Mark Sabbatini

Chloe Casperson (right) of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tries to get a shot by Adella Dinle of Thunder Mountain High School during a game on Friday night at TMHS. TMHS swept all three games during the evening, with the teams set for a rematch Saturday at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

THMS volleyball team takes advantage of seniority at home against JDHS

The two schools plan to apply lessons learned during rematch Saturday at JDHS.

Chloe Casperson (right) of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tries to get a shot by Adella Dinle of Thunder Mountain High School during a game on Friday night at TMHS. TMHS swept all three games during the evening, with the teams set for a rematch Saturday at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Neil Steininger, appointed director of the state Office of Management and Budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, testifies before the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol in January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Governor’s budget director departing

Neil Steininger, head of OMB since 2020, latest in series of staff moves by Dunleavy.

Neil Steininger, appointed director of the state Office of Management and Budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy in 2020, testifies before the House Finance Committee at the Alaska State Capitol in January. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jerry Adams (right) discusses what being a hospice and home care volunteer means to him while being filmed by Gabe Strong in a pop-up video booth in a hallway at Bartlett Regional Hospital. The filming, where people offering and receiving such services were invited to participate, was part a celebration of the hospital resuming hospice and home care services after they were discontinued by Catholic Community Service last fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Caretakers and families celebrate Bartlett’s resumption of hospice and home care services

Hospital takes over end-of-life programs nearly a year after they was halted locally.

Jerry Adams (right) discusses what being a hospice and home care volunteer means to him while being filmed by Gabe Strong in a pop-up video booth in a hallway at Bartlett Regional Hospital. The filming, where people offering and receiving such services were invited to participate, was part a celebration of the hospital resuming hospice and home care services after they were discontinued by Catholic Community Service last fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 10. The union prevailed in a lawsuit against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration alleging union dues rules were illegally changed, but the state on Wednesday appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska asks U.S. Supreme Court to hear case about state employee union dues

Dunleavy administration claims state supreme court decision violates workers’ First Amendment rights.

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the 8,000-member Alaska State Employees Association, addresses a rally outside the Alaska State Capitol on Feb. 10. The union prevailed in a lawsuit against Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration alleging union dues rules were illegally changed, but the state on Wednesday appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
The main entrance at Bartlett Regional Hospital, which has experience staffing shortages, leadership turnover and concerns expressed about patient care in recent months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Low employee morale a high concern for Bartlett Regional Hospital leaders

First board meeting with interim CEO focuses on better — and cautious — communications.

The main entrance at Bartlett Regional Hospital, which has experience staffing shortages, leadership turnover and concerns expressed about patient care in recent months. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Homes along the Mendenhall River damaged by record flooding on Aug. 5 are seen hanging over an eroded embankment a day later. The flood has been declared a state disaster and officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Juneau on Wednesday to assess if federal disaster assistance is warranted. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

FEMA officials arrive in Juneau to assess flood damage

Assessors will work with state, local and tribal officials to determine if federal aid is warranted.

Homes along the Mendenhall River damaged by record flooding on Aug. 5 are seen hanging over an eroded embankment a day later. The flood has been declared a state disaster and officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Juneau on Wednesday to assess if federal disaster assistance is warranted. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
A man died Sunday after falling off a fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove, located directly west of Auke Bay, according to the Alaska State Troopers. No foul play is suspected. (Map by the U.S. Forest Service)

Man dies after falling off fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove

No foul play suspected as 69-year-old Wisconsin passenger loses footing aboard vessel, officials say

A man died Sunday after falling off a fishing charter boat in Barlow Cove, located directly west of Auke Bay, according to the Alaska State Troopers. No foul play is suspected. (Map by the U.S. Forest Service)
Sam Hatch (left) and Amanda Hatch (right) show pictures of their flood-damaged home to Mike Macans, an individual assistance branch chief for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at a newly opened disaster assistance center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Monday. State and local officials are offering in-person assistance at the center through Wednesday to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Disaster assistance center opens at Mendenhall library for Suicide Basin flood victims

State and local officials offering immediate as well as longer-term help with aid requests.

Sam Hatch (left) and Amanda Hatch (right) show pictures of their flood-damaged home to Mike Macans, an individual assistance branch chief for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, at a newly opened disaster assistance center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Monday. State and local officials are offering in-person assistance at the center through Wednesday to people affected by record flooding from Suicide Basin earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Soil smarts produce a bountiful crop

Growers and buyers share the dirt at 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Anthony Garcia (22) celebrates with Juneau Huskies teammates after intercepting a pass with less than two minutes left in the third quarter against the Dimond High School Lynx on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Field. The interception sparked a rapid 19-point rally by the Huskies, who were trailing 32-14 at the time, as they took a 33-32 lead with about 10 minutes in the fourth quarter before going on to lose by a final score of 40-33. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Big plays and a big rally for Huskies, but Dimond gets final score to win

Juneau scores TDs of 91, 73, 71 and 51 yards, turns 24-7 deficit into 33-32 lead before losing 40-33

Anthony Garcia (22) celebrates with Juneau Huskies teammates after intercepting a pass with less than two minutes left in the third quarter against the Dimond High School Lynx on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Field. The interception sparked a rapid 19-point rally by the Huskies, who were trailing 32-14 at the time, as they took a 33-32 lead with about 10 minutes in the fourth quarter before going on to lose by a final score of 40-33. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Sarah Clark pushes a stroller with her 16-month-old daughter Faye across the finish line of the 5K course during the 32nd Annual Beat the Odds: A Race Against Cancer that started and ended at Kax̱dig̱oowu Héen Elementary School on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A course in pushing together toward a common cause

More than 300 people run and walk in the 32nd Annual Beat the Odds: A Race Against Cancer

Sarah Clark pushes a stroller with her 16-month-old daughter Faye across the finish line of the 5K course during the 32nd Annual Beat the Odds: A Race Against Cancer that started and ended at Kax̱dig̱oowu Héen Elementary School on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Hubbard state ferry remains in dock at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday after suffering generator problems that are expected to keep the ship out of service until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Hubbard likely out of service until Monday due to generator problems

Newest state ferry suffers failure after carrying Buttigieg from Juneau to Haines.

The Hubbard state ferry remains in dock at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday after suffering generator problems that are expected to keep the ship out of service until Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Members of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club clean thousands of ducks that have been in storage for four years in preparation for the annual Juneau Duck Derby scheduled Aug. 26 at Twin Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club)

After four years, it’s finally time to duck again at Twin Lakes

Thousands of flightless fowl make return, will be dropped by helicopter during annual Duck Derby.

Members of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club clean thousands of ducks that have been in storage for four years in preparation for the annual Juneau Duck Derby scheduled Aug. 26 at Twin Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the Glacier Valley Rotary Club)
Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River sits on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster as he seeks federal-level assistance. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Governor requests FEMA assessment of Suicide Basin flood damage

Action marks another step toward seeking federal disaster assistance.

Debris from a home that partially fell into the Mendenhall River sits on the riverbank on Sunday, Aug. 6. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed by the flooding, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster as he seeks federal-level assistance. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Hundreds of people participate in a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School to raise funds for residents affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. More than $20,000 was raised during the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Feeding a need for people forced out of homes by flood

More than $20K raised at spaghetti dinner and dessert auction at TMHS

Hundreds of people participate in a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction Saturday night at Thunder Mountain High School to raise funds for residents affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. More than $20,000 was raised during the event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Allison Lihou, John Diamond and Brian Thomason (aboard boat) turn in five salmon, including four scholarship fish, to dock volunteers Jason Bailey (orange jacket) and Bobby Dilg at the Douglas Harbor station during the 77th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)

Updates from the 77th Annual Golden North Salmon Derby

24.4-pound king is top catch at 6 p.m. Sunday deadline, more than 3 pounds heavier than runner-up.

Allison Lihou, John Diamond and Brian Thomason (aboard boat) turn in five salmon, including four scholarship fish, to dock volunteers Jason Bailey (orange jacket) and Bobby Dilg at the Douglas Harbor station during the 77th annual Golden North Salmon Derby on Sunday. (Meredith Jordan / Juneau Empire)
Amos Andreassen, 6, hands a piece of debris to his grandmother, Peggy Tutu, on a beach in North Douglas during a community cleanup Sunday following last weekend’s record flooding of the Mendenhall River. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cleaning up the flood’s remaining bits and big pieces

Participants in community cleanup walk the shores where items washed up a week after the disaster

Amos Andreassen, 6, hands a piece of debris to his grandmother, Peggy Tutu, on a beach in North Douglas during a community cleanup Sunday following last weekend’s record flooding of the Mendenhall River. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (left) views the Mendenhall River on Tuesday as Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson explains changes that occurred to the riverbank due to record flooding from Suicide Basin last Saturday. Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan and Andi Story were among the other officials taking part in the trip. (Tom Mattice / City and Borough Of Juneau)

Flood cleanup, fundraising events planned this weekend

As state and federal officials consider large-scale actions, residents can offer immediate help.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (left) views the Mendenhall River on Tuesday as Juneau Assembly member Wade Bryson explains changes that occurred to the riverbank due to record flooding from Suicide Basin last Saturday. Juneau state representatives Sara Hannan and Andi Story were among the other officials taking part in the trip. (Tom Mattice / City and Borough Of Juneau)
A team photo of the 2023 Juneau Huskies, who kick off their season with a home game against East Anchorage at 3 p.m. Saturday. (Courtesy of Juneau Huskies Football)

Juneau Huskies start another title prowl

After losing state title game last year, there’s only one way to go up as season starts Saturday

A team photo of the 2023 Juneau Huskies, who kick off their season with a home game against East Anchorage at 3 p.m. Saturday. (Courtesy of Juneau Huskies Football)
Drag queen Gigi Monroe performs an opening song during a Drag Storytime at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 5. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Drag queen Gigi Monroe performs an opening song during a Drag Storytime at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 5. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)