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Kéet and Oscar walk the bike path after it’s plowed. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: For the love of community

We often don’t know how the things we do affects our community.

Kéet and Oscar walk the bike path after it’s plowed. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
The City and Borough of Juneau lowered its COVID risk level to Moderate on Feb. 9, 2022. (Screenshot)

City lowers risk level to Moderate

Masks are still mandatory indoors or in crowded public areas for the unvaccinated.

The City and Borough of Juneau lowered its COVID risk level to Moderate on Feb. 9, 2022. (Screenshot)
Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree gave his first State of the Judiciary address to the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Winfree emphasized the need for courts to remain impartial in order to maintain a healthy democracy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Chief Justice stresses judicial impartiality in address to lawmakers

Separation of powers.

Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Daniel Winfree gave his first State of the Judiciary address to the Alaska State Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Winfree emphasized the need for courts to remain impartial in order to maintain a healthy democracy. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to increase recruitment numbers after a pandemic-induced drop left the expanding service understrength. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Crewing the cutters: Pandemic complicated recruiting, says Coast Guard

Distancing and not being able to get face to face with folks didn’t help numbers.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to increase recruitment numbers after a pandemic-induced drop left the expanding service understrength. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas pulls into Icy Point Strait in Hoonah, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Royal Caribbean personnel are saying booking numbers for the 2022 season are looking healthy.

Local companies and Royal Caribbean anticipating busy cruise season

“We are getting more bookings today than we were at this time in 2019…”

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas pulls into Icy Point Strait in Hoonah, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Royal Caribbean personnel are saying booking numbers for the 2022 season are looking healthy.
An Alaska State Ombudsman report released Tuesday detailed numbers issued raised at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, a state-run psychiatric facility.

Report: API is still not meeting federal regulatory requirements

The department’s commissioner says many of the concerns raised have or are being resolved.

An Alaska State Ombudsman report released Tuesday detailed numbers issued raised at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, a state-run psychiatric facility.
Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seated, speaks with senators during a floor debate on a bill to revamp the state's alcohol laws on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The bill was one of Micciche's own, and Tuesday's floor vote came after nine years of trying to pass a bill modernizing Alaska's alcohol regulation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Bill aimed at refining state alcohol laws passes Senate

In the House now.

Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna, seated, speaks with senators during a floor debate on a bill to revamp the state's alcohol laws on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. The bill was one of Micciche's own, and Tuesday's floor vote came after nine years of trying to pass a bill modernizing Alaska's alcohol regulation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa pose with the donated goods they ferried from Petersburg as they prepare to offload them in Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Coast Guard assists Petersburg nonprofits in clothing drive

The crew lifted, distributed, and transported donations to where they could do the most good.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa pose with the donated goods they ferried from Petersburg as they prepare to offload them in Wrangell. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
President Joe Biden speaks during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)

Biden threatens: No gas pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine

The White House has expressed increasing alarm about the prospects of war.

  • Feb 7, 2022
  • By Aamer Madhani, Sylvie Corbet and Vladimir Isachenkov Associated Press
  • Nation-World
President Joe Biden speaks during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the East Room of the White House, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Geoff and Marcy Larson toast to 35 years of brewing in the Alaskan Brewing Co. Tap Room on Feb. 4. A timeline of business milestones hangs behind them.

Hop-y anniversary: Local couple celebrates 35 years of brewing beer together

Alaskan Brewing Co. turns 35.

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Geoff and Marcy Larson toast to 35 years of brewing in the Alaskan Brewing Co. Tap Room on Feb. 4. A timeline of business milestones hangs behind them.
Damp paving stones in Mayor Bill Overstreet Park tell of a record-settlingly rainy January and a damp February to come. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Rain records racked up

January was an outstandingly moist month.

Damp paving stones in Mayor Bill Overstreet Park tell of a record-settlingly rainy January and a damp February to come. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich's office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

‘Work, actual work’ is underway in the state Senate

It may take a special session.

Senators Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, and Tom Begich, D-Anchorage, spoke with reporters in Begich's office at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, about their thoughts on the current legislative session. The senators said there were reasons to be optimistic about meaningful progress even with the full plate before the Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
JDHS' Mila Hargrave pivots toward the hoop for a tough inside shot while tightly defended by TMHS' Sydney Strong. In the background JDHS' Kiyara Miller and TMHS' Kerra Baxter look on. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls notch wins with strong play in second half

two crosstown comebacks.

JDHS' Mila Hargrave pivots toward the hoop for a tough inside shot while tightly defended by TMHS' Sydney Strong. In the background JDHS' Kiyara Miller and TMHS' Kerra Baxter look on. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
JDHS' Orion Dybdahl contests a shot from TMHS' Thomas Baxter late in Saturday night's game. Thunder Mountain High School wound up winning 56-55 in overtime. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Juneau boys split weekend series

TMHS wins one, JDHS wins one.

JDHS' Orion Dybdahl contests a shot from TMHS' Thomas Baxter late in Saturday night's game. Thunder Mountain High School wound up winning 56-55 in overtime. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A city-owned grader moves snow before dawn on Feb. 4 on Tongass Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley. City snow removal crews have been challenged by multiple winter storms and higher-than-average snowfall. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Snow and tell: City officials offer insight into removal challenges

“It’s really an intricate dance.”

A city-owned grader moves snow before dawn on Feb. 4 on Tongass Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley. City snow removal crews have been challenged by multiple winter storms and higher-than-average snowfall. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Kyle Worl competes in the two-foot high kick at the 2020 Traditional Games. The games this year are being held at Thunder Mountain High School on April 2-3 2022 (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Kicking for the stars: Registration opens for 2022 Traditional Games

The games will be held here at TMHS in April.

Kyle Worl competes in the two-foot high kick at the 2020 Traditional Games. The games this year are being held at Thunder Mountain High School on April 2-3 2022 (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)

Report: Alaska economy rebounding; inflation up

Prices in Alaska increased by 4.9% in 2021

A graphic shows employment by Alaska region and features the percent change in jobs from December 2020 to December 2021. (Graphic via February 2022 Alaska Economic Trends reports from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 3, 2022. Eastman has come under scrutiny for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group whose leaders have been charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A House committee will meet next week to investigate the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House to hold committee hearing on Oath Keepers

Not an investigation, says House majoirty leader.

Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 3, 2022. Eastman has come under scrutiny for his membership in the Oath Keepers, a right-wing paramilitary group whose leaders have been charged with sedition for their role in the Jan. 6, riot at the U.S. Capitol. A House committee will meet next week to investigate the Oath Keepers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A man arrested Juneau in 2019 was sentenced to six years in prison United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man sentenced for pulling a gun on police officer

Prior felonies exacerbated the sentence.

A man arrested Juneau in 2019 was sentenced to six years in prison United States District Court at the Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks with Alaska's Congressional delegation on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Delegation: Work together to plan, optimize infrastructure money

No bickering.

The House Labor and Commerce Committee speaks with Alaska's Congressional delegation on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill which is set to bring billions of dollars to the state. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)