Dana Zigmund

Jill Kaasteen Meserve helps a student learn the art of flatstich beading on a Ravenstail pattern on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Sharing techniques with the next generation

“It’s so fun that we get to pass this on to the next generation.”

Jill Kaasteen Meserve helps a student learn the art of flatstich beading on a Ravenstail pattern on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Walter Alexander Soboleff Jr., listens to the story he shared and narrated for the Juneau Voices audio walk on June 24, 2021. His story recounts the struggles he had growing up as the child of prominent Alaskan Native leader and minister Walter Soboleff, namesake of building listeners look out on while hearing the installation. He wore his late father’s hat to a recent celebration of the project. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s less-heard history comes to life in new downtown audio walk

Audio installations share heritage through personal stories

Walter Alexander Soboleff Jr., listens to the story he shared and narrated for the Juneau Voices audio walk on June 24, 2021. His story recounts the struggles he had growing up as the child of prominent Alaskan Native leader and minister Walter Soboleff, namesake of building listeners look out on while hearing the installation. He wore his late father’s hat to a recent celebration of the project. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
People follow the One People’s Canoe Society canoe to Savikko Park at the end of the Douglas Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. After the pandemic forced a hiatus on festivities last year, a full slate of activities are scheduled for this weekend. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

It’s shaping up to be a busy July 4 weekend

Party like it’s America’s 245th birthday

People follow the One People’s Canoe Society canoe to Savikko Park at the end of the Douglas Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2019. After the pandemic forced a hiatus on festivities last year, a full slate of activities are scheduled for this weekend. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
When the rules changed in May, the city published this summary to help residents understand the updated fireworks regulations. (Courtesy Image/City and Borough of Juneau)
When the rules changed in May, the city published this summary to help residents understand the updated fireworks regulations. (Courtesy Image/City and Borough of Juneau)
Alex Borton, left, and his father David Borton, aim to traverse Alaska's Inside Passage in a solar-powered vessel. The pair left Bellingham, Washington on May 26 and arrived in Juneau's Harris Harbor Sunday, June 27. They head to Glacier Bay next. The boat is powered by rooftop solar panels. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Sailing on sunshine

The Wayward Sun carries on.

Alex Borton, left, and his father David Borton, aim to traverse Alaska's Inside Passage in a solar-powered vessel. The pair left Bellingham, Washington on May 26 and arrived in Juneau's Harris Harbor Sunday, June 27. They head to Glacier Bay next. The boat is powered by rooftop solar panels. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc.’s Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday, June 28, 2021. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Indoor DIPAC exhibits to remain closed for summer

Outdoor viewing and salmon counts still on

The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc.’s Macaulay Salmon Hatchery on Monday, June 28, 2021. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Two traditional Tlingit canoes powered by local students traversed 17.64 miles between Statter Harbor and Douglas Harbor on Friday, June 25, 2021. (Courtesy Photo/Chuck Seaca, Alaska Humanities Forum)

Paddling the channel

Local students complete 17-mile journey

Two traditional Tlingit canoes powered by local students traversed 17.64 miles between Statter Harbor and Douglas Harbor on Friday, June 25, 2021. (Courtesy Photo/Chuck Seaca, Alaska Humanities Forum)
Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The data show that the pandemic-related tourism restrictions battered communities in Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Business climate survey shows pandemic’s outsize local impact

Southeast Alaska one of the country’s hardest-hit areas

Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, shared the 2021 Business Climate Survey results with members of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Thursday. The data show that the pandemic-related tourism restrictions battered communities in Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Alaska’s syphilis infection rate increases

State records 49% more cases in 2020

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. Alaska's syphilis infection rates increased by 49% over 2019 numbers, the Department of Health and Social Services reported this week. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Fresh rainwater sits on top of the ice at Auke Lake in Jeanueary 2019. Although June is typically considered a relatively dry month in the capital city, the National Weather Service is predicting heavy rain starting Wednesday evening and through the weekend. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Barbara Blake recently entered the race for the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly, setting up a head-to-head contest with school board member Paul Kelly, who declared his candidacy in May. Both Blake and Kelly aim to replace long-serving assembly member Loren Jones, who is prevented from running again due to term limits. (Courtesy photo/Barbara Blake)

Race is on for opening CBJ Assembly seat

A second candidate files to run for District 1 position.

Barbara Blake recently entered the race for the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly, setting up a head-to-head contest with school board member Paul Kelly, who declared his candidacy in May. Both Blake and Kelly aim to replace long-serving assembly member Loren Jones, who is prevented from running again due to term limits. (Courtesy photo/Barbara Blake)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. When school resumes in August, Juneau teacher Kelly Stewart will be the interim assistant principal, district officials announced on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local teacher named assistant principal at TMHS

Kelly Stewart accepts interim role

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. When school resumes in August, Juneau teacher Kelly Stewart will be the interim assistant principal, district officials announced on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire 
A proposal by the Juneau Off-Road Association to build a hardened trail and campground in the Montana Creek area generated 280 public comments. The majority of comments submitted to the state opposed the plan. A sign marks the end of the road in the area on June 17, 2021.

Proposed Montana Creek Access Road generates almost 500 pages of comments

Users of the Montana Creek area have a lot to say.

Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire 
A proposal by the Juneau Off-Road Association to build a hardened trail and campground in the Montana Creek area generated 280 public comments. The majority of comments submitted to the state opposed the plan. A sign marks the end of the road in the area on June 17, 2021.
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. When school resumes in the fall, John Luhrs will serve as the interim principal. The search for a new assistant principal continues.	(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Interim principal named at TMHS

Veteran educator John Luhrs will step into the post

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. When school resumes in the fall, John Luhrs will serve as the interim principal. The search for a new assistant principal continues.	(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. Juneau School District Officials are working to find two new principals for the school. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Principal seats are open at TMHS

Search begins for new leaders

Thunder Mountain High School on April 18, 2021. Juneau School District Officials are working to find two new principals for the school. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Norwegian Cruise Lines recently offered to donate $2 million to the City and Borough of Juneau to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic-related pause on cruises. On Monday evening, city officials declined the donation and asked the company to redirect the money to the Juneau Community Foundation, a local charitable organization. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

CBJ redirects cruise line’s donation offer

City asks NCL to give proposed $2M donation to Juneau Community Foundation.

The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Norwegian Cruise Lines recently offered to donate $2 million to the City and Borough of Juneau to help alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic-related pause on cruises. On Monday evening, city officials declined the donation and asked the company to redirect the money to the Juneau Community Foundation, a local charitable organization. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
On Monday evening, assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale introduced an amendment to reduce the mill rate for the 2021 property tax levy to 10.56. The measure passed and the .10 reduction will reduce 2021 property taxes by about $10 on every $100,000 of valuation. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
On Monday evening, assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale introduced an amendment to reduce the mill rate for the 2021 property tax levy to 10.56. The measure passed and the .10 reduction will reduce 2021 property taxes by about $10 on every $100,000 of valuation. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska’s three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Help wanted: Alaskans to teach Alaska’s students

New consortium and marketing campaign aims to retain and recruit teachers

University officials are hoping that increased collaboration between the University of Alaska’s three schools of education will result in more Alaskans becoming teachers. The Univerity of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, offers teacher training and retention programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members agreed to take a closer look at the city’s arrangement with Travel Juneau, the private marketing organization for the Juneau area. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City to consider relationship with Travel Juneau

Committee to explore a competitive bid process

At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members agreed to take a closer look at the city’s arrangement with Travel Juneau, the private marketing organization for the Juneau area. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
In this photo taken Wednesday, May 30, 2018, a sail boat maneuvers near a large cruise ship near Juneau, Alaska. On Monday night, members of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Committee of the Whole considered whether to authorize city manager Rorie Watt to enter into port agreements that allow unvaccinated minors to visit Juneau with their families as long as certain conditions are met. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, file)

City to consider allowing unvaccinated kids onboard Juneau-bound cruise ships

The assembly is set to make a final decision later this month.

In this photo taken Wednesday, May 30, 2018, a sail boat maneuvers near a large cruise ship near Juneau, Alaska. On Monday night, members of the City and Borough of Juneau’s Committee of the Whole considered whether to authorize city manager Rorie Watt to enter into port agreements that allow unvaccinated minors to visit Juneau with their families as long as certain conditions are met. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, file)