News

Police & fire for Sunday, July 24, 2016

This report contains public information available to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed… Continue reading

Charges dropped for Fairbanks brothers in illegal wood sale

ANCHORAGE — Two Fairbanks brothers arrested in an undercover operation for trying to sell wood stolen from state land on Craigslist have had their charges… Continue reading

A car is towed away on Egan Drive after an accident on Saturday afternoon.

Photo: Car crash

One of two damaged vehicles from a two-car motor vehicle accident is towed away from the scene as Capital City Fire/Rescue and Juneau Police Department… Continue reading

A car is towed away on Egan Drive after an accident on Saturday afternoon.

Three hikers rescued on West Glacier Trail

Low visibility and rainy conditions caused three hikers to lose their way on the West Glacier Trail on Friday evening, according to an Alaska State… Continue reading

In this November 2015 file photo, former Attorney General Craig Richards speaks to the media. The governor announced in June that Richards was resigning from his post. On Friday, Craig Richards was hired as an oil and gas consultant for the state.

Walker hires former attorney general as oil, gas consultant

Gov. Bill Walker has hired Craig Richards as an oil and gas consultant, less than a month after Richards resigned as Alaska’s attorney general.Walker’s office… Continue reading

In this November 2015 file photo, former Attorney General Craig Richards speaks to the media. The governor announced in June that Richards was resigning from his post. On Friday, Craig Richards was hired as an oil and gas consultant for the state.

18 states see significant job gains, but unemployment rises

WASHINGTON — Unemployment rates ticked up noticeably in six states in June, even as employers continued to add jobs and the hiring outlook improved.The unemployment… Continue reading

State keeps eye on aggressive beavers at Anchorage park

ANCHORAGE — State wildlife officials may soon have to consider getting rid of beavers at an Anchorage park after recent violent encounters between the animals… Continue reading

Court sides with state, dismisses lawsuit challenging Gov. Walker order

A Juneau Superior Court judge has sided with the state, dismissing a lawsuit that challenged Gov. Bill Walker’s administrative order to reorganize the Alaska Commercial… Continue reading

In this Wednesday, July 20, 2016 photo provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a State of Alaska Division of Forestry helicopter dump several thousand of gallons of water onto the McHugh Creek fire near Anchorage, Alaska. The wildfire threatening homes just south of Alaska's largest city was likely started by people, fire officials said Wednesday. The cause is under investigation, and officials said the area is heavily used for recreation.

Rains a boost to fire crews battling wildfire near Anchorage

ANCHORAGE — A substantial rain began falling Friday over a wildfire near Alaska’s largest city, giving firefighters a continued break in the weather as they… Continue reading

In this Wednesday, July 20, 2016 photo provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a State of Alaska Division of Forestry helicopter dump several thousand of gallons of water onto the McHugh Creek fire near Anchorage, Alaska. The wildfire threatening homes just south of Alaska's largest city was likely started by people, fire officials said Wednesday. The cause is under investigation, and officials said the area is heavily used for recreation.
'Rolling Wake': Southeast woman kept husband's body in truck and drove it around 'for a couple days'

‘Rolling Wake’: Southeast woman kept husband’s body in truck and drove it around ‘for a couple days’

KETCHIKAN — Ketchikan Police Chief Alan Bengaard has seen a lot in his decades-long law enforcement career. But he’s never seen anything like this.Ketchikan police… Continue reading

'Rolling Wake': Southeast woman kept husband's body in truck and drove it around 'for a couple days'

NOAA responds to entangled whale calf near Auke Bay

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association responded to an entangled humpback whale calf in the Auke Bay area Wednesday, making strategic cuts in the blue/green… Continue reading

In this July 15, 2015 photo, Pat Pitney, State Budget Director for Gov. Bill Walker, speaks about the state's fiscal future to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly lunch meeting at the Juneau International Airport.

Budget director: Expect more state job losses

ANCHORAGE — State budget cuts are beginning to hit home, in terms of jobs and economic impact.Office of Management and Budget Director Pat Pitney said… Continue reading

In this July 15, 2015 photo, Pat Pitney, State Budget Director for Gov. Bill Walker, speaks about the state's fiscal future to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly lunch meeting at the Juneau International Airport.

JPD holds SWAT trainings around town

The Juneau Police Department will be doing SWAT training around Juneau today and Saturday.JPD said in a news release that approximately 20 local, state and… Continue reading

Zika virus makes its way to Southeast Alaska

Before this week, Alaska was one of four U.S. states with zero confirmed Zika virus cases, but that’s over now.On Thursday, the Alaska Division of… Continue reading

The Planned Parenthood office in Juneau, seen Friday, at the corner of Egan Drive and Glacier Highway next to Twin Lakes.

Alaska parental notification abortion law struck down

JUNEAU — The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday struck down a state law requiring parental notification for girls under age 18 seeking abortions, agreeing with… Continue reading

The Planned Parenthood office in Juneau, seen Friday, at the corner of Egan Drive and Glacier Highway next to Twin Lakes.

Walker vetoes bill to put lawmakers on Alaska gas line board

JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker has vetoed legislation that would have put lawmakers on the board of the state-sanctioned Alaska Gasline Development Corp., citing constitutional… Continue reading

Sophie Castleton, of the U.S. Forest Service, does a survey of the number of sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday. Low water levels in Steep Creek are keeping the fish from getting up the creek to spawn. A special weather statement by the National Weather Service is calling for 1 to 3 inches of rain through the weekend.

Photo: Low water level stymies salmon

Sophie Castleton, of the U.S. Forest Service, does a survey of the number of sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center… Continue reading

Sophie Castleton, of the U.S. Forest Service, does a survey of the number of sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Thursday. Low water levels in Steep Creek are keeping the fish from getting up the creek to spawn. A special weather statement by the National Weather Service is calling for 1 to 3 inches of rain through the weekend.
In this Wednesday photo, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a State of Alaska Division of Forestry helicopter dump several thousand of gallons of water onto the McHugh Creek fire near Anchorage.

Rain falls on fire threatening subdivisions near Anchorage

ANCHORAGE — Light rain fell Thursday as nearly 300 firefighters worked to gain control of a wildfire threatening two subdivisions south of Anchorage.Crews hoped the… Continue reading

In this Wednesday photo, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a State of Alaska Division of Forestry helicopter dump several thousand of gallons of water onto the McHugh Creek fire near Anchorage.
John Thedinga, president of the Juneau Community Garden, harvests his garlic at the garden on Thursday. Thedinga grows about 230 plants, a year's worth. With the National Weather Service calling up to three inches of rain through the weekend, Thedinga wanted to get the garlic out of the ground to keep the rain from splitting the bulbs.

Photo: Garlic grower

John Thedinga, president of the Juneau Community Garden, harvests his garlic at the garden on Thursday. Thedinga grows about 230 plants, a year’s worth. With… Continue reading

John Thedinga, president of the Juneau Community Garden, harvests his garlic at the garden on Thursday. Thedinga grows about 230 plants, a year's worth. With the National Weather Service calling up to three inches of rain through the weekend, Thedinga wanted to get the garlic out of the ground to keep the rain from splitting the bulbs.

Around Town

Storytime, 11 a.m., Mendenhall Valley Library. Details: 586-5267. Organ concert, noon, State Office Building. T.J. Duffy to play a variety of music. Senior Lunch, noon,… Continue reading