Jasz Garrett

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Mayor Beth Weldon chat with Janet Coffin outside her home on Killewich Drive on Wednesday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Mayor Beth Weldon chat with Janet Coffin outside her home on Killewich Drive on Wednesday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Record flooding exceeding ‘worst-case’ forecast swamps homes and streets near Mendenhall River

Water from glacial outburst flood crests at 15.99 feet, tops last year’s record by more than a foot.

Homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Juno, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute mix, is officially up for adoption through Juneau Animal Rescue as of Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

‘Special street dog’ Juno searches for her forever home

“We just want to make sure she goes to a good, loving home.”

Juno, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute mix, is officially up for adoption through Juneau Animal Rescue as of Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Mayor Beth Weldon cuts a ribbon for Capitol Park’s opening Saturday with John Pugh, Juneau Park Foundation vice chair and Juneau Community Foundation board president. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Newly remodeled Capitol Park welcomes community at ribbon-cutting ceremony

“I’m just looking forward to my great-grandchildren using this park.”

Mayor Beth Weldon cuts a ribbon for Capitol Park’s opening Saturday with John Pugh, Juneau Park Foundation vice chair and Juneau Community Foundation board president. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Retired Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Ed Quinto takes a photo with his family at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Saturday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

CCFR celebrates the retirement of Ed Quinto, Juneau’s longest-serving firefighter

Looking back at 45 years, retired assistant chief says it’s the journey that matters

Retired Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Ed Quinto takes a photo with his family at the Hagevig Regional Fire Training Center on Saturday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)

‘Supreme Sisters’: Former Ladies of The Supremes will perform in Juneau

Legendary trio will perform classic R&B show Aug. 10 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall.

From left to right: Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne, formerly of The Supremes with Joyce Vincent. (Former Ladies of The Supremes collection)
Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

The Triangle Club, Juneau’s historic three-generation bar, is for sale

Owner of 25 years says she’d love bar to stay local with “fresh ideas.”

Leeann Thomas, the owner of the Triangle Club for the last 25 years, stands behind the bar with her employee Dita Sharpley on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Climate Fair for a Cool Planet cultivates a culture of change with songs and theater

Record rain in Juneau and record-high global temps are both worrisome signs, organizers say.

“Dreaming the Future” written by Mike Tobin and directed by Donnie Gott, and performed as part of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet at Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, ends with actors in an electric bus driving toward the future. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)

Family of Michael Orelove reunites to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Juneau Time Capsule

“It’s not just a gift to the future, but to everybody now.”

Left: Michael Orelove points out to his grandniece, Violet, items inside the 1994 Juneau Time Capsule at the Hurff Ackerman Saunders Federal Building on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Right: Five years later, Jonathon Turlove, Michael’s son, does the same with Violet. (Credits: Michael Penn/Juneau Empire file photo; Jasz Garrett/Juneau Empire)
A young girl plays on the Sheep Creek delta near suction dredges while a cruise ship passes the Gastineau Channel on July 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau was built on mining. Can recreational mining at Sheep Creek continue?

Neighborhood concerns about shoreline damage, vegetation regrowth and marine life spur investigation.

A young girl plays on the Sheep Creek delta near suction dredges while a cruise ship passes the Gastineau Channel on July 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
People protesting the death of Steven Kissack gather at Marine Park after marching through downtown Juneau on Sunday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Protesters demand police accountability following death of Steven Kissack

Advocates gather where he was shot, say they are raising their voices because “he’s unable to speak.”

People protesting the death of Steven Kissack gather at Marine Park after marching through downtown Juneau on Sunday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Charina and Taviana Cooper pick out a backpack on Saturday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Charina and Taviana Cooper pick out a backpack on Saturday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau seems to have avoided major disruptions following global technology-related outage

911 centers, hospitals, airport, and public safety and emergency management agencies are operating.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Trees float down Mendenhall River on July 17, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin fills from heavy rain, but expert says release of water does not appear imminent

Rate of rise increases to about 50 feet per week, but rain expected to slow

Trees float down Mendenhall River on July 17, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A memorial started on Front Street in downtown Juneau for 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, who was experiencing homelessness, grows on Thursday with food donations and suicide hotline information. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

As the death investigation of Steven Kissack begins, special prosecution office explains its process

Reviews can be lengthy, information limited to ensure due process, Department of Law leaders say

A memorial started on Front Street in downtown Juneau for 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, who was experiencing homelessness, grows on Thursday with food donations and suicide hotline information. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Killah Priest performs at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center in December 2019. (Photo courtesy of Lance Mitchell)

Killah Priest sets new record with Alaskan artists on ‘Alaska Borealis’

Wu-Tang Clan rapper seeks to lift Alaskan voices and culture in his return performance to Juneau

Killah Priest performs at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center in December 2019. (Photo courtesy of Lance Mitchell)
Juno, a canine companion to local resident Steven Kissack, is rousted from her slumber by the approach of another dog at the sheltered entrance of a building on Front Street on Dec. 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juno ‘safe, fed, and warm’ at Juneau Animal Rescue

Offers to adopt dog flood in after owner fatally shot, but shelter says “safe-keep” period necessary.

Juno, a canine companion to local resident Steven Kissack, is rousted from her slumber by the approach of another dog at the sheltered entrance of a building on Front Street on Dec. 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Christopher Moore helps another Juneau homeless resident wheel her belongings from a makeshift campsite on private property near the airport on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

‘Displacing the displaced’ Juneau’s homeless population still seeks official place to camp

Juneau’s homeless continue moving camps, Juneau Assembly responds to Supreme Court decision

Christopher Moore helps another Juneau homeless resident wheel her belongings from a makeshift campsite on private property near the airport on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Nano Brooks and Emily Mesch file for candidacy on Friday at the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Clerk’s office in City Hall. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

City and Borough of Juneau regular municipal election candidate filing period opens

So far, most vie for Assembly District 2 seat — mayor, Board of Education, and District 1 also open.

Nano Brooks and Emily Mesch file for candidacy on Friday at the City and Borough of Juneau Municipal Clerk’s office in City Hall. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The RTK drone flies on Tuesday near Snowslide Creek in Juneau. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities uses drones to evaluate snowpack and prepare for avalanches by increasing the collection of data. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Alaska leads the nation in drone innovation, wants to use it to save more lives

Visibility, data collection for disaster management reaching new heights, experts visiting Juneau say.

The RTK drone flies on Tuesday near Snowslide Creek in Juneau. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities uses drones to evaluate snowpack and prepare for avalanches by increasing the collection of data. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)