Mark Sabbatini

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A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)

Petition seeks to nix real estate disclosure requirement

A possible vote.

A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)
Cruise ship workers Leo Garcia, left, Joan Rosos, center, and Gerald Gasper take an ice cream break Wednesday in Marine Park, where the temperature at about 2 p.m. was 77 degrees, one degree below the record set in 1958. A record high of 78 degrees occurred in Juneau on Tuesday, as well as a record high of 74 degrees in Yakutat, with more record temperatures possible in Southeast Alaska this week before cooler weather and rain arrive this weekend, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Record heat wave hits Juneau

New highs set Tuesday and Wednesday — and Thursday may be hotter; cooler weather expected this weekend

Cruise ship workers Leo Garcia, left, Joan Rosos, center, and Gerald Gasper take an ice cream break Wednesday in Marine Park, where the temperature at about 2 p.m. was 77 degrees, one degree below the record set in 1958. A record high of 78 degrees occurred in Juneau on Tuesday, as well as a record high of 74 degrees in Yakutat, with more record temperatures possible in Southeast Alaska this week before cooler weather and rain arrive this weekend, (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Troy Quinn, former music director of The Juneau Symphony, leads local musicians through their first rehearsal for the upcoming performances of "A Night at the Oscars" scheduled June 11 and 12. The concert was original scheduled as his final conducting appearance in 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Former symphony director returns for movie music concert

Troy Quinn says “A Night At The Oscars” lets audience see as well as hear what’s missing on film.

Troy Quinn, former music director of The Juneau Symphony, leads local musicians through their first rehearsal for the upcoming performances of "A Night at the Oscars" scheduled June 11 and 12. The concert was original scheduled as his final conducting appearance in 2020, but delayed due to COVID-19. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The finalists to be the new chief executive officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital are Emily Dilley (left), CEO of Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kan., Matthew Heyn (center), president and CEO of Delta Health in Delta, Colo., and Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, vice president for patient care services and chief nurse executive of Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville, Calif. All three will be in Juneau for interviews with hospital officers and public meet-and-greets starting next Friday. (Courtesy Photos)

3 finalists for top job at Bartlett

Candidates will meet Bartlett officials and public beginning next Friday

The finalists to be the new chief executive officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital are Emily Dilley (left), CEO of Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kan., Matthew Heyn (center), president and CEO of Delta Health in Delta, Colo., and Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, vice president for patient care services and chief nurse executive of Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville, Calif. All three will be in Juneau for interviews with hospital officers and public meet-and-greets starting next Friday. (Courtesy Photos)
A pharmacy sign outside the Foodland IGA will soon disappear as the pharmacy inside is closing as of Wednesday, June 1, due to the inability to hire a new pharmacist. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pharmacy at Foodland closing June 1

Owner says months-long effort to hire new pharmacist has been unsuccessful.

A pharmacy sign outside the Foodland IGA will soon disappear as the pharmacy inside is closing as of Wednesday, June 1, due to the inability to hire a new pharmacist. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Native Alaska candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat discuss their positions on Southeast, statewide and national issues during an online forum Thursday. (Screenshot)

House candidates square off in virtual forum

Ballots must be postmarked by June 11.

Native Alaska candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat discuss their positions on Southeast, statewide and national issues during an online forum Thursday. (Screenshot)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Dozens of containers of infant formula, including some eligible to be purchased with WIC benefits, are on shelves at Foodland IGA on Monday. But many other brands are absent and Brad Folckomer, the store’s assistant director, said while certain brands have generally remained available during a critical nationwide shortage, special types some mothers need are missing and it’s unknown when the situation may improve.

Local infant formula shortages likely to persist

Juneau outlets say limited supplies exist, but many brands absent and donations for needy lacking

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Dozens of containers of infant formula, including some eligible to be purchased with WIC benefits, are on shelves at Foodland IGA on Monday. But many other brands are absent and Brad Folckomer, the store’s assistant director, said while certain brands have generally remained available during a critical nationwide shortage, special types some mothers need are missing and it’s unknown when the situation may improve.
Andreas Jones crosses the finish line during the annual Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday morning. Nine disabled athletes and about 20 others participated in the race in Juneau, one of 15 communities statewide raising money for Special Olympics Alaska as part of the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Sprinters’ spirit aids marathon effort

30 Juneau participants raise $7,100 for annual statewide annual Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run

Andreas Jones crosses the finish line during the annual Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run at Thunder Mountain High School on Saturday morning. Nine disabled athletes and about 20 others participated in the race in Juneau, one of 15 communities statewide raising money for Special Olympics Alaska as part of the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, second from right, updates next year’s city budget to reflect changes made Wednesday night by the Assembly’s Finance Committee during a break in the meeting. The committee approved a $172.3 million general fund spending plan that on paper shows a $10.3 million surplus, but that extra amount is subject to considerable unpredictability – including a potential loss of $16 million in state funds – before a final budget is approved by the full Assembly by June 15. Assisting Rogers with the budget presentation to Assembly members are, from left, Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Budget Analyst Adrien Speegle. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City budget: More last-minute spending, no new taxes

City budget approved by Finance Committee rejects mill rate increase, adds funds for social programs.

Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, second from right, updates next year’s city budget to reflect changes made Wednesday night by the Assembly’s Finance Committee during a break in the meeting. The committee approved a $172.3 million general fund spending plan that on paper shows a $10.3 million surplus, but that extra amount is subject to considerable unpredictability – including a potential loss of $16 million in state funds – before a final budget is approved by the full Assembly by June 15. Assisting Rogers with the budget presentation to Assembly members are, from left, Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, City Manager Rorie Watt and Budget Analyst Adrien Speegle. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An online do-it-yourself budget simulator allows users to submit their proposals for Juneau’s budget next year to city officials resulted in 73 spending plans during its first budget cycle, according to officials. (Screenshot)

DIY city budget simulator yields ’educational’ results

More taxes for thee, not me; more community projects for me, not thee among ’unsurprising’ results

An online do-it-yourself budget simulator allows users to submit their proposals for Juneau’s budget next year to city officials resulted in 73 spending plans during its first budget cycle, according to officials. (Screenshot)
Zuill Bailey performs a cello concert during a music cruise in Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy Photo)
Capital City Weekly

All that jazz returns to Juneau

Another ‘Classics’ in the books.

Zuill Bailey performs a cello concert during a music cruise in Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon. (Courtesy Photo)
Assistant U.S. Commerce Secretary Alejandra Castillo, second from left, meets Southeast Alaska Native leaders at the Sealaska Heritage Plaza on Wednesday to discuss the Spruce Roots project, which is among 60 finalists seeking a share of a $1 billion federal development grant. Spruce Roots is hoping to be among the 20-30 winners who will each receive up to $100 million, with the project seeking to create 250 new jobs, $22 million in new annual economic activity and $20 million in new infrastructure. Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire

Spruce Root among 60 finalists for $1B in development grants

Assist. U.S. Commerce Secretary Alejandra Castillo visits SE Native coalition seeking up to $100M

Assistant U.S. Commerce Secretary Alejandra Castillo, second from left, meets Southeast Alaska Native leaders at the Sealaska Heritage Plaza on Wednesday to discuss the Spruce Roots project, which is among 60 finalists seeking a share of a $1 billion federal development grant. Spruce Roots is hoping to be among the 20-30 winners who will each receive up to $100 million, with the project seeking to create 250 new jobs, $22 million in new annual economic activity and $20 million in new infrastructure. Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire
This screenshot of Google Earth shows the area of a proposed “green corridor” from Seattle to Southeast Alaska. (Screenshot)

Juneau joins first effort at ‘green corridor’ for cruise ships

Government, industry officials in Seattle, Canda and Juneau set goal of net-zero emmisions by 2050.

This screenshot of Google Earth shows the area of a proposed “green corridor” from Seattle to Southeast Alaska. (Screenshot)
Of the more than 460 stoOf the more than 460 stocks managed by NOAA, 322 have a known overfishing status (296 not subject to overfishing and 26 subject to overfishing) and 252 have a known overfished status (201 not overfished and 51 overfished). (Courtesy Image / NOAA)

Southeast fisheries hoping for less turbulent waters

Regions and species see wildly variably conditions due to climate and COVID-19, according to two new NOAA reports.

Of the more than 460 stoOf the more than 460 stocks managed by NOAA, 322 have a known overfishing status (296 not subject to overfishing and 26 subject to overfishing) and 252 have a known overfished status (201 not overfished and 51 overfished). (Courtesy Image / NOAA)
Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, right, and other district leaders present a request for extra funding for middle school wrestling mats to the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The request was first requested Monday by a wrestling coach who stating student safety is endangered by the aging and damaged mats currently in use, but the committee rejected the request due to concerns about a deficit in next year’s budget and worries about motivating others to make similar last-minute requests. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City confronts spending today, paying tomorrow

Assembly considers items on its “decision list” as budget process moves along.

Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, right, and other district leaders present a request for extra funding for middle school wrestling mats to the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The request was first requested Monday by a wrestling coach who stating student safety is endangered by the aging and damaged mats currently in use, but the committee rejected the request due to concerns about a deficit in next year’s budget and worries about motivating others to make similar last-minute requests. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, left, explains how $5,500 payments to residents approved by the Alaska Senate may endanger a $16 million school bond reimbursement payment to the city during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

$5,500 checks to residents may come at city’s expense

Record payments to residents OK’d by state Senate could cost city school bond debt reimbursement.

Juneau City Finance Director Jeff Rogers, left, explains how $5,500 payments to residents approved by the Alaska Senate may endanger a $16 million school bond reimbursement payment to the city during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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City mulls trading food tax for higher summer sales tax

Further food for thought.

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This Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities map shows the study area for a proposed second crossing between Juneau and Douglas Island. (Courtesy Image / DOT&PF)

City, state join to consider second Juneau-Douglas crossing

Juneau officials are attempting to make progress on a possible second crossing to Douglas Island, which has been studied since the early 1980s without much… Continue reading

This Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities map shows the study area for a proposed second crossing between Juneau and Douglas Island. (Courtesy Image / DOT&PF)
This screenshot shows the masthead of the new Alaska Beacon website. The nonprofit outlet debuted on Wednesday. (Screenshot)

New news outline shines more light on Alaska politics

Alaska Beacon, a nonprofit outlet debuts.

This screenshot shows the masthead of the new Alaska Beacon website. The nonprofit outlet debuted on Wednesday. (Screenshot)
This March 2020 photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will be asked again this fall if they want to extend a 1% temporary sales tax for another five years and city leaders are in the process of making a priority list of how the money would be spent if approved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Listening and listing: City seeks input on 1% sales tax projects

If you had $60 million to improve Juneau how would you spend it?

This March 2020 photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will be asked again this fall if they want to extend a 1% temporary sales tax for another five years and city leaders are in the process of making a priority list of how the money would be spent if approved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)