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On the ballot of this year’s municipal election, voters will decide if the city’s temporary” 1% sales tax should be extended as it celebrates its 50th consecutive year implemented in the City and Borough of Juneau. Last time it passed, close to 78% of residents voted yes, according to CBJ, and if passed again, it will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023, and run until Sept. 30, 2028. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

50 years ‘temporary’ and counting?

Voters asked to decide if the city’s 1% sales tax should be extended another 5 years

On the ballot of this year’s municipal election, voters will decide if the city’s temporary” 1% sales tax should be extended as it celebrates its 50th consecutive year implemented in the City and Borough of Juneau. Last time it passed, close to 78% of residents voted yes, according to CBJ, and if passed again, it will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023, and run until Sept. 30, 2028. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This photo from 2020 shows Mamie Clare with her family Jim Clare, Lione Clare, and Krisanne Rice. Clare, formerly of Sitka, knows firsthand that recovering from an eating disorder isn’t easy. (Courtesy Photo / Krisanne Rice)

Sitka family shares story to raise eating disorder awareness

Subject specialist comes to town for a pair of presentations.

This photo from 2020 shows Mamie Clare with her family Jim Clare, Lione Clare, and Krisanne Rice. Clare, formerly of Sitka, knows firsthand that recovering from an eating disorder isn’t easy. (Courtesy Photo / Krisanne Rice)
From left to right, Thunder Mountain High School cross country runners Randy Stichert, Piper Blackgoat and Kobe Yturbe finish up their run at cross country practice on Monday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Lacing up: Local cross country teams prep to host the largest race in Southeast Alaska this weekend

Run Juneau, run!

From left to right, Thunder Mountain High School cross country runners Randy Stichert, Piper Blackgoat and Kobe Yturbe finish up their run at cross country practice on Monday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shared on Capital City Fire/Rescue social media shows fire personnel on scene at the 1200 block of Glacier Avenue responding to smoke in the building. According the the social media post on Tuesday morning, no one was in the building at the time of the fire. (Courtesy Photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

CCFR puts out fire at Glacier Avenue business

No injuries were reported

This photo shared on Capital City Fire/Rescue social media shows fire personnel on scene at the 1200 block of Glacier Avenue responding to smoke in the building. According the the social media post on Tuesday morning, no one was in the building at the time of the fire. (Courtesy Photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
A new track and artificial turf field could be on the way to Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park if voters decide to OK 6.6 million in general obligation bond debt to go toward the funding of construction and equipment costs for park improvements at city-located parks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Campaign trails: Proposition puts recreation improvement question to voters

The $6.6M bond package will cause a slight increase in annual property taxes over 15 years.

A new track and artificial turf field could be on the way to Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park if voters decide to OK 6.6 million in general obligation bond debt to go toward the funding of construction and equipment costs for park improvements at city-located parks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Voters in the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election will decide whether to approve $35 million in bond debt to fund the majority of the construction cost for a new City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The $35M question: Advocates and critics weigh in on City Hall proposition

Ballots put bond debt question to voters.

Voters in the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election will decide whether to approve $35 million in bond debt to fund the majority of the construction cost for a new City Hall. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
David Evenson stood with his family Latavia Lofftus and Marilyn Willard to remember Felicia Evenson at the Candlelight Vigil & Memorial Walk held by Tlingit and Haida and SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium on Saturday at the Marine Park Pavilion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Stronger as a community: Vigil and walk mark Recovery Month

Many lights amid the darkness.

David Evenson stood with his family Latavia Lofftus and Marilyn Willard to remember Felicia Evenson at the Candlelight Vigil & Memorial Walk held by Tlingit and Haida and SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium on Saturday at the Marine Park Pavilion. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This year’s Discover Eaglecrest Day was on Saturday and saw one of the best attendance in quite some time, according to staff. Many new vendors and attractions were on site for the public, as well as a chance to purchase season passes and new gear for the winter season (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Wages —and a gondola —set to go up at Eaglecrest

7% employee wage increase and gondola arrival

This year’s Discover Eaglecrest Day was on Saturday and saw one of the best attendance in quite some time, according to staff. Many new vendors and attractions were on site for the public, as well as a chance to purchase season passes and new gear for the winter season (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

5 TD’s power Juneau’s 6th win

Juneau football still undefeated on the season.

Jarrell Williams, who scored five TDs against South Anchorage to help Juneau maintain an undefeated record, looks over the line of scrimmage in an Aug. 27 game against West Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Ships in Port for the week of Sept. 18

Here’s what to expect this week.

A Princess Cruise Line ship is docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities employees met at Discover Eaglecrest Day on Saturday to field questions regarding the Juneau Douglas North Crossing Planning and Environmental Linkages Study. This photo shows a map of potential locations proposed so far for the construction of the bridge if it comes to fruition. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Transportation officials provide info on second crossing study

“We want to hear from everybody.”

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities employees met at Discover Eaglecrest Day on Saturday to field questions regarding the Juneau Douglas North Crossing Planning and Environmental Linkages Study. This photo shows a map of potential locations proposed so far for the construction of the bridge if it comes to fruition. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
June Bunch, a co-host of the event, sings during the open mic event Thursday night as part of the Crystal Saloon BABEFEST series. Bunch also shared her singing chops during the Wednesday night “Tribute to Joni Mitchell.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

BABEFEST comes to Juneau

The four-night series features local artists and celebrates the many “babes” here in capital city

June Bunch, a co-host of the event, sings during the open mic event Thursday night as part of the Crystal Saloon BABEFEST series. Bunch also shared her singing chops during the Wednesday night “Tribute to Joni Mitchell.” (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

City OKs negotiation for potential affordable housing projects

City manager says it’s a “first step” toward addressing lack of housing.

This photo shows an aerial view of the Pederson Hill subdivision area. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)
Mila Cosgrove shakes hands with Sen. Jesse Kiehl after receiving a plaque from the members of the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature that honored her for her state service. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Cosgrove honored for ‘diligent and dedicated’ public service

Retiring in 2021, she spent more than two decades of public service work in the state and in Juneau.

Mila Cosgrove shakes hands with Sen. Jesse Kiehl after receiving a plaque from the members of the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature that honored her for her state service. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Duff Mitchell, managing director of Juneau Hydropower announced Juneau Hydropower’s joint development agreement to construct Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Plant with the Tokyo-based developer JPOWER during a Thursday afternoon Zoom news conference, which included an appearance by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, and other officials as a part of the project. (Screenshot)

Juneau Hydropower announces Sweetheart deal

After more than a decade of planning, project is expected to break ground sometime next year

Duff Mitchell, managing director of Juneau Hydropower announced Juneau Hydropower’s joint development agreement to construct Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Plant with the Tokyo-based developer JPOWER during a Thursday afternoon Zoom news conference, which included an appearance by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, and other officials as a part of the project. (Screenshot)
Jennifer Pemberton of KTOO and Clarise Larson of the Juneau Empire, at upper left and right respectively, moderate an online candidate forum Wednesday that featured unopposed Juneau Assembly candidates Carole Triem, Greg Smith and Wade Bryson. Juneau Board of Education candidates Emil Mackey and Deedie Sorensen, also unopposed in their races, participated in the second half of the hour-long event. (Screenshot)

Local candidates face off virtually unopposed

Three Assembly and two school board incumbents discuss priorities for upcoming terms

Jennifer Pemberton of KTOO and Clarise Larson of the Juneau Empire, at upper left and right respectively, moderate an online candidate forum Wednesday that featured unopposed Juneau Assembly candidates Carole Triem, Greg Smith and Wade Bryson. Juneau Board of Education candidates Emil Mackey and Deedie Sorensen, also unopposed in their races, participated in the second half of the hour-long event. (Screenshot)
This photo shows the Nelson Homestead in Haines and is a 128.5-acre property conserved in 2013 by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust. (Courtesy / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)

Crowdsourcing for conservation: Southeast Alaska residents can now donate to a nonprofit’s efforts to conserve land

Residents across Southeast Alaska are now able to donate to a nonprofit’s efforts to conserve land

This photo shows the Nelson Homestead in Haines and is a 128.5-acre property conserved in 2013 by the Southeast Alaska Land Trust. (Courtesy / Southeast Alaska Land Trust)
A car sit parked on Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Tuesday afternoon. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night that appropriated $100,000 to initiate the process of redevelopment of the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City takes step toward redeveloping Telephone Hill

Assembly OKs $100,000 for the planning process which could include new housing development

A car sit parked on Dixon Street in the Telephone Hill area on Tuesday afternoon. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night that appropriated $100,000 to initiate the process of redevelopment of the area. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor is one of a few places voters in Juneau can cast their ballots, which were mailed on Tuesday. There is also a drop box at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. Additionally, there will be vote centers at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library and voters can mail their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. More information, including voting center hours, is available online at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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WATCH: Candidates field questions ahead of local election

Learn more about the candidates seeking local office starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The ballot drop box at Don D. Statter Harbor is one of a few places voters in Juneau can cast their ballots, which were mailed on Tuesday. There is also a drop box at the Douglas Public Library/ Fire Station. Additionally, there will be vote centers at City Hall and the Mendenhall Valley Public Library and voters can mail their ballots via the U.S. Postal Service. More information, including voting center hours, is available online at https://juneau.org/clerk/elections. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire A cycle rickshaw passes the North State Office Building parking garage located on Willoughby Avenue in downtown Juneau. The City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly passed an ordinance unopposed Monday night that gave the OK for the appropriation of $5 million to go toward partially funding the planning and construction of additional parking levels.

City OKs $5M for future downtown parking expansion project

An addition $5M could be added if the temp. 1% sale tax extension is approved in upcoming election

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire A cycle rickshaw passes the North State Office Building parking garage located on Willoughby Avenue in downtown Juneau. The City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly passed an ordinance unopposed Monday night that gave the OK for the appropriation of $5 million to go toward partially funding the planning and construction of additional parking levels.