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Composite Image / Juneau Empire staff and Unsplash This composite image shows a Tongass National Forest sign that stands near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer at an event held following the killing of George Floyd, a man voting in the November general election, the effects of early December storms in Juneau and a health care worker at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.

5 stories that shaped Juneau’s 2020

The year was defined by more than COVID-19.

Composite Image / Juneau Empire staff and Unsplash This composite image shows a Tongass National Forest sign that stands near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer at an event held following the killing of George Floyd, a man voting in the November general election, the effects of early December storms in Juneau and a health care worker at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site.
Sarah Palmer talks to a driver before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year’s Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

COVID-19 among leading causes of death for Alaska in 2020

When the final numbers come in, the disease may be fourth or fifth leading cause of death in-state.

Sarah Palmer talks to a driver before administering a COVID-19 test. The City and Borough of Juneau is offering free, asymptomatic testing. The drive-thru testing is available daily through Jan. 10 with the exception of New Year’s Day. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Empire is offering an advertising stimulus program to help local businesses get the New Year off to a good start. To apply for an advertising grant visit: www.soundcommunitygrant.com. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Empire launches advertising stimulus program

Grant applications are available till the end of June.

The Juneau Empire is offering an advertising stimulus program to help local businesses get the New Year off to a good start. To apply for an advertising grant visit: www.soundcommunitygrant.com. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Archie, a 4-year-old Parson Russell terrier mix, is a dog lawfully registered with Juneau Animal Rescue for 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Stay out of the dog house: Annual pet registration deadline looms

CBJ requires annual registration for all dogs by Jan. 1

Archie, a 4-year-old Parson Russell terrier mix, is a dog lawfully registered with Juneau Animal Rescue for 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Dec. 30

The most recent state and local numbers.

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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured in a Google doodle, seen above, on Dec. 30, 2020. The Tlingit civil rights activist was illustrated by a Sitka-based Tlingit artist for the tech company. (Courtesy art / Google)

Google spotlights Tlingit civil rights icon with Doodle

Alaskans won’t need to Google her.

Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured in a Google doodle, seen above, on Dec. 30, 2020. The Tlingit civil rights activist was illustrated by a Sitka-based Tlingit artist for the tech company. (Courtesy art / Google)
A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local COVID risk level could move from high to moderate as soon as next week

Several key indicators are trending in the right direction

A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Legislative Council sets mask policy for upcoming session

Only one representative out of twelve legislators voted against the mask policy.

Rep. Jennifer Johnston, R-Anchorage, gets her temperature taken as she enters the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 18, 2020. New policies will require all staff and legislators to wear masks in chambers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, Dec. 29

The most recent state and local numbers.

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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
Polar Bear Dip participants make a mad dash Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, into the cold water at Auke Bay Recreation Area. This year’s dip is cancelled due to pandemic concerns. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

No polar bears in Juneau: Dip canceled for pandemic

The 30-year-tradition is taking a pause for safety.

Polar Bear Dip participants make a mad dash Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, into the cold water at Auke Bay Recreation Area. This year’s dip is cancelled due to pandemic concerns. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He’s one of the first non-healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

‘I want people to know it’s OK’: Vaccine begins to reach some older adults in Southeast

Some communities are rapidly vaccinating their priority targets.

Arsenio “Pastor” Credo receives the Moderna coronavirus vaccine from nurse Courtney Taber at the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s Ethel Lund Medical Center on Dec. 24, 2020. He’s one of the first non-healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Monday, Dec. 28

The most recent state and local numbers.

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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Despite rainy year, a new precipitation record is unlikely in 2020

More rain and snow expected this week

A bird flies by on the sort of gray day typical of December 2020 in Juneau. While there was persistent precipitation this year, Juneau is poised to fall several inches short of the record. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.

Law enforcement officials spread holiday cheer

Distancing didn’t dampen donations or detract from delight.

Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. A response boat similar to the one in the photo was used to rescue two hunters on Admiralty Island on Thursday. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard rescues 2 near Juneau on Christmas Eve

“Fortunately the hunters were prepared for the weather and low visibility.”

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. A response boat similar to the one in the photo was used to rescue two hunters on Admiralty Island on Thursday. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)
Bruce Van Dusen, executive director of Polaris House, right, and staff member Levi LeCount give a tour of Polaris House on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and a wreck that left them without a truck, work continues at Polaris House this holiday season. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Despite setbacks, work continues at Polaris House this Christmas.

A traffic accident and the pandemic prompt operational changes.

Bruce Van Dusen, executive director of Polaris House, right, and staff member Levi LeCount give a tour of Polaris House on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and a wreck that left them without a truck, work continues at Polaris House this holiday season. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Members of the Juneau Education Support Staff union pose for a photo in front of meals being prepared for kids in Juneau as Catherine Pusich, second from right, hands a check from the union to Adrianne Schwartz to clear all money owed for school meals at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.

Educational support union pays off all school district meal balances

The union donated more than $7,000 to clear the ledgers.

Photos by Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Members of the Juneau Education Support Staff union pose for a photo in front of meals being prepared for kids in Juneau as Catherine Pusich, second from right, hands a check from the union to Adrianne Schwartz to clear all money owed for school meals at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 21.
Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Photos: It looks a lot like Christmas in Juneau

Sights from this holiday season.

Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, Dec. 23

The most recent state and local numbers.

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 causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the top U.S. public health agency said that coronavirus can spread greater distances through the air than 6 feet, particularly in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials continued to say such spread is uncommon, and current social distancing guidelines still make sense. (NIAID-RML via AP)
The house crowned The Best of Juneau in the Elks Lodge's Lights Up Juneau 2020 contest was awarded cash and prizes, including a premium tram pass for the upcoming season. The house is located at 937 W. 11th St., near the Northern Light United Church downtown. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Lights Up Juneau 2020 delivers holiday cheer

Elks look to the past to end 2020 on a brighter note.

The house crowned The Best of Juneau in the Elks Lodge's Lights Up Juneau 2020 contest was awarded cash and prizes, including a premium tram pass for the upcoming season. The house is located at 937 W. 11th St., near the Northern Light United Church downtown. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)