Alex McCarthy

Alison Schoonover cleans up after the noon rush at a new coffee shop called Sacred Grounds located inside the Andrew Hope Building on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s newest coffee shop holds grand opening

Juneau’s newest coffee shop has a name, thanks to a crowdsourcing effort, and is holding its grand opening today. Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, located in… Continue reading

Alison Schoonover cleans up after the noon rush at a new coffee shop called Sacred Grounds located inside the Andrew Hope Building on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Robert Edwardson prepares to campaign for Juneau Assembly seat

Robert Harris Edwardson has lived in Juneau on and off for about 20 years, and has considered running for an City and Borough of Juneau… Continue reading

Crew members work on a joint Public Broadcasting Service/British Broadcasting Corporation project called Wild Alaska Live at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

BBC, PBS film Wild Alaska Live broadcast in Juneau

About a year ago, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Series Producer Adam White walked into the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, scouting out locations for an ambitious… Continue reading

Crew members work on a joint Public Broadcasting Service/British Broadcasting Corporation project called Wild Alaska Live at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Oprah Winfrey is introduced to staff of Holland America’s Eurodam cruise ship before boarding in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, July 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

It’s Oprah!

Cody Wilson didn’t recognize the woman until she was leaving the store. Wilson, working a shift at Mt. Juneau Trading Post downtown around noon on… Continue reading

Oprah Winfrey is introduced to staff of Holland America’s Eurodam cruise ship before boarding in Juneau, Alaska, on Monday, July 17, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Gastineau Channel Little League softball team poses after winning the Alaska state championship. The team trailed 14-6 before an 11-run fifth inning in the final game of the championship series, beating Anchorage O’Rabbit 21-15. (Photo courtesy of Ethan Billings)

Walkoffs, comebacks lead GCLL to state title

The winner-take-all game of the Little League State championship series wasn’t going according to plan for the Gastineau Channel Little League softball team. Playing the… Continue reading

The Gastineau Channel Little League softball team poses after winning the Alaska state championship. The team trailed 14-6 before an 11-run fifth inning in the final game of the championship series, beating Anchorage O’Rabbit 21-15. (Photo courtesy of Ethan Billings)
Juneau resident John Bursell (left) reaches mile 20 of the Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon on Saturday, July 15, alongside support crew member Darren Booton (right). Bursell was the top finisher from Juneau, coming in 19th place out of 151 finishers. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Bursell)

Two Juneau residents endure cold water, steep mountain trek to finish extreme triathlon

During the swimming portion of Saturday’s Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon, Douglas resident Jim Ustasiewski thought the 57-degree water of Resurrection Bay near Seward was cold. Then… Continue reading

Juneau resident John Bursell (left) reaches mile 20 of the Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon on Saturday, July 15, alongside support crew member Darren Booton (right). Bursell was the top finisher from Juneau, coming in 19th place out of 151 finishers. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Bursell)
Juneau-Douglas High School is seen on April 27, 2015. If Juneau voters elect to extend the 1 percent sales tax increase, the Juneau School District will receive $5 million for maintenance costs over the ensuing five years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Assembly looks to put sales tax money toward maintenance

Through vote after vote Thursday night, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee approved its list of local projects that would benefit from… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School is seen on April 27, 2015. If Juneau voters elect to extend the 1 percent sales tax increase, the Juneau School District will receive $5 million for maintenance costs over the ensuing five years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Trillium Landing is a 49-unit apartment complex currently under construction in the Vintage Business Park for persons aged 55 and over. The complex includes studios, one and two-bedroom units and is scheduled to open in September. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Affordable senior living facility set to open in September

The “silver tsunami” has arrived in Juneau. The term refers to the rising number of seniors around the country, and Juneau’s senior population is booming.… Continue reading

Trillium Landing is a 49-unit apartment complex currently under construction in the Vintage Business Park for persons aged 55 and over. The complex includes studios, one and two-bedroom units and is scheduled to open in September. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Candidates for city election can file paperwork soon

On Oct. 3, Juneau’s voters will elect three Assembly members and two School Board members, and they’ll learn who their options are by mid-August. The… Continue reading

Owen Mendoza scores the winning run in Juneau Post 25’s walk-off 4-3 victory over Service Post 28 Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Mendoza scored from first base on Alex Muir’s game-winning double. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Juneau beats first-place team in dramatic fashion

Alex Muir was tense. The Juneau Post 25 catcher came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Midnight Suns trailing… Continue reading

Owen Mendoza scores the winning run in Juneau Post 25’s walk-off 4-3 victory over Service Post 28 Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Mendoza scored from first base on Alex Muir’s game-winning double. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Post 25’s Finn Collins pitches against Service Post 28 at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday, July 14, 2017. Collins was the winning pitcher in the 12-5 Juneau victory. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau Post 25 earns comeback win in tune-up game

Finn Collins hadn’t been in this position in a year. Collins, the center fielder for American Legion’s Juneau Post 25 team, was called on to… Continue reading

Juneau Post 25’s Finn Collins pitches against Service Post 28 at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on Friday, July 14, 2017. Collins was the winning pitcher in the 12-5 Juneau victory. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The inaugural Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon covers 140 miles through frigid water, tight highways and rocky mountains. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Palaian, PhotosByAaron.com)

Juneau residents prepare for ‘extreme triathlon’ in Seward

For some Juneau residents, a regular triathlon just isn’t challenging enough. This Saturday, at least three Juneauites will participate in the first-ever Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon,… Continue reading

The inaugural Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon covers 140 miles through frigid water, tight highways and rocky mountains. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Palaian, PhotosByAaron.com)
Julia Felix cooks with her son, Cesar Bellido, on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at their new Peruvian restaurant called Four Plates in the Frontier Suites Airport Hotel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Peruvian restaurant opens, offering distinctive spices, flavors

Even as a 15-year-old in the Peruvian countryside, Julia Felix’s cooking was renowned. Neighbors and friends in her small village would ask her to cook… Continue reading

Julia Felix cooks with her son, Cesar Bellido, on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at their new Peruvian restaurant called Four Plates in the Frontier Suites Airport Hotel. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Norman Staton talks Thursday, July 13, 2017, about how the Mendenhall River is eroding his Meander Way property. Stanton is trying convince the city and his neighbors to pay to fortify the embankment. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City faces tough decision on Mendenhall River erosion

Just four years ago, Norman Staton had about 15 feet between his deck and his backyard fence. Now his backyard has disappeared, and he’s holding… Continue reading

Norman Staton talks Thursday, July 13, 2017, about how the Mendenhall River is eroding his Meander Way property. Stanton is trying convince the city and his neighbors to pay to fortify the embankment. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A new game on the “Learning Tlingit” app, entitled “Ax H&

Sealaska adds to Tlingit language app

Though most students cringe at the thought of a test or quiz, young Tlingit learners actually have been asking for more quizzing. Sealaska Heritage Institute… Continue reading

A new game on the “Learning Tlingit” app, entitled “Ax H&
Tourists walk by The Glory Hole, Juneau’s soup kitchen and homeless shelter, on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. The city is considering moving The Glory Hole out of downtown. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City task force brings up possibly moving downtown’s homeless shelter

The City and Borough Assembly Task Force on Homelessness held its second meeting Tuesday, brainstorming numerous options for fighting the rise of homelessness in Alaska’s… Continue reading

Tourists walk by The Glory Hole, Juneau’s soup kitchen and homeless shelter, on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. The city is considering moving The Glory Hole out of downtown. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Bishop-elect Father Andrew Bellisario addresses parishioners and media members at a Tuesday press conference. Bellisario has been appointed the next bishop of the Diocese of Juneau, and starts in October. (Photo courtesy of Christine Johnson)

New bishop brings focus on service, outreach to homeless

Growing up in a suburb of Los Angeles, Father Andrew Bellisario has found that Alaska’s wild landscapes and bevy of outdoor activities are a bit… Continue reading

Bishop-elect Father Andrew Bellisario addresses parishioners and media members at a Tuesday press conference. Bellisario has been appointed the next bishop of the Diocese of Juneau, and starts in October. (Photo courtesy of Christine Johnson)
Sally Anne Schneider, departing her position as Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital, holds a coin given to patients who complete a program at Rainforest Recovery Center. Schneider says the state of mental health and addiction treatment in Juneau is slowly improving and she’s hopeful for the future. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Making progress: State of mental health, addiction treatment slowly improving in Juneau

Two years ago, Bartlett Regional Hospital chief executive officer Chuck Bill created a new position, that of Chief Behavioral Health Officer. It was in response… Continue reading

Sally Anne Schneider, departing her position as Chief Behavioral Health Officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital, holds a coin given to patients who complete a program at Rainforest Recovery Center. Schneider says the state of mental health and addiction treatment in Juneau is slowly improving and she’s hopeful for the future. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Capt. Shannan Greene (left) stands next to Capt. Phillip Thorne (center) prior to a change of command ceremony Friday. Greene transferred her command of Sector Juneau to Thorne. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard Sector Juneau has new commander

Rear Adm. Michael McAllister has seen through the years that it’s difficult to retain a sense of normalcy during transfers of power in the Coast… Continue reading

Capt. Shannan Greene (left) stands next to Capt. Phillip Thorne (center) prior to a change of command ceremony Friday. Greene transferred her command of Sector Juneau to Thorne. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Two sections of the Seawalk will be closed starting soon, as illustrated in this map. (Courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

New Seawalk open, for now

On Thursday afternoon, multiple Juneau residents were taking their first trip to the newly-opened Seawalk. Lifelong Juneauite Terra Peters and her son Troy were walking… Continue reading

Two sections of the Seawalk will be closed starting soon, as illustrated in this map. (Courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)