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Team Waldon Trolls shows off their sandcastle, “Elephant Playing Checkers with a Troll,” which was awarded first place in the sandcastle competition sponsored by the Douglas Fourth of July committee on July 4, 2021. (Courtesy photo/Zane Jones)

Douglas Fourth of July Committee shares winners

The committee sponsored a wide range of contests

Team Waldon Trolls shows off their sandcastle, “Elephant Playing Checkers with a Troll,” which was awarded first place in the sandcastle competition sponsored by the Douglas Fourth of July committee on July 4, 2021. (Courtesy photo/Zane Jones)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

State sues feds over continuing land restrictions

Veteran lands available, DOI says.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at a ceremony for Alaska Native Veterans from the Vietnam era at the Walter Soboleff Building in downtown Juneau on May 5, 2021. Dunleavy announced the state filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden administration for what Dunleavy says is illegally keeping restrictions in place on federal lands in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau businesses now offer rewards through the Local Frequency application. The smartphone-based app aims to give locally-owned businesses loyalty, rebate, and promotion opportunities with a community-based twist. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

New app offers rewards for shopping local

The Local Frequency app is now available

Juneau businesses now offer rewards through the Local Frequency application. The smartphone-based app aims to give locally-owned businesses loyalty, rebate, and promotion opportunities with a community-based twist. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Big games for Little League: All-star, state tournaments come to Juneau

Regular season champs crownded, all-stars announced.

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The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Coast Guard investigating multiple sinkings from last week

No casualties were reported, and owners are working to refloat one of the vessels.

The Coast Guard is investigating a series of three vessels sinking across Southeast Alaska within an approximately twelve-hour period in late June. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Hannah Lafleur, 32, of Seward defends her title in the women's Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Lafleur, Norris rack up more MMR crowns

The 3.1-mile scramble up and scream down the mountain of about 3,000 feet returned to Seward after a pandemic-forced pause in 2020.

Hannah Lafleur, 32, of Seward defends her title in the women's Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
A series of earthquakes occurred roughly 100 miles northwest of Juneau on Thursday afternoon. (Screenshot / United States Geological Survey)

Multiple earthquakes occur near Klukwan

The mild shock caused no immediate emergencies in Juneau

A series of earthquakes occurred roughly 100 miles northwest of Juneau on Thursday afternoon. (Screenshot / United States Geological Survey)
Another special legislative session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Fiscal working group members set lofty goals, say time is needed

Cautious optimism.

Another special legislative session is scheduled to start Aug. 2, 2021, at the Alaska State Capitol, seen here in this Empire file photo. But some lawmakers said Wednesday August may be too soon, and suggest that date may change. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, left, takes command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen J. White, right, in a change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Sector Juneau holds change of command ceremony

The new commander is no stranger to Juneau, however.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, left, takes command of Coast Guard Sector Juneau from Capt. Stephen J. White, right, in a change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Backpackers often want seclusion and peace, but with a trail comes company and the perception of too many people. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Can 2 things be true?

I want people to get outside and be heathy. But not where I’m going.

Backpackers often want seclusion and peace, but with a trail comes company and the perception of too many people. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Alaska Court System Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year.

State Supreme Court has new Chief Justice

Governor announces appointment to high court.

Courtesy photo / Alaska Court System Chief Justice Daniel E. Winfree, right, is sword in by Justice Dario Borghesan in Anchorage on July 1. Winfree will take over after former Chief Justice Joel Bolger retired earlier this year.
Because of a worldwide shortage of fireworks this summer, the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska only received about one-third of the products they ordered to sell locally. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Global fireworks shortage led to decreased local sales

When the City and Borough of Juneau’s new fireworks ordinance took effect late last month, compliance with the new rules may have gotten a boost… Continue reading

Because of a worldwide shortage of fireworks this summer, the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska only received about one-third of the products they ordered to sell locally. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Miranda (Natalia Spengler) covertly stares at recent arrivals to the remote island on which she resides during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough's upcoming production of "The Tempest." (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

‘O, wonder’: Theatre in the Rough puts on ‘The Tempest’

Prospero and Ferdinand, here on Caliban’s isle.

Miranda (Natalia Spengler) covertly stares at recent arrivals to the remote island on which she resides during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough's upcoming production of "The Tempest." (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Salmonberries sit in a cedar basket woven by Faye Kohrt in Wrangell. (Vivian Faith Prescott/ For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Celebrating salmonberries

What I love about salmonberries is they’re persistent.

Salmonberries sit in a cedar basket woven by Faye Kohrt in Wrangell. (Vivian Faith Prescott/ For the Capital City Weekly)
Alaska State Capitol

Lawmakers announce PFD working group

First meeting Wednesday.

Alaska State Capitol
In this Juneau Empire file photo, Department of Veterans Affairs nurse Dale Cotton administers a dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City officials confident 70% vaccination goal within reach

Vaccines and testing available.

In this Juneau Empire file photo, Department of Veterans Affairs nurse Dale Cotton administers a dose of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau residents watch the city’s fireworks display on July 4, 2021. In late May, the city assembly passed an ordinance that banned loud, mortar-style fireworks in Juneau’s neighborhoods and imposed limits on the types, times, and locations where residents can use fireworks. This holiday weekend was the first test of the new rules. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

July 4 holiday tests city’s new fireworks rules

JPD fields complaints but issues no citations during a generally quieter holiday weekend

Juneau residents watch the city’s fireworks display on July 4, 2021. In late May, the city assembly passed an ordinance that banned loud, mortar-style fireworks in Juneau’s neighborhoods and imposed limits on the types, times, and locations where residents can use fireworks. This holiday weekend was the first test of the new rules. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Personal fireworks were being shot off nearby, leading one onlooker to shout, “Double fireworks! I love America!” (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau and Douglas enjoy Independence Day festivities

‘We’re really excited it’s all back’

Fireworks light up the night sky over the Gastineau Channel with reds, whites and blues in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Personal fireworks were being shot off nearby, leading one onlooker to shout, “Double fireworks! I love America!” (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Volunteers from the Juneau Raptor Center cared for this eaglet, who was found on the ground near Angoon and named Pearl. Local volunteers rescued the raptor and Alaska Seaplanes transported him to Juneau where volunteers fed him, administered fluids, and created a kennel with shredded paper to increase his comfort. Pearl is now at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo/Juneau Raptor Center)

Putting ‘Fourth’ effort: It was a busy holiday weekend for Juneau Raptor Center

Rundown of recently rescued raptors.

Volunteers from the Juneau Raptor Center cared for this eaglet, who was found on the ground near Angoon and named Pearl. Local volunteers rescued the raptor and Alaska Seaplanes transported him to Juneau where volunteers fed him, administered fluids, and created a kennel with shredded paper to increase his comfort. Pearl is now at the Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka. (Courtesy Photo/Juneau Raptor Center)
A small two-person plane ran off the runway and into an embankment shortly after landing at Hoonah Airport on Saturday, July 3, 2021. No one was hurt, according to Hoonah Public Safety Director Eric Hurtado, as both passengers were able to get themselves out of and away from the plane before emergency crews arrived. (Courtesy Photo / Thomas Courtney)

2 escape unscathed following Hoonah plane wreck

Wrong kind of fireworks.

A small two-person plane ran off the runway and into an embankment shortly after landing at Hoonah Airport on Saturday, July 3, 2021. No one was hurt, according to Hoonah Public Safety Director Eric Hurtado, as both passengers were able to get themselves out of and away from the plane before emergency crews arrived. (Courtesy Photo / Thomas Courtney)