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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)
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alberta's oilsands are operating with critical staff only as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML

COVID at a Glance for Wednesday, Feb. 9

Numbers come from reports from the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, as well… Continue reading

This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, blue/pink, cultured in the lab. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. Alberta's oilsands are operating with critical staff only as the highly contagious Omicron variant sweeps the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, NIAID-RML
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)
A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)

Coast Guard rescues two from stricken vessel near Sitka

The fishing boat was taking on water with dead engines.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 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)
Charmaine Robinson is an assistant professor of science at the University of Alaska Southeast and lives in Ketchikan. (Courtesy Photo)

Sustainable Alaska: Cultivating a sustainable mind

We need to cultivate a sense of calm by reducing stress and fear in our lives.

Charmaine Robinson is an assistant professor of science at the University of Alaska Southeast and lives in Ketchikan. (Courtesy Photo)
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.
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Feb 9, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
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)
An American coot spent time in Auke Bay this winter, farther north than usual. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Three winter surprises

Regular bird-watchers spotted an unusual bird in Auke Bay this winter…

An American coot spent time in Auke Bay this winter, farther north than usual. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Feb 8, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
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)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Feb 6, 2022
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
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)