Officer Blain Hatch of the Juneau Police Department visits Thunder Mountain High School on Friday. Hatch is JPD’s one school resource officer who is assigned to all the schools in the district. Hatch has been named Municipal Employee of the Year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Fifth-graders express appreciation for retiring school officer

School Resource Officer Blain Hatch spent the first part of Tuesday night’s DARE graduation shaking the hand of every Juneau fifth-grader who went through the… Continue reading

Officer Blain Hatch of the Juneau Police Department visits Thunder Mountain High School on Friday. Hatch is JPD’s one school resource officer who is assigned to all the schools in the district. Hatch has been named Municipal Employee of the Year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Augustus G. Brown swimming pool. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Board will decide on pools with extra time

One more year. That is how much more time the Aquatics Board will have to decide on the future of who will run the city’s… Continue reading

The Augustus G. Brown swimming pool. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau-Douglas High School student Theo Houck, left, leads a cheer as student participate in the National School Walk Out on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. The students marched from school to the Capitol in support of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting one month ago. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hundreds of Juneau high schoolers join nationwide protest on Florida shooting’s anniversary

Inside the Alaska State Capitol, a shout echoed in the stairwell: “The kids are coming!” Outside the building was a louder shout, one that reverberated… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School student Theo Houck, left, leads a cheer as student participate in the National School Walk Out on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. The students marched from school to the Capitol in support of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting one month ago. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City accepting comment on Centennial Hall/JAHC management

Juneau residents will be able to express their thoughts as the City and Borough of Juneau considers entering into an agreement with the Juneau Arts… Continue reading

City and Borough of Juneau Mining Subcommittee member Maria Gladziszewski speaks to fellow members during the regular meeting at Assembly Chambers Monday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

City Mining Committee approves minor changes to mining ordinance

The City and Borough Mining Subcommittee will push the city’s mining ordinance — with some minor revisions — through to the CBJ Committee on the… Continue reading

City and Borough of Juneau Mining Subcommittee member Maria Gladziszewski speaks to fellow members during the regular meeting at Assembly Chambers Monday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Mountain Rescue searchers get off an Army National Guard MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Tuesday marked the sixth day in the search for climbers George “Ryan” Johnson and Marc-Andre Leclerc. (Courtesy photo | Juneau Mountain Rescue)

Weather improving as search for climbers continues

As Jackie Ebert, the operations section chief for Juneau Mountain Rescue, spoke outside the Army National Guard hangar at the Juneau International Airport on Tuesday… Continue reading

Juneau Mountain Rescue searchers get off an Army National Guard MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Tuesday marked the sixth day in the search for climbers George “Ryan” Johnson and Marc-Andre Leclerc. (Courtesy photo | Juneau Mountain Rescue)
The SEARS Hometown store in the Mendenhall Mall is fore sale. District Manager Tom Caniglia will host a meet and greet with potential owners on Friday from 2-4 p.m. at the store. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Thieves close thrift store, Sears needs an owner and Happy Camper closes

Thieves close thrift shop After nearly three years with his thrift store Juneau Treasures, business owner Mark Dundore will say goodbye this Friday. He’s closing… Continue reading

The SEARS Hometown store in the Mendenhall Mall is fore sale. District Manager Tom Caniglia will host a meet and greet with potential owners on Friday from 2-4 p.m. at the store. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Chief Boatswains Mate Matt Oliveira speaks to representatives from the U.S. Navy on March 13, 2018 on the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard, Navy collaborate on preparing for mines, security threats in Southeast Alaska

Correction: A previous version of this article listed the John McCormick as the only fast-response cutter on the West Coast. It was the first one… Continue reading

Chief Boatswains Mate Matt Oliveira speaks to representatives from the U.S. Navy on March 13, 2018 on the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Board of Educators open up 2019 budget discussions

Cuts to local schools will most likely be coming after the Juneau School District Board of Education opened up discussions on the first reading of… Continue reading

Laron Carlton Graham appears in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, for an arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Double-murder trial is at least 11 months out

Those hoping and waiting for answers regarding a 2015 double murder will have to wait a while longer. In February, a Juneau grand jury indicted… Continue reading

Laron Carlton Graham appears in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, for an arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the Nov. 15, 2015 shooting deaths of 36-year-old Robert H. Meireis and 34-year-old Elizabeth K. Tonsmeire. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy photo)

Arctic Edge-touring Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick in Juneau

A special mid-day trip to the Mount Roberts Tramway may have to make its way into your daily plans as the Coast Guard Cutter John… Continue reading

The Coast Guard Cutter John McCormick. (U.S. Coast Guard | Courtesy photo)
Fog is seen on Douglas Island Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees Tuesday for the first time this year and rapidly erode Juneau’s remaining sea-level snow. (Juneau Empire)  Fog is seen on Douglas Island Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees Tuesday for the first time this year and rapidly erode Juneau’s remaining sea-level snow. (Juneau Empire)

Temperature may reach 50 degrees Tuesday

The National Weather Service expects Juneau will experience the first 50-degree day of the year Tuesday. According to forecasts, warm air will enter Southeast Alaska… Continue reading

Fog is seen on Douglas Island Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees Tuesday for the first time this year and rapidly erode Juneau’s remaining sea-level snow. (Juneau Empire)  Fog is seen on Douglas Island Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees Tuesday for the first time this year and rapidly erode Juneau’s remaining sea-level snow. (Juneau Empire)
Stig Cunningham, 12, left, his brother, Kajson, 10, Sione Tupou, 11, and Aiden Pietan, 12, right, talk Friday, March 2, 2018, about winning the regional award for their project at the First Lego League in Anchorage earlier this year. Working under the team name of Happy Dave, the students have been researching and working with a company to develop a spray to break down dog feces. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local First LEGO League Team trying to clean up the streets

It is probably something you hardly think about until you step in it, or if you’re lucky, sidestep it on the sidewalk, street or trail.… Continue reading

Stig Cunningham, 12, left, his brother, Kajson, 10, Sione Tupou, 11, and Aiden Pietan, 12, right, talk Friday, March 2, 2018, about winning the regional award for their project at the First Lego League in Anchorage earlier this year. Working under the team name of Happy Dave, the students have been researching and working with a company to develop a spray to break down dog feces. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City committees will look over recommendations this week

Mining Committee will discuss mining ordinance The City and Borough of Juneau Mining Subcommittee is meeting to discuss the mining ordinance at Assembly Chambers 5:30… Continue reading

High school students and participants in Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, Kiara Demientieff, left, and Krystyn Kelly, right, speak with Rep. Paul Seton, R-Homer, at an AYEA picnic in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

High school environmentalists bring youth voice to the Capitol

From Unalakleet to Ketchikan, youth from across the state came to the Alaska State Capitol last week to advocate for four bills aimed at solving… Continue reading

High school students and participants in Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, Kiara Demientieff, left, and Krystyn Kelly, right, speak with Rep. Paul Seton, R-Homer, at an AYEA picnic in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Local Yakutat Artist Daanak’eesh Shane A. Brown talks to those in attendance at Riverbend Elementary during the unveiling of the “house screen” he designed and painted as a gift from Goldbelt Heritage Foundation to the school for its 20th anniversary Friday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

Riverbend Elementary receives Tlingit home screen

Riverbend Elementary is celebrating its 20th year, and Goldbelt Heritage Foundation gave the school a gift that both encompasses education and tradition during a celebration… Continue reading

Local Yakutat Artist Daanak’eesh Shane A. Brown talks to those in attendance at Riverbend Elementary during the unveiling of the “house screen” he designed and painted as a gift from Goldbelt Heritage Foundation to the school for its 20th anniversary Friday. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)
Full moonrise at sunset behind part of the Mendenhall Towers. (Photo by Kerry Howard)

Overdue climbers Leclerc, Johnson still not found as weather stalls rescue

Snowy weather thwarted a helicopter search for two experienced climbers overdue from a trip to the Mendenhall Towers this weekend, Alaska State Troopers say, but… Continue reading

Full moonrise at sunset behind part of the Mendenhall Towers. (Photo by Kerry Howard)
123rf.com Stock Photo

Community health fair upcoming

The Juneau Community Health Fair returns this Saturday to offer affordable blood tests and free mini-classes taught by local medical and health experts from Bartlett… Continue reading

123rf.com Stock Photo
A sign reminds drivers not to park in the loading area at the Juneau International Airport, as people enter the airport on Thursday, March 8, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Juneau airport may increase fines in loading zones

Fines for those who are parking instead of actively loading or unloading in marked zones could increase at Juneau International Airport. Airport Manager Patty Wahto… Continue reading

A sign reminds drivers not to park in the loading area at the Juneau International Airport, as people enter the airport on Thursday, March 8, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Search begins for overdue Mendenhall Towers climbers

When two men went on a climbing trip to the Mendenhall Towers, they told friends and family they’d be back no later than Wednesday evening.… Continue reading