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A basketball passes through a hoop at Thunder Mountain High School. Expect to see a lot more of that this week as the Region V Tournament will be hosted at the high school. Games start Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

2A Schools will fill gym at Region V Tournament

Top teams and players are among the state’s best.

A basketball passes through a hoop at Thunder Mountain High School. Expect to see a lot more of that this week as the Region V Tournament will be hosted at the high school. Games start Wednesday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Sonya Kelliher-Combs teaches a youth activity Saturday afternoon where Juneau middle school students were invited to learn how to create a a pouch made from hog intestine and embellished with beads and natural materials. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

‘It’s a part of who I am’

Artist uses the endangered art of marine mammal gut to explore the truth of Alaska Native history

Sonya Kelliher-Combs teaches a youth activity Saturday afternoon where Juneau middle school students were invited to learn how to create a a pouch made from hog intestine and embellished with beads and natural materials. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Doug Sanvik rips down a hill on a luge at Eaglecrest Ski Area Saturday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Don’t snooze on the luge: Juneau resident hopes to share his love of luging with the community

It’s a luge deal.

Doug Sanvik rips down a hill on a luge at Eaglecrest Ski Area Saturday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.

K-9 keeps nose to grindstone as he nears retirement

Buddy continues to play a critical role in drug control in Juneau

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Left to right, Lilah Gaguine, Maddie Lesh, Lyndley Nakamura and Hallie Reid (top) are all smiles after taking 10th place in this year’s Battle of the Books competition on Thursday at Borealis Elementary School via phone conference.

Here’s booking at you, kids

Montessori Borealis students earn 10th place in statewide Battle of the Books.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Left to right, Lilah Gaguine, Maddie Lesh, Lyndley Nakamura and Hallie Reid (top) are all smiles after taking 10th place in this year’s Battle of the Books competition on Thursday at Borealis Elementary School via phone conference.
Scotch Cap Lighthouse, on the southwest shore of Unimak Island, before the giant wave of April 1, 1946. (NOAA/NGDC, Coast Guard)

Alaska Science Forum: The demise of Scotch Cap lighthouse

In 1946, a 130-foot wave struck the lighthouse at 2:18 a.m.

Scotch Cap Lighthouse, on the southwest shore of Unimak Island, before the giant wave of April 1, 1946. (NOAA/NGDC, Coast Guard)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters move to extinguish a trailer fire Friday morning. The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by an electric toaster, officials say.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Toaster apparent cause of fatal fire

One person, two dogs dead after trailer blaze.

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters move to extinguish a trailer fire Friday morning. The cause of the fire is believed to be caused by an electric toaster, officials say.(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire The JDHS boys basketball team celebrates after a hard fought battle against TMHS on Thursday night for the final conference game of the season. Thursday night was also JDHS’s senior night where seniors from the dance squads, prep band and basketball teams were honored in between the girls and boys games.

Emotions high for JDHS girls and boys basketball senior night

Region V tournament begins March 8.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire The JDHS boys basketball team celebrates after a hard fought battle against TMHS on Thursday night for the final conference game of the season. Thursday night was also JDHS’s senior night where seniors from the dance squads, prep band and basketball teams were honored in between the girls and boys games.
Cars zoom across the downtown bridge connecting Juneau to Douglas Island. Thursday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Public Works and Facilities Committee hosted an open forum meeting to discuss a proposed second crossing from Juneau to Douglas Island. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinions cross at city-hosted second crossing meeting

Residents express support and concern about the potential project.

Cars zoom across the downtown bridge connecting Juneau to Douglas Island. Thursday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Public Works and Facilities Committee hosted an open forum meeting to discuss a proposed second crossing from Juneau to Douglas Island. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Alaskan Brewing Co. staff presents a check to Southeast Alaska Food Bank director Chris Schapp on Tuesday as part of the company’s “Cheers to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank!” celebration. The evening also celebrated the selection of Alaskan Brewing Co. next year recipient SEADOGS. (Courtesy Photo / Erin Youngstrom)

Alaskan Brewing Co. selects 2023 nonprofit partner, donates $8,000 to food bank

Tasting Room event celebrates 2022 donation to Southeast Food Bank.

Alaskan Brewing Co. staff presents a check to Southeast Alaska Food Bank director Chris Schapp on Tuesday as part of the company’s “Cheers to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank!” celebration. The evening also celebrated the selection of Alaskan Brewing Co. next year recipient SEADOGS. (Courtesy Photo / Erin Youngstrom)
Swimmers compete in the USMS state masters swimming meet over the weekend, hosted for the first time by the Glacier Swim Club at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Courtesy Photo / Philip Loseby)

Glacier Swim Club hosts masters meet for the first time in Juneau

GSC breaks state records at masters meet.

Swimmers compete in the USMS state masters swimming meet over the weekend, hosted for the first time by the Glacier Swim Club at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. (Courtesy Photo / Philip Loseby)
The Juneau School District was scammed out of nearly $270,000 this fall, according to a memo shared with the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee at its Wednesday night meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

School district scammed out of nearly $270,000 by someone posing as a vendor

City officials say CBJ may assist in covering the financial burden

The Juneau School District was scammed out of nearly $270,000 this fall, according to a memo shared with the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee at its Wednesday night meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Three arrested on robbery and assault charges

Only minor injuries were reported.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, advocates for more state funding on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities so they can “live as independently as possible” with the help of service providers during a rally in a heavy snowstorm at midday Wednesday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol.

Rally for disability services plows ahead despite weather

About 20 people make their way to Capitol to seek solutions for service shortages.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire State Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, advocates for more state funding on behalf of Alaska residents with disabilities so they can “live as independently as possible” with the help of service providers during a rally in a heavy snowstorm at midday Wednesday on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Plows work to clear Mendenhall Valley streets on Wednesday.

Blizzard prompts closures, elevates avalanche risk in Juneau

Officials say as the snow continues to fall, the avalanche risk rises

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Plows work to clear Mendenhall Valley streets on Wednesday.
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire TMHS junior Thomas Baxter (30) watches as his game-winning shot makes its way past the arms of JDHS senior Orion Dybdahl (20) and JDHS senior Kai Hargrave (24) who contested the shot closely.

Thunder Mountain strikes twice in senior night games

Boys and girls win in cross-town contests against JDHS.

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire TMHS junior Thomas Baxter (30) watches as his game-winning shot makes its way past the arms of JDHS senior Orion Dybdahl (20) and JDHS senior Kai Hargrave (24) who contested the shot closely.
The sun shines over the Montana Creek area Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the City and Borough of Juneau released the final draft of the Montana Creek Draft master plan, which is now open for public comment until March. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

City releases final draft of Montana Creek master plan

Residents have until the end of March to submit comments

The sun shines over the Montana Creek area Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the City and Borough of Juneau released the final draft of the Montana Creek Draft master plan, which is now open for public comment until March. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow covers West Douglas Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly discussed whether to move forward with a local company which seeks to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road.

Longer road ahead for proposed e-bike tours on Pioneer Road

A company seeks to provide tours three times per day, six days a week

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow covers West Douglas Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly discussed whether to move forward with a local company which seeks to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Explosives used to reduce avalanche risk

Mission comes ahead of expected heavy snowfall.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities drops explosives via helicopter to trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road Tuesday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted Monday evening to consolidate the Treadwell Arena Advisory Board, the Aquatics Board and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Advisory Board into one collective Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City to consolidate multiple advisory boards

The decision comes after difficulties to fill board vacancies and maintain consist meetings

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted Monday evening to consolidate the Treadwell Arena Advisory Board, the Aquatics Board and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Advisory Board into one collective Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)