The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)

Forest Service to talk about future of Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area

Since September, members of the public have been able to share their thoughts on the future of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area (MGRA), and the… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire)
The budget crisis might claim the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as a victim. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Meeting open for public comment on protecting City Museum

At least five or six people are expected to attend Wednesday night’s City and Borough Assembly meeting to try and protect the Juneau-Douglas City Museum,… Continue reading

The budget crisis might claim the Juneau-Douglas City Museum as a victim. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, listen as Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, presents House Bill 115, a revived Alaska income tax, to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Senate reluctantly examines income tax

A panel of the Alaska Senate has taken its first, reluctant, look at a proposal to revive the state’s income tax. In a series of… Continue reading

Sen. Shelly Hughes, R-Palmer, left, and Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, right, listen as Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, presents House Bill 115, a revived Alaska income tax, to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in the Alaska Capitol. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Sibblings Marco Carranza, 5, left, Monica, 11, center, and Kaitlyn, 3, view Project Playground from behind police tape on Tuesday. A fire set by two 13-year-old boys destroyed the playground Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Locals search for ways to rebuild playground after fire

Within minutes of the Twin Lakes playground catching fire Monday night, multiple community members set up fundraising pages on websites such as GoFundMe in an… Continue reading

Sibblings Marco Carranza, 5, left, Monica, 11, center, and Kaitlyn, 3, view Project Playground from behind police tape on Tuesday. A fire set by two 13-year-old boys destroyed the playground Monday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A box full of cash to pay a local marijuana business’s state tax was returned after the US Postal Service refused to transport it to Anchorage saying that it was drug money. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Feds block Rainforest Farms pot shop from paying state taxes

The federal government will not let Rainforest Farms pay its taxes. Late last week, Juneau’s first legal marijuana retailer was turned away by the U.S.… Continue reading

A box full of cash to pay a local marijuana business’s state tax was returned after the US Postal Service refused to transport it to Anchorage saying that it was drug money. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Coppa to serve free ice cream on Saturday

Coppa co-owners Marc Wheeler and Jessica Paris will hold the third annual Free Ice Cream Day from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at their… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Wednesday, April 26, 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

  • Apr 25, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
  • Crime

City approves $1.2 million grant for Housing First

It’s been a frustrating few months of searching for funding for the Juneau Housing First project, but supporters of the program left Monday’s City and… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel fire a fire that consumes the playground at Twin Lakes on Monday, April 24, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Twin Lakes playground engulfed in flames

The playground at Twin Lakes went up in flames just before 6 p.m. Monday, and Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters believe it was an act of… Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2017
  • By LIZ KELLAR
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel fire a fire that consumes the playground at Twin Lakes on Monday, April 24, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel transfer patients from an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to an ambulance in Kodiak, Thursday.

Breaking: Twin Lakes playground engulfed in flames

The playground at Twin Lakes went up in flames Monday evening just before 6 p.m., and Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters believe it was an act of arson.  Assistant Fire Chief Ed Quinto said CCFR is treating the fire investigation under the assumption that it was intentionally set.  Witness reports said the fire spread quickly and then completely engulfed the playground in a matter of minutes. Area resident Marina Lindsey was among those who saw the fire when it first began, and she said it was “very small” when she saw it and that it started in the boat structure. She said she saw several children in the playground at the time, but wasn’t sure if they had any involvement.  Throngs of spectators crowded around the playground Monday evening, as firefighters knocked down the blaze. The fire began around 5:45 p.m. and was largely extinguished by 6:30 p.m. The fire engines poured water over the playground, which has a rubber ground and many structures that are made out of recycled materials.  “It’s like a big tire fire,” Quinto said on scene. “It will be burning for a while.”  The playground appears almost totally destroyed. Quinto put the damage estimate over $250,000.  A giant plume of smoke billowed over the area, attracting the crowd of local residents. Many were emotional, and one woman commented it’s like watching her childhood go up in flames.  “It is so sad,” Lindsey said. “It was such an amazing project.”  The playground was built about a decade ago, as a community project. It was a big undertaking at the time, and volunteers raised the money to fund it.  Vehicle traffic was shut down on Glacier Highway during the incident. … Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2017
Coast Guard and emergency medical personnel transfer patients from an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to an ambulance in Kodiak, Thursday.
In this December 2015 photo, the Fairbanks Four &

Fairbanks Four-inspired bill passes House

Almost two years after their release from prison, four wrongfully imprisoned Alaska men are still influencing the actions of the state’s top officials. In a… Continue reading

In this December 2015 photo, the Fairbanks Four &
A small grass fire erupted in the Mendenhall wetlands near the airport Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy Scott Spickler)

Dry conditions spark grass fires on Douglas, in wetlands

Dry conditions — and some possible human carelessness — are to blame for several brush fires over the weekend. Capital City Fire/Rescue was called to… Continue reading

A small grass fire erupted in the Mendenhall wetlands near the airport Sunday afternoon. (Courtesy Scott Spickler)
Fariah Peterson, 45, of Birmingham, Alabama, died when the Cessna 207 she was piloting crashed 18 miles from Juneau on the way to Hoonah, near Point Howard and Point Couverden on July 17, 2015. (Facebook)

Agency finds pilot error as probable cause of fatal 2015 crash

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report on the cause of the Wings of Alaska crash on July 17, 2015, that killed… Continue reading

Fariah Peterson, 45, of Birmingham, Alabama, died when the Cessna 207 she was piloting crashed 18 miles from Juneau on the way to Hoonah, near Point Howard and Point Couverden on July 17, 2015. (Facebook)
Police & Fire for Monday, April 24, 2017

Police & Fire for Monday, April 24, 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

Police & Fire for Monday, April 24, 2017

Juneau police investigate 44-year-old woman’s death

Juneau police are investigating the death of a 44-year-old Juneau woman. The woman was reported as deceased at about 9:10 a.m. Sunday, Lt. Kris Sell… Continue reading

Man critically injured in stabbing out Thane Road

A 24-year-old Juneau man was critically injured after being stabbed Saturday night while at a beach party on Thane Road. JPD received a call at… Continue reading

  • Apr 23, 2017
  • By Juneau Empire
Three men get ready to dive into the pool at the Treadwell Natatorium in this undated photo. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P525-6-21)

When Life Was Good: Treadwell before and after the cave-in

If you enter the copse of trees just up from the Treadwell Mine Pump House on the shoreline of Gastineau Channel, you will find the… Continue reading

Three men get ready to dive into the pool at the Treadwell Natatorium in this undated photo. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P525-6-21)
Donors and grantees for the Hope Endowment and CBJ Social Service Grants. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Community Foundation)

Juneau Community Foundation gives $1.8M to nonprofits

The Juneau Community Foundation (JCF) is putting its money where its mouth is in the fight against homelessness and other social issues in Juneau. The… Continue reading

Donors and grantees for the Hope Endowment and CBJ Social Service Grants. (Photo courtesy of the Juneau Community Foundation)
Haida weaver Delores Churchill, right, has become a teacher over the years, passing along artistic techniques and cultural knowledge to younger generations. (Photo courtesy of the Central Council of Haida and Tlingit Tribes of Alaska)

Tribal Assembly honors Haida culture icon Churchill

When Haida weaver Delores Churchill was very young, an old chief told her never to talk about herself or her family for too long. Years… Continue reading

Haida weaver Delores Churchill, right, has become a teacher over the years, passing along artistic techniques and cultural knowledge to younger generations. (Photo courtesy of the Central Council of Haida and Tlingit Tribes of Alaska)
A homeless couple walks along South Franklin Street after sleeping in a business doorway for the night on Monday, March 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Where can a chronic inebriate sleep?

Juneau now has the highest rate of homelessness in the state, according to a new report. Data released April 14 shows that at least 215… Continue reading

A homeless couple walks along South Franklin Street after sleeping in a business doorway for the night on Monday, March 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)