Empire Archives is a new series released every Saturday featuring a short compilation of headline stories featured in the Juneau Empire from archived editions in 1985, 1995 and 2005.
This week in 1985, Gov. Bill Sheffield, a Democrat, prepares to testify in front of the Alaska State Senate panel as state lawmakers consider his impeachment for his part in “steering a lucrative state-office lease to a friend and campaign contributor.”
Original Story: “Sheffield to testify Tuesday” by Chuck Kleeschulte. 07/25/1985.
This week in 1995, Fireweed Place, a private apartment complex for senior citizens, opened its doors to residents to 67 units available for living. However some residents argued the cost of the units came at too steep of a price. The five-story building on Willoughby Avenue at the time cost around $8 million in total (approximately $16.1 million today). Rent for an unfurnished studio apartment was marked at $825 a month (approximately $1,655 today); one bedroom was $925 a month (approximately $1,856 today) and two bedrooms was $1375 a month (approximately $2,759 today).
Original Story: “Senior housing units ready” by Jeanine Pohl. 07/27/1995.
This week in 2005, concerns rose about the rate of trash going to the Juneau landfill following Waste Management’s shutdown of its two incinerators in the summer of 2004. At the time, officials estimated the dump had about 30 to 35 years left of life before reaching its capacity. City officials were seeking “creative proposals” for increasing residential use of its recycling program as only 5% of Juneau residents recycled at the time.
Original Story: “Dump rises; recycling on idle” by I-Chun Che. 07/27/2005.
• Questions or suggestions for the Empire Archives series? Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.
