Juneau hits 70 degrees for the first time in 2017

Alaska’s capital city saw a high temperature of 71 degrees Tuesday, hitting the 70-degree mark at Juneau International Airport for the first time in 2017.… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Thursday, May 18, 2017

Police & Fire for Thursday, May 18, 2017

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

  • May 18, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Police & Fire for Thursday, May 18, 2017
PHOTOS BY Michael Penn | Juneau Empire U.S. Coast Guard personnel aboard a 25-foot Response Boat conduct a Maritime Security Response operation in the Juneau harbor on Wednesday.

‘Wear it!’: Coast Guard reminds boaters to wear life jackets

Joshua Link has been stationed all over the country in working for the Coast Guard, and the Station Executive Petty Officer in believes boat owners… Continue reading

PHOTOS BY Michael Penn | Juneau Empire U.S. Coast Guard personnel aboard a 25-foot Response Boat conduct a Maritime Security Response operation in the Juneau harbor on Wednesday.
Salmon defenders propose 2018 ballot initative, predict huge fish fight

Salmon defenders propose 2018 ballot initative, predict huge fish fight

A group of the state’s staunchest salmon defenders is proposing a ballot initiative that seeks to strengthen legal protections for Alaska’s fish-bearing streams and rivers.… Continue reading

Salmon defenders propose 2018 ballot initative, predict huge fish fight
Gov. Bill Walker signs a special session proclamation Wednesday night, May 17, 2017 in his office on the third floor of the Alaska Capitol (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Gov. Walker calls lawmakers into special session

The Alaska Legislature is headed into a special session. On Wednesday night, the Alaska House of Representatives and Alaska Senate adjourned the first regular session… Continue reading

Gov. Bill Walker signs a special session proclamation Wednesday night, May 17, 2017 in his office on the third floor of the Alaska Capitol (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Misty Hasper has been reported missing as of Friday. (Courtesy the Juneau Police Department)

JPD seeks help locating missing woman

UPDATE: Misty Hasper, 39, has been located by Juneau police. Read more here. The Juneau Police Department issued a release on its Facebook page Wednesday,… Continue reading

Misty Hasper has been reported missing as of Friday. (Courtesy the Juneau Police Department)
Legislature allows Uber, Lyft to operate in Alaska

Legislature allows Uber, Lyft to operate in Alaska

Alaska’s future with Uber is in the hands of Gov. Bill Walker. On Wednesday, the Alaska Senate voted unanimously to approve House Bill 132, which… Continue reading

Legislature allows Uber, Lyft to operate in Alaska
PHOTO COURTESY OF JDHS Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Evan Rodriguez’s “Great Gray Owl” won second place in a statewide art competition and will be on display at the Spring Semester Art Show at JDHS this week.

Student art show displays award-winning art at JDHS

Students from both Juneau-Douglas High School and Thunder Mountain High School performed well in statewide art competitions, and JDHS students are showing off their work… Continue reading

PHOTO COURTESY OF JDHS Juneau-Douglas High School sophomore Evan Rodriguez’s “Great Gray Owl” won second place in a statewide art competition and will be on display at the Spring Semester Art Show at JDHS this week.

Suspect pleads guilty in 2016 burglary in North Douglas, shoplifting at Fred Meyer

The suspect in a residential burglary and a shoplifting incident at Fred Meyer last year pleaded guilty to multiple charges Tuesday, in return for a… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Wednesday, May 17, 2017

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

  • May 17, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
U.S.S. Commanding Officer Colby Sherwood speaks at the laying of the wreath for the U.S.S. Juneau. The vessel’s 1942 sinking was commemorated Wednesday in downtown Juneau. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

A Tragic Namesake: Navy remembers USS Juneau for ultimate sacrifice

Seventy-five years after sinking in the Battle of Guadalcanal, the U.S.S. Juneau still affects how the Navy operates. When the ship went down in 1942,… Continue reading

U.S.S. Commanding Officer Colby Sherwood speaks at the laying of the wreath for the U.S.S. Juneau. The vessel’s 1942 sinking was commemorated Wednesday in downtown Juneau. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
In this March 30, 2012, photo, Drew Phoenix, left, speaks to a reporter in Anchorage. (Rachel D’Oro | Associated Press File)

Legislature rejects transgender man for Human Rights Commission

The Alaska Legislature has refused to confirm the appointment of a transgender Fairbanks man to the state’s human rights commission. The Legislature, meeting in joint… Continue reading

In this March 30, 2012, photo, Drew Phoenix, left, speaks to a reporter in Anchorage. (Rachel D’Oro | Associated Press File)

Alaska lawmakers ask themselves: How much longer?

Wednesday is the 121st and final day of the Alaska Legislature’s 2017 regular session. There’s more to come. Despite four months of work, lawmakers have… Continue reading

Cruise Lines International Association Alaska President John Binkley, second from left, presents a check for $25,000 to the Juneau Playground Fund from the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation on Monday, May 15, 2017, during a fundraiser for the fire-destroyed Project Playground in Juneau, Alaska. With Binkley are Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, left, Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fundraising effort reaches $145K for new playground

The movement to rebuild the Twin Lakes Playground cleared one fundraising hurdle Monday, but there’s still a daunting amount of work to be done and… Continue reading

Cruise Lines International Association Alaska President John Binkley, second from left, presents a check for $25,000 to the Juneau Playground Fund from the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation on Monday, May 15, 2017, during a fundraiser for the fire-destroyed Project Playground in Juneau, Alaska. With Binkley are Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, left, Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, and Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, right. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
State Rep. David Eastman, a Republican freshman from Wasilla, is seen during the introduction of the newly-elected house speaker at the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Jan. 17, 2017. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)

Wasilla Republican asks Alaska Legislature to criminalize abortion

Wasilla Republican David Eastman has proposed a measure making abortion illegal in the state of Alaska. On Monday, Eastman introduced House Bill 250, which ─… Continue reading

State Rep. David Eastman, a Republican freshman from Wasilla, is seen during the introduction of the newly-elected house speaker at the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Jan. 17, 2017. (Mark Thiessen | The Associated Press File)
A TEMSCO helicopter arrives for a landing at the Juneau International Airport next to land filled with blooming fireweed. Bicknell Inc., a local construction company, is rezoning part of the property for industrial purposes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

City rezones scenic ‘field of fireweed’ to industrial area

In the eyes of one City and Borough of Juneau Assembly member, the CBJ Assembly grew a spine Monday night. In the eyes of one… Continue reading

A TEMSCO helicopter arrives for a landing at the Juneau International Airport next to land filled with blooming fireweed. Bicknell Inc., a local construction company, is rezoning part of the property for industrial purposes. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Bicyclist injured, cited in collision with truck

Police on Monday morning cited a bicyclist for riding against traffic after she allegedly caused a collision with a truck. The 34-year-old woman sustained only… Continue reading

Suspected meth trafficker pleads guilty

A man accused of bringing methamphetamine on a commercial flight to sell in Juneau has pleaded to second-degree misconduct involving controlled substances, a class B… Continue reading

  • May 16, 2017
  • By LIZ KELLAR
ALEX McCARTHY | JUNEAU EMPIRE Representatives from IGA, including, from left, Ace Hardware’s Craig Good, IGA Store Manager Rick Wilson, Perishable Manager Brad Folckomer, Myers Group Director of Operations Mark Graham, Assistant Store Director JP Oudekerk and Point of Sale Manager Silver Ligsay present Juneau Community Foundation Executive Director Amy Skilbred (second from right) with a $5,000 check Monday morning to aid with the Twin Lakes Playground rebuilding effort. The Juneau Community Foundation is nearing the halfway point of its fundraising efforts, with a goal of $100,000.

Fundraising for playground rebuild moving quickly

Fundraising efforts for the Twin Lakes Playground rebuild began quickly and have only been picking up speed, with the help of local and statewide businesses.… Continue reading

ALEX McCARTHY | JUNEAU EMPIRE Representatives from IGA, including, from left, Ace Hardware’s Craig Good, IGA Store Manager Rick Wilson, Perishable Manager Brad Folckomer, Myers Group Director of Operations Mark Graham, Assistant Store Director JP Oudekerk and Point of Sale Manager Silver Ligsay present Juneau Community Foundation Executive Director Amy Skilbred (second from right) with a $5,000 check Monday morning to aid with the Twin Lakes Playground rebuilding effort. The Juneau Community Foundation is nearing the halfway point of its fundraising efforts, with a goal of $100,000.
Police & Fire for Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Police & Fire for Tuesday, May 16, 2017

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

  • May 16, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Police & Fire for Tuesday, May 16, 2017