Michael S. Lockett

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Friends in damp places: Sector Juneau CO talks partnerships, future plans

A new set of eyes can examine old plans, the new commander said.

Capt. Darwin R. Jensen, Sector Juneau’s new commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at the station on July 7, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Wrangell and Petersburg recently implemented text-to-911 systems for their emergency dispatches. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Wrangell and Petersburg get text-to-911 service

It’s a step forward that Juneau is eyeing for the future.

Wrangell and Petersburg recently implemented text-to-911 systems for their emergency dispatches. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Personnel from Juneau Mountain Rescue and Capital City Fire/Rescue recovered an injured hiker on the Eagle Glacier Trail on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (Courtesy photo / JMR)

Fire department and volunteers help injured hiker

The hiker had injured an ankle and required assistance.

Personnel from Juneau Mountain Rescue and Capital City Fire/Rescue recovered an injured hiker on the Eagle Glacier Trail on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (Courtesy photo / JMR)
The Juneau Huskies practice on Aug. 10. The high school football team's record stands at 2-1 following a loss to West Anchorage over the weekend. On Saturday, Juneau will host East Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

7 points: Despite good first half, West Anchorage takes Huskies down

Juneau turns in a solid performance on an away game.

The Juneau Huskies practice on Aug. 10. The high school football team's record stands at 2-1 following a loss to West Anchorage over the weekend. On Saturday, Juneau will host East Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Gauvain participates in the line toss, one of the inter-vessel competitions during this year’s Buoy Tender Roundup at Sector Juneau, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
A vessel struck the Douglas Bridge, seen here from the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.

‘The bridge is safe’: Superficial damage reported following barge strike

It’s not the first time that vessel has struck the bridge in August.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
A vessel struck the Douglas Bridge, seen here from the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to multiple fires Thursday morning, including this one on West 10th Street, reported at 3:16 a.m. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Fire crews respond to multiple early-morning fires

No injuries were reported but the damage is substantial at least one fire.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to multiple fires Thursday morning, including this one on West 10th Street, reported at 3:16 a.m. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
Juneau residents and veterans gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 for Together with Juneau Veterans’ first Walk with a Vet event across the Douglas Bridge. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Veteran suicide prevention group holds inaugural march

A walk across the bridge with good conversation is a little easier than 22km with a packed ruck.

Juneau residents and veterans gathered on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 for Together with Juneau Veterans’ first Walk with a Vet event across the Douglas Bridge. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Search continues for missing man after personal items found at campsite

A backpack and other items were found in an abandonded campsite.

Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Active search and rescue for missing man called off

The investigation will continue on as a missing person case.

Joseph Clayton, seen here, was last seen in Juneau of Friday, Aug. 20, and is currently missing. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
Rayna Tuckwood, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore, sprints to the finish during a cross country race at Savikko Park on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Tuckwood would place first with a time of 20:20 as the JDHS girls took the first five places. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Cross country teams coming out of the gates hot

JDHS girls scored a perfect meet: five-for-five.

Rayna Tuckwood, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore, sprints to the finish during a cross country race at Savikko Park on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. Tuckwood would place first with a time of 20:20 as the JDHS girls took the first five places. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Marine Corps and Army veteran Darren Hafford does pushups in front of the Alaska State Capitol as part of a fundraising effort where Hafford is traveling to every state capitol building and doing pushups in front of them to raise awareness and money for veteran suicide prevention. Juneau is his 49th, with only Hawaii remaining. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Marine Corps and Army veteran Darren Hafford does pushups in front of the Alaska State Capitol as part of a fundraising effort where Hafford is traveling to every state capitol building and doing pushups in front of them to raise awareness and money for veteran suicide prevention. Juneau is his 49th, with only Hawaii remaining. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Contractors from SECON replace the parking of St. Vincent de Paul Juneau on Aug. 20, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Mendenhall Valley fire under investigation as possible arson

There are a number of suspicious factors, the fire marshal said.

Capital City Fire/Rescue are investigating a fire that occurred in an abandoned building in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 19, 2021 as suspicious. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Alaska blood bank faces critical shortages of multiple blood types

Pandemic conditions, summer and trauma rates all add to the need.

A donor gives blood at the Blood Bank of Alaska’s Juneau center on Aug. 18, 2021. The BBA is currently experiencing critical shortages of multiple blood types statewide. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department has issued a public survey as they consider improvements to the North Douglas Boat Launch Ramp, seen here on Aug. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Docks and Harbors considering North Douglas launch ramp improvements

The department has issued a survey to see what the public wants.

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department has issued a public survey as they consider improvements to the North Douglas Boat Launch Ramp, seen here on Aug. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A sidewalk-based message welcomes students and staff back to Sít’ Eetí Shaanàx-Glacier Valley School ahead of the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 16.

Teachers share excitement about return to classrooms

There’s nothing like in-person instruction for teaching

A sidewalk-based message welcomes students and staff back to Sít’ Eetí Shaanàx-Glacier Valley School ahead of the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 16.
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. nbsp; (NIAID-RML via AP)

New cases continue to surge in city, state

Nearly 800% increase in 7-day average for new case rate since July.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. nbsp; (NIAID-RML via AP)
A seventh death from the coronavirus, which occurred at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this January 2021 photo, was reported on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City reports 7th COVID death

It follows a sixth death last week.

A seventh death from the coronavirus, which occurred at Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown in this January 2021 photo, was reported on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue extinguished a fire at a residence in the Mendenhall Valley caused by a space heater igniting combustible materials on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (Courtesy photo /CCFR)

Space heater causes trailer fire early Sunday

The fire was extinguished quickly, with care taken in ensuring it had been completely contained.

Capital City Fire/Rescue extinguished a fire at a residence in the Mendenhall Valley caused by a space heater igniting combustible materials on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. (Courtesy photo /CCFR)