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State Trooper convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor

KENAI — Vance Peronto, formerly an Alaska State Trooper based in Soldotna, was convicted Friday of one count of attempted sexual abuse of a minor… Continue reading

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Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Progress in view for Riverview

Move-in day is on the horizon and a public information event is set for Saturday.

Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ted Burke and wife Jan pose for a photo at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Burke was the recipient of the Dr. Walter Soboleff Award. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)

Ted Burke receives Dr. Walter Soboleff Award at Gold Medal Tournament

“I was definitely surprised,” Burke said. “I didn’t even think there was going to be one this year.”

Ted Burke and wife Jan pose for a photo at the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Burke was the recipient of the Dr. Walter Soboleff Award. (Klas Stolpe/For the Juneau Empire)
The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

School district announces finalists for superintendent post

Public forum and interviews scheduled for next week.

The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City directs $6.6M toward recreation projects approved by voters

Assembly member expressed concerns about one of the project’s link to PFAS

Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)

City OKs $5M toward proposed Capital Civic Center

The money is intended to show the city’s commitment to the project as it seeks federal funding

This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)
A police officer stands on duty in early March. The City and Borough of Juneau announced Monday incoming Juneau Police Department officers will now be offered a hiring bonus of up to $30,000 in exchange for a four-year commitment to the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City offers up to $30K hiring bonus for new police officers

Police union representative says it’s not enough to fix the department’s recruitment challenges

A police officer stands on duty in early March. The City and Borough of Juneau announced Monday incoming Juneau Police Department officers will now be offered a hiring bonus of up to $30,000 in exchange for a four-year commitment to the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Guy Archibald collects clam shell specimens on Admiralty Island. Archibald was the lead author of a recently released study that linked a dramatic increase of lead levels in Hawk Inlet’s marine ecosystem and land surrounding it on Admiralty Island to tailings released from the nearby Hecla Greens Creek Mine. (Courtesy Photo / John Neary)

New study links mine to elevated lead levels in Hawk Inlet

Hecla Greens Creek Mine official ardently refutes the report’s findings.

Guy Archibald collects clam shell specimens on Admiralty Island. Archibald was the lead author of a recently released study that linked a dramatic increase of lead levels in Hawk Inlet’s marine ecosystem and land surrounding it on Admiralty Island to tailings released from the nearby Hecla Greens Creek Mine. (Courtesy Photo / John Neary)
Juneau Brass Quintet co-founding member Bill Paulick along with Stephen Young performs “Shepherd’s Hey” to a packed house at the Alaska State Museum on Saturday as part of the quintet’s season-ending performance. Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum sponsored the event with proceeds going to the musicians and FoSLAM. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Top brass turns out for event at State Museum

Free performance puts a capt on a busy season.

Juneau Brass Quintet co-founding member Bill Paulick along with Stephen Young performs “Shepherd’s Hey” to a packed house at the Alaska State Museum on Saturday as part of the quintet’s season-ending performance. Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum sponsored the event with proceeds going to the musicians and FoSLAM. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Racers take off from the parking lot of Savikko Park on Saturday as part of the Juneau Trail and Road Runners’ annual Flanagan’s Run. Nearly 30 people participated in total between either the one-mile or five-mile race for this yearly St. Patrick’s Day themed race, which celebrated its second year back in person since COVID. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Lucky weather for annual St. Paddy’s race

Juneau Trail and Road Runners host Flanagan’s Run.

Racers take off from the parking lot of Savikko Park on Saturday as part of the Juneau Trail and Road Runners’ annual Flanagan’s Run. Nearly 30 people participated in total between either the one-mile or five-mile race for this yearly St. Patrick’s Day themed race, which celebrated its second year back in person since COVID. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours starting Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

CBJ cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours

This comes after months of reduced operating hours due to a staffing shortage

The City and Borough of Juneau cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours starting Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
During winter 2022-23, contractors replace the awning structure on the 1904-1913 Valentine Building. The historic building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Its location at the corner of Front and Seward streets is also within Juneau’s Downtown Historic District. (Laurie Craig / For the DBA)

Rooted in Community: The historic Valentine Building and the Findley Family

Many shops have occupied the Seward Street storefronts while Juneau Drug anchors the corner space.

During winter 2022-23, contractors replace the awning structure on the 1904-1913 Valentine Building. The historic building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Its location at the corner of Front and Seward streets is also within Juneau’s Downtown Historic District. (Laurie Craig / For the DBA)
Klukwan’s Andrew Friske, center, shoots against Yakutat’s Derek James, left, at the Juneau Lions Club 73rd Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. This year’s tournament starts on Sunday, March 19-25 at JDHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

The Gold Medal Basketball Tournament is back. Here’s what you need to know before it tips off

Juneau Lions Club annual fundraiser is set to start Sunday.

Klukwan’s Andrew Friske, center, shoots against Yakutat’s Derek James, left, at the Juneau Lions Club 73rd Annual Gold Medal Basketball Tournament at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. This year’s tournament starts on Sunday, March 19-25 at JDHS. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau School Board member Martin Stepetin listens during the discussion Tuesday night as the board finalizes the district’s budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The school board passed a budget — it’s probably going to change

Spending plan uses an uncertain $430 increase in per-student funding from the state.

Juneau School Board member Martin Stepetin listens during the discussion Tuesday night as the board finalizes the district’s budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Kristi Elliott, owner of Juneau International Airport’s gift shop Hummingbird Hollow Gifts, stands with Debra Holman to review inventory. If the airport moves forward with proposed plans to reconfigure the allocated space for the gift shop, Elliott said it could dramatically limit the current wide selection of inventory Hummingbird Hollow Gifts offers, which then cuts down their overall revenue. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Change is in the wings for the airport gift shop

Hummingbird Hollow Gifts’ contract expires in September, request for proposals is open.

Kristi Elliott, owner of Juneau International Airport’s gift shop Hummingbird Hollow Gifts, stands with Debra Holman to review inventory. If the airport moves forward with proposed plans to reconfigure the allocated space for the gift shop, Elliott said it could dramatically limit the current wide selection of inventory Hummingbird Hollow Gifts offers, which then cuts down their overall revenue. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This snow pile outside Thunder Mountain High School is expected grow. The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a winter weather advisory starting Wednesday morning and running through Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

NWS: Snow followed by heavy rain on the way

Roughly 2-5 inches of snow predicted.

This snow pile outside Thunder Mountain High School is expected grow. The National Weather Service in Juneau issued a winter weather advisory starting Wednesday morning and running through Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Report: Juneau’s greenhouse gas emissions down from 2010 to 2021

While dubbed good news, it concludes a trend cannot be definitively established.

A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A dog poop bag dispenser sits filled with bags ready for use at the entrance of Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail. The City and Borough of Juneau spends about $10,000 a year on dog poop bags, officials say, but the issue of owners not picking after their pets persists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City prepares for dog doo doom of the spring thaw

CBJ spends $10,000 on dog poop bags each year but the problem still persists, officials say

A dog poop bag dispenser sits filled with bags ready for use at the entrance of Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail. The City and Borough of Juneau spends about $10,000 a year on dog poop bags, officials say, but the issue of owners not picking after their pets persists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Cars fill the parking lot outside of Driftwood Lodge in downtown Juneau Monday morning. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently announced it’s purchase of the site.

Tlingit and Haida purchases downtown Driftwood Lodge

The building is located near Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall and Foodland IGA.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Cars fill the parking lot outside of Driftwood Lodge in downtown Juneau Monday morning. The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska recently announced it’s purchase of the site.
JDHS junior Sean Oliver (11) holds string from the championship net after a win against Ketchikan High School, making the Crimson Bears this year’s Region V 4A Tournament champs. Oliver finished the game with 30 points, six 3-pointers and a fourth-quarter slam dunk. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears crowned Region V champs

State to be held March 22-25 in Anchorage.

JDHS junior Sean Oliver (11) holds string from the championship net after a win against Ketchikan High School, making the Crimson Bears this year’s Region V 4A Tournament champs. Oliver finished the game with 30 points, six 3-pointers and a fourth-quarter slam dunk. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)