Sports

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears volleyball team pose for a photo in Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow. From left are senior Evelyn Richards, junior Lavinia Ma’ake, senior Nina Jeter, assistant coach Abby Dean, sophomore Amelia Elfers, juniors Cambry Lockhart, Braith Dihle, Neela Thomas, sophomore June Troxel, junior Natalia Harris, sophomore Leila Cooper, assistant coach Mark Ibias and sophomore Braith Dihle. (Courtesy photo)

Crimson Bears face northern test on Utqiagvik courts

JDHS volleyball team learned a lot from Barrow community.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears volleyball team pose for a photo in Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow. From left are senior Evelyn Richards, junior Lavinia Ma’ake, senior Nina Jeter, assistant coach Abby Dean, sophomore Amelia Elfers, juniors Cambry Lockhart, Braith Dihle, Neela Thomas, sophomore June Troxel, junior Natalia Harris, sophomore Leila Cooper, assistant coach Mark Ibias and sophomore Braith Dihle. (Courtesy photo)
A short-eared owl pounced on something deep in the grass. (Photo by Greg Chaney)

On the Trails: Owls and voles and other observations

In the middle of October, bird watchers estimated about 40 short-eared owls were seen hunting on the wetlands — probably a record number. What was… Continue reading

A short-eared owl pounced on something deep in the grass. (Photo by Greg Chaney)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls swim and dive team won the 2024 Region V Championship Saturday at Petersburg. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears girls swim to Region V team championship

JDHS sweeps girls relays, boys place second to Ketchikan.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls swim and dive team won the 2024 Region V Championship Saturday at Petersburg. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Fairbanks’ first real winter storm of October 2024 left behind an uncommon wet, slushy mess. (Photo by Bobby Bianco)

Alaska Science Forum: The numbers behind a weather forecast

A meteorologist from the National Weather Service’s local office recently told a newspaper reporter that heavy, wet, snow would materialize in a few days. He… Continue reading

Fairbanks’ first real winter storm of October 2024 left behind an uncommon wet, slushy mess. (Photo by Bobby Bianco)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Parker Boman, Lucia Chapell and Brooklyn Kanouse sport the teams new official JDHS Crimson Bears swim caps during practice Tuesday at Augustus Brown Pool in preparation for the Region V Swim & Dive Championships in Petersburg this weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

‘Water’s water’ as swim team prepares for region championships

Tapering and secrecy lead to records set and championships won

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Parker Boman, Lucia Chapell and Brooklyn Kanouse sport the teams new official JDHS Crimson Bears swim caps during practice Tuesday at Augustus Brown Pool in preparation for the Region V Swim & Dive Championships in Petersburg this weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball coach Jody Levernier looks on as Crimson Bears seniors Evelyn Richards, senior Lavinia Ma’ake, sophomore June Troxel and junior Braith Dihle work a drill in practice Tuesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Volleyball team hits highs and lows on road trip

Crimson Bears staying positive after multiple games in Anchorage

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball coach Jody Levernier looks on as Crimson Bears seniors Evelyn Richards, senior Lavinia Ma’ake, sophomore June Troxel and junior Braith Dihle work a drill in practice Tuesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Huskies competition cheer team pose for a photo at last weekend’s 2024 Rally in the Valley Cheer Competition at Palmer’s Colony High School. Back row left to right: Assistant coach Rob Day, Savannah Cornett Markey, Avery Cornett Markey, Marzena Whitmore, Kajson Cunningham, Gracie Kohuth, assistant coach Katelyn Kohuth and head coach Stephany Day. Middle row l-r: Faith Montez, Rylie Mulkey, Ayla Keller, Tenlee Roemer, Samantha Day and Elijah Levy. Front row l-r: Assistant coach Vanessa Aube, Rory Love and Viviana Flores. (Photo courtesy Samantha Day).

Cheer teams are G… R… E… A… T… Great, great, great

JDHS football and JYFL cheerleading teams earn state awards

The Juneau Huskies competition cheer team pose for a photo at last weekend’s 2024 Rally in the Valley Cheer Competition at Palmer’s Colony High School. Back row left to right: Assistant coach Rob Day, Savannah Cornett Markey, Avery Cornett Markey, Marzena Whitmore, Kajson Cunningham, Gracie Kohuth, assistant coach Katelyn Kohuth and head coach Stephany Day. Middle row l-r: Faith Montez, Rylie Mulkey, Ayla Keller, Tenlee Roemer, Samantha Day and Elijah Levy. Front row l-r: Assistant coach Vanessa Aube, Rory Love and Viviana Flores. (Photo courtesy Samantha Day).
Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Don’t Open The Door

A cowboy, a pirate and the pope walk into a bar… Nope, no joke here. Just reminding you of the horror approaching Thursday night. Remember… Continue reading

Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Participants race in the Halloween Half Marathon and 5K on Saturday along North Douglas Highway. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Nothing scares runners at Halloween Half Marathon

Over 100 ghouls entered in 13.27-mile and 5-kilometer races.

Participants race in the Halloween Half Marathon and 5K on Saturday along North Douglas Highway. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Extremes of the colour gradient of the Eastern San Antonio frog (Hyla orientalis). On the left, a specimen captured in Chernobyl inside the high contamination zone; on the right, a specimen captured outside the Exclusion Zone. (Germán Orizaola/Pablo Burraco, republished under a Creative Commons license)

On the Trails: Evolution constantly ongoing among many populations in many places

Someone once asked me “Is evolution still happening?” My brief answer was “Of course, it’s always happening.” I would have gone on to explain a… Continue reading

Extremes of the colour gradient of the Eastern San Antonio frog (Hyla orientalis). On the left, a specimen captured in Chernobyl inside the high contamination zone; on the right, a specimen captured outside the Exclusion Zone. (Germán Orizaola/Pablo Burraco, republished under a Creative Commons license)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Camden Messmer pins Skagway junior Brenden Moncibaiz in their 119-pound title match on Saturday at the Southeast Showdown Wrestling Tournament in Juneau’s George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS takes team title as champion grapplers crowned in Southeast Showdown

Top high school wrestlers in the Panhandle gave fans a return to the ultimate showcase in Juneau.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Camden Messmer pins Skagway junior Brenden Moncibaiz in their 119-pound title match on Saturday at the Southeast Showdown Wrestling Tournament in Juneau’s George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
JDHS senior Evelyn Richards (8) serves against Wasilla last weekend. The Crimson Bears fell at East Anchorage on Thursday and will play in the Dimond/Service Tournament on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Crimson Bears spikers fall to Thunderbirds on the road

JDHS swept under East Anchorage power net attack

JDHS senior Evelyn Richards (8) serves against Wasilla last weekend. The Crimson Bears fell at East Anchorage on Thursday and will play in the Dimond/Service Tournament on Friday and Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
A short-tailed weasel pauses at the entrance to a building on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Weasels are cute, natural born killers

Weighing as much as a cup of walnuts and resembling a squeaky dog toy, the short-tailed weasel is easy to underestimate. The spunky little creature… Continue reading

A short-tailed weasel pauses at the entrance to a building on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Mt. Edgecumbe junior Haley Osborne fends off a takedown attempt by Homer senior Jaydin Mann during their 285-pound title match at the 2018 ASAA State Wrestling Championships in Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. One of the most anticipated and competitive matches this reporter has ever witnessed. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Pure Sole: Wrestling is hard — as more than 200 grapplers will demonstrate at Southeast Showdown

High schoolers from throughout Southeast will compete in Juneau tournament starting Friday

Mt. Edgecumbe junior Haley Osborne fends off a takedown attempt by Homer senior Jaydin Mann during their 285-pound title match at the 2018 ASAA State Wrestling Championships in Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center. One of the most anticipated and competitive matches this reporter has ever witnessed. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey seniors are (front row l-r) Loren Platt, Emilio Holbrook, Caleb Friend, Dylan Sowa and Zander Smith. (back l-r) Angel Aranda-Jackson, Carter Miller, Luke Bovitz, Matthew Plang and Ike Puustinen. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey team returns to ice seeking championship rinks ahead

Leading scorers, top goaltender, and fast-paced skaters return seeking state title trophy.

The 2024-25 Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey seniors are (front row l-r) Loren Platt, Emilio Holbrook, Caleb Friend, Dylan Sowa and Zander Smith. (back l-r) Angel Aranda-Jackson, Carter Miller, Luke Bovitz, Matthew Plang and Ike Puustinen. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A blacktail buck approaches the author. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: ‘Are you going to regret that?’

Stealth was abandoned. Completely. The obvious game trail had betrayed me and disintegrated into the sloppily woven patchwork of salmonberry and blueberry bushes mixed with… Continue reading

A blacktail buck approaches the author. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.

Pure Sole: Powerless and powerful

So all my columns will not be rainbows and unicorns. This one, for instance, involves a recent incident and me trying to understand the different… Continue reading

Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.
Tyler Anderson delivers a ball during the Juneau Special Olympics bowling games Sunday at Pinz Bowling Alley. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s Special Olympics bowlers show just how fun the game can be

26 athletes compete for spots on state team in Eagle River next month.

Tyler Anderson delivers a ball during the Juneau Special Olympics bowling games Sunday at Pinz Bowling Alley. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire)
A crow pulls mussels from a dock piling. (Photo by Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: Crows and their relatives

Crows, jays, ravens, magpies and their various other relatives (nutcrackers, choughs, jackdaws, etc.) belong to the taxonomic family Corvidae. It’s a sizeable family of about… Continue reading

A crow pulls mussels from a dock piling. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Amy Liddle during her win in the girls 100 yard breaststroke on Friday in Sitka. (James Poulson/Daily Sitka Sentinel)

JDHS swimmers swamp Sitka pool with fast times

Crimson Bears are in the right lanes for the region championships

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Amy Liddle during her win in the girls 100 yard breaststroke on Friday in Sitka. (James Poulson/Daily Sitka Sentinel)