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Juneau Police Department Officer C.J. Warnaca administers a field sobriety test after a four-car crash on Egan Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Nobody was harmed, authorities said on scene. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Driver in four-car crash charged with felony

One person was treated for minor injuries.

Juneau Police Department Officer C.J. Warnaca administers a field sobriety test after a four-car crash on Egan Drive on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. Nobody was harmed, authorities said on scene. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Juneau taxicab is pictured in February 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)

Free cab rides available Saturday night

This Halloween weekend, there’s reason for celebration but no reason to drive drunk. Those who are looking to have a few drinks at a bar… Continue reading

A Juneau taxicab is pictured in February 2017. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire File)
A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Glacier sends up bat signal with weekend activities

Just in time for Halloween, the U.S. Forest Service will celebrate National Bat Week at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this weekend. Youth-oriented activities and… Continue reading

A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto points out a new paving project on the southeast corner of the airport to allow for new hangers and more parking of planes and jets on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Airport starts plane parking expansion

Help is on the way for Juneau’s packed aircraft parking.

Juneau International Airport Manager Patty Wahto points out a new paving project on the southeast corner of the airport to allow for new hangers and more parking of planes and jets on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A view of the Princess Sophia’s port side, The ship, which was bound for Seattle, struck Vanderbilt Reef because of a confluence of conditions, including a late train and poor visibility. The ship sunk Oct. 25 1918. (Alaska State Library-Historical Collections, ASL-P87-1699)

Events commemorate Sophia’s centennial

Three major events are taking place Thursday.

A view of the Princess Sophia’s port side, The ship, which was bound for Seattle, struck Vanderbilt Reef because of a confluence of conditions, including a late train and poor visibility. The ship sunk Oct. 25 1918. (Alaska State Library-Historical Collections, ASL-P87-1699)
Coach Mark Kappler walks with Brice Norton, right, Mackenzie Lam and Renee Win, left, as they practice their trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Youth trap shooters to compete locally

The Juneau Trap Team is hosting the fourth annual Southeast Fall Tournament this weekend at the Juneau Gun Club. Close to 20 team members will… Continue reading

Coach Mark Kappler walks with Brice Norton, right, Mackenzie Lam and Renee Win, left, as they practice their trap shooting at the Juneau Gun Club on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Broken windows are covered up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, after reports of vandalism on Monday night. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Vandalism spree hits four Valley churches

One church suffered about $10,000 in damages.

Broken windows are covered up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, after reports of vandalism on Monday night. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Sealaska Plaza and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are seen during a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Sealaska Corp., the regional Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska, says it is not making an endorsement in the new-look governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Tlingit & Haida, Sealaska Corp. decline to endorse gov candidate

Sealaska Corp. will not make an endorsement in the new-look Alaska governor’s race.

Sealaska Plaza and the Sealaska Heritage Institute are seen during a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Sealaska Corp., the regional Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska, says it is not making an endorsement in the new-look governor’s race. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Sitka man charged with having, making pipe bomb

The man allegedly attempted to ignite a bomb near Herring Cove Road in Sitka on Oct. 4.

The new Project Playground design is based on the old playground, but includes a few upgrades. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Project Playground will close briefly for repairs

The newly reopened playground will be closed for a couple days.

The new Project Playground design is based on the old playground, but includes a few upgrades. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)
Nancy Keen, left, and Leona Santiago, right, pay tribute to the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group as they perform during a Celebrate Survivors gathering sponsored by Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and AWARE in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Photos: ‘Celebrate Survivors’ gathering in Juneau

People attend a Celebrate Survivors gathering sponsored by Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and AWARE in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on… Continue reading

Nancy Keen, left, and Leona Santiago, right, pay tribute to the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group as they perform during a Celebrate Survivors gathering sponsored by Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and AWARE in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Community gathers to Celebrate Survivors
Features

Community gathers to Celebrate Survivors

Pauline Stepetin capped a marker and passed a wood chip to her mother, Lois Jamestown, who placed in a bowl. The chip, which bore the… Continue reading

Community gathers to Celebrate Survivors
The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)

‘Emerging’ pollutant contaminates Gustavus well water

Some residents of the small town of Gustavus, near Glacier Bay National Park, are relying on state-provided drinking water after testing of private wells showed… Continue reading

The small Southeast town of Gustavus borders Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Like several Alaska sites, well water near the Gustavus Airport has been found to contain a harmful chemical, leaving a few residents reliant on bottled water provided by the state. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service)
Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Trauma in Vladivostok turns into Juneau resolve for candidate Sara Hannan

For Sara Hannan, there is a night in Vladivostok that she’ll always remember.

Sara Hannan, running as an Democrat for state House District 33, talks about her campaign during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Best photos of week of Oct. 19

Best photos of week of Oct. 19

Best Pictures of the Week by staff photographer Michael Penn. • Contact staff photographer Michael Penn at 523-2262 and mpenn@juneauempire.com.… Continue reading

Best photos of week of Oct. 19
Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)

After Walker quits, governor race now ‘down to the wire’

Mike Dunleavy still leads the race to become Alaska’s next governor, latest poll shows.

Republican Mike Dunleavy, left, and Democrat Mark Begich, right, are the two leading candidates in the race to replace incumbent independent Gov. Bill Walker. (Composite image)
Visiting African musician talks garbage guitars and playing Mandela’s inauguration
Features

Visiting African musician talks garbage guitars and playing Mandela’s inauguration

Vusi Mahlasela has a mug full of coffee, and he was ready to talk. “All right, let’s go,” Mahlasela said smiling in the green room… Continue reading

Visiting African musician talks garbage guitars and playing Mandela’s inauguration
The Fairbanks Four — Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese — hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed in December 2015 in Fairbanks. (Rachel D’Oro | The Associated Press file)

Federal judge dismisses Fairbanks Four lawsuit

A federal judge ruled against the Fairbanks Four in an opinion issued Monday.

The Fairbanks Four — Marvin Roberts, left to right, Kevin Pease, Eugene Vent, and George Frese — hold up four fingers, symbolizing the Fairbanks Four, in the David Salmon Tribal Hall after they were freed in December 2015 in Fairbanks. (Rachel D’Oro | The Associated Press file)
The city has received an offer to buy the area known as Pocket Park at Front and Franklin Streets to be used as a food court, but is likely to hold off on deciding a long-term future for the park. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

What next for downtown’s Pocket Park?

The owner of Deckhand Dave’s offered to buy the entire property.

The city has received an offer to buy the area known as Pocket Park at Front and Franklin Streets to be used as a food court, but is likely to hold off on deciding a long-term future for the park. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel wheel a man to a waiting ambulance at the scene of a two-car accident near the Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road intersection in the Mendenhall Valley in March 2016. Two people were treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital for minor injuries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

CCFR hopes $25K bonus attracts, keeps paramedics

The department has had a hard time recruiting and retaining paramedics.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel wheel a man to a waiting ambulance at the scene of a two-car accident near the Egan Drive and Mendenhall Loop Road intersection in the Mendenhall Valley in March 2016. Two people were treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital for minor injuries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)