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Ceremonies around state honor fallen officers

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that Friday night’s ceremony is taking place at 6 p.m., due to misinformation from an Alaska… Continue reading

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Juneau man Derick Nathaniel Skultka, 35, was arrested in February 2018 for a parole violation. He was also tied to the theft of guns. (Juneau Police Department | Courtesy photo)

February arrest was related to stolen guns, authorities say

In February, about 24 firearms and multiple gold items were stolen from the home and business of a Juneau resident, according to an indictment filed… Continue reading

Juneau man Derick Nathaniel Skultka, 35, was arrested in February 2018 for a parole violation. He was also tied to the theft of guns. (Juneau Police Department | Courtesy photo)
Chad Kendrick, firearm instructor and owner of Taku Tactical in Juneau, performs a firearm demonstration for members of the jury in the murder trial of Mark De Simone on May 8, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Firearm experts to exchange evaluations in murder trial

Five words from an expert witness Tuesday brought the murder trial of Mark De Simone to a halt. Chad Kendrick, a local firearms instructor and… Continue reading

Chad Kendrick, firearm instructor and owner of Taku Tactical in Juneau, performs a firearm demonstration for members of the jury in the murder trial of Mark De Simone on May 8, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
A pleasure boat sits on the rocks on the north side of Coghlan Island on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The boat grounded on Monday evening. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Boat wrecks near Coghlan Island Monday night

A boat hit a rock about 50 yards from Coghlan Island Monday night and began taking on water, prompting a search and rescue by the… Continue reading

A pleasure boat sits on the rocks on the north side of Coghlan Island on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The boat grounded on Monday evening. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Coffee shop burglar caught, thanks to surveillance camera

A Juneau resident is behind bars after allegedly burglarizing a coffee shop Sunday morning, according to a release from the Juneau Police Department. Employees of… Continue reading

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Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters respond to a fire at a boat condominium on Brandy Lane on May 6, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)

Explosion leads to boat condo fire

A boat owner was working on the wiring of his boat Sunday when he inadvertently caused a spark and triggered an explosion, Capital City Fire/Rescue… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters respond to a fire at a boat condominium on Brandy Lane on May 6, 2018. (Capital City Fire/Rescue | Courtesy Photo)
Dr. Todd Grey, a retired medical examiner, testifies to the possible path of the bullet wounds in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, May 6, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Defense begins to make its case in murder trial

On Sunday, retired forensic pathologist Dr. Todd Grey took the Styrofoam head and went to work. After making marks behind the right ear and on… Continue reading

Dr. Todd Grey, a retired medical examiner, testifies to the possible path of the bullet wounds in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, May 6, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

United in loss: fishing fleet blessed at annual ceremony

Two hundred and eighteen names are engraved on the Alaska Commercial Fishermen’s Memorial, a half circle of stone facing the water in downtown Juneau. Seven… Continue reading

Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School sixth-grade receives help getting out of a wet survival suit by teacher Cheyenne Cuellar during a class from the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Juneau dock on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sixth grade survival lessons

Lillie Fredrick, a sixth-grader at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, is no stranger to the water in Juneau. She goes fishing and pulls crab pots with… Continue reading

Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School sixth-grade receives help getting out of a wet survival suit by teacher Cheyenne Cuellar during a class from the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Station Juneau dock on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Trooper Ryan Anderson illustrates how Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales’ boots were arranged when Anderson found Rosales deceased at an Excursion Inlet cabin in 2016. Anderson is a witness in the trial of Mark De Simone, who is accused of shooting and killing Rosales. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

As prosecution wraps up case, motive still unclear in 2016 shooting death

The prosecution wrapped up its case Friday against Mark De Simone, a former Arizona legislator accused of killing Juneau jeweler Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales on… Continue reading

Alaska State Trooper Ryan Anderson illustrates how Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales’ boots were arranged when Anderson found Rosales deceased at an Excursion Inlet cabin in 2016. Anderson is a witness in the trial of Mark De Simone, who is accused of shooting and killing Rosales. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Sitka drug ring involved violent intimidation, authorities say

Sitka drug ring involved violent intimidation, authorities say

Juneau resident Eric Stephen Morisky, 30, also known as “Curly,” was one of seven people indicted in April on charges of possessing and distributing heroin… Continue reading

Sitka drug ring involved violent intimidation, authorities say
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Riverbend Elementary names new principal

A new face will be taking over as principal at Riverbend Elementary School for the 2018-19 school year. According to a release from the Juneau… Continue reading

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Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter/EMTs Conner Hoyt, left, and Mattheus Tempel transport victim Keren Goldbergbell during a mass casualty drill at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, May 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Preparing for a real-life disaster

Bartlett Regional Hospital staff were hustling Thursday morning. In less than two hours, a bus crash with 25 casualties needed immediate attention, an emergency room… Continue reading

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighter/EMTs Conner Hoyt, left, and Mattheus Tempel transport victim Keren Goldbergbell during a mass casualty drill at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Thursday, May 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Deputy State Medical Examiner Cristin Rolf testifies in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, May 3, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Medical examiner gives detailed look into finding of homicide

Deputy State Medical Examiner Cristin Rolf spent about an hour on the witness stand Thursday explaining the details of the autopsy, but her conclusion was… Continue reading

Deputy State Medical Examiner Cristin Rolf testifies in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, May 3, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Early-morning electrical fire damages sailboat in Aurora Harbor

In the early hours of the morning Thursday, a boat caught fire in Aurora Harbor while its owner was away, Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief… Continue reading

Rob McLeod as a boy in Scotland. (Courtesy photo)

The ‘Lord of St. James Bay,’ beloved hermit lived uniquely Alaskan life

A beloved Scottish outdoorsman with a uniquely Alaskan way of life died in his cabin near Juneau last week. Robert McLeod, 78, the lone full-time… Continue reading

Rob McLeod as a boy in Scotland. (Courtesy photo)
Vince Bengston, a member of a 2016 hunting party, testifies in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gun taking center stage in murder trial

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously referred to the gun as a Ruger .44 Magnum Blackhawk. The gun is a Ruger .41 Magnum… Continue reading

Vince Bengston, a member of a 2016 hunting party, testifies in the trial of Mark De Simone in Juneau Superior Court on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Angie and Eric Larsen’s dog Daisy, an 11-year-old mixed breed, was one of three dogs killed by a brown bear recently in Hoonah. (Courtesy photo)

Bear mauls four dogs in Hoonah, gets killed

Update: This article has been updated to include a comment from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. A brown bear killed at least three… Continue reading

Angie and Eric Larsen’s dog Daisy, an 11-year-old mixed breed, was one of three dogs killed by a brown bear recently in Hoonah. (Courtesy photo)
Four humpback whales dive in front of a Allen Marine whale watching boat in August 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Fundraising season: Whale watch for a good cause, fill an empty bowl, or support Polaris House’s inaugural fundraiser

It may be construction and it may be tourist season, but it’s also fundraising season. Lots of events are popping up around town in support… Continue reading

Four humpback whales dive in front of a Allen Marine whale watching boat in August 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Mark De Simone listens during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Jurors get look at gruesome, important evidence in murder case

The first day of witness testimony in the murder trial of Mark De Simone focused on De Simone and his demeanor on the 2016 hunting… Continue reading

Mark De Simone listens during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. De Simone is accused of killing Duilio Antonio “Tony” Rosales during a hunting trip in Excursion Inlet in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)