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State Trooper convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor

KENAI — Vance Peronto, formerly an Alaska State Trooper based in Soldotna, was convicted Friday of one count of attempted sexual abuse of a minor… Continue reading

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Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Progress in view for Riverview

Move-in day is on the horizon and a public information event is set for Saturday.

Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on Friday about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her the most controversial of the governor’s four nominees to the board.

Lawmakers question university board nominee who supported UA budget cut

Bethany Marcum, head of conservative think tank, hears from scathing doubters and glowing supporters

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Bethany Marcum, executive director of the Alaska Policy Forum, responds to questions from the Senate Education Committee on Friday about her nomination to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents. Her organization’s conservative policies, including backing a budget by Gov. Mike Dunleavy that proposed a 40% cut to the university system, made her the most controversial of the governor’s four nominees to the board.
State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Bill with funds to address food stamps backlog goes to governor

Legislature gives near-unanimous approval to hiring extra staff to fix months-long backlog

State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Juneau’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament B Bracket team poses for a group photo after winning the B bracket championship game in this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament Saturday night at JDHS. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Juneau rides second half surge to Gold Medal B Bracket title

Saturday night win over Hydaburg concluded the 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament.

Juneau’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament B Bracket team poses for a group photo after winning the B bracket championship game in this year’s Gold Medal Basketball Tournament Saturday night at JDHS. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
The 2022-2023 JDHS Crimson Bears pose for a photo at ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before competing against TMHS in the championship game. JDHS finished in fourth place and TMHS went home in sixth. (Courtesy Photo / Tanya Nizich)

JDHS beats TMHS at state for one last showdown

Crimson Bears took fourth place and Falcons took sixth.

The 2022-2023 JDHS Crimson Bears pose for a photo at ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before competing against TMHS in the championship game. JDHS finished in fourth place and TMHS went home in sixth. (Courtesy Photo / Tanya Nizich)
Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson JDHS senior boys with coach Robert Casperson, left to right, Nelson Bodhi, Kai Hargrave, Caden Masdeg, Orion Dybdahl and Joseph Aline, pose for a photo at the ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before the championship game against Dimond High School. The Crimson Bears would take sixth place overall.

JDHS boys fall to Dimond at state

Crimson Bears take 6th place in ASAA tournament.

Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson JDHS senior boys with coach Robert Casperson, left to right, Nelson Bodhi, Kai Hargrave, Caden Masdeg, Orion Dybdahl and Joseph Aline, pose for a photo at the ASAA state competition in Anchorage on Saturday before the championship game against Dimond High School. The Crimson Bears would take sixth place overall.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire

PHOTOS: An enormous roundup from the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament

The Juneau Empire’s expanded coverage of the Juneau Lions Club 74th Gold Medal Basketball Tournament is made possible by Sealaska Corp. Thanks to this sponsorship,… Continue reading

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire
Ted Burke and wife Jan pose for a photo at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Burke was the recipient of the Dr. Walter Soboleff Award. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Ted Burke receives Dr. Walter Soboleff Award at Gold Medal Tournament

“I was definitely surprised,” Burke said. “I didn’t even think there was going to be one this year.”

Ted Burke and wife Jan pose for a photo at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Burke was the recipient of the Dr. Walter Soboleff Award. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Angoon's Albert Kookesh shoots against Hoonah's Gary Smith and Andy Mills during the Gold Medal tournament, Wednesday, March 22, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Hoonah Masters eliminate Angoon from Gold Medal

Hoonah’s Hinchman, Lindoff and Angoon’s See in a shoot-out

  • Mar 26, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Angoon's Albert Kookesh shoots against Hoonah's Gary Smith and Andy Mills during the Gold Medal tournament, Wednesday, March 22, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Hoonah’s Masters Bracket team poses for a group photo on Saturday after being crowned this year’s champs for the M bracket in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Hoonah crowned Gold Medal Masters Bracket champs

Hoonah’s Albert Hinchman named MVP.

Hoonah’s Masters Bracket team poses for a group photo on Saturday after being crowned this year’s champs for the M bracket in the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
C Bracket champions Filcom pose with their trophy. (left to right) Charlie Herrington, Alex Heumann, Tom Gizler, Adam Brown, Mike Lim, Andrew Malacas, Nino Bohulano, Ray Zimmer, Larry Cooper, Ronin Tagsip and Jason Haskell at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Saturday, March 25, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s Filcom wins Gold Medal C Bracket Championship

Filcom caps undefeated tournament run with 73-49 win over Klukwan

  • Mar 26, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
C Bracket champions Filcom pose with their trophy. (left to right) Charlie Herrington, Alex Heumann, Tom Gizler, Adam Brown, Mike Lim, Andrew Malacas, Nino Bohulano, Ray Zimmer, Larry Cooper, Ronin Tagsip and Jason Haskell at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament, Saturday, March 25, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
POW’s Gold Medal Champions: Lillian Borromeo, Molly Sharp, Michaela Demmert, Nani Weimer, Tina Steffen, Elizabeth Isaacs, Kenai Holein and Cassie Williams. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Prince of Wales defeats Yakutat for women’s title at Gold Medal

Prince of Wales claims town’s sixth championship with 79-38 win.

  • Mar 26, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
POW’s Gold Medal Champions: Lillian Borromeo, Molly Sharp, Michaela Demmert, Nani Weimer, Tina Steffen, Elizabeth Isaacs, Kenai Holein and Cassie Williams. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Jesse McGraw, Matt Carle and Andrew Friske pose for a photo after their induction into the Gold Medal Hall of Fame, Friday, March 24, during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Friske, McGraw and Carle Inducted into Gold Medal Hall of Fame

Two teammates and one opponent share selection night together

  • Mar 25, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Jesse McGraw, Matt Carle and Andrew Friske pose for a photo after their induction into the Gold Medal Hall of Fame, Friday, March 24, during the Juneau Lions Club 74th Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
President Joe Biden speaks during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 23, 2023, celebrating the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok over its Chinese ownership and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of young voters, a group that’s been largely in his corner. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Biden’s moves on Willow, TikTok test young voters

A potential TikTok ban and the Alaska drilling could weigh down reelection bid.

President Joe Biden speaks during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 23, 2023, celebrating the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok over its Chinese ownership and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of young voters, a group that’s been largely in his corner. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Yakutat’s Sharnel Vale-Dries (40) drives the lane for a 2-point shot against Angoon on Friday for W bracket Gold Medal basketball at JDSH. Vale-Dries finished the game with 2 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Yakutat leaves Angoon behind for W bracket championship game

POW vs. Yakutat at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Yakutat’s Sharnel Vale-Dries (40) drives the lane for a 2-point shot against Angoon on Friday for W bracket Gold Medal basketball at JDSH. Vale-Dries finished the game with 2 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Hoonah’s Kamal Lindoff (34) knocks down a layup on Friday against Klukwan in the M bracket Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. Lindoff finished the game with 12 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Hoonah advances past Klukwan for M Bracket championship game

Juneau vs. Hoonah at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Hoonah’s Kamal Lindoff (34) knocks down a layup on Friday against Klukwan in the M bracket Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at JDHS. Lindoff finished the game with 12 points. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Hydaburg’s George Peratrovich tips in teammate Vinnie Edenshaw’s missed free throw with 0.3 seconds remaining in overtime, forching a second overtime in a win over Angoon during Friday night’s elimination game at the Gold Medal Tournament in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Hydaburg heroics eliminate Angoon 94-89 in 2-OT thriller

A game-tying play with just .3 seconds to go is just the tip of the iceberg.

  • Mar 25, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Hydaburg’s George Peratrovich tips in teammate Vinnie Edenshaw’s missed free throw with 0.3 seconds remaining in overtime, forching a second overtime in a win over Angoon during Friday night’s elimination game at the Gold Medal Tournament in Juneau. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Klukwan’s Daniel Stickler (0) defends a shot by Hoonah’s Lucas Johnson (21) during Friday’s C Bracket elimination game. Klukwan won 78-65 and will play Juneau Filcom in Saturday’s championship. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Klukwan advances to title game, eliminates Hoonah 78-65

Two team members elected to HOF before physical C Bracket court play.

  • Mar 25, 2023
  • By Klas Stolpe For the Juneau Empire
  • Basketball
Klukwan’s Daniel Stickler (0) defends a shot by Hoonah’s Lucas Johnson (21) during Friday’s C Bracket elimination game. Klukwan won 78-65 and will play Juneau Filcom in Saturday’s championship. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Students dance their way toward exiting the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium near the end of a performance held before a Gold Medal Basketball Tournament game between Juneau and Hydaburg. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Over $2,500 raised for Tlingit language and culture program during Gold Medal performance

A flurry of regionwide generosity generated the funds in a matter of minutes.

Students dance their way toward exiting the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé gymnasium near the end of a performance held before a Gold Medal Basketball Tournament game between Juneau and Hydaburg. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)