Mark Sabbatini

A map shows where five proposed totem poles would be placed at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (U.S. Forest Service)

Five new totem poles proposed at Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center as part of stewardship agreement

Open house Wednesday to discuss project intended to “represent several Tlingit and Haida clans.”

 

Kristin Garot asks a question to members of Juneau’s legislative delegation at a town hall in the Dzantik’i Heeni school commons on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Expect tighter budget, but more say in how the money is spent, local legislators say

Juneau lawmakers cite familiar issues of education, pensions as priorities at pre-session town hall

 

Rep. Sara Hannan (left) and Rep. Andi Story, both Juneau Democrats, talk during a break in floor debate Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bans on cellphones for students, abortion, styrofoam food containers among Legislature’s first prefiled bills

Two members of Juneau’s delegation reintroduce bills for students, public employees, crime victims.

 

A combined crew from the Yakutat City and Borough and Tongass National Forest began pilot treatment of willows to improve moose browsing habitat in August of 2023. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Tongass Forest Plan Revision draft released, starting clock on 45-day comment period

Plan seeks to balance range of tribal, environmental, industrial and climate goals.

A combined crew from the Yakutat City and Borough and Tongass National Forest began pilot treatment of willows to improve moose browsing habitat in August of 2023. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest’s new GM: “Something drastic needs to happen or that team is going to crumble from the inside”

Employees’ struggles acknowledged as leaders responding to critical report say future holds promise.

Kids take part in ski lessons this week at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Snotty Nose Rez Kids rappers Yung Trybez and Young D sing to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Áak’w Rock canceled due to lack of staff, organizers say Indigenous music festival will return in 2027

Event with virtual debut in 2021 and first in-person fest in 2023 alternates years with Celebration.

Snotty Nose Rez Kids rappers Yung Trybez and Young D sing to the crowd during a performance as part of the final night of the Áak’w Rock music festival at Centennial Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 10, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The front page of the Juneau Empire on Jan. 10, 1995. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A firefighter tries to contain a flareup in a house fire on Aspen Avenue on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

One person killed, one hospitalized in early-morning house fire in Mendenhall Valley

Home considered a total loss, family left without possessions as fire ignites while they’re sleeping.

A firefighter tries to contain a flareup in a house fire on Aspen Avenue on Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A firefighter carries a hose toward a Mendenhall Valley house still experiencing flareups hours after a fire started early Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Fire that destroyed home deliberately set by man who died from cause ‘not related to the fire’

Relative suffered life-threatening burns reentering house trying to find man, according to police.

A firefighter carries a hose toward a Mendenhall Valley house still experiencing flareups hours after a fire started early Saturday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of local and congressional leaders on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Flood protection at top of Juneau Assembly’s legislative project funding list

Second Douglas crossing, wastewater plant rank next; some members concerned civic center is low on list.

Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of local and congressional leaders on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Mendenhall Wastewater Facility is among the many locations in Juneau that local leaders say are in need of overdue major maintenance and upgrades. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Assembly may ask voters to OK $20M utility bond and $10M school bond, cruise visitors to pay $7 more in fees

City leaders also looking at hikes to property taxes and utility rates to cope with snowballing costs.

The Mendenhall Wastewater Facility is among the many locations in Juneau that local leaders say are in need of overdue major maintenance and upgrades. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Hundreds of residents and cruise ship passengers visit the Juneau Maritime Festival at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s younger population dropping fast, older residents increasing rapidly, latest state count shows

8.3% drop in residents under 35 between 2020 and 2024, 21% increase in residents 65 and older.

Hundreds of residents and cruise ship passengers visit the Juneau Maritime Festival at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza on Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Suspicious package in mail leads to drug bust at downtown hotel

$42,700 of suspected illegal drugs and more than $2,000 in cash seized, JPD reports.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A long line of residents pick up groceries at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank on Aug. 20, 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Lawsuits for backlogged public assistance programs result in mandatory monthly progress reports by state

Alaska agrees to such reports for cash assistance after judge orders similar requirement for food stamps.

A long line of residents pick up groceries at the Southeast Alaska Food Bank on Aug. 20, 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A new development and policy blueprint for downtown Juneau got unanimous approval Monday from the Juneau Assembly. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opening lots of land around Juneau to more development gets OK from Assembly

More housing is major goal of new downtown blueprint, rezoning proposals in North Douglas and Auke Bay.

A new development and policy blueprint for downtown Juneau got unanimous approval Monday from the Juneau Assembly. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Dave Hanna (center), a former Eaglecrest Ski Area board member, addresses the current resort leaders during a board meeting Thursday night at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Eaglecrest’s future may depend on how many cruise passengers will pay $171 to ride the gondola

Operators’ ridership and pricing expectations questionable, says former GM hired by CBJ for study.

Dave Hanna (center), a former Eaglecrest Ski Area board member, addresses the current resort leaders during a board meeting Thursday night at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, the service’s newest icebreaker, near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Coast Guard: ‘It will be several years before families arrive in Juneau’ with icebreaker

Initial crew of 60 expected to be assigned to Storis next summer, but major ship and port upgrades await.

The future U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis, the service’s newest icebreaker, near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Teen arrested for New Year’s DUI after collision with parked vehicle that injured three juveniles

Lance Martell, 19, also arrested on assault and endangerment charges after wreck at end of Thane Road.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A Juneau Police Department officer monitors the perimeter of a marked-off area next to the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In after a women carrying a hatchet was fatally shot by police officers on Christmas morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Names of JPD officers involved in fatal Christmas Day shooting of woman near Breeze In released

Lone officer who fired gun has been on force for six years, with no record of misconduct.

A Juneau Police Department officer monitors the perimeter of a marked-off area next to the Mendenhall Valley Breeze In after a women carrying a hatchet was fatally shot by police officers on Christmas morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
At left, homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Aug. 6. At center, students crowd into the commons area of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before classes start on the first day of school Aug. 15. At right, Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation at Marine Park on May 10. (Left photo by Rich Ross/ City and Borough of Juneau; middle and right photos by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s 10 biggest news stories of 2024

Record flooding proves costly, while record financial crises result in a deluge of drastic changes.

At left, homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Aug. 6. At center, students crowd into the commons area of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before classes start on the first day of school Aug. 15. At right, Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation at Marine Park on May 10. (Left photo by Rich Ross/ City and Borough of Juneau; middle and right photos by Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)