News

Sam Adams, stands with a holiday decoration at the Mendenhall Mall on Nov. 24. Since 2014, she has volunteered her time to set up a collection that includes thousands of miniature, holiday-themed buildings complete with small, festive figurines in a locally donated space. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

It takes a village to create a holiday tradition

Lots of relocating has Juneau’s Holiday Village on the move

Sam Adams, stands with a holiday decoration at the Mendenhall Mall on Nov. 24. Since 2014, she has volunteered her time to set up a collection that includes thousands of miniature, holiday-themed buildings complete with small, festive figurines in a locally donated space. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A Juneau resident was arrested last week for more than a dozen counts of felony child pornography charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man arrested on child pornography charges

The man arrested is alleged to have downloaded hundreds of illegal photos and videos to his phone.

A Juneau resident was arrested last week for more than a dozen counts of felony child pornography charges. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneauites fill Governor’s Mansion as annual open house returns

Kids more interested in cookies than governor.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke with reporters at the Alaska Governor's Mansion on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, before greeting guests for the traditional Christmas open house. The event was suspended last year due to COVID-19 but was back this year with limited health mitigation rules in place. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Heavy snow and rain fell on Juneau’s Aurora Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, creating potentially hazardous conditions. City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors officials asked boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels as heavy snow and rain is expected through the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

More rain, snow and overnight ice expected

Drive/Boat safe.

Heavy snow and rain fell on Juneau’s Aurora Harbor on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, creating potentially hazardous conditions. City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors officials asked boat owners to keep a careful eye on their vessels as heavy snow and rain is expected through the week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This picture shows a trigger lock, which according to local activists, is an inexpensive way to secure guns and help prevent unintentional shootings. (Courtesy photo/Sally Rue)

Local group urges residents to Be SMART about guns

‘Unintentional child shootings are 100% preventable’

This picture shows a trigger lock, which according to local activists, is an inexpensive way to secure guns and help prevent unintentional shootings. (Courtesy photo/Sally Rue)
Jury trials at Dimond Courthouse and elsewhere are expected to occur more often and consistently in the next several months as judges seek to get trials moving once again. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Jury trials set to ramp up with new year

The Sixth Amendment gives all Americans the right to a speedy and public trial by jury.

Jury trials at Dimond Courthouse and elsewhere are expected to occur more often and consistently in the next several months as judges seek to get trials moving once again. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Ed Garity, a vet technician, and Dr. Sam Smith, a veterinarian and owner of Tongass Veterinary Services, tend to a 17-year-old dog on Friday, Dec. 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Veterinarian shortage dogs Juneau

Burnout, specialization, high demand and location all factor in.

Ed Garity, a vet technician, and Dr. Sam Smith, a veterinarian and owner of Tongass Veterinary Services, tend to a 17-year-old dog on Friday, Dec. 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A number of people in Juneau have gone missing in 2021, including Clifford White, bottom left, who hasn’t been located. (Composite photo / Juneau Empire)

Rescues and recoveries: Police, searchers talk recent missing persons cases

2021 has had a number of high-profile missing persons cases.

A number of people in Juneau have gone missing in 2021, including Clifford White, bottom left, who hasn’t been located. (Composite photo / Juneau Empire)
Cheryl Fellman checks her watch before attempting an Ice Mile. An Ice Mile is a type of endurance swim that tasks swimmers with covering a mile in water that is 41 degrees or colder. Fellman swam a mile in just under 35 minutes on Saturday at Auke Recreation Area. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Ice day for a swim

Juneau woman completes a mile in near-freezing water

Cheryl Fellman checks her watch before attempting an Ice Mile. An Ice Mile is a type of endurance swim that tasks swimmers with covering a mile in water that is 41 degrees or colder. Fellman swam a mile in just under 35 minutes on Saturday at Auke Recreation Area. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents enjoy Gallery Walk at Devil’s Club Brewing Company, which hosted artist Jacqui Tingey. (Courtesy photo / Mircea Brown)

Juneau shows up big for Gallery Walk

Hundreds turned out despite heavy snow that morning.

Juneau residents enjoy Gallery Walk at Devil’s Club Brewing Company, which hosted artist Jacqui Tingey. (Courtesy photo / Mircea Brown)
Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Alexandra Pierce, the newly named City and Borough of Juneau Tourism Manager, stands on South Franklin Street on Dec. 3.

From the docks to a desk in city hall

Pierce prepares for Tourism Manager role

Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Alexandra Pierce, the newly named City and Borough of Juneau Tourism Manager, stands on South Franklin Street on Dec. 3.
Coast Guardsmen and state employees load the Together Tree bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion on a truck on Nov. 29, 2021. The annual open house at the governor's mansion is back this year, after having been suspended last year due to COVID-19. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

Christmas open house at governor’s mansion returns

Open to all.

Coast Guardsmen and state employees load the Together Tree bound for the Alaska Governor’s Mansion on a truck on Nov. 29, 2021. The annual open house at the governor's mansion is back this year, after having been suspended last year due to COVID-19. (USCG photo / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)
Police are investigating a number of crimes across Juneau that occurred in November. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigating a number of November crimes

The crimes aren’t apparently connected, but they are all vehicle-related.

Police are investigating a number of crimes across Juneau that occurred in November. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Beth McEwen, municipal clerk for the City and Borough of Juneau in her office on July 19. Members of the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks elected McEwen to serve as the education director for the organization. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ clerk to lead education efforts for clerks across Alaska

“We are thrilled to bring her on to the executive board.”

Beth McEwen, municipal clerk for the City and Borough of Juneau in her office on July 19. Members of the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks elected McEwen to serve as the education director for the organization. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)
A flu shot is administered at a free vaccine clinic in Juneau on Nov. 23, 2021, and on Thursday health officials nationwide urged people to get inoculated for both COVID-19 and the flu ahead of the holiday season. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Health officials push vaccines, boosters to combat variant

A lot of unknowns.

A flu shot is administered at a free vaccine clinic in Juneau on Nov. 23, 2021, and on Thursday health officials nationwide urged people to get inoculated for both COVID-19 and the flu ahead of the holiday season. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Commercial property owners throughout the city filed 210 tax appeals this year. On Wednesday night, Jeff Rogers, finance director for the City and Borough of Juneau, told the city’s Finance Committee that 130 appeals had been closed and 80 appeals remain open. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Mt. Juneau, looming above downtown, seen here on April 21, 2021, is a brisk hike with a good view from the summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Commercial property tax appeals continue

No appellant has won so far.

Commercial property owners throughout the city filed 210 tax appeals this year. On Wednesday night, Jeff Rogers, finance director for the City and Borough of Juneau, told the city’s Finance Committee that 130 appeals had been closed and 80 appeals remain open. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Mt. Juneau, looming above downtown, seen here on April 21, 2021, is a brisk hike with a good view from the summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly heard a rosy revenue report at the Finance Committee meeting. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Sales tax collection surpasses city’s projection

“Sales tax doesn’t lie,” says CBJ finance director.

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly heard a rosy revenue report at the Finance Committee meeting. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
AP Photo / Jae C. Hong Air China flight crew members in hazmat suits walk through the arrivals area Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport. The U.S. on Wednesday reported its first case of the omicron variant.

Biden to announce testing, booster expansion

Announcement Thursday.

AP Photo / Jae C. Hong Air China flight crew members in hazmat suits walk through the arrivals area Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport. The U.S. on Wednesday reported its first case of the omicron variant.
Alex Vrabec recently began as the new director of Juneau’s Downtown Business Association. (Courtesy photo / Alex Vrabec)

Downtown Business Association gets new director in time for busy season

She’s arrived just in time to help organize the newly resuscitated Gallery Walk.

Alex Vrabec recently began as the new director of Juneau’s Downtown Business Association. (Courtesy photo / Alex Vrabec)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Nieuw Amsterdam sails into Juneau on July 26, 2021. On Monday night, city leaders reviewed the results of a community survey aimed at learning more about community attitudes about the impact of large cruise ships.

Tourism survey yields ‘remarkable,’ ‘interesting’ data

Questionnaire shows little movement in public opinion despite visitor surge

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Nieuw Amsterdam sails into Juneau on July 26, 2021. On Monday night, city leaders reviewed the results of a community survey aimed at learning more about community attitudes about the impact of large cruise ships.