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Principal Michelle Byer gives fifth-graders Ethen Etheridge, and Jesse Langel high-fives as kindergartener Janesa Johnson-Ozell looks on during Riverbend Elementary School’s outing to the Dimond Park Fieldhouse on Monday, May 21, 2018. Byer is retiring after four years at the school. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Riverbend principal changed school, one hug at a time

Walking down the halls of Riverbend Elementary with Principal Michelle Byer at lunchtime is like walking down the…

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Juneau School District lets go of 10 first-year teachers

Despite some state-level financial help, the Juneau School District is letting go of 10 elementary school teachers for…

Lake Siner talks during an interview at Thunder Mountain High School on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Siner is graduating from TMHS this Sunday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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‘One of those super-kids’: Three high school graduates share their stories

It is time to celebrate. All three area high schools, Juneau-Douglas High School, Thunder Mountain High School and…

Teri Camery, City and Borough of Juneau Senior Planner at Wetlands Review, goes over the revised flood insurance rate maps during the Committee of the Whole meeting Monday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

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New waste management site decision in the hands of the city

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported Teri Camery’s position as Senior Planner at Wetlands Review Board. Camery…

The tugboat Lumberman is seen aground in Gastineau Channel on Monday, May 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire photo)

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Abandoned tugboat stuck in middle of Gastineau Channel

A tugboat is stuck on a sandbar in the Gastineau Channel with no place to go. The 107-foot…

Director Gretchen Boone works with preschool children in their play kitchen at Gold Creek Child Development Center on Thursday, May 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Child care providers may see significant changes

Local child care providers are concerned preschools around Alaska could see drastic changes if Alaska Department of Health…

The Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, Alaska, on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The brewery may be purchasing lots from the city. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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City considering two options for waste management services

Waste management services could soon all be in one convenient location. The City and Borough of Juneau Committee…

Bartlett Beginnings Registered Nurse Angela Lessard receives the 2018 Excellence in Nursing Award from Don Schneider, MD. (Courtesy Photo | Bartlett Regional Hospital)

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Bartlett Regional Hospital honors hard work, longevity

Service at a hospital can range anywhere from cooks to nurses to doctors and surgeons and it takes…

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City Manager Rorie Watt talks new City Hall, AEL&P, whale statue

Successful or not, Juneau likes to take on new ideas. City Manager Rorie Watt spoke to the Juneau…

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Glacier Valley music teacher wins Fulbright grant to travel to Scotland

Before leaving the classroom, Glacier Valley Elementary School music teacher Lorrie Heagy asks her students two questions. What…

Juneau residents turn out to watch the whale fountain in action on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Whale worth the wait: Lights, fountain complete full-size bronze whale statue downtown

Correction: In an earlier version of this article Bruce Botelho‘s name was incorrectly spelled Bothelo. The article has…

Gabriel Rivera, of 4th Coast Outfitters, holds up a pair of embroidered phoenix bomber jackets on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, he thinks will be worn in this weekend’s Flappers Fashion show. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Flappers & Fashion show will be the ‘cat’s meow’

Cordova Pleasants can’t wait to show off dresses with beads and lace and see men in double-breasted suits…

Mayor Ken Koelsch speaks during the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting Monday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

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City approves Juneau School District funding

The Juneau School District Fiscal Year 2019 budget is official. Well, at least for now. The City and…

In this August 2015 photo, visitors line up to view Juneau’s downtown harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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City celebrating importance of local infrastructure

Infrastructure, when everything works according to plan, probably does not get a second-thought from everyone. That is why…

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Airport North Gate renovation project still up in the air

The North Gate of the Juneau International Airport desperately needs a renovation, but it’s unknown when that will…

Irat De La Mora acknowledges the crowd after showing his talent for slicing up coho salmon at the Juneau Maritime Festival at Marine Park on Saturday, May 7, 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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Maritime Festival adds cruises to this year’s lineup

Who doesn’t like a boat ride? That question is why this year’s ninth annual Maritime Festival, put on…

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People of Juneau: Thunder Mountain senior Brady Allio does not let deafness deter him from pursuing goals

Brady Allio is just like any other high school senior. He is on the swim team, dance team…

Thunder Mountain’s Gabrielle Scales scores ahead of the throw to Juneau-Douglas’ Skylar Hickok at Melvin Park on Thursday, May 10, 2018. Thunder Mountain won 6-3. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

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Team effort leads Thunder Mountain softball over Juneau-Douglas

It is not always how hard the ball is hit, but where exactly the ball lands that can…

City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Bob Bartholomew speaks to the City Finance Committee during Wednesday’s meeting.

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City votes against funding pre-K pilot program

The Best Starts for Juneau pre-kindergarten pilot program is not receiving funding from the city this year. The…

Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller speaks during the Board of Education regular meeting Tuesday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

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Board mulls reduced size, switch to diesel to save auto shop

If the Juneau School District automotive program is going to make a return for the 2018-19 school year,…