News

Annie Bartholomew prepares her banjo for rehearsal for her Victorian folk opera, “Sisters of White Chapel,” at the Treadwell Mine Office on July 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Play brings rarely-seen side of Klondike Gold Rush to fore

The performance will look at the lives of some of the women of the era.

Annie Bartholomew prepares her banjo for rehearsal for her Victorian folk opera, “Sisters of White Chapel,” at the Treadwell Mine Office on July 5, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A 48-year-old Juneau man died in a motorcycle crash after striking a tour bus broadside on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Police shut down outbound Egan for several hours while police investigated the crash. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man dies in motorcycle crash

Police are investigating the crash.

A 48-year-old Juneau man died in a motorcycle crash after striking a tour bus broadside on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Police shut down outbound Egan for several hours while police investigated the crash. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.

Petition to repeal city ordinance OK’d; Assembly has until Aug. 1 to repeal rule to nix election vote

“We needed 107. We turned in about 550.”

Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.
Two male sockeye salmon battle for territory in Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Sockeye harvest numbers soaring, other species see decline

See the salmon stats here.

Two male sockeye salmon battle for territory in Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo / Forest Service Alaska Region Western blackheaded budworm out to lunch on Southeast Alaska Hemlock trees.

The defoliator coming to a forest near you

Tongass National Forest visitors can help document western blackheaded budworms’ impact.

Courtesy Photo / Forest Service Alaska Region Western blackheaded budworm out to lunch on Southeast Alaska Hemlock trees.
A Juneau Police Department community service officer vehicle cordons off a road as officers took a man wanted on a $50,000 warrant into custody. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Police arrest wanted man following armed standoff

A shot was fired by the suspect, but no one was injured.

A Juneau Police Department community service officer vehicle cordons off a road as officers took a man wanted on a $50,000 warrant into custody. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau, the state of the union is festive

Melting pot of states, cultures and colors join in healthy unity for July 4 parade in unique times.

Rachel Hurst hands her son Benjamin, 4, a beach ball to throw to the crowd from the Hawaiian-themed Juneau Urgent Care float during the July 4 parade in downtown Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Fun and sun mark holiday in Douglas

Hot dogs and panting pups present for festivities.

Mia Halloway (6) grabs a cotton candy with her dad in Savikko Park. A long string of kids stood in line to grab a cotton candy from the Twhrly Whrliy Cotton Candy stand on a bright and sunny Fourth of July afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Go ‘Fourth’ into battle: Historical re-creators spend Independence Day at the park

Ever seen a knight fight a samurai?

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)

Friend of the feathers: Longtime Juneau Raptor Center member and manager departs

She’s been with the organization on and off since the ’90s.

Kathy Benner, former manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, trades looks with Phil, a gyrfalcon. (Courtesy photo / Kathy Benner)
Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Runners pound up Fish Creek Road towards the ski area during the Eaglecrest Road and Ridge Race on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Up with the sun: runners tackle Eaglecrest

Onward and upward, up the rising road.

Runners pound up Fish Creek Road towards the ski area during the Eaglecrest Road and Ridge Race on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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 July 3

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)
Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

All the trimmings: Douglas kids ready for holiday

Streamers, flags and reflectors, all in.

Aoibhinn Reetz executes her creative vision for her bike during the Douglas Fourth of July Committee’s annual Bicycle Decorating session held at the Douglas Public Library on July 2, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Spirit of America: Mother and son arrive as Juneau’s first Ukrainian refugees after four-month journey

“It’s just so beautiful.”

Iryna Hrynchenko and her 18 year old son, Ivan Hrynchenko, 18, Joyanne Bloom and Bridget Smith toast to the Ukrainians’ arrival Saturday at Juneau Airport. Bloom and Smith are part of a five-person group of residents who raised funds to bring the Hrynchenkos to Juneau, and is helping them with housing, education and job opportunities, and in other ways. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Statewide firework ban omits Southeast Alaska —authorities still urge caution

Stay safe and fire aware.

This photo shows fireworks. Local officials asked that people celebrating the Fourth of July enjoy the holiday safely and abide by the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks ordinance. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

What you need to know for this fourth of July

Check out the scheduled events here.

Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Rockets’ red glare illuminates the night sky and spectators during the City and Borough of Juneau’s fireworks display on July 3, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Board takes steps toward probe of ‘milk’ incident

There is debate about whether local or national experts are preferred for investigation.

This photo shows Sít' Eetí Shaanáx - Glacier Valley School the evening of Tuesday, June 14. The school is one of three sites of the Juneau School District's RALLY program. On Tuesday, children were served floor sealant instead of milk during breakfast at the school's RALLY site. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

The 411 on ranked choice voting

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho gives the lowdown.

Former Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho spoke about rank choice voting at the Chamber of Commerce's weekly luncheon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Boating safety — better lake than never

Up the creek, with a paddle.

Petty Officer 2nd Class William Peters tips Matthew Shockley into Twin Lakes on June 30, 2022 as part of a boating safety class. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)