported him to Juneau where volunteers fed him, administered fluids, and created a kennel with shredded paper to increase his comfort. Pearl is now at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo/Juneau Raptor Center)

Putting ‘Fourth’ effort: It was a busy holiday weekend for Juneau Raptor Center

Rundown of recently rescued raptors.

Volunteers from the Juneau Raptor Center cared for this eaglet, who was found on the ground near Angoon and named Pearl. Local volunteers rescued the raptor and Alaska Seaplanes transported him to Juneau where volunteers fed him, administered fluids, and created a kennel with shredded paper to increase his comfort. Pearl is now at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo/Juneau Raptor Center)
Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

See the fun.

Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Imogen Resneck, 4, and Jamie Buehner finish up decorating a bike outside the Douglas Public Library parking garage on July 3, 2021. Resneck’s doll, Robbie, was bound to the bike like an amber-haired figurehead because “she wanted to go to the parade,” Resneck said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Douglas goes (bicycle) pedal to the metal ahead of Fourth of July

Dozens turn out to decorate.

Imogen Resneck, 4, and Jamie Buehner finish up decorating a bike outside the Douglas Public Library parking garage on July 3, 2021. Resneck’s doll, Robbie, was bound to the bike like an amber-haired figurehead because “she wanted to go to the parade,” Resneck said. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau, will serve as a grand marshall in the Juneau parade on July 4. She is the first African-American to lead the city's parade.. (Michael S. Lockett /Juneau Empire File)

Building bridges and leading the way

Long-serving community members to serve as parade grand marshals

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau, will serve as a grand marshall in the Juneau parade on July 4. She is the first African-American to lead the city's parade.. (Michael S. Lockett /Juneau Empire File)
A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)

Broadcasters group decries lawmaker’s Facebook post

House Rep. Ron Gillham, who represents the Kenai-Soldotna area, posted a meme comparing journalists, medics to Nazis.

A letter from the Alaska Broadcasters Association was sent to Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham, R-Kenai-Soldotna, on July 1, 2021, condemning a post he shared on Facebook that compared journalists and medical professionals who disseminate information about COVID-19 to Nazis executed for war crimes. (Letter provided by the Alaska Broadcasters Association) Alaska House Rep. Ron Gillham. (Courtesy Ron Gillham)
The Alaska State Library Museum and Archives was open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and according to staff, seeing a rise in the amount of visitors. Numbers aren't where they were before the pandemic, but local curators are optimistic about this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s museums are optimistic for summer

Hope for a rebound.

The Alaska State Library Museum and Archives was open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and according to staff, seeing a rise in the amount of visitors. Numbers aren't where they were before the pandemic, but local curators are optimistic about this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The full moon sets over Cohen Island, foreground, Shelter Island, left, and the Chilkat Mountain Range in this November 2013 photo. A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. People are advised to steer clear of the area of the sinking. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Fishing vessel sinks near Shelter Island

Three people recovered, none harmed.

The full moon sets over Cohen Island, foreground, Shelter Island, left, and the Chilkat Mountain Range in this November 2013 photo. A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. People are advised to steer clear of the area of the sinking. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)