Alex McCarthy

A stock image of a gun care kit. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)

Man dies from gunshot wound

A Juneau man died Saturday from a gunshot wound to the head, according to a Juneau Police Department press release. The man, identified as 63-year-old… Continue reading

A stock image of a gun care kit. (Metro Creative Connection Stock Image)
Smoke rises from a home on Fritz Cove Road on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)

Nobody harmed in Fritz Cove basement fire

A fire broke out at a home on Fritz Cove Road on Saturday night, Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Tod Chambers said, but nobody was… Continue reading

Smoke rises from a home on Fritz Cove Road on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)
Kevin Allen, pictured in 2016 as a candidate for Juneau School Board.

Thunder Mountain grad will run for school board again

Kevin Allen is hoping that the third time will be the charm. Allen, a 2016 Thunder Mountain High School graduate, has run for a spot… Continue reading

Kevin Allen, pictured in 2016 as a candidate for Juneau School Board.
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Indictments handed down for Franklin Street thefts

A woman became violent after being caught stealing from a downtown jewelry store in July, according to charging documents, and she was indicted on robbery… Continue reading

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The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City might commit money to Housing First expansion

Housing First might be expanding sooner than planned, and the city might again help foot the bill. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members asked… Continue reading

The Housing First Project in September 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Eva Bornstein, program officer for the Juneau Economic Development Council, speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 alongside JEDC intern Gunnar Schultz. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Visitors, legislative staff concerned about safety in downtown Juneau, survey says

Visitors to Juneau would like to see downtown cleaned up, both literally and figuratively, according to two Juneau Economic Development Council surveys. The results of… Continue reading

Eva Bornstein, program officer for the Juneau Economic Development Council, speaks at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 alongside JEDC intern Gunnar Schultz. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Donald Habeger, community coordinator for the Juneau Reentry Coalition, opens a community meeting addressing the barriers to housing that post-incarcerated people in Juneau face. The meeting took place at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)

Habeger declares run for Assembly

Don Habeger has lived in Juneau for nearly 40 years, and though he’s worked in politics, he’s never run for a spot on the Assembly.… Continue reading

Donald Habeger, community coordinator for the Juneau Reentry Coalition, opens a community meeting addressing the barriers to housing that post-incarcerated people in Juneau face. The meeting took place at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. (Richard McGrail | Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters work to secure a former Waste Management recycling building that caught fire on Aug. 9, 2018. The building was already being demolished when the fire happened, CCFR officials said (Courtesy Photo | Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Demolition efforts spark fire at former recycling building

A building that was being demolished caught fire early Thursday morning, Capital City Fire/Rescue officials said. Just after 5 a.m. Thursday, a Waste Management employee… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters work to secure a former Waste Management recycling building that caught fire on Aug. 9, 2018. The building was already being demolished when the fire happened, CCFR officials said (Courtesy Photo | Capital City Fire/Rescue)
Rose Willard<span class='IDappliedStyle' title='InDesign: Book'> | Courtesy Photo</span>                                Sydney Johnson helps her brother Tristan with an art project at an Alaska Native culture camp on Thursday, Aug. 2.

This young Juneau artist is doing her part to keep Native artwork alive

On her first day of preschool, Sydney Johnson had a decision to make. During drawing time, she and other students had a wide array of… Continue reading

Rose Willard<span class='IDappliedStyle' title='InDesign: Book'> | Courtesy Photo</span>                                Sydney Johnson helps her brother Tristan with an art project at an Alaska Native culture camp on Thursday, Aug. 2.
Lilah Gaguine, 4, laughs as her mother Becca holds her near Project Playground on the first day of the community build, Aug. 8, 2018. Lilah saved up her allowance for a year to donate to the rebuild, and was invited as an honorary volunteer. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

As community playground build begins, volunteers honor young girl for donation

Volunteers arrived at Project Playground on Wednesday for the first day of the community rebuild, wielding saws, hammers, tape measures and electric sanders.

Lilah Gaguine, 4, laughs as her mother Becca holds her near Project Playground on the first day of the community build, Aug. 8, 2018. Lilah saved up her allowance for a year to donate to the rebuild, and was invited as an honorary volunteer. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue Chief Rich Etheridge (left) and Deputy City Manager Mila Cosgrove look over a spreadsheet that lays out staffing costs for the fire department at a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

City open to spending more in staffing fire department

Capital City Fire/Rescue might get more money for staffing increases than previously thought. That staffing will only be guaranteed through next year, though. At Wednesday’s… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue Chief Rich Etheridge (left) and Deputy City Manager Mila Cosgrove look over a spreadsheet that lays out staffing costs for the fire department at a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Chicken Yard Park is pictured on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Long-ignored city code violation putting future of downtown park at risk

City officials and the residents of Starr Hill are at odds about the future of Juneau’s oldest park, but both agree that a change should… Continue reading

Chicken Yard Park is pictured on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Wooden boards cover up damage made by a drunk driver at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. The crash occurred July 31, police say. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Drunk driver smashes into middle school

The usual back-to-school preparations were going on at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Tuesday afternoon, as maintenance employees were cleaning the building and the front… Continue reading

Wooden boards cover up damage made by a drunk driver at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. The crash occurred July 31, police say. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Director of Student Services Bridget Weiss, right, and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talk on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Weiss selected as interim superintendent

For at least this school year, the Juneau School District has its new superintendent.

Juneau School District Director of Student Services Bridget Weiss, right, and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller talk on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Carole Shay, right, and Gwen Helms participate in a protest outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office Monday, July 9, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Protesters rallied to urge Murkowski to vote against President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. (AP Photo/Rachel D’Oro)

Health care campaign wants Alaskans to reach out to Sen. Murkowski about Supreme Court vote

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is in the spotlight in the ongoing national health care debate.

Carole Shay, right, and Gwen Helms participate in a protest outside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office Monday, July 9, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Protesters rallied to urge Murkowski to vote against President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. (AP Photo/Rachel D’Oro)
Members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4303 attend Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, Assembly meeting to speak to Assembly members about their concern in the number of career firefighters working in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Firefighters’ union urges Assembly to take more serious staffing action

As city officials consider ways to help Capital City Fire/Rescue responders with rising call volumes, members of the local firefighters’ union say one solution on… Continue reading

Members of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4303 attend Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, Assembly meeting to speak to Assembly members about their concern in the number of career firefighters working in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Sydney Johnson helps her brother Tristan with an art project at an Alaska Native culture camp on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Rose Willard)

This young Juneau artist is doing her part to keep Native artwork alive

On her first day of preschool, Sydney Johnson had a decision to make. During drawing time, she and other students had a wide array of… Continue reading

Sydney Johnson helps her brother Tristan with an art project at an Alaska Native culture camp on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Rose Willard)
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Driver in 2016 crash faces homicide charge

A Juneau man faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence dating back to a 2016 car crash that killed another… Continue reading

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Landry Dillingham, 10, outraces Alder Caouette, 10, at the finish line for third place in the Douglas Dirt Derby on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at Savikko Park in Douglas. The event raised around $6,000 for the American Diabetes Association. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Children race through Savikko Park for good cause

Reed Maier led for the whole time in the final race of Saturday’s Douglas Dirt Derby. Even as he crossed the finish line, though, he… Continue reading

Landry Dillingham, 10, outraces Alder Caouette, 10, at the finish line for third place in the Douglas Dirt Derby on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at Savikko Park in Douglas. The event raised around $6,000 for the American Diabetes Association. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Mark Miller, superintendent for the Juneau School District, gives an overview of the district’s budget at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Appearing with Miller are Brian Holst, school board president, left, Ted Wilson, Director of Teaching and Learning, center, and Bridget Weiss, Director of Student Services, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

School Board poised to pick interim superintendent Monday

Less than two weeks after Juneau School District Superintendent Mark Miller’s resignation, the Board of Education is going to name his replacement. The board will… Continue reading

Dr. Mark Miller, superintendent for the Juneau School District, gives an overview of the district’s budget at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Appearing with Miller are Brian Holst, school board president, left, Ted Wilson, Director of Teaching and Learning, center, and Bridget Weiss, Director of Student Services, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)