News

The sun shines over the Montana Creek area Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the City and Borough of Juneau released the final draft of the Montana Creek Draft master plan, which is now open for public comment until March. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

City releases final draft of Montana Creek master plan

Residents have until the end of March to submit comments

The sun shines over the Montana Creek area Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the City and Borough of Juneau released the final draft of the Montana Creek Draft master plan, which is now open for public comment until March. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow covers West Douglas Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly discussed whether to move forward with a local company which seeks to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road.

Longer road ahead for proposed e-bike tours on Pioneer Road

A company seeks to provide tours three times per day, six days a week

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow covers West Douglas Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly discussed whether to move forward with a local company which seeks to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Explosives used to reduce avalanche risk

Mission comes ahead of expected heavy snowfall.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted Monday evening to consolidate the Treadwell Arena Advisory Board, the Aquatics Board and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Advisory Board into one collective Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City to consolidate multiple advisory boards

The decision comes after difficulties to fill board vacancies and maintain consist meetings

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted Monday evening to consolidate the Treadwell Arena Advisory Board, the Aquatics Board and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Advisory Board into one collective Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Snow blankets the landscape along the Montana Creek Trail Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

14.3 inches of snow in Juneau sets new record

Total recorded over 24 hours at airport, breaks 1967 mark of 9 inches for Feb. 24.

Snow blankets the landscape along the Montana Creek Trail Saturday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
City Finance Director Jeff Rogers speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce in 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

City finance director to leave post

Jeff Rogers said he expects to depart sometime this summer

City Finance Director Jeff Rogers speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce in 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Docks and harbors board considers fee increases, requiring insurance

The increase is set to be the largest in 40 years, said port director

A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

A splashy renovation: Augustus Brown Pool set for an update

Renovations include locker/changing rooms, resurfacing leisure pool and electrical systems upgrades.

A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor-elect Peter Micciche testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Former Senate president now Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor

Peter Micciche is the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s new mayor.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor-elect Peter Micciche testifies before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Glacier Swim Club pose for a group photo in Anchorage during the 2023 Alaska Age Group Champs. (Courtesy Photo / Shireen Taintor)

Glacier Swim Club places 2nd in Anchorage meet

Four swimmers broke team records.

Members of the Glacier Swim Club pose for a group photo in Anchorage during the 2023 Alaska Age Group Champs. (Courtesy Photo / Shireen Taintor)
The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall Glacier area comment period closing soon

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on seven plans that vary in impact on the area.

The sun partially sines on the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as it sets Monday evening. Tuesday is the last day for the public to submit comments to the U.S. Forest Service on proposed changes to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Three arrested, $1.1M in drugs seized

SEACAD was in charge of the investigation.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Tagish out of water: Sunken tugboat destroyed after more than a weeklong recovery effort

Recovery and pollution cleanup expected to be complete in coming days, Coast Guard official says

An excavator on a barge scoops floating debris near the shore of Gastineau Channel on Monday morning. The effort was a part of the recovery process of a 107-foot tugboat that sank at a dock south of the cruise ship docks in late December. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Family and friends of Daniel Sargent shoot flaming arrows into Auke Bay on Saturday during Sargent’s memorial at Raven Shelter. Sargent was one of the founding members of the Juneau Archery Club and was survived by his wife Lavena and daughter Tiffany Sargent Hallquist. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Keeping his flame alive: Family remembers archery club founding member with volley of fire

Family remembers archery club founding member with volley of fire

Family and friends of Daniel Sargent shoot flaming arrows into Auke Bay on Saturday during Sargent’s memorial at Raven Shelter. Sargent was one of the founding members of the Juneau Archery Club and was survived by his wife Lavena and daughter Tiffany Sargent Hallquist. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Freezin’ for a reason: UAS students and Juneau residents take a plunge at Auke Bay

According to officials, the water temperature was 37 degrees during the time of the plunge.

University of Alaska Southeast students run out of the freezing water after jumping into the waters of Auke Bay on Saturday afternoon for the 25th UAS Polar Plunge. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man arrested in Fred Meyer burglary

Security footage

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
CCFR Captain Cheyenne Sanchez poses for a photo on Wednesday during his promotional ceremony where his badge was pinned by friends and family. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

CCFR celebrates captain’s induction

Cheyenne Sanchez recently promoted to captain.

CCFR Captain Cheyenne Sanchez poses for a photo on Wednesday during his promotional ceremony where his badge was pinned by friends and family. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)

SHI purchases downtown building for Indigenous teaching program expansion

The building is adjacent to its downtown Walter Soboleff Building.

This image shows a schematic design of the exterior the Municipal Way Building downtown that was recently purchased by the Sealaska Heritage Institute. (Sealaska Heritage Institute)
The three generations of Wileys who have operated the Ben Franklin Store are shown inside the shop. Seated are Fred and Sally Wiley, holding a painting of the 1930s Blomgren Building. Standing are Meagan Wiley Bishop and her father Mike Wiley who currently run the popular downtown Front Street business. (Michael Penn / Downtown Business Association)

Rooted in Community: The Wiley family celebrates 50 years in Front Street’s Blomgren Building

A downtown historic district fire 100 years ago made way for one of Juneau’s most enduring downtown businesses: the Ben Franklin store. After the Heidelberg… Continue reading

The three generations of Wileys who have operated the Ben Franklin Store are shown inside the shop. Seated are Fred and Sally Wiley, holding a painting of the 1930s Blomgren Building. Standing are Meagan Wiley Bishop and her father Mike Wiley who currently run the popular downtown Front Street business. (Michael Penn / Downtown Business Association)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Two teens arrested on burglary charges

Both suspects have been taken to Johnson Youth Center.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)