Hundreds of regalia-clad dancers lined Willoughby Avenue behind Centennial Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in preparation for Celebration 2022's grand procession through the hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Hundreds of regalia-clad dancers lined Willoughby Avenue behind Centennial Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in preparation for Celebration 2022's grand procession through the hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Fran Houston, cultural Leader of the A'akw Kwáan, dances during Celebration in downtown Juneau. Wednesday, the biennial celebration of Alaska Native peoples and cultures brought song, dance and the opening of a new arts campus to the capital city. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Celebration opens with Sealaska campus debut

Dances, ceremonies, Alaska’s first 360-degree totem and a new discovery about old times mark event

Fran Houston, cultural Leader of the A'akw Kwáan, dances during Celebration in downtown Juneau. Wednesday, the biennial celebration of Alaska Native peoples and cultures brought song, dance and the opening of a new arts campus to the capital city. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kristall Bullock, 16, right, a Ketchikan resident whose Native-themed vest is part of the Sealaska Heritage Juried Youth Art Exhibit, examines works by her peers during the debt of the exhibit Friday at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. She said she saw works at the exhibit during Celebration in 2018, when she was with one of the dance groups, and “I was thinking I want to have a piece.” Viewing other works at the exhibit with Bullock are her sister, Anna Lindgren, and 8-month-old niece, Evelyn. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Healthy outlook for return of Celebration

Landmark Alaska Native event returns to Juneau starting Wednesday, with strict COVID-19 rules.

Kristall Bullock, 16, right, a Ketchikan resident whose Native-themed vest is part of the Sealaska Heritage Juried Youth Art Exhibit, examines works by her peers during the debt of the exhibit Friday at the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council. She said she saw works at the exhibit during Celebration in 2018, when she was with one of the dance groups, and “I was thinking I want to have a piece.” Viewing other works at the exhibit with Bullock are her sister, Anna Lindgren, and 8-month-old niece, Evelyn. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
There have been reports of wolves, like the one shown in this public domain image, near the Mendenhall River Community School in early June, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hasn’t received any reports of wolves being a nuisance, said a state biologist. (Milo Weiler / Unsplash)
There have been reports of wolves, like the one shown in this public domain image, near the Mendenhall River Community School in early June, but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game hasn’t received any reports of wolves being a nuisance, said a state biologist. (Milo Weiler / Unsplash)
This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau man was sentenced to more than a decade imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor at Dimond Courthouse on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau man was sentenced to more than a decade imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor at Dimond Courthouse on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Coast Guard medevaced two people from shore after their plane crashed in the water near Outer Point on Douglas Island, Alaska, June 7, 2022. The two survivors immediately swam ashore after their plane crashed approximately 100 feet from shore. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard)

2 stable following plane crash near Outer Point

The plane’s sole two occupants immediately swam to shore.

The Coast Guard medevaced two people from shore after their plane crashed in the water near Outer Point on Douglas Island, Alaska, June 7, 2022. The two survivors immediately swam ashore after their plane crashed approximately 100 feet from shore. (Courtesy Photo / Coast Guard)
Dense residential housing in areas such as Douglas includes a mixture of more expensive homes occupied by long-term owners, rentals occupied by residents from various income categories and an increasing number of short-term rentals occupied by tourists. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

Long-term debate continues about short-term rentals

Mandatory registration of Airbnb and similar rentals favored by Assembly members.

Dense residential housing in areas such as Douglas includes a mixture of more expensive homes occupied by long-term owners, rentals occupied by residents from various income categories and an increasing number of short-term rentals occupied by tourists. (Courtesy Photo / City and Borough of Juneau)
Fenton Jacobs, 42, was found guilty on Friday of a number of charges from his involvement in a 2019 stabbing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Fenton Jacobs, 42, was found guilty on Friday of a number of charges from his involvement in a 2019 stabbing. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
An artist depiction of a new city hall building at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau, which would cost an estimated $41 million with an underground parking garage, according to a presentation to Juneau Assembly members Monday. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

A priceless vote for a new city hall

Juneau’s Assembly members OK drafting bond measure for fall ballot, but not yet sure of the amount.

An artist depiction of a new city hall building at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau, which would cost an estimated $41 million with an underground parking garage, according to a presentation to Juneau Assembly members Monday. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)
A Juneau man was arrested for possession of drugs in Harris Harbor on Monday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau man arrested at harbor for drug possession

Law enforcement personnel waited till the man picked up the package before arresting him.

A Juneau man was arrested for possession of drugs in Harris Harbor on Monday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Saturday a woman was arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Police seize drugs at airport

The estimated value was more than $100,000.

This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Saturday a woman was arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Bartlett Regional Hospital is extending its search for a new chief executive officer after two finalists for the job recently withdrew from consideration. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Bartlett extends new CEO search

Hospital board to reevalute current applicants, may consider new ones, as lengthy search gets longer

Bartlett Regional Hospital is extending its search for a new chief executive officer after two finalists for the job recently withdrew from consideration. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)

Property buyers may again be able to keep prices secret

Ballot petition repealing required disclosure of price to city has enough signatures, proponents say

A sign asking Juneau residents to sign a petition eliminating a requirement that property buyers disclose their purchase price is displayed by a signature gatherer during a collection effort earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Alaska Board of Realtors)
The Sealaska Heritage Institute's new arts campus was still under construction on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, but will officially open at noon this Wednesday for the start of Celebration, Sealaska's biennial festival. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Sealaska Heritage Institute's new arts campus was still under construction on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, but will officially open at noon this Wednesday for the start of Celebration, Sealaska's biennial festival. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Trail Mix Inc.’s executive director, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, right, walks with Mike McKrill off Lemon Creek Trail on June 4, 2022 after taking part in the organization’s annual National Trails Day event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Saturdays are for the trails: Trail Mix and volunteers work on Lemon Creek Trail

The organization brought back its in-person National Trails Day event.

Trail Mix Inc.’s executive director, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, right, walks with Mike McKrill off Lemon Creek Trail on June 4, 2022 after taking part in the organization’s annual National Trails Day event. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Fenton Jacobs, 42, stands during court as he’s tried for charges relating to a 2019 stabbing on June 3, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Fenton Jacobs, 42, stands during court as he’s tried for charges relating to a 2019 stabbing on June 3, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue has issued a burn ban in effect till at least Friday evening as several small fires have been reported from the dry weather. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

CCFR handles multiple dry-weather fires

Rain is expected to provide relief over the weekend.

Capital City Fire/Rescue has issued a burn ban in effect till at least Friday evening as several small fires have been reported from the dry weather. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo of an interactive spreadsheet showing how adjusting sales tax and property tax rates can compensate for revenue lost if food is exempt from local sales taxes during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee rejected putting several variations of the food tax exemption on the fall municipal ballot, instead suggesting they may favor an advisory vote on the issue. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Food sales tax exemption stalls out —for now

Members of Juneau’s Assembly reject proposal for fall ballot, but residents may see advisory vote.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon takes a photo of an interactive spreadsheet showing how adjusting sales tax and property tax rates can compensate for revenue lost if food is exempt from local sales taxes during a meeting of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday. The committee rejected putting several variations of the food tax exemption on the fall municipal ballot, instead suggesting they may favor an advisory vote on the issue. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A sign on the Douglas Highway advertises a home for sale on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Home prices in Alaska have been increasing for the past two years but an expected increase to interest rates might cool off the market. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)