This map, compiled by the City and Borough of Juneau, illustrates the maximum water depth that would be caused by an inshore, landslide-caused tsunami. (Courtesy of City and Borough of Juneau)

Study reveals worst-case scenarios for tsunamis in Juneau

Generally, there’s a low risk of a large tsunami hitting Juneau. There aren’t tsunami sirens in town, as City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Programs… Continue reading

This map, compiled by the City and Borough of Juneau, illustrates the maximum water depth that would be caused by an inshore, landslide-caused tsunami. (Courtesy of City and Borough of Juneau)
Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Eyewitness takes stand in murder retrial

Tiffany Johnson was shaken but undeterred as, for the second time in eight months, she took the witness stand and described the most terrifying night… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn, right, confers with criminal defense attorney Nicholas Polasky during his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Local comics set for Saturday show

Juneau’s sole comedy club, Club Baby Seal, will play two shows at the Gold Town Nickelodeon on Oct. 14 at 9 and 10:30 p.m. Admission… Continue reading

Commission on Aging reconfigures, looks for new members

As Juneau’s senior population continues to grow, issues facing that group are becoming increasingly important for the city. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly… Continue reading

Don Morgan, owner of Haa Shagoon Gallery, said Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, he is closing his downtown business next week because homeless people outside of the Marine View Building are keeping customers away. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

One business owner cites homelessness, economic downturn for store closure

Those walking down Ferry Way downtown might notice something missing. For the past two years, the stretch of windows lining the south side of the… Continue reading

Don Morgan, owner of Haa Shagoon Gallery, said Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, he is closing his downtown business next week because homeless people outside of the Marine View Building are keeping customers away. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Natalie Soto, 2, helps sing with the All Nations Children Dancers as Juneau residents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

First official Indigenous Peoples Day proves satisfying, hopeful

Richard Peterson walked to the microphone at Monday night’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, clearly emotional. Peterson, the president of Central Council… Continue reading

Natalie Soto, 2, helps sing with the All Nations Children Dancers as Juneau residents celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Sgt. Jeremy Weske speaks from the witness stand during the trial of Christopher Strawn in Juneau Superior Court on Friday. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015.

Police, paramedic take stand in murder trial

“Are you asking me if he was dead?” “Yes.” “He was dead, and there was no struggle or anything. The blood was in a perfect… Continue reading

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire Juneau Police Sgt. Jeremy Weske speaks from the witness stand during the trial of Christopher Strawn in Juneau Superior Court on Friday. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015.
Members of the Absentee Questioned Ballot Review Board open ballots before counting at the City Hall on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Absentee, early ballots boost turnout, but still short of 2016 numbers

Though the results are still unofficial until they’re certified this Tuesday, voter turnout climbed by nearly 7 percent thanks to absentee and questioned ballots counted… Continue reading

Members of the Absentee Questioned Ballot Review Board open ballots before counting at the City Hall on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Darin Jensen talks about the companies award-winning collaboration with Heritage Coffee Roasting Company. The joint venture won gold in the coffee category at the Great American Beer Festival on Saturday in Denver. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Breakfast brew best in nation

Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Bagels and cream cheese. Coffee and beer? It’s a winning combination. Alaskan Brewing Company and Heritage Coffee Roasting… Continue reading

Alaskan Brewing Co.’s Darin Jensen talks about the companies award-winning collaboration with Heritage Coffee Roasting Company. The joint venture won gold in the coffee category at the Great American Beer Festival on Saturday in Denver. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Human remains ID’d as missing hiker

Human remains ID’d as missing hiker

Human remains found by a duck hunter have been identified as missing Juneau hiker Teri Heuscher, police say. Heuscher, 53, was last seen on June… Continue reading

Human remains ID’d as missing hiker
Christopher Strawn speaks with Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige at the start of his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Strawn murder trial begins, again

Brandon Cook was killed two years ago this month in Kodzoff Acres Mobile Home Park. On Thursday, following three and a half days of jury… Continue reading

Christopher Strawn speaks with Juneau Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige at the start of his trial in Juneau Superior Court on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. Strawn, 34, faces charges of first-degree and second-degree murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault and weapons misconduct in the shooting death of Brandon Cook in October 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

AEL&P gets OK for special electric-vehicle charging rate

Alaska’s state utility regulator has approved a plan from Alaska Electric Light and Power to help the utility cope with Juneau’s rising number of electric… Continue reading

University of Alaska system wants help from businesses to see future employment needs

The University of Alaska is looking to almost double the amount of Alaskans who attend college in the next decade, but has to do so… Continue reading

Buddy Tabor performs at Resurrection Lutheran Church in January 2009. Albert McDonnell and his daughter Hazel are shown at left. (Juneau Empire File)

Gold Street music concert

A group of local pickers will play at the Resurrection Lutheran Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The lineup is features a long roster of… Continue reading

Buddy Tabor performs at Resurrection Lutheran Church in January 2009. Albert McDonnell and his daughter Hazel are shown at left. (Juneau Empire File)

Lemon Creek plan open for public hearing Oct. 24

Later this month, the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission is examining a plan for the future of Lemon Creek, and the public is… Continue reading

Car charging station will soon have time limit

Car charging station will soon have time limit Later this month, electric vehicle owners will have a little less time to charge their rides at… Continue reading

Children dance at a previous Tot Rave event to benefit the Gold Creek Child Development Center. The event is happening again this coming Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Gold Creek Child Development Center)

Dance party raises money for child care nonprofit

The smallest dancing shoes in town will be getting some use this Saturday. The Gold Creek Child Development Center is putting on a “Tot Rave”… Continue reading

Children dance at a previous Tot Rave event to benefit the Gold Creek Child Development Center. The event is happening again this coming Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Gold Creek Child Development Center)
Dr. Jessica Zitter. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Doctor works to change end-of-life care in America

There’s a moment Dr. Jessica Zitter likes to recount. An “epiphany” precipitated by an experienced nurse when Zitter was a young doctor. She told the… Continue reading

Dr. Jessica Zitter. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital Emergency Department Director Kim McDowell, left, talks to Community Relations Director Katie Bausler on Wednesday about the flooding caused by a fire in the department’s bathroom early Wednesday morning. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Hospital bathroom set on fire overnight

For the second straight day, in much a similar way, a bathroom was burned by an arsonist in Juneau. Shortly after 3 a.m. Wednesday morning,… Continue reading

Bartlett Regional Hospital Emergency Department Director Kim McDowell, left, talks to Community Relations Director Katie Bausler on Wednesday about the flooding caused by a fire in the department’s bathroom early Wednesday morning. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
David Hydock, center, is presented with the Professional Achievement Award by Regional Forester Beth Pendleton and Rear Admiral Michael McAllister, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 17th District, at the Juneau Federal Executive Association’s 2016-2017 Federal Employee of the Year Award Banquet and Ceremony at the Twisted Fish on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘Cream of the crop’: Three federal employees in Juneau recognized for outstanding work

The phrase “above and beyond” doesn’t quite cut it for David Hydock. A commercial fishing vessel examiner for the U.S. Coast Guard, Hydock works with… Continue reading

David Hydock, center, is presented with the Professional Achievement Award by Regional Forester Beth Pendleton and Rear Admiral Michael McAllister, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 17th District, at the Juneau Federal Executive Association’s 2016-2017 Federal Employee of the Year Award Banquet and Ceremony at the Twisted Fish on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)