Wire Service

Police and fire for Monday, June 18, 2018

Police and fire for Monday, June 18, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police and fire for Monday, June 18, 2018
Southeast Earthmovers demolish the Gastineau Apartments in January 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

City was correct in tearing down Gastineau Apartments, judge rules

The city is going to trial against the Barretts to recoup costs of demolishing the apartments, and the city attorney’s task got easier after a hearing Friday.

Southeast Earthmovers demolish the Gastineau Apartments in January 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Conner Ryan takes his turn at the men’s hand mucking event at Gold Rush Days on Saturday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Gold Rush Days returns

It wasn’t Darren Quimby’s first time operating a drill. A 30-year veteran miner, he’s worked many jack leg drills in his days underground. Quimby’s coworker… Continue reading

Conner Ryan takes his turn at the men’s hand mucking event at Gold Rush Days on Saturday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Capital city loses jobs, wages between 2016 and 2017

Capital city loses jobs, wages between 2016 and 2017

Alaska’s ongoing recession has coincided with a plateau and decline in wages paid to Juneau workers, according to figures released by the Alaska Department of… Continue reading

Capital city loses jobs, wages between 2016 and 2017
Police calls for Sunday, June 17, 2018

Police calls for Sunday, June 17, 2018

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement and public safety agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction… Continue reading

Police calls for Sunday, June 17, 2018
Jennifer Fletcher at the 2018 Pride Picnic. (Photo by Jack Scholz)

Transgender woman awarded for equal rights advocacy

Jennifer Fletcher has spent five years advocating for equal rights in the Alaska state health care coverage plan. Fletcher is a transgender woman who filed… Continue reading

Jennifer Fletcher at the 2018 Pride Picnic. (Photo by Jack Scholz)
Michael and Suzanna Lessard talk Thursday, June 7, 2018, about having their home hit four times since 2005 by drivers who were either drunk or suffering from medical conditions. Their Brothers Avenue house sits near the intersection on Mendenhall Loop Road and Glacier Spur Road. Their daughter’s room was crashed into last May by a drunken driver. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Known Hazard’: Property hit three times by drivers in last 11 years

The shed behind the Lessard family home on Brothers Avenue looks like it’s prepared for the apocalypse. It’s fortified with extra studs, siding all the… Continue reading

Michael and Suzanna Lessard talk Thursday, June 7, 2018, about having their home hit four times since 2005 by drivers who were either drunk or suffering from medical conditions. Their Brothers Avenue house sits near the intersection on Mendenhall Loop Road and Glacier Spur Road. Their daughter’s room was crashed into last May by a drunken driver. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
New Juneau Police Department officers (from left) Ron Shriver, Mattie Rielly and Joe Paden pose after their graduation from the Public Training Academy in Sitka on Friday, June 8, 2018. (Juneau Police Department | Courtesy Photo)

Meet the three police academy graduates joining JPD

Ever since she was a child, Mattie Rielly was interested in law enforcement. Growing up, she would watch the legal drama “Matlock,” which followed a… Continue reading

New Juneau Police Department officers (from left) Ron Shriver, Mattie Rielly and Joe Paden pose after their graduation from the Public Training Academy in Sitka on Friday, June 8, 2018. (Juneau Police Department | Courtesy Photo)

JDHS student selected for Murkowski internship

Joseph Monsef of Juneau-Douglas High School has been named a summer intern for U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Each year, interns from Alaska high schools… Continue reading

Thanks for supporting Juneau’s only adult day program

Thanks to the funding provided, The Bridge is able to offer services that allow seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible,… Continue reading

Reece Bleakley won the Junior Division of the Juneau Symphony’s Youth Solo Competition in 2015. Photo credit: Michael Penn.

Local young artist will attend renowned Interlochen Arts Camp

Reece Bleakley, 16, of Juneau, has been accepted and will attend Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan, the world’s premier summer arts program for aspiring… Continue reading

Reece Bleakley won the Junior Division of the Juneau Symphony’s Youth Solo Competition in 2015. Photo credit: Michael Penn.

Thank you, Juneau Education and Support Staff union

Thank you, Juneau Education and Support Staff union Helping Hands volunteers would like to thank all the members of Juneau Education and Support Staff union… Continue reading

Pastor Larry Rorem and Laura Rorem

Finding wisdom in unlikely places

In our last “Living and Growing” column, we reflected on the death of our 45 year old daughter, Tanya. Today’s column reflects further on the… Continue reading

Pastor Larry Rorem and Laura Rorem

Thank you for making Celebration 2018 a success

Thank you to everyone who helped to make Celebration 2018 happen. This year’s gathering was one of our most successful to date. On behalf of… Continue reading

Let’s not jeopardize common-sense criminal justice reforms

Let’s not jeopardize common-sense criminal justice reforms

For far too long, Alaska relied on a corrections and prisoner-rehabilitation approach that was unsustainable.

Let’s not jeopardize common-sense criminal justice reforms

SB 26 makes a critical change for Alaska’s future

A generation ago, Alaska’s leaders made a once-in-a-lifetime decision that set our state on a unique course. To some, the new wealth flowing through Alaska’s… Continue reading

Katie Sullivan is the head coach for the Special Olympics Juneau Basketball team. She has worked as a parole officer at Lemon Creek Correctional Center for 10 years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Parole officer gives back through Special Olympics

For eight hours every weekday at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center, she’s simply known as “PO Sully.” But on the weekends, to a group of… Continue reading

Katie Sullivan is the head coach for the Special Olympics Juneau Basketball team. She has worked as a parole officer at Lemon Creek Correctional Center for 10 years. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau

Juneau senator ends up in hospital after battling blaze in garage

One of Juneau’s most recognizable residents was taken to the hospital Friday night after attempting to put out a fire in his garage. Sen. Dennis… Continue reading

Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau
East Post 34 player Charlie White pitches against Juneau Post 25 at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. Juneau won 12-2. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Legion baseball: Juneau dominates East

Philip Wall struck out nine batters in five innings and Juneau Post 25 shutout East Post 34 by a score of 11-0 on Saturday afternoon… Continue reading

East Post 34 player Charlie White pitches against Juneau Post 25 at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. Juneau won 12-2. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)
Steve Morley leads Maisy Morley down Perseverance Trail during the Perseverance Trail Run/Ben Blackgoat Memorial on Saturday. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)

Runners cover Perseverance Trail in under 45 minutes

Two 31-year-olds ran the entire length of Perseverance Trail in under 45 minutes on Saturday. Allan Spangler, of Juneau, and Seth Rutt, of Phoenix, Arizona,… Continue reading

Steve Morley leads Maisy Morley down Perseverance Trail during the Perseverance Trail Run/Ben Blackgoat Memorial on Saturday. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire)