Gregory Philson

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)

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 street with a celebrity. Students stop her… Continue reading

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)

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 the upcoming school year. District Superintendent Mark… Continue reading

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)

‘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 Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School will be… Continue reading

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)
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)

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 is the City and Borough of Juneau… Continue reading

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

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 tugboat Lumberman has been stranded since May… Continue reading

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

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 &Social Services Child Care Program Office proposed… Continue reading

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)
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)

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 of the Whole will be presented with… Continue reading

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

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 all of them together in making everything… Continue reading

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

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 Chamber of Commerce Thursday about the many… Continue reading

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 was your goal? Did you reach it?… Continue reading

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

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 been updated to reflect this change. “The… Continue reading

Juneau residents turn out to watch the whale fountain in action on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayor Ken Koelsch speaks during the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting Monday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

City approves Juneau School District funding

The Juneau School District Fiscal Year 2019 budget is official. Well, at least for now. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly unanimously approved the… Continue reading

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

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 strut their stuff. Pleasants, owner of Resolute… Continue reading

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

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 this week it will be getting the… Continue reading

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

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 by the Juneau Economic Development Council, has… Continue reading

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)

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 happen. Patty Wahto, airport manager, said the… Continue reading

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 and a member of the high school… Continue reading

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)

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 change the way a ballgame ends up.… Continue reading

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

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 City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee… Continue reading

City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Bob Bartholomew speaks to the City Finance Committee during Wednesday’s meeting.
Juneau School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller speaks during the Board of Education regular meeting Tuesday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

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, the shop itself may have to reduced… Continue reading

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