News

This August 2 picture shows school board candidate Amber Frommherz. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Frommherz seeks school board seat

Plans to focus on early childhood education

This August 2 picture shows school board candidate Amber Frommherz. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Kelly Fishler, a candidate for the District 2 Mendenhall Valley seat in the City and Borough of Juneau's City Assembly, sat down with the Empire for an interview on August 7. Fishler is challenging incumbent Michelle Bonnet Hale, who is running for a second term on the assembly. The election will take place on October 5 in a largely vote-by-mail affair.(Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Fishler seeks seat on CBJ Assembly

She’s challenging the incumbent

Kelly Fishler, a candidate for the District 2 Mendenhall Valley seat in the City and Borough of Juneau's City Assembly, sat down with the Empire for an interview on August 7. Fishler is challenging incumbent Michelle Bonnet Hale, who is running for a second term on the assembly. The election will take place on October 5 in a largely vote-by-mail affair.(Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Small but mighty: Anthony Petit wins annual Buoy Tender Roundup competition

Yeah buoyyyyy

Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire A vessel struck the Douglas Bridge, seen here from the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.

‘The bridge is safe’: Superficial damage reported following barge strike

It’s not the first time that vessel has struck the bridge in August.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire A vessel struck the Douglas Bridge, seen here from the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to multiple fires Thursday morning, including this one on West 10th Street, reported at 3:16 a.m. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Fire crews respond to multiple early-morning fires

No injuries were reported but the damage is substantial at least one fire.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to multiple fires Thursday morning, including this one on West 10th Street, reported at 3:16 a.m. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
Juneau residents and veterans gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 for Together with Juneau Veterans’ first Walk with a Vet event across the Douglas Bridge. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Veteran suicide prevention group holds inaugural march

A walk across the bridge with good conversation is a little easier than 22km with a packed ruck.

Juneau residents and veterans gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 for Together with Juneau Veterans’ first Walk with a Vet event across the Douglas Bridge. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Search continues for missing man after personal items found at campsite

A backpack and other items were found in an abandonded campsite.

Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
Staff at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this July 28 photo, are feeling stressed after 18 months of a pandemic, according to hospital CEO Rose Lawhorne, who said that depsite the challenges the hospital is still ready to provide services.

Local officials say health infrastructure remains strong

National supplies strained.

Staff at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this July 28 photo, are feeling stressed after 18 months of a pandemic, according to hospital CEO Rose Lawhorne, who said that depsite the challenges the hospital is still ready to provide services.
A surplus warehouse at 1325 Eastaugh Way, off Thane Road, is being considered by the City and Borough of Juneau as a possible location for a ballot-counting center should the city decide to increase its use of voting by mail in future municipal elections. On Monday, CBJ Assembly members heard public feedback on the proposal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Public weighs in on local ballot counting center

City leaders consider options for future elections

A surplus warehouse at 1325 Eastaugh Way, off Thane Road, is being considered by the City and Borough of Juneau as a possible location for a ballot-counting center should the city decide to increase its use of voting by mail in future municipal elections. On Monday, CBJ Assembly members heard public feedback on the proposal. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Active search and rescue for missing man called off

The investigation will continue on as a missing person case.

Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
In this file photo Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

City announces student clinics, shares where to get 3rd shot

Clinics and more.

In this file photo Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Marine Corps and Army veteran Darren Hafford does pushups in front of the Alaska State Capitol as part of a fundraising effort where Hafford is traveling to every state capitol building and doing pushups in front of them to raise awareness and money for veteran suicide prevention. Juneau is his 49th, with only Hawaii remaining. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

49 down, 1 to go: Man raising veteran suicide awareness in all 50 state capitals

A whirlwind tour for a worthy cause.

Marine Corps and Army veteran Darren Hafford does pushups in front of the Alaska State Capitol as part of a fundraising effort where Hafford is traveling to every state capitol building and doing pushups in front of them to raise awareness and money for veteran suicide prevention. Juneau is his 49th, with only Hawaii remaining. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

St. Vincent planning for future as it undertakes long-deferred maintenance

Decisions made decades ago are coming home to roost.

Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Mendenhall Valley fire under investigation as possible arson

There are a number of suspicious factors, the fire marshal said.

Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City takes action to slow spread; calls for community support

Renew your commitment, hospital official urges

The windows of the downtown branch of the Juneau Public Library tell passers-by that the city's overall COVID-19 alert level is high on August 20. City officials raised the alert level to curb the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, which has been spreading rapidly throughout Alaska, including Juneau. All three Juneau Public Libraries will have reduced hours starting Monday, August 23, as staff are reassigned to help with the pandemic response, city officials said in a news release late Friday. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a Thursday evening structure fire. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to structure fire

Firefighters say blaze is in abandoned home.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a Thursday evening structure fire. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)

Stuffed to the gills with recipes: Award-winning writer talks new fish cookbook

Angler, hunter, cook and award-winning writer talks new book while in town.

Hank Shaw holds coho salmon caught on the Taku River. Shaw, a hunter, angler, gardener, chef and award-winning writer, is in town this week to promote his new book "Hook, Line and Supper." (Courtesy Photo / Holly A. Heyser)
The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Local business owners prepare to pivot

City announces increasing risk level and mitigation measures.

The waiting room at Custom Cuts II in the Jordan Creek Mall sits empty on Aug. 19. Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, new citywide COVID-19 mitigation measures mean that all personal services businesses must operate by appointment only and close all waiting areas. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.

Bailey seeks school board seat

Local business owner says he brings unique perspective

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire This Aug. 13 photo shows Juneau school board candidate Ibn Bailey.
A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17, 2020 encourages residents to wear masks in public settings. With cases surging locally, statewide and nationally, City and Borough of Juneau announced it would be fully implementing mitigation measures. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City announces increasing risk level, mitigation measures

More stringent measures go into effect on Friday.

A sign seen near Twin Lakes on Sept. 17, 2020 encourages residents to wear masks in public settings. With cases surging locally, statewide and nationally, City and Borough of Juneau announced it would be fully implementing mitigation measures. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)