News

Numerous artifacts remain where the mine used to be, including mine carts, railways and the foundations of buildings from the town of Treadwell. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Demise of world’s largest gold mine helped build Juneau

DOUGLAS — Today, the site of what was once the largest gold mine in the world looks merely like a small natural bay. Where hundreds… Continue reading

Numerous artifacts remain where the mine used to be, including mine carts, railways and the foundations of buildings from the town of Treadwell. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Matt and Kelly Barnaby are ready to open their Barnaby Brewing Company to the public at 206 N. Franklin Street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Barnaby Brewing opens this weekend, specializing in small batch beers

Matt Barnaby has become Juneau’s newest professional brewer, five gallons at a time. Barnaby has been an avid home brewer for years, making small batches… Continue reading

Matt and Kelly Barnaby are ready to open their Barnaby Brewing Company to the public at 206 N. Franklin Street. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gun threat causes Riverbend Elementary to take precautions

A report of a distraught woman with a gun caused a nearby elementary school to briefly shut down Thursday. About 11:44 a.m., the Juneau Police… Continue reading

Two JDHS grads develop website, soon-to-be app for calling legislators

Two JDHS grads develop website, soon-to-be app for calling legislators

When U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in January that phone calls from constituents were a major reason why she voted against President Donald Trump’s nomination… Continue reading

Two JDHS grads develop website, soon-to-be app for calling legislators
Treadwell Mine on April 22, 1917. The cave-in happened April 21 and 22. Harry F. Snyder Photograph Collection: Treadwell, Alaska, 1916-1918. Photo by Harry F. Snyder. ASL-PCA-38.

100 years ago, Treadwell era came to a spectacular end

Down the street from our Douglas Island home is a popular spot for runners and after work strollers. The forested Treadwell historic trail runs along… Continue reading

Treadwell Mine on April 22, 1917. The cave-in happened April 21 and 22. Harry F. Snyder Photograph Collection: Treadwell, Alaska, 1916-1918. Photo by Harry F. Snyder. ASL-PCA-38.

Four fires, four days: Fire marshals investigate string of suspicious fires

Four fires in the span of four days — three of which were apparently intentionally set — have Capital City Fire/Rescue Marshal Dan Jager understandably… Continue reading

Pizza delivery driver robbed by man wielding screwdriver

A robbery case involving a pizza delivery gone awry remains unsolved, and the Juneau Crime Line is willing to pay for help. At 11:45 p.m. April… Continue reading

Snowy winter helps Eaglecrest finances

It might sound simple, but more snow means more money for Eaglecrest Ski Area. Eaglecrest operated for 95 days this season, the most it’s run… Continue reading

This March 5 photo shows travertine pools with white films of carbon fused with calcium, a chemical process being explored by a geological research project, in the al-Hajjar mountains of Oman. Deep in the jagged red mountains, geologists from the Oman Drilling Project are drilling in search of the holy grail of reversing climate change: an efficient and cheap way to remove carbon dioxide from the air and oceans. They are coring samples from one of the world’s only exposed sections of the Earth’s mantle to uncover how a spontaneous natural process millions of years ago transformed CO2 into limestone and marble. (Sam McNeil | The Associated Press)

Juneau joins March for Science movement

Saturday morning will be a busy one for locals concerned with scientific issues. Starting at 9 a.m., Juneau’s March for Science is set to take… Continue reading

This March 5 photo shows travertine pools with white films of carbon fused with calcium, a chemical process being explored by a geological research project, in the al-Hajjar mountains of Oman. Deep in the jagged red mountains, geologists from the Oman Drilling Project are drilling in search of the holy grail of reversing climate change: an efficient and cheap way to remove carbon dioxide from the air and oceans. They are coring samples from one of the world’s only exposed sections of the Earth’s mantle to uncover how a spontaneous natural process millions of years ago transformed CO2 into limestone and marble. (Sam McNeil | The Associated Press)

Man looking to buy gun accidentally shot in leg

A 19-year-old man was accidentally shot in the leg Monday night, reportedly while examining a gun for possible purchase downtown. Juneau Police Department officers responded… Continue reading

John David and Lorevie Rowe are expecting spontaneous identical triplets, an occurrence so rare some estimate it happens only one out of every 200 million births. (Submitted photo)

Local couple expecting identical triplets

Lorevie Rowe and John David have won a kind of lottery – but it’s one with odds even experts can’t agree on. Rowe is pregnant… Continue reading

John David and Lorevie Rowe are expecting spontaneous identical triplets, an occurrence so rare some estimate it happens only one out of every 200 million births. (Submitted photo)

Vehicle stolen, returned without $9,500 worth of tools

Juneau police are seeking information about a vehicle stolen from a business in the 2000 block of Brandy Lane the night of March 8. The… Continue reading

Treadwell workers outside mine building, circa 1918. (Alaska State Library)

How the Treadwell Mine collapsed 100 years ago

On April 22, we commemorate the centenary of the Treadwell Mine cave-in that precipitated the closing of the world-famous mining complex on Douglas Island. The… Continue reading

Treadwell workers outside mine building, circa 1918. (Alaska State Library)
Alaska State Library General view of Treadwell Gold Mines in Juneau, circa 1899.

Douglas marks 100-year anniversary of the Treadwell Mine cave-in

One of the most significant events in Juneau’s history turns 100 years old this week, and it isn’t going unnoticed. The Treadwell Mine caved in… Continue reading

Alaska State Library General view of Treadwell Gold Mines in Juneau, circa 1899.

Arson suspected in storage shed fire

Arson is suspected in an early-morning fire Sunday that destroyed a garage off the “back loop” of Mendenhall Loop Road. Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters responded… Continue reading

Thane Campground sat empty, save for a small fire, on its first day of operation Saturday. The city is hoping that the campground serves as a spot for homeless to stay. Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire

No arrests, citations of homeless in first weekend of camping ban

The streets of downtown Juneau looked the same as usual Saturday night, despite the city’s anti-camping ordinance going into effect. The ordinance, which rules that… Continue reading

Thane Campground sat empty, save for a small fire, on its first day of operation Saturday. The city is hoping that the campground serves as a spot for homeless to stay. Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire
MICHAEL PENN | JUNEAU EMPIRE A fire started on the outside wall Saturday evening caused about $30,000 damage to a Seward Street building that includes Art Sutch Photography shop.

Downtown fire wrecks photography studio

Local photographer Art Sutch found himself only able to field questions and take stock Monday afternoon, after a fire possibly fueled by a cigarette butt… Continue reading

MICHAEL PENN | JUNEAU EMPIRE A fire started on the outside wall Saturday evening caused about $30,000 damage to a Seward Street building that includes Art Sutch Photography shop.
Thinkstock

Juneau Soccer Club scammed out of more than $13K

A clever “spoofing” scheme — with the sender masking their email to look like a familiar email address — has scammed the Juneau Soccer Club… Continue reading

Thinkstock
Jeff Trucano, left, and Sam Miller, of Trucano Construction, work at installing lighting fixtures on the new dock in Douglas Harbor on Jan. 4. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Douglas Harbor reopens today

Starting this week, the newly renovated Douglas Harbor will return to full capacity after a renovation that’s nearly a decade in the works. Boats will… Continue reading

Jeff Trucano, left, and Sam Miller, of Trucano Construction, work at installing lighting fixtures on the new dock in Douglas Harbor on Jan. 4. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Chloe Abbott checks in with a homeless person camping in a business doorway on South Franklin Street on March 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

No-camping ordinance goes into effect

It’s official: The Thane campground will open on Saturday — and the City and Borough of Juneau’s camping ordinance will go into effect at midnight… Continue reading

Chloe Abbott checks in with a homeless person camping in a business doorway on South Franklin Street on March 25, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)