Mark Sabbatini

Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of leaders on Sunday including (from left in foreground) Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority President Jacqueline Pata, U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, Tlingit and Haida Tribal Emergency Operations Center Incident Commander Sabrina Grubitz, and Juneau state Rep. Sara Hannan. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola, visiting homes where flood recovery efforts are underway, says FEMA aid request may be difficult

New estimate of nearly 300 homes damaged qualifies as a disaster, but agency’s funding limited, she says.

Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of leaders on Sunday including (from left in foreground) Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority President Jacqueline Pata, U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, Tlingit and Haida Tribal Emergency Operations Center Incident Commander Sabrina Grubitz, and Juneau state Rep. Sara Hannan. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Cars enter a redesigned left-turn lane designed to improve the line-of-sight of drivers and reduce the distance necessary to cross Egan Drive at the Fred Meyer intersection on Monday. A traffic light on Egan Drive is scheduled to be installed at the intersection by 2027. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Enpire)

Bids to design traffic light, other upgrades at Fred Meyer intersection now being sought by DOT

Project comes after redesign of turn lanes; alternate route recommended by state still on hold.

Cars enter a redesigned left-turn lane designed to improve the line-of-sight of drivers and reduce the distance necessary to cross Egan Drive at the Fred Meyer intersection on Monday. A traffic light on Egan Drive is scheduled to be installed at the intersection by 2027. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Enpire)
Mike Bethers and his wife, Astrid, turn over two fish to Alysha Reeves, dock chair at the Auke Nu weighing station during the final day of the 78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Slow fishing at 78th Golden North Salmon Derby still reels in heavier winning catch than last year

27.7-pound king salmon turned in by Karie Sims tops the scales as three-day event ends Sunday.

Mike Bethers and his wife, Astrid, turn over two fish to Alysha Reeves, dock chair at the Auke Nu weighing station during the final day of the 78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Douglas Harbor weighing station is quiet on Saturday morning as the 78th Golden North Salmon Derby begins its second day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

78th Golden North Salmon Derby starts slow due to flood cleanup, fishing conditions

23.3-pound king leads after first day; weekend weather forecast is for a chance of rain.

The Douglas Harbor weighing station is quiet on Saturday morning as the 78th Golden North Salmon Derby begins its second day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A runner nears the end of the Mount Roberts Trail during the Nifty Fifty Race on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Running 50K up and down Juneau’s mountains as a warmup? Yes, for some Nifty Fifty racers

Some of this year’s 14 participants in race with 5,000 ft. of elevation gain have even loftier goals.

A runner nears the end of the Mount Roberts Trail during the Nifty Fifty Race on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Stranding Network members examined a young male humpback whale on July 8, 2024 near Elfin Cove. Members included a veterinarian with Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services and a biologist with Glacier Bay National Park. (Photo courtesy Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services)

Ship strikes suspected of causing two whale deaths in Icy Strait

One whale was pregnant at the time of death, according to NOAA.

Alaska Stranding Network members examined a young male humpback whale on July 8, 2024 near Elfin Cove. Members included a veterinarian with Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services and a biologist with Glacier Bay National Park. (Photo courtesy Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Aug. 9, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Aug. 9, 1994. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alysha Reeves, a nine-year Golden North Salmon Derby official, validates a fisherman’s ticket at the Auke Nu weigh station on Friday morning, the first day of the three-day derby. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

78th annual Golden North Salmon Derby offers a nibble of normalcy in wake of record flood

Occasional rain, a few stray trees in the waters near Juneau expected as three-day event begins.

Alysha Reeves, a nine-year Golden North Salmon Derby official, validates a fisherman’s ticket at the Auke Nu weigh station on Friday morning, the first day of the three-day derby. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Flowers, notes, cash donations and other items are placed Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a memorial for Steven Kissack, a longtime Juneau resident experiencing homelessness, at the spot he was fatally shot by police the previous day. The stuffed malamute is in recognition of his dog Juno, who was present when the shooting occurred. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Memorial benefit show for Steven Kissack seeks to help others facing his struggles

Ten music acts scheduled to perform Saturday at Crystal Saloon in memory of well-known homeless resident.

Flowers, notes, cash donations and other items are placed Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at a memorial for Steven Kissack, a longtime Juneau resident experiencing homelessness, at the spot he was fatally shot by police the previous day. The stuffed malamute is in recognition of his dog Juno, who was present when the shooting occurred. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A worker examines a flooded yard where fuel and other hazardous material may have spilled. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation photo)

Resources for flood cleanup and recovery offered by city, other entities

Waste collection and disposal options expanded, volunteer coordination and other efforts underway

A worker examines a flooded yard where fuel and other hazardous material may have spilled. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation photo)
Homes, streets and vehicles are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Sullivan: Short-term focus after flood on FEMA aid, long-term focus on ‘engineering solution’

“We can’t have it that Juneau has this problem every summer,” senator says during visit Thursday.

Homes, streets and vehicles are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Alaska National Guard members help clear debris Thursday from a neighborhood hit by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this week. (Alaska National Guard photo)

Alaska National Guard deployed to assist with flood recovery efforts

40 members from Juneau and elsewhere will help with debris cleanup, distribution of supplies.

Alaska National Guard members help clear debris Thursday from a neighborhood hit by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this week. (Alaska National Guard photo)
Isabella Lang gets an enthusiastic greeting as she finishes first overall in the Olympic distance in Aukeman Triathlon on Sunday. (Photo by Bob Eastaugh)

Record number of racers feel heat of new challenges, including first-ever long course, at Aukeman Triathlon

Isabella Lang, in a “for-fun” effort, gets dominant overall win in Olympic-length course.

Isabella Lang gets an enthusiastic greeting as she finishes first overall in the Olympic distance in Aukeman Triathlon on Sunday. (Photo by Bob Eastaugh)
Jill Lawhorne, community development director for the City and Borough of Juneau, and building inspector Jeff Hedges examine a section of armored riverbank that had minimal damage despite a fast-flowing drainage of water from the Meander Way neighborhood during record flooding Monday and Tuesday. A nearby homeowner reported the only damage to her home was a gash in the garage where a large spruce tree rammed into the exterior and poked a sizable hole that allowed water to get into the garage. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

City says more than 100 homes damaged by record flood; Gov. Dunleavy issues state disaster declaration

Congressional delegation, organizations and businesses also discussing assistance possibilities.

Jill Lawhorne, community development director for the City and Borough of Juneau, and building inspector Jeff Hedges examine a section of armored riverbank that had minimal damage despite a fast-flowing drainage of water from the Meander Way neighborhood during record flooding Monday and Tuesday. A nearby homeowner reported the only damage to her home was a gash in the garage where a large spruce tree rammed into the exterior and poked a sizable hole that allowed water to get into the garage. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin flood tracker: Mendenhall River crests at 15.99 feet, expected to retreat rapidly

New record water level more than a foot higher than last year, causes unexpected damage to some homes.

Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pedestrian on Egan Drive critically injured in early morning hit-and-run collision with vehicle

Relative says victim, 38, has broken neck; man ‘involved’ in accident leads police to damaged vehicle.

The former Breakwater Inn on Egan Drive, near where a hit-and-run collision with a pedestrian occurred early Sunday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents in Mendenhall River flood zone preparing, not panicking after Suicide Basin breaks

“Go” bags, alternate places to stay, other safeguards set as people watch waters expected to peak Tuesday.

Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Suicide Basin breaks, Mendenhall River expected to crest Tuesday morning with “worst case” similar to 2023

Forecast for river level of nearly 15 feet will flood numerous homes, according to weather service.

A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)
The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Callers pretending to be police, court officials are scamming locals out of thousands of dollars

People often told to pay a fine online to avoid arrest for missing jury duty, officials say.

The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bartlett employees’ union says contract talks with hospital management at an impasse over wages

Hospital cites financial crisis due to years of deficits; union says recent program cuts free up funds.

A bike is parked outside the main entrance of Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)