Gregory Philson

Dara Rilatos, formerly of Wrangell and Juneau, will perform three times this week during Folk Fest. (Asia Dore Photography | Courtesy Photo)
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From karaoke to the main stage: Former Wrangell, Juneau resident Dara Rilatos performing three times during Folk Fest

Her fingers may be hurting, her voice is straining and she is probably questioning her performance, but for Dara Rilatos that is all part of… Continue reading

Dara Rilatos, formerly of Wrangell and Juneau, will perform three times this week during Folk Fest. (Asia Dore Photography | Courtesy Photo)
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City Hall in downtown Juneau. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

City budget discussions move forward

The City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee will dive more into the fiscal year 2019 budget during its meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The… Continue reading

City Hall in downtown Juneau. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City, Hydro One reach agreement on Avista sale

The “intervening” process between the City and Borough of Juneau and the potential sale of Avista One Corp., which owns the Alaska Electric Light and… Continue reading

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Bob Bartholomew presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget during the Assembly Finance Committee meeting at Assembly Chambers Wednesday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

No ‘doom and gloom’ predicted for 2019 budget

Despite a decline in population and jobs, Juneau’s economy is stable — at least for now. But, that does not mean there aren’t concerns as… Continue reading

City and Borough of Juneau Finance Director Bob Bartholomew presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget during the Assembly Finance Committee meeting at Assembly Chambers Wednesday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

A new transit center is coming to Mendenhall Valley

Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified Roger Healy as Rob Healy. This article has been updated to reflect the change. A public transportation… Continue reading

Michael Carlson, Principal Architect at McCool, Carlson, Green, of Anchorage, shows possible design plans for the Juneau International Airport’s North Gate construction project during a public meeting at the airport Tuesday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

No more ‘Band-Aids’ on old airport wing

Using preliminary site designs and with the help of public comment, the Juneau International Airport is trying to find the best solution for the demolition… Continue reading

Michael Carlson, Principal Architect at McCool, Carlson, Green, of Anchorage, shows possible design plans for the Juneau International Airport’s North Gate construction project during a public meeting at the airport Tuesday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

Emergency responders conducting ‘Shielded Eagle,’ maritime nuclear threat exercise on Wednesday

A radioactive disaster may not be something we actively worry about, but it can happen, and emergency services in Juneau are preparing for it. That… Continue reading

Tom West talks about his retirement from the Alaskan Brewing Company on Friday, March 30, 2018. West started with the company at its beginning, brewing beer in the ten-barrel tanks in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Tom West enjoys his finals sips at Alaskan Brewing Co.

Standing in the Alaskan Brewing Co. taproom, Tom West remembers his days bottling beer. “The bottling line was right here when I started,” West said.… Continue reading

Tom West talks about his retirement from the Alaskan Brewing Company on Friday, March 30, 2018. West started with the company at its beginning, brewing beer in the ten-barrel tanks in the background. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City to tackle new valley transit center, hospital detox addition, budget plans this week

The first look at the Fiscal Years 2019/2020 biennial budget books will be the task at hand when the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly… Continue reading

The Zach Gordon Youth Center on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City youth services will be under one roof

No longer will the administration of the city’s youth and recreation services be under two roofs. In a collaboration effort between the City and Borough… Continue reading

The Zach Gordon Youth Center on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Benjamin Brown, left, John Pugh and Ronalda Cadiente Brown speak about the New Juneau Arts and Culture Center to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon at the Hangar Ballroom on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chamber ‘walks through’ new Juneau Arts and Culture Center

Walking through the New Juneau Arts and Culture Center (JACC) people will notice a welcoming atrium, a casual cafe and a 300-seat theater for performances.… Continue reading

Benjamin Brown, left, John Pugh and Ronalda Cadiente Brown speak about the New Juneau Arts and Culture Center to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon at the Hangar Ballroom on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District Board of Education Director Brian Holst and board member Josh Keaton listen to fellow board member comments during the Fiscal Year 2019 budget discussion at Juneau-Douglas High School Tuesday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

School district budget cut another $3.5M

Juneau’s school district budget will start the 2019 school year with $3.5 million less than last year after the Board of Education approved the Fiscal… Continue reading

Juneau School District Board of Education Director Brian Holst and board member Josh Keaton listen to fellow board member comments during the Fiscal Year 2019 budget discussion at Juneau-Douglas High School Tuesday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Capitals 12U B hockey team pose on the ice after winning the state championship.Front:; Caleb Friend (Goalie). Middle: Joseph Aline; Matthew Plang; Keegan Clancy; Macabee Brna; Kelton Griffith; Aiden Allison; Dane Pederson. Back: Kevin Hansen; Bailey Hansen; Matthew Parise; Gabriel Hansen; Lake Bartlett; Matthew Munoz; Allesandra Friend; Steve Quin. Coaches Not in Photo: Jason Kohlhase; Dave Kovach; Mike Bovitz. (Courtesy Photo | www.alaskastatehockey.com)

Juneau 12U hockey nets championship

Waiting a year to return to the 12U state championships in Fairbanks was hard enough for the Juneau Capitals 12U B hockey team. Turns out… Continue reading

The Juneau Capitals 12U B hockey team pose on the ice after winning the state championship.Front:; Caleb Friend (Goalie). Middle: Joseph Aline; Matthew Plang; Keegan Clancy; Macabee Brna; Kelton Griffith; Aiden Allison; Dane Pederson. Back: Kevin Hansen; Bailey Hansen; Matthew Parise; Gabriel Hansen; Lake Bartlett; Matthew Munoz; Allesandra Friend; Steve Quin. Coaches Not in Photo: Jason Kohlhase; Dave Kovach; Mike Bovitz. (Courtesy Photo | www.alaskastatehockey.com)

Board of Education will adopt 2019 budget

The final reading and approval of the Juneau School District’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget will be the main topic at the Juneau School District Board… Continue reading

Members of Alaskans for Life stand outside Thunder Mountain High School after their booth was denied during the Juneau Community Health Fair March 17. (Courtesy Photo | Jerad McClure).

Pro-life group denied booth at health fair

While planning to set up a booth at the Juneau Community Health Fair at Thunder Mountain High School on March 17, the Alaskans For Life,… Continue reading

Members of Alaskans for Life stand outside Thunder Mountain High School after their booth was denied during the Juneau Community Health Fair March 17. (Courtesy Photo | Jerad McClure).
Clara Don, 14, blows up ‘thunder sticks’ for Kick Butts Day at Juneau-Douglas High School on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kids kicking butts

Gold Medal is an annual showcase of athletics, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Conveniently, “Kick Butts Day” falls right in the middle of it. “Kick… Continue reading

Clara Don, 14, blows up ‘thunder sticks’ for Kick Butts Day at Juneau-Douglas High School on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this May 2014 photo, Mike Scales disconnects an Alaska Seaplanes’ Cessna Grand Caravan from external batteries before a flight departure at the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Seaplanes announces flight to Whitehorse

A new plane means a new destination for Alaska Seaplanes travelers. Alaska Seaplanes General Manager Carl Ramseth announced Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon territory will be… Continue reading

In this May 2014 photo, Mike Scales disconnects an Alaska Seaplanes’ Cessna Grand Caravan from external batteries before a flight departure at the Juneau International Airport. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Haines’ Alisa Beske, right, shoots over Yakutat’s Nadine Fraker during their Women’s bracket game in the Juneau Lion’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Yakutat won the game 60-52. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Buller’s late steal, layup seals Yakutat’s victory over Haines

Not much separated Yakutat and Haines. That was until Yakutat guard Kim Buller stole the ball at halfcourt and flew away from the Haines defense… Continue reading

Haines’ Alisa Beske, right, shoots over Yakutat’s Nadine Fraker during their Women’s bracket game in the Juneau Lion’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Yakutat won the game 60-52. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this March 2016 photo, Director Kara Nelson, left, and Board Chair June Degnan, second from left, share in a group dinner with residents Andrea Robinson, center, Samantha Garton and Brandi Vrabec, right, at Haven House on Tuesday. Haven House is celebrating their one year annversary as a transitional home for recently released female prisoners or women coming out of substance abuse treatment. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Haven House fundraiser happening Thursday

Haven House Juneau is more than helping incarcerated women transitioning out of prison and back to the streets — it’s about breaking through barriers. That… Continue reading

In this March 2016 photo, Director Kara Nelson, left, and Board Chair June Degnan, second from left, share in a group dinner with residents Andrea Robinson, center, Samantha Garton and Brandi Vrabec, right, at Haven House on Tuesday. Haven House is celebrating their one year annversary as a transitional home for recently released female prisoners or women coming out of substance abuse treatment. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The city-owned property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue currently houses a Juneau Youth Services building. (Courtesy photo | City and Borough of Juneau)

Assembly down to two options for Hurlock property

The future of the former Juneau Youth Services building is becoming clearer. The City and Borough of Juneau Committee of the Whole decided to recommend… Continue reading

The city-owned property at 9290 Hurlock Avenue currently houses a Juneau Youth Services building. (Courtesy photo | City and Borough of Juneau)