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A P-18 Super Cub aircraft and two people on shore at Montague Island, Alaska, after the plane crashed July 6, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Lt. Cmdr. Josh Wofford)

Coast Guard performs multiple rescues around holiday weekend

Alaskans might have relaxed for the holiday, but the Coast Guard didn’t.

A P-18 Super Cub aircraft and two people on shore at Montague Island, Alaska, after the plane crashed July 6, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Lt. Cmdr. Josh Wofford)
Annie Bartholomew prepares her banjo for rehearsal for her Victorian folk opera, “Sisters of White Chapel,” at the Treadwell Mine Office on July 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Play brings rarely-seen side of Klondike Gold Rush to fore

The performance will look at the lives of some of the women of the era.

Annie Bartholomew prepares her banjo for rehearsal for her Victorian folk opera, “Sisters of White Chapel,” at the Treadwell Mine Office on July 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Flathead Lake Biological Station researchers Erin Sexton (right) and Chris Sergeant watch spawning salmon in a groundwater channel of the mine-impacted Tulsequah River in British Columbia. (Courtesy Photo / Jonathan Moore, Simon Fraser University)

New paper sheds light on mining’s impact on salmon and transboundary watersheds

Decisions can have centuries of impact, according to researchers.

Flathead Lake Biological Station researchers Erin Sexton (right) and Chris Sergeant watch spawning salmon in a groundwater channel of the mine-impacted Tulsequah River in British Columbia. (Courtesy Photo / Jonathan Moore, Simon Fraser University)
A 48-year-old Juneau man died in a motorcycle crash after striking a tour bus broadside on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Police shut down outbound Egan for several hours while police investigated the crash. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man dies in motorcycle crash

Police are investigating the crash.

A 48-year-old Juneau man died in a motorcycle crash after striking a tour bus broadside on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Police shut down outbound Egan for several hours while police investigated the crash. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.

Petition to repeal city ordinance OK’d; Assembly has until Aug. 1 to repeal rule to nix election vote

“We needed 107. We turned in about 550.”

Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.
Two male sockeye salmon battle for territory in Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Sockeye harvest numbers soaring, other species see decline

See the salmon stats here.

Two male sockeye salmon battle for territory in Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows boats moored at Don D. Statter Harbor on a recent sunny day. According to statistics recently release by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating accidents were down in Alaska in 2021.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Boating fatalities trending down for 2021

Numbers met expectations, said safety instructors.

This photo shows boats moored at Don D. Statter Harbor on a recent sunny day. According to statistics recently release by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating accidents were down in Alaska in 2021.(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Troopers are helping to investigate a fatal fireworks-related accident that occurred in Gustavus early on July 5, 2022. (Juneau Empire File)

Troopers investigate fireworks-related death in Gustavus

The casualty occurred early Tuesday morning.

Alaska State Troopers are helping to investigate a fatal fireworks-related accident that occurred in Gustavus early on July 5, 2022. (Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Forest Service Alaska Region Western blackheaded budworm out to lunch on Southeast Alaska Hemlock trees.

The defoliator coming to a forest near you

Tongass National Forest visitors can help document western blackheaded budworms’ impact.

Courtesy Photo / Forest Service Alaska Region Western blackheaded budworm out to lunch on Southeast Alaska Hemlock trees.
Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau, the state of the union is festive

Melting pot of states, cultures and colors join in healthy unity for July 4 parade in unique times.

Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Fun and sun mark holiday in Douglas

Hot dogs and panting pups present for festivities.

Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Go ‘Fourth’ into battle: Historical re-creators spend Independence Day at the park

Ever seen a knight fight a samurai?

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
A Coast Guard aircrew and a Good Samaritan vessel rescued four mariners after their boat capsized in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, July 1, 2022. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Good Samaritans rescue 4 after boat capsizes

The boat sank in Glacier Bay National Park.

A Coast Guard aircrew and a Good Samaritan vessel rescued four mariners after their boat capsized in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, July 1, 2022. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)

Friend of the feathers: Longtime Juneau Raptor Center member and manager departs

She’s been with the organization on and off since the ’90s.

Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)
Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

All the trimmings: Douglas kids ready for holiday

Streamers, flags and reflectors, all in.

Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spirit of America: Mother and son arrive as Juneau’s first Ukrainian refugees after four-month journey

“It’s just so beautiful.”

Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Statewide firework ban omits Southeast Alaska —authorities still urge caution

Stay safe and fire aware.

This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This October 2011 photo, shows the Perdido oil platform located about 200 miles south of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Biden administration is proposing up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Alaska over the next five years. The announcement on Friday, July 1, 2022, said fewer lease sales or even zero could occur, with a final decision not due for months. (AP Photo / Jon Fahey)

Biden offshore drilling proposal would allow up to 11 sales

Proposal includes up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and 1 off the Alaska coast.

This October 2011 photo, shows the Perdido oil platform located about 200 miles south of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Biden administration is proposing up to 10 oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Alaska over the next five years. The announcement on Friday, July 1, 2022, said fewer lease sales or even zero could occur, with a final decision not due for months. (AP Photo / Jon Fahey)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

What you need to know for this fourth of July

Check out the scheduled events here.

Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)