Alex McCarthy

The steamship Mariposa (pictured) rescued two shipwrecked crews in November 1917, only to wreck just days later. (Photo courtesy of Alaska State Library Historical Collections)

Shipwrecks, piracy and war fever: The strange story of mayhem on the Alaska seas 100 years ago

The northern seas were a dangerous place in 1917. In the northern Atlantic, German submarines lurked beneath the waves and sunk ships into icy waters… Continue reading

The steamship Mariposa (pictured) rescued two shipwrecked crews in November 1917, only to wreck just days later. (Photo courtesy of Alaska State Library Historical Collections)
Renovations at the Juneau Yacht Club at Aurora Harbor include new flooring, a new outdoor deck and changes to allow more than one event to take place at the same time. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Yacht Club renovations help make space more inviting for events

As the Juneau Yacht Club became more and more popular as an event venue, it became clearer that the place needed a sprucing up. “Things… Continue reading

Renovations at the Juneau Yacht Club at Aurora Harbor include new flooring, a new outdoor deck and changes to allow more than one event to take place at the same time. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Grace Chen, a first-time vendor at the annual Public Market, works on accessories to a snowman dress on Nov. 22, 2017. Chen will be one of more than 30 newcomers to the market, which begins Friday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

New vendors bring variety, fresh energy to annual holiday markets

For designer and illustrator Michaela Goade, this weekend’s Public Market offers a chance for her to take her art to a wider audience. It also… Continue reading

Grace Chen, a first-time vendor at the annual Public Market, works on accessories to a snowman dress on Nov. 22, 2017. Chen will be one of more than 30 newcomers to the market, which begins Friday. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Will Sorenson stands in a Branching Threads sweatshirt. Branching Threads, run by Juneau local Grant Ainsworth, is one of the new companies coming to the annual Public Market this weekend. (Photo by Marty Ramos)

Juneau-Douglas graduate will show off environmental business at Public Market

Grant Ainsworth’s journey to this year’s Public Market began in a classroom at the University of Portland. Ainsworth, who grew up in Juneau, was taking… Continue reading

Will Sorenson stands in a Branching Threads sweatshirt. Branching Threads, run by Juneau local Grant Ainsworth, is one of the new companies coming to the annual Public Market this weekend. (Photo by Marty Ramos)
In front of a replica 1776 U.S. flag, KC Mack hand sews a wallet from the leather of a used baseball mitt on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau man turns vintage baseball mitts into wallets

KC Mack grew up with America’s pastime, playing baseball from a young age. Like any young player, he dedicated a huge amount of time to… Continue reading

In front of a replica 1776 U.S. flag, KC Mack hand sews a wallet from the leather of a used baseball mitt on Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Recycling rates could rise in next four years

Recycling fees could double over the next four years as a city initiative works to extend the life of Juneau’s landfill. The City and Borough… Continue reading

Annual Thanksgiving dinner expected to have more attendees, turkeys than usual

The biggest Thanksgiving dinner in town could be even larger than usual this year. Each year, the Salvation Army serves a free Thanksgiving dinner at… Continue reading

Sandy Frickey , left, talks about new assistive technology being used at home to help Frickey’s daughter, Gina, be safe. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Assistive living technology helps disabled residents feel secure at home

The Frickey residence, located Out the Road, is in a picturesque spot. Snow-laden trees surround the house, the interior of which is bright, wood-paneled and… Continue reading

Sandy Frickey , left, talks about new assistive technology being used at home to help Frickey’s daughter, Gina, be safe. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Don’t expect alcohol at Eaglecrest this winter, general manager says

This summer, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved an ordinance this summer allowing Eaglecrest Ski Area to serve alcohol, but skiers will likely… Continue reading

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AEL&P rates to remain the same after state decision

This week, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska approved a permanent rate increase for Alaska Electric Light &Power, the first for the utility since May 2010.… Continue reading

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Space heater suspected as cause in construction trailer fire

As the snow began to fall Thursday night, a small fire was burning in the Mendenhall Valley. At 10:05 p.m. Thursday, Capital City Fire/Rescue responded… Continue reading

Meilani Schijvens gives her “Southeast by the Numbers” presentation at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Population, government job decreases expected to continue in Southeast Alaska

As she began a presentation built around economic statistics in Southeast Alaska, Rain Coast Data Director Meilani Schijvens began with an apology. “There’s a lot… Continue reading

Meilani Schijvens gives her “Southeast by the Numbers” presentation at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Lily Hope tells a story about respecting nature to second-grade students from Harborview Elementary and Juneau Charter Community Schools at the Walter Soboleff Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Storytelling Excursion for all Juneau School District second graders is part of the Any Given Child programming sponsored by the Juneau School District, Mayor’s office, University of Alaska Southeast, Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Second-grade students get front-row seats to Native storytelling on annual tour

Fifty second-graders watched with wide eyes as Lily Hope talked about urine buckets. Hope, a Tlingit artist and storyteller, was explaining to students in the… Continue reading

Lily Hope tells a story about respecting nature to second-grade students from Harborview Elementary and Juneau Charter Community Schools at the Walter Soboleff Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Storytelling Excursion for all Juneau School District second graders is part of the Any Given Child programming sponsored by the Juneau School District, Mayor’s office, University of Alaska Southeast, Sealaska Heritage Institute and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau veteran dies at Alaskan Hotel

In the early morning of Saturday, Nov. 11, a Juneau man was found deceased in a room at the Alaskan Hotel. Acquaintances of Clarence Stanly… Continue reading

Impounded vehicles go up for auction Saturday

About 60 impounded cars sat in a parking lot on La Perouse Avenue on Wednesday morning, as Juneau residents came and inspected them. Starting promptly… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School football coaching staff and players wait for their turn to give public testimony surrounding the consolidation of Juneau’s football teams under Juneau-Douglas High School, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in the JDHS Library. Coaches, players and TMHS student government members spoke in favor of establishing a program under a new name and colors. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain students push for compromise in football merger

Juneau’s two high school football programs will be playing together in the future, and students and parents at Thunder Mountain High School want to see… Continue reading

Thunder Mountain High School football coaching staff and players wait for their turn to give public testimony surrounding the consolidation of Juneau’s football teams under Juneau-Douglas High School, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in the JDHS Library. Coaches, players and TMHS student government members spoke in favor of establishing a program under a new name and colors. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Singer/songwriter Maggie Rogers is playing a free show at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Promotional photo)

Fast-rising songwriter to play free show Saturday

A young artist who gained widespread attention with a song about Alaska is returning to the Last Frontier this weekend, including a stop in Juneau.… Continue reading

Singer/songwriter Maggie Rogers is playing a free show at the University of Alaska Southeast on Saturday. (Promotional photo)
Susan Bell, of The McDowell Group, discusses challenges facing the Alaska Marine Highway System during a Republican Women of Juneau lunch at Prospector Hotel on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Researchers developing plan for future of Alaska Marine Highway

At the Southeast Conference in September, conference leaders announced a plan to reform the Alaska Marine Highway System, aiming to run it as a public… Continue reading

Susan Bell, of The McDowell Group, discusses challenges facing the Alaska Marine Highway System during a Republican Women of Juneau lunch at Prospector Hotel on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New sweet shop in Mendenhall Mall offers treats from morning to night

A year ago, Kelly and Windy Swearingin had a vision of opening an old-fashioned soda shoppe in Juneau. By the time the store opened this… Continue reading

‘Huffing’ problem leads man to break in OfficeMax twice in one morning

When Juneau resident Gary William Bell, 53, woke up on the morning of Nov. 3, his Super 8 Motel room was full of Juneau Police… Continue reading