Mark Sabbatini

An overhead view of the landslide that struck about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell, destroying three homes and leaving six people dead or missing. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Purviance via the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Girl, 11, is fourth confirmed fatality of Wrangell landslide, two others still missing

Three other family members also killed; officials at town hall address debris removal, other efforts

An overhead view of the landslide that struck about 11 miles south of the center of Wrangell, destroying three homes and leaving six people dead or missing. (Photo courtesy of Caleb Purviance via the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Brenda Schwartz-Yeager (right), a watercolor artist from Wrangell, discusses her works with Megan Griffin (left) and Lacey Sanders during the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Wrangell vendors struggle with thoughts about landslide, get lots of support at Juneau Public Market

“Everybody’s just been so thoughtful, talking to us and asking if there’s things they can do to help.”

Brenda Schwartz-Yeager (right), a watercolor artist from Wrangell, discusses her works with Megan Griffin (left) and Lacey Sanders during the Juneau Public Market at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A row of rainbow flags are displayed above the bookshelves in the teen room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Schools, libraries get warning letters from state attorney general about youth content

Local officials say letters lack specifics, aren’t considering changes in policies.

A row of rainbow flags are displayed above the bookshelves in the teen room at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market on Friday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. The market and nearby Juneau Public Market continue through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Getting a warm and fuzzy feeling on a rainy Black Friday at the public markets

Annual Juneau Public Market, Indigenous Artists And Vendors Holiday Market continue through Sunday.

Ann Stepetin (left) and Marion Dau (center) talk to Pauline Duncan about her woven aprons and other items for sale at the Indigenous Artists & Vendors Holiday Market on Friday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. The market and nearby Juneau Public Market continue through Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
People gather for a newly organized communal Friendsgiving celebration at the log cabin at Savikko Park on Thursday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Communal Friendsgiving allows some a day of thanks without observing Thanksgiving

Many Alaska Natives, other Indigenous peoples in U.S., disagree with holiday’s traditional narrative.

People gather for a newly organized communal Friendsgiving celebration at the log cabin at Savikko Park on Thursday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of the chorus rehearse a portion of Handel’s “Messiah” on Wednesday evening at Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church. “Part I” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” of the oratorio are scheduled to be performed at the church at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

This performance of Handel’s “Messiah” is blowin’ in the wind

Re-orchestration that replaces string instruments with wind instruments scheduled this weekend.

Members of the chorus rehearse a portion of Handel’s “Messiah” on Wednesday evening at Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church. “Part I” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” of the oratorio are scheduled to be performed at the church at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Turkey Trot participants thankful for fowl conditions

“Worst weather we’ve had in 10 years” just means burning off more calories.

Participants, many clad in fowl weather gear, head out onto the Airport Dike Trail during the annual Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Thursday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 25, 1985. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 25, 1985. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 13, 1995. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Nov. 13, 1995. (Photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jack Scholz, left, Tristan Cameron, center, and Dilip Ratnam discuss cultural upbringings in a rehearsal scene of “A Nice Indian Boy” at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. The production is scheduled for the theater’s main stage from Dec. 1-17, with video on demand available Dec. 13-Jan. 22. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Intimate confines of Juneau bring new layers to familiar meet-the-family feud

Perseverance Theatre’s “A Nice Indian Boy” makes characters with big culture gaps cope on small stage.

Jack Scholz, left, Tristan Cameron, center, and Dilip Ratnam discuss cultural upbringings in a rehearsal scene of “A Nice Indian Boy” at Perseverance Theatre on Tuesday night. The production is scheduled for the theater’s main stage from Dec. 1-17, with video on demand available Dec. 13-Jan. 22. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Debris from a massive landslide on Monday night extends into the sea at mile 11 on Zimovia Highway in Wrangell. Three people were killed and three more people are missing as of 5:15 p.m. Tuesday by the landslide that impacted three single-family homes, according to officials. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Three people killed, three more people missing, in Wrangell landslide that hit three homes

Two adults, one juvenile dead; two juveniles, one adult missing Tuesday evening after Monday slide.

Debris from a massive landslide on Monday night extends into the sea at mile 11 on Zimovia Highway in Wrangell. Three people were killed and three more people are missing as of 5:15 p.m. Tuesday by the landslide that impacted three single-family homes, according to officials. (U.S. Coast Guard)
A landslide at mile 11 on Zimovia Highway in Wrangell hit three homes and killed at least one person on Monday night, with a search for others presumed missing ongoing Tuesday by officials from multiple agencies. (Photo courtesy of the Wrangell Sentinel)

Storm causes disruptions in Juneau; landslide in Wrangell hits 3 homes, kills at least 1 person

Numerous local closures Monday, power out overnight at Douglas Harbor; search in Wrangell ongoing.

A landslide at mile 11 on Zimovia Highway in Wrangell hit three homes and killed at least one person on Monday night, with a search for others presumed missing ongoing Tuesday by officials from multiple agencies. (Photo courtesy of the Wrangell Sentinel)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Casey Blackwell, 10, crosses the finish line after running 27 laps around the indoor track at Dimond Park Field House to complete the 5K Pajama Jog on Sunday.

Juneau Girls on the Run go the distance during 5K Pajama Jog

Participants finish looking like stars — 27 of them — after completing that many laps around track.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
Casey Blackwell, 10, crosses the finish line after running 27 laps around the indoor track at Dimond Park Field House to complete the 5K Pajama Jog on Sunday.
Rebecca Hsieh, left, knits small gifts as a first-time vendor at the Juneau Public Market as her friend, MK MacNaughton, a longtime vendor sells hand-painted items near the entrance of Centennial Hall on Nov. 26, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

This year’s Juneau Public Market is going to the dogs

41st annual event dedicated to longtime vendor and musher, with peers bringing handmade pet products

Rebecca Hsieh, left, knits small gifts as a first-time vendor at the Juneau Public Market as her friend, MK MacNaughton, a longtime vendor sells hand-painted items near the entrance of Centennial Hall on Nov. 26, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
A snow-obscured view from a City and Borough of Juneau office accompanies a Facebook post Monday explaining municipal offices and facilities in downtown and Douglas are being closed for the day due to a blizzard expected to continue until 6 a.m. Tuesday. (Screenshot from City and Borough of Juneau video)

Blizzard update: Many public offices and facilities close for day, warming shelter to remain open

Updated forecast at 3:30 p.m. Monday calls for four more inches of snow tonight, winds to 60 mph.

A snow-obscured view from a City and Borough of Juneau office accompanies a Facebook post Monday explaining municipal offices and facilities in downtown and Douglas are being closed for the day due to a blizzard expected to continue until 6 a.m. Tuesday. (Screenshot from City and Borough of Juneau video)
Lamia Monroe of Anchorage (center) is crowned the first First Miss Gay Alaska America by pageant sponsor Gigi Monroe (left) and reigning Miss Gay America Tatiyanna Voche during the finale of the two-night event Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First-ever Miss Gay Alaska America is crowned in Juneau

Lamia Monroe wins two-day female impersonator pageant, will go to national event with runner-up.

Lamia Monroe of Anchorage (center) is crowned the first First Miss Gay Alaska America by pageant sponsor Gigi Monroe (left) and reigning Miss Gay America Tatiyanna Voche during the finale of the two-night event Saturday at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A 30-foot-tall totem pole, seen in the photo at left, was removed from Michael J. Burns Building on Friday, as seen in the photo at right taken Sunday. The totem pole, plus two others already removed from the interior of the building that houses the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., are scheduled to be placed at Goldbelt Inc.’s headquarters for its 50th anniversary celebration. (Left photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.; right photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Totem poles removed from Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. headquarters building

Goldbelt Inc. plans to place the three totems at its headquarters for 50th-anniversary celebration.

A 30-foot-tall totem pole, seen in the photo at left, was removed from Michael J. Burns Building on Friday, as seen in the photo at right taken Sunday. The totem pole, plus two others already removed from the interior of the building that houses the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., are scheduled to be placed at Goldbelt Inc.’s headquarters for its 50th anniversary celebration. (Left photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.; right photo by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A blizzard warning for the Juneau area starting at 6 a.m. Monday is published on a National Weather Service Juneau social media page Sunday. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Major storm expected to bring up to 14 inches of snow, 60 mph winds to Juneau on Monday

Preliminary forecast expects storm to arrive about 6 a.m., heaviest snow to occur during day.

A blizzard warning for the Juneau area starting at 6 a.m. Monday is published on a National Weather Service Juneau social media page Sunday. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Lance Fenumiai, a Juneau resident seen here carrying the ball in a rugby match for St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, has signed a Major League Rugby contract with the Dallas Jackals. (Photo courtesy of Lux214 Media Group)

JDHS grad Lance Fenumiai signs pro rugby contract with Dallas Jackals

Former college All-American to spend holidays training intensely for season that starts in February.

Lance Fenumiai, a Juneau resident seen here carrying the ball in a rugby match for St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, has signed a Major League Rugby contract with the Dallas Jackals. (Photo courtesy of Lux214 Media Group)
Joe Pagenkopf counts bags of food in a shopping cart at the St. Vincent de Paul Juneau complex on Saturday morning before heading out to deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to local residents. He said it is his first time making such deliveries, which he was motivated to get after getting help when his home was nearly destroyed by the record flooding of Suicide Basin earlier this year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Community Thanksgiving celebrations get a ‘plus-one’ invite this year

Friendsgiving in Douglas joins meal at Salvation Army, food distributions by SVDP and food bank.

Joe Pagenkopf counts bags of food in a shopping cart at the St. Vincent de Paul Juneau complex on Saturday morning before heading out to deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to local residents. He said it is his first time making such deliveries, which he was motivated to get after getting help when his home was nearly destroyed by the record flooding of Suicide Basin earlier this year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)