Sports

Iditarod winner Brent Sass poses for photos with lead dogs Morello, left, and Slater after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska, March 15, 2022. A second musher has been disqualified from the world’s most famous sled dog race. The governing body of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race said in a one-sentence statement late Thursday night, Feb. 22, 2024, that it has withdrawn 2022 champion Brent Sass just days before the start of this year’s race. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Assault claims roil Iditarod sled dog race as 2 top mushers are disqualified, then 1 reinstated

Claims of violence against women are roiling the world’s most famous sled dog race — Alaska’s Iditarod — with officials disqualifying two top mushers this… Continue reading

Iditarod winner Brent Sass poses for photos with lead dogs Morello, left, and Slater after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska, March 15, 2022. A second musher has been disqualified from the world’s most famous sled dog race. The governing body of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race said in a one-sentence statement late Thursday night, Feb. 22, 2024, that it has withdrawn 2022 champion Brent Sass just days before the start of this year’s race. (Anne Raup/Anchorage Daily News via AP)
Forest Wagner visits Kanuti Hot Springs, located in Interior Alaska not far from the Arctic Circle. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska hot springs, far and wide

After a few hours of skiing through deep snow, Forest Wagner and I smelled a tuna sandwich. We knew we were closing in on warm… Continue reading

Forest Wagner visits Kanuti Hot Springs, located in Interior Alaska not far from the Arctic Circle. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Thomas Baxter (#33) takes a shot under the basket against Ketchikan High School’s Jonathan Scoblic during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Fit to be tied: TMHS and Ketchikan split weekend games, leaving all Southeast region teams at .500

Falcons and JDHS, after splitting games last week, face each other again on Friday and Saturday.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Thomas Baxter (#33) takes a shot under the basket against Ketchikan High School’s Jonathan Scoblic during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A female varied thrush pauses to look around during her foraging bout. (Photo by Helen Unruh)

On the Trails: Early signs of spring

The ground is heavily blanketed with snow. The snow berms in my driveway (and, dangerously, at some street intersections too) are still over six feet… Continue reading

A female varied thrush pauses to look around during her foraging bout. (Photo by Helen Unruh)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter (#22) tries to penetrate Colony High School’s defense during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

No. 4 TMHS girls, hit by injuries and illness, can’t keep up with No. 2 Colony

Falcons recover from 71-31 rout Friday, keep Saturday’s game even until fourth quarter in 57-48 loss.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kerra Baxter (#22) tries to penetrate Colony High School’s defense during Saturday’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Brenda William-See attempts a fast-break layup for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Thursday’s game against Colony High School at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls take early lead, but lose at home to No. 2 Colony 73-20

No. 4 THMS plays visting Knights at home Friday and Saturday.

Brenda William-See attempts a fast-break layup for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Thursday’s game against Colony High School at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A man walks a Fairbanks street during an ice-fog episode in January 2012. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Ice fog not often a part of northern life

An old friend — a character not seen in these parts for a few years — showed up last week in Fairbanks. Ice fog. Ice… Continue reading

A man walks a Fairbanks street during an ice-fog episode in January 2012. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Samuel Lockhart (#14) of Thunder Mountain High School tries to get past Sean Oliver of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Wednesday night’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS, JDHS boys’ basketball teams get dominant victories on each other’s courts

Crimson Bears win 64-45 on Tuesday, Falcons rebound to prevail 56-35 on Wednesday.

Samuel Lockhart (#14) of Thunder Mountain High School tries to get past Sean Oliver of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé during Wednesday night’s game at JDHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Department of Fish and Game will release great adventure permission slips on Friday. The author tagged along on a hunt in 2023 and it ended up being a highlight. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The wait is almost over

Clarity comes on Friday. It won’t be one that really makes or breaks 2024, it’s simply some clarity. Will I go on a draw hunt?… Continue reading

The Department of Fish and Game will release great adventure permission slips on Friday. The author tagged along on a hunt in 2023 and it ended up being a highlight. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Mila Hargrave (24) shoots under pressure from Thunder Mountain High School senior Ashlyn Gates (2) as JDHS sophomore Gwen Nizich (15) blocks out TMHS junior Cailynn Baxter (23) during the Crimson Bears 42-28 loss to the Falcons on Feb. 3 at the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams split games during the weekend. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire file photo)

THMS girls basketball rank fourth, boys fifth in first ASR/Class 4A Coaches Poll

Falcons only team ranked in both polls; both JDHS teams among those “also receiving votes.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Mila Hargrave (24) shoots under pressure from Thunder Mountain High School senior Ashlyn Gates (2) as JDHS sophomore Gwen Nizich (15) blocks out TMHS junior Cailynn Baxter (23) during the Crimson Bears 42-28 loss to the Falcons on Feb. 3 at the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams split games during the weekend. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire file photo)
A female white-winged crossbill contemplates a partly open spruce cone. (Photo by Helen Unruh)

On the Trails: Crossbills

Most birds have bills with tips that come together when the jaws close. But not crossbills — hence their common name. The crossed bill tips… Continue reading

A female white-winged crossbill contemplates a partly open spruce cone. (Photo by Helen Unruh)
Thunder Mountain High School’s Kara Strong keeps the ball away from Ketchikan High School’s Kylie Brendible during Saturday night’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

TMHS girls weather challenge from Ketchikan, prevail with two more wins

Falcons, now 15-1, prepare for test of state supremacy against 16-2 Colony at home this weekend.

Thunder Mountain High School’s Kara Strong keeps the ball away from Ketchikan High School’s Kylie Brendible during Saturday night’s game at TMHS. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map showing some orange streams found in national park units in northern Alaska. (Map created by Carson Baughman, USGS; photos by Ken Hill, National Park Service)

Alaska Science Forum: The rusting of northern Alaska streams

During these late winter days, researchers who are studying the rusty discoloration of northern Alaska streams are prepping for summer field trips. Jon O’Donnell of… Continue reading

A map showing some orange streams found in national park units in northern Alaska. (Map created by Carson Baughman, USGS; photos by Ken Hill, National Park Service)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Caden Johns (#5), seen here in a Dec. 16, 2023, game against Palmer High School, was the lone JDHS player named to the all-tournament team during the Division II state hockey tournament in that concluded Saturday in Soldotna. Luke Bovitz (#4) was one of two key players missing during the tournament due to injuries. The Crimson Bears finished fourth in the tournament. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears finish hockey season with pair of wins to finish fourth at DII state tournament

Caden Johns makes all-tournament team as JDHS rebounds from opening loss that thwarted title hopes.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s Caden Johns (#5), seen here in a Dec. 16, 2023, game against Palmer High School, was the lone JDHS player named to the all-tournament team during the Division II state hockey tournament in that concluded Saturday in Soldotna. Luke Bovitz (#4) was one of two key players missing during the tournament due to injuries. The Crimson Bears finished fourth in the tournament. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Redpolls have come to Juneau in large numbers this year. (Photo by Mark Schwan)

On the Trails: Snow flies and other wintery things

January brought us two massive snowfalls, piling up about six feet deep, and pretty much shutting down the whole city for a couple of days.… Continue reading

Redpolls have come to Juneau in large numbers this year. (Photo by Mark Schwan)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Thomas Baxter (30) shown in action against Kodiak on Thursday, scored 30 points to lead the Falcons over the Ketchikan Kings at Kayhi on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys split series at Ketchikan

Baxter raises Falcons from 54-45 Friday fall to 61-43 win Saturday

Thunder Mountain High School senior Thomas Baxter (30) shown in action against Kodiak on Thursday, scored 30 points to lead the Falcons over the Ketchikan Kings at Kayhi on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School senior Kara Strong, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Nadia Wilson (12), TMHS junior Kerra Baxter (22) and JDHS freshman Layla Tokuoka (14) battle for a rebound during the Falcons 42-28 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas, Thunder Mountain girls split local road games

Crimson Bears win 42-40 at Falcons’ Thunderdome, Falcons win 42-28 at George Houston Gymnasium.

Thunder Mountain High School senior Kara Strong, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Nadia Wilson (12), TMHS junior Kerra Baxter (22) and JDHS freshman Layla Tokuoka (14) battle for a rebound during the Falcons 42-28 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gavin Gerrin (1) scores from past the arc over Kodiak junior Mac Abellera (00) during the Crimson Bears 75-50 win over the Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Juneau-Douglas boys sweep visiting Kodiak

Crimson Bears defend home den against northern island Bears

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Gavin Gerrin (1) scores from past the arc over Kodiak junior Mac Abellera (00) during the Crimson Bears 75-50 win over the Bears on Saturday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
Fairbanks residents engage in a favorite cold-weather activity of taking photographs of themselves in front of the University of Alaska Fairbanks time-and-temperature sign on the morning of Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska still excellent at manufacturing cold

Moments after bashing some drywall with a hammer to expose my home’s water pipes to warmer air, I logged in to see another Special Weather… Continue reading

Fairbanks residents engage in a favorite cold-weather activity of taking photographs of themselves in front of the University of Alaska Fairbanks time-and-temperature sign on the morning of Jan. 27, 2024. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Thunder Mountain senior Thomas Baxter (30) defends Kodiak junior Kelly Ticman during the Falcons 71-49 home win over the Bears, Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)

Thunder Mountain boys basketball team too fast for Kodiak

Falcons show depth of bench in 71-49 win at home.

Thunder Mountain senior Thomas Baxter (30) defends Kodiak junior Kelly Ticman during the Falcons 71-49 home win over the Bears, Thursday at the Thunderdome. (Klas Stolpe / For the Juneau Empire)