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A bucket of compost awaits pickup by Juneau Composts on Douglas Tuesday morning. The City and Borough of Juneau was earmarked to be included in the $1.7 trillion spending bill which would allocate $2.5 million in funding toward designing and constructing a commercial-scale compost facility in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City set to receive $2.5M from feds to create new commercial-scale compost facility

City officials say it could extend the landfill’s dwindling lifespan.

A bucket of compost awaits pickup by Juneau Composts on Douglas Tuesday morning. The City and Borough of Juneau was earmarked to be included in the $1.7 trillion spending bill which would allocate $2.5 million in funding toward designing and constructing a commercial-scale compost facility in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rachelle Garrett kicks the ball over the leg of opposing player, Ariel Barrios, during a soccer match Monday evening at the Dimond Park Field House a part of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau Holiday Cup soccer tournament kicks 2022 goodbye

The annual tournament celebrates 30th anniversary

Rachelle Garrett kicks the ball over the leg of opposing player, Ariel Barrios, during a soccer match Monday evening at the Dimond Park Field House a part of the Holiday Cup soccer tournament. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a high school basketball. The start of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic has been delayed due to flight cancellations, but is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Canceled takeoffs mean delayed tipoff for Capital City Classic

Games will be played Wednesday through Friday.

This photo shows a high school basketball. The start of the Princess Cruises Capital City Classic has been delayed due to flight cancellations, but is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The former Juneau Youth Services building was recently purchased by JAHMI Health and Wellness Inc. and is set to be renovated into specialized behavioral health care for children, adolescents and their families. The renovations, expected to be complete in May, are funded by an $870,000 allocation earmarked in the recently passed $1.7 trillion spending bill.

New youth behavioral health facility set to open in Juneau this spring

Renovations to begin “as soon as possible,” funded by omnibus spending package allocation.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire The former Juneau Youth Services building was recently purchased by JAHMI Health and Wellness Inc. and is set to be renovated into specialized behavioral health care for children, adolescents and their families. The renovations, expected to be complete in May, are funded by an $870,000 allocation earmarked in the recently passed $1.7 trillion spending bill.
CCFR prepares to perform a rescue on the frozen ice on Saturday after receiving a report of a man slipping and injuring himself roughly half a mile from the visitor’s center at the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

CCFR rescues injured man near Mendenhall Glacier on Christmas Eve

He was rescued safely with non-life threatening injuries.

CCFR prepares to perform a rescue on the frozen ice on Saturday after receiving a report of a man slipping and injuring himself roughly half a mile from the visitor’s center at the Mendenhall Glacier. (Courtesy Photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
Bill Legere, president and general manager of KTOO since 1991, is retiring on Jan. 3 after a career in public broadcasting spanning more than 50 years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Legere leaves a legacy

KTOO’s president and general manager retiring after 40 years of transforming Alaska’s public media

Bill Legere, president and general manager of KTOO since 1991, is retiring on Jan. 3 after a career in public broadcasting spanning more than 50 years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A worker replenishes the dairy goods at Foodland IGA downtown Thursday morning ahead of the holiday weekend and winter storm. Many Juneau stores will be closing their doors to observe the holiday weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Holiday weekend closures and reduced hours in Juneau

Only a handful of businesses will remain open, most shelters open

A worker replenishes the dairy goods at Foodland IGA downtown Thursday morning ahead of the holiday weekend and winter storm. Many Juneau stores will be closing their doors to observe the holiday weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Legislature votes $6.6M for legislative housing near Capitol

A House-Senate committee of the Alaska Legislature has approved spending $6.6 million to renovate a downtown Juneau office building into 33 apartments for legislators and… Continue reading

The Assembly Building is seen on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Kendra Hergett wraps a cookbook at Kindred Post located downtown at 145 S. Franklin St. Friday morning as part of their gift wrapping service. Each gift comes complete with two types of wrapping paper, ribbon and a wax seal stamped with the store’s logo. Kindred Post will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

A delightful dozen: 12 shoppers reflect on best gifts given or received

What’s on your list?

Kendra Hergett wraps a cookbook at Kindred Post located downtown at 145 S. Franklin St. Friday morning as part of their gift wrapping service. Each gift comes complete with two types of wrapping paper, ribbon and a wax seal stamped with the store’s logo. Kindred Post will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story chats with Tawnya Kreft at her office in the Alaska State Capitol during the Juneau legislative delegation’s holiday open house Thursday afternoon.

Holiday cheer as the legislative session nears

Residents chat and snack with Juneau’s delegation during open house at Capitol.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story chats with Tawnya Kreft at her office in the Alaska State Capitol during the Juneau legislative delegation’s holiday open house Thursday afternoon.
Leona Santiago smiles while holding a beaded key chain made with devil’s club during a celebration of the winter solstice on Wednesday afternoon at Generations Southeast. According to David Abad, a volunteer at the event who supplied the plant, Devil’s club often represents protection in Alaska Native cultures. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Event finds inner light during winter solstice

‘It’s about us nurturing the light that’s within us’

Leona Santiago smiles while holding a beaded key chain made with devil’s club during a celebration of the winter solstice on Wednesday afternoon at Generations Southeast. According to David Abad, a volunteer at the event who supplied the plant, Devil’s club often represents protection in Alaska Native cultures. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

A white Christmas is in Juneau’s forecast

Winter storm warning issued through the holiday.

Snow blankets a statue in front of the Alaska State Capitol. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
JDHS boys basketball team poses for a group photo on Monday in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson)

Both JDHS basketball teams compete in Las Vegas tournament

What happens in Vegas, gets reported from Vegas.

JDHS boys basketball team poses for a group photo on Monday in Las Vegas for the Tarkanian Classic tournament. (Courtesy Photo / Robert Casperson)
Helena Fagan speaks during the event, Family Stories — Juneau and the Holocaust, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library Tuesday evening. Fagan shared two excerpts of a memoir she is writing about her mother’s story of her narrow survival from the terrors of the Holocaust and Auschwitz concentration camp. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘We tell our story as an urgent plea to stay ever vigilant’: Juneau residents share family stories of the survival and loss during the Holocaust

It coincided with the final day to visit an exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

Helena Fagan speaks during the event, Family Stories — Juneau and the Holocaust, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library Tuesday evening. Fagan shared two excerpts of a memoir she is writing about her mother’s story of her narrow survival from the terrors of the Holocaust and Auschwitz concentration camp. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,

Santa’s helpers for the needy can use some holiday help

Annual gifts and meals for Juneau’s struggling continue their traditions, but limited by high demand

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire A volunteer selects donated toys for a recipient during The Salvation Army’s food and gift giveaway Saturday at its church and administrative office downtown. St. Vincent de Paul in Juneau is hosting its Adopt-A-Family gift giveaway this week, but had to stop accepting wish lists from families early due to higher-than-usual demand, according to Director Dave Ringle. People interested in helping a family can contact the organization by Thursday,
This photo shows a Coast Guard vessel moored in Auke Bay. Another vessel, an icebreaker, could soon be homeported in Juneau following passage of the NDAA. City officials are considering whether that developed should encourage the city to become involved with plans to develop a cruise ship dock on a waterfront property. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Downtown port development plans make winter waves

City discusses assisting private developers with proposed cruise ship dock with eye on icebreaker.

This photo shows a Coast Guard vessel moored in Auke Bay. Another vessel, an icebreaker, could soon be homeported in Juneau following passage of the NDAA. City officials are considering whether that developed should encourage the city to become involved with plans to develop a cruise ship dock on a waterfront property. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much many parts of the country from Thursday through Saturday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Worsening weather means travel plans could be up in the air

Travel experts advise checking holiday plans and checking them twice.

An Alaska Airlines flight lands at the Juneau International Airport. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much many parts of the country from Thursday through Saturday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Outgoing Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss smiles during a school board meeting in early December. Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Education approved a contract to search for her replacement. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

District moves forward with firm for superintendent search

The contract is set to begin on Jan. 1 and will run through June. 30

Outgoing Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss smiles during a school board meeting in early December. Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Education approved a contract to search for her replacement. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire From left to right, Duff Mitchell, Army National Guard veteran; Bill Clutton, Army veteran; and Tom Dawson, Navy veteran, stand in a line holding wreaths during a laying of wreaths ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday afternoon.

Juneau residents and veterans commemorate Wreaths Across America Day

The annual ceremony is observed in thousands of locations across the country.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire From left to right, Duff Mitchell, Army National Guard veteran; Bill Clutton, Army veteran; and Tom Dawson, Navy veteran, stand in a line holding wreaths during a laying of wreaths ceremony for National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday afternoon.
Alfred Torres stands in the lobby on Friday after hearing the judges decision to uphold Ronald Smith’s 70-year prison sentence. Smith was charged for the murder of Kenneth Thomas and assault on Torres in 2001, but due to appeals the case has been retried twice. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Sentencing latest in complicated killing case

“What I’ve always wanted was for him to apologize to my family, and he did that.”

Alfred Torres stands in the lobby on Friday after hearing the judges decision to uphold Ronald Smith’s 70-year prison sentence. Smith was charged for the murder of Kenneth Thomas and assault on Torres in 2001, but due to appeals the case has been retried twice. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)