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Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures stands at the bridge of the Safari Quest, one of several boats that will ply Alaksa's waters this season. He said the stuffed animal is the ship's official mascot. His daughter, Denee Blanchard, is the captain of the vessel, which left Juneau for a weeklong cruise on May 15. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

UnCruise sets sail with a larger fleet

Strong demand results in more ships moving to Juneau

Dan Blanchard, CEO of UnCruise Adventures stands at the bridge of the Safari Quest, one of several boats that will ply Alaksa's waters this season. He said the stuffed animal is the ship's official mascot. His daughter, Denee Blanchard, is the captain of the vessel, which left Juneau for a weeklong cruise on May 15. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department will be increasing its presence over Memorial Day weekend to keep holiday-makers safe, according to a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police stepping up presence for Memorial Day weekend

Be safe over the long holiday weekend.

The Juneau Police Department will be increasing its presence over Memorial Day weekend to keep holiday-makers safe, according to a news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Third-generation Alaskan and Juneau-transplant Paul Kelly hopes to join the Juneau City Assembly and has recently kicked off his campaign for the seat. He currently serves on the board for Juneau Public Schools. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Kelly launches campaign for CBJ Assembly

He’s a candidate for the October municipal election

Third-generation Alaskan and Juneau-transplant Paul Kelly hopes to join the Juneau City Assembly and has recently kicked off his campaign for the seat. He currently serves on the board for Juneau Public Schools. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ authorizes city manager to enter port agreements with cruise lines

CDC requires agreed-upon health and safety standards for cruises

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Juneauites walking the Airport Dike Trail, seen here on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, probably won’t see the monitoring wells being installed in the area around the Juneau International Airport to test for contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS chemicals. Ground water testing is set to take place over the next few years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City testing for PFAS in soil, groundwater around airport

Multi-year process.

Juneauites walking the Airport Dike Trail, seen here on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, probably won’t see the monitoring wells being installed in the area around the Juneau International Airport to test for contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS chemicals. Ground water testing is set to take place over the next few years. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Starting next month, new rules will govern the use of fireworks in the City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)

CBJ adopts new fireworks rules

New rules ban mortar-style fireworks in neighborhoods

Starting next month, new rules will govern the use of fireworks in the City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire File)
Garrett Klein, a junior at TMHS, recalls his reaction to finding out his painting will hang in Washington D.C. "I was just blown away," Klein said. "I was in absolute shock." Klein thanked Angela Imboden, Nancy Lehnhart and MK MacNaughton for making the success possible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

From Juneau with love

Local artist’s work to hang in Washington, D.C.

Garrett Klein, a junior at TMHS, recalls his reaction to finding out his painting will hang in Washington D.C. "I was just blown away," Klein said. "I was in absolute shock." Klein thanked Angela Imboden, Nancy Lehnhart and MK MacNaughton for making the success possible. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bob Sam and Jamiann Hasselquist touch the headstone of Chief Joseph, a tribal leader buried in the Lawson Creek Cemetery in 1917, as they work with other volunteers to restore the cemetery, on May 22, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Volunteers work to restore neglected Douglas cemetery

“We’re giving them a place with dignity, honor and respect.”

Bob Sam and Jamiann Hasselquist touch the headstone of Chief Joseph, a tribal leader buried in the Lawson Creek Cemetery in 1917, as they work with other volunteers to restore the cemetery, on May 22, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Eli Mead of Thunder Mountain High School jumps a hurdle during the Region V Track Meet at TMHS on Saturday, May 22. Mead finished first in the 300 hurdles for Region V, Division 1. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Track teams wrap regionals, prepare for state meet

The state meet goes down in Anchorage this upcoming weekend.

Eli Mead of Thunder Mountain High School jumps a hurdle during the Region V Track Meet at TMHS on Saturday, May 22. Mead finished first in the 300 hurdles for Region V, Division 1. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Trooper Josh Bentz, left, addresses volunteers searching for a missing woman in Juneau before they set out on May 21, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Update: Search for missing woman comes to tragic end

The death is not considered suspicious, police said.

Alaska State Trooper Josh Bentz, left, addresses volunteers searching for a missing woman in Juneau before they set out on May 21, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo/University of Alaska Fairbanks Pat Pitney, president of the University of Alaska system, will give the keynote address Sunday at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé commencement. She said her remarks will focus on the future ahead of the graduates as well as the skills they learned during COVID.

‘You can do hard things’: Commencement address comes together

UA President Pat Pitney said she was humbled to be selected.

Courtesy photo/University of Alaska Fairbanks Pat Pitney, president of the University of Alaska system, will give the keynote address Sunday at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé commencement. She said her remarks will focus on the future ahead of the graduates as well as the skills they learned during COVID.
Members of the class of 2021, including Anna Wu, JDHS (left), Chemery Marte,TMHS (second from left), Connor Carroll (center right), and Yarrow Platt, (far right) from YDHS. (Courtesy Photos)

Seniors reflect, look forward

Graduation day evokes a wide variety of feelings

Members of the class of 2021, including Anna Wu, JDHS (left), Chemery Marte,TMHS (second from left), Connor Carroll (center right), and Yarrow Platt, (far right) from YDHS. (Courtesy Photos)
Proclamations from Gov. Mike Dunleavy calling special sessions of the Alaska State Legislature for late May and early August were posted in the otherwise quiet office of the House Clerk on Friday, May 21, 2021. The first special session has started but the Capitol building was quiet as most of the work before lawmakers will take place in committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Special session begins, aims to solve Alaska’s fiscal deficit for good

Get ready in May for August.

Proclamations from Gov. Mike Dunleavy calling special sessions of the Alaska State Legislature for late May and early August were posted in the otherwise quiet office of the House Clerk on Friday, May 21, 2021. The first special session has started but the Capitol building was quiet as most of the work before lawmakers will take place in committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School player Meki Toutaoilepo, battles for a basket. (Courtesy Photo/Heather Holt)

TMHS boys basketball recognizes players with end of season awards

TMHS had a young team this year.

Thunder Mountain High School player Meki Toutaoilepo, battles for a basket. (Courtesy Photo/Heather Holt)
Six people were arrested and charged following an investigation into a drug ring in Juneau on May 21, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

6 arrested and indicted in drug ring bust

Those arrested allegedly distributed drugs across the Southeast.

Six people were arrested and charged following an investigation into a drug ring in Juneau on May 21, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
On Wednesday night, the City and Borough of Juneau’s finance committee voted to keep the city’s property tax mill rate steady amid news of increasing commercial valuations and the associated increased tax revenue as well as an influx of federal money that has buoyed the city’s overall financial situation heading into the new fiscal year. (File Photo)

Committee votes to keep property tax rate the same

Finance Committee stands pat on mill rate

On Wednesday night, the City and Borough of Juneau’s finance committee voted to keep the city’s property tax mill rate steady amid news of increasing commercial valuations and the associated increased tax revenue as well as an influx of federal money that has buoyed the city’s overall financial situation heading into the new fiscal year. (File Photo)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire A new scoreboard was recently installed at Melvin Park. The installation is one of a number of park projects that are on tap for this summer.

Summer means park improvements

Planning and construction on tap for summer

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire A new scoreboard was recently installed at Melvin Park. The installation is one of a number of park projects that are on tap for this summer.
Alaska State Trooper Josh Bentz briefs volunteer searchers in the search for missing woman Geraldine Nelson on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Search continues for missing woman close and far from home

Volunteers searched Nelson’s neighborhood and checked out possible sightings.

Alaska State Trooper Josh Bentz briefs volunteer searchers in the search for missing woman Geraldine Nelson on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire A sign reading “Masks Required” lies on the ground near a softball field at Melvin Park on Tuesday morning. In a community briefing, city officials clarified why the mask mandate changed last week and what to expect going forward.

Frequently masked questions: City shares information about when and where to wear one

Keep a mask in tow.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire A sign reading “Masks Required” lies on the ground near a softball field at Melvin Park on Tuesday morning. In a community briefing, city officials clarified why the mask mandate changed last week and what to expect going forward.
The Juneau Police Department investigated a suspicious package placed underneath the skybridge to the Capitol on May 18, 2021. It was determined not to be a threat. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Police investigate suspicious package near Capitol

Not a bomb but a book.

The Juneau Police Department investigated a suspicious package placed underneath the skybridge to the Capitol on May 18, 2021. It was determined not to be a threat. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)