News

Two Juneau engineering projects win statewide awards

Two Juneau projects earned statewide honors Saturday, as the Alaska Capital Engineers named its Outstanding Engineering Projects of 2016. The Whittier Street Reconstruction earned the… Continue reading

Ty Alexander Grussendorf, 22, follows his parents out of Juneau Superior Court after a trial date-setting hearing on Wednesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Son of legislative staffer pleads not guilty to child sex abuse, child porn

A Juneau man facing 40 counts that include sexual abuse of a minor, possession of child pornography and viewing of indecent material pleaded not guilty… Continue reading

Ty Alexander Grussendorf, 22, follows his parents out of Juneau Superior Court after a trial date-setting hearing on Wednesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau Crime Line seeks new info on hiker missing since 2014

The Juneau Police Department is seeking any new information on Sharon Buis, a hiker missing since May 2014. JPD Lt. David Campbell said the request… Continue reading

BaconFest winners from the Sandpiper Cafe, Breeze-In, V’s Cellar Door and Coconut Thai Cuisine pose for a photo after winning awards at Saturday’s cook-off at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Photo courtesy Mandy Massey | Glacier Valley Rotary)

Sticky buns, donuts and wraps: BaconFest rewards the bold

Glacier Valley Rotary’s 2017 BaconFest sold out again this year. Not one of the 350 attendees had a heart attack on site. The event pits… Continue reading

BaconFest winners from the Sandpiper Cafe, Breeze-In, V’s Cellar Door and Coconut Thai Cuisine pose for a photo after winning awards at Saturday’s cook-off at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Photo courtesy Mandy Massey | Glacier Valley Rotary)
Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School Academic Decathlon team during a Saturday study session. (Photo courtesy Karina Reyes | JDHS Academic Decathlon)

JDHS students show off WWII chops, compete in statewide Academic Decathlon

Juneau-Douglas High School students got back Sunday from an “exhausting” three days competing against the best and brightest from around the state at the 33rd… Continue reading

Members of the Juneau-Douglas High School Academic Decathlon team during a Saturday study session. (Photo courtesy Karina Reyes | JDHS Academic Decathlon)
School board members said Monday that the challenges facing the Juneau School District are “unprecedented,” and asked for continued support from the CBJ Assembly. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

School board details ‘unprecedented’ challenges, financial uncertainty

Monday night’s joint meeting with the Juneau School District Board of Education and the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly centered around “unprecedented” challenges facing… Continue reading

School board members said Monday that the challenges facing the Juneau School District are “unprecedented,” and asked for continued support from the CBJ Assembly. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Key Coalition rally in front of Capitol to close street Friday

The Key Coalition of Alaska will be holding a rally on the steps of the Capitol on Friday. Key Coalition of Alaska educates legislators about… Continue reading

Photo: Exercising in the sun

Photo: Sunny exercise… Continue reading

Two mountain goats browse along the hillside near Nugget Falls on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photo: Mountain goats roam Nugget Falls

Photo: Mountain goats… Continue reading

Two mountain goats browse along the hillside near Nugget Falls on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

City committee talks arboretum money, emergency route, sewage, future budget

The Public Works and Facilities Committee discussed four major topics at Monday’s meeting, ranging from short-term issues to a six-year plan of sorts. In terms… Continue reading

Juneau police help prevent man from jumping off bridge

Juneau police officers talked a suicidal man from jumping off the Douglas bridge Friday night, and took him to the hospital for evaluation, according to… Continue reading

In this file photo from January 2016, vehicles fill the Juneau Walmart parking lot on the first day of its going out of business sale. Juneau’s Walmart, which has been open since 2007, was among 154 stores in the U.S. being “pruned” from the corporate tree, according to Walmart spokesperson Delia Garcia. About 180 Juneau residents lost their jobs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sold: Anchorage investment group purchases former Walmart building

After rumors and speculation swirling for the past year, the 10-acre property on Glacier Highway that formerly housed Walmart has been sold. D’s Investment Corporation… Continue reading

In this file photo from January 2016, vehicles fill the Juneau Walmart parking lot on the first day of its going out of business sale. Juneau’s Walmart, which has been open since 2007, was among 154 stores in the U.S. being “pruned” from the corporate tree, according to Walmart spokesperson Delia Garcia. About 180 Juneau residents lost their jobs. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Pederson Hill subdivision to go in front of Juneau Planning Commission

The Pederson Hill Subdivision is inching closer and closer to becoming a reality. The proposed subdivision will go before the Juneau Planning Commission on Tuesday,… Continue reading

Native Issues Forum to discuss criminal justice reform

A Native Issues Forum is set for this coming Thursday on the topic of criminal justice reform. The guest speakers are Senator John Coghill, R-North… Continue reading

Senate Page Jacob Pennell gives eighth-graders from Floyd Dryden Middle School details about how the Senate works during a tour of the Capitol on Thursday. Juneau School District eighth-graders spend a day at the Capitol combined with a trip to the Dimond Courthouse to learn and see how their government works. The program is done by volunteers according to coordinator Marjorie Menzi. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photo: Capitol students

Capitol students… Continue reading

Senate Page Jacob Pennell gives eighth-graders from Floyd Dryden Middle School details about how the Senate works during a tour of the Capitol on Thursday. Juneau School District eighth-graders spend a day at the Capitol combined with a trip to the Dimond Courthouse to learn and see how their government works. The program is done by volunteers according to coordinator Marjorie Menzi. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The scene of a car crash where Juneau police say a 48-year-old man survived pinned inside his vehicle near the end of North Douglas Highway on Feb. 5. A hiker called police after finding the man Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut the top of the vehicle off to free the man. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Douglas crash survivor has long road ahead to recovery

Lance McVay survived a horrific crash earlier this month after he passed out at the wheel and launched his car into the woods at the… Continue reading

The scene of a car crash where Juneau police say a 48-year-old man survived pinned inside his vehicle near the end of North Douglas Highway on Feb. 5. A hiker called police after finding the man Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut the top of the vehicle off to free the man. He was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Central Council Tribal Court selected for project to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children

The Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has been selected as one of six new courts to be a part of… Continue reading

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield and university Title IX coordinator Lori Klein speak to an open forum Wednesday in Egan Hall about the results of a federal investigation into the university system’s handling of sexual assaults. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)

UA settles federal investigation into its handling of sexual assaults

In 2013, a University of Alaska student was found in a dorm. She was drunk, unconscious and wrapped in a blanket with her clothing partially… Continue reading

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield and university Title IX coordinator Lori Klein speak to an open forum Wednesday in Egan Hall about the results of a federal investigation into the university system’s handling of sexual assaults. (James Brooks | Juneau Empire)
Kevin Miller talks about his father, former Rep. Mike Miller of Juneau, who died recently. Rep. Miller served in the Alaska Legislature from 1971 to 1986. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

‘One of Alaska’s giants’: Former legislator leaves legacy of integrity, love for Alaska after death

In walking through Juneau, there isn’t anything overtly dedicated to Mortimer “Mike” Miller, the former state representative who died Feb. 11. Not even his son… Continue reading

Kevin Miller talks about his father, former Rep. Mike Miller of Juneau, who died recently. Rep. Miller served in the Alaska Legislature from 1971 to 1986. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Coppa owner Marc Wheeler hands out his candied salmon ice cream at the Symphony of Seafood event Wednesday at Centennial Hall. Wheeler’s ice cream took home the competition’s grand prize.

Candied salmon ice cream, kelp salsa & halibut bisque baby food: Seafood contest shows off the new and unusual

In any supermarket, you’ll find dozens of pork, beef and chicken products. Not so for salmon. When it comes to sockeye, king or coho, U.S.… Continue reading

Coppa owner Marc Wheeler hands out his candied salmon ice cream at the Symphony of Seafood event Wednesday at Centennial Hall. Wheeler’s ice cream took home the competition’s grand prize.