News

A 22-foot healing totem pole carved by master carver Wayne Price, who is Tlingit, is now being installed next to the fishing dock at Twin Lakes (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A long road toward healing: Totem pole depicting tale of overcoming domestic violence now being installed at Twin Lakes

It’s expected to debut during Celebration.

A 22-foot healing totem pole carved by master carver Wayne Price, who is Tlingit, is now being installed next to the fishing dock at Twin Lakes (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
American Legion Auke Bay Post 25 disposed of the flags that were collected over the past winter. The flags were disposed of in a ceremony and in accordance with regulations. (Courtesy Photo / Jordin Michelle Sember)

American Legion holds flag ceremony

Over 100 unserviceable, torn or worn flags were disposed of.

American Legion Auke Bay Post 25 disposed of the flags that were collected over the past winter. The flags were disposed of in a ceremony and in accordance with regulations. (Courtesy Photo / Jordin Michelle Sember)
A phone screen displays a message warning that a suspicious email may be an attempt at stealing personal information. Cybercrime rose to new heights in 2021, according to FBI data, but there are some steps people can take to be safe, according to local law enforcement. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Cybercrime on rise nationwide as local departments address threat

A few good practices can neutralize most common scams and crimes.

A phone screen displays a message warning that a suspicious email may be an attempt at stealing personal information. Cybercrime rose to new heights in 2021, according to FBI data, but there are some steps people can take to be safe, according to local law enforcement. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
There will be substantial disruptions to traffic on Tongass Boulevard for the next week as a reconstruction project takes place. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Tongass Boulevard traffic pattern shifted all week

Some intersections are closed and others limited as construction moves forward.

There will be substantial disruptions to traffic on Tongass Boulevard for the next week as a reconstruction project takes place. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Project Homeless Connect was held Thursday at the Glory Hall. The last time the event was held was January 2020.

Social services organizations, people Connect again

Resource fair returns after a pandemic pause.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Project Homeless Connect was held Thursday at the Glory Hall. The last time the event was held was January 2020.
Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pandemic impact, staffing shortages shape budget requests

Ski area, hospital and airport factor into Finance Committee meeting.

Eaglecrest General Manager Dave Scanlan explains how the COVID-19 pandemic and abnormally low employee salaries posed challenges during the past year and how the ski area’s budget request for next year can help resolve them during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of an antidrug taskforce arrested two people on Tuesday suspected of drug trafficking, with one suspect later proving to be concealing heroin internally. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police say drugs were found inside suspect arrested at airport

The suspect had more than 100 grams of heroin removed, according to police.

Members of an antidrug taskforce arrested two people on Tuesday suspected of drug trafficking, with one suspect later proving to be concealing heroin internally. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Law enforcement officials arrested two airline passengers at Juneau International Airport for possession of drugs on Tuesday evening. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Two arrested at airport after cops find over $22K of drugs

More than $20,000 in drugs were found in their luggage, according to police.

Law enforcement officials arrested two airline passengers at Juneau International Airport for possession of drugs on Tuesday evening. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Jin Yue Trousil, left, and Angela Huffer practice for the upcoming Juneau Symphony concert this weekend beginning April 30. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

A rising note: Juneau Symphony brings back the noise

A full show and a new musical director to welcome audiences back.

Jin Yue Trousil, left, and Angela Huffer practice for the upcoming Juneau Symphony concert this weekend beginning April 30. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Scores at a glance for the week of Apr. 25

Quick recaps for local teams.

JDHS player Gabe Cheng drives down the field with the ball during a tight game against TMHS on April 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Police arrested a Juneau man Tuesday for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Man arrested for sexual abuse of a minor

The alleged offenses occured over the last several years.

Police arrested a Juneau man Tuesday for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows “Old Woman With Berries in Her Lap,” a poetry collection, by Wrangell writer and poet Vivian Faith Prescott. She recently released two books, the second being "My Father’s Smokehouse,” a combination of recipes and stories. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Southeast author releases foodoir and book of poetry

The prolific author and poet has been working for years on the two books.

This photo shows “Old Woman With Berries in Her Lap,” a poetry collection, by Wrangell writer and poet Vivian Faith Prescott. She recently released two books, the second being "My Father’s Smokehouse,” a combination of recipes and stories. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Masks again optional in Juneau schools

School board unanimously waives normal rules and votes to end brief return to mandated masks.

A damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminds people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. The Juneau School District Board of Education on Tuesday voted to make wearing masks optional in schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Juneau residents, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and CBJ staff in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall during a Monday night meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Lots of funds, little feedback: Few members of the public offer input about next year’s proposed budget

A three-hour meeting saw only a handful of people offer testimony.

This photo shows Juneau residents, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly and CBJ staff in the Assembly Chambers in City Hall during a Monday night meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. (Courtesy Photo / Lenco)

Police plans to buy armored vehicle surprise some city leaders

Concerns raised about “militarizing our police force.”

This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. (Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
Clint Helander of Advanced Blasting Services clears remaining material from a cliffside near the University of Alaska Southeast student recreation center that had a substantial rockslide in February. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

UAS cleans up February rockfall

Contractors cleared loose material from the cliffside near the rec center.

Clint Helander of Advanced Blasting Services clears remaining material from a cliffside near the University of Alaska Southeast student recreation center that had a substantial rockslide in February. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Protestors critical of the cruise ship industry gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2022, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regualtions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Protesters call for more enforcement of environmental regulations aboard ships

As cruise ships return, some residents remain wary.

Protestors critical of the cruise ship industry gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, April 25, 2022, the same day the first large ship of the season arrived in Juneau. Demonstrators said the industry had a poor environmental record and called on the state to continue to Ocean Rangers program, a voter-approved initiative which put state monitors aboard ships to ensure compliance with state regualtions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday

2022 cruise season begins

Visitors and Juneau locals alike were excited for the arrival.

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday
This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Masks again required in Juneau schools

Announcement follows a change in CDC COVID-19 community level.

This August 2021 photo shows signs on the doors for Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé reminding those entering the building that masking is required. On Saturday, the district announced a change in CDC COVID-19 community level, masking would again be required. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.

Modest welcome and big hopes for 1st cruise ship of the season

City officials predicting near-normal season, but many uncertainties linger

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Amy Purvis, a private security officer who’s been a Juneau resident since 2000, sketches a heart and rose for a piece of woodburning art she hopes to sell to tourists this summer on the still mostly empty pier at Marine Park on Friday.