News

Mike Wiley, left, and daughter Megan Bishop serve a customer at their store, Ben Franklin Store, in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The city extended its mask mandate at a meeting Monday, but Wiley and Bishop said they'd ask customers to wear a mask regardless of the mandate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau extends mask mandate

Vaccines have arrived, but vigilance remains important, city officials said.

Mike Wiley, left, and daughter Megan Bishop serve a customer at their store, Ben Franklin Store, in downtown Juneau on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The city extended its mask mandate at a meeting Monday, but Wiley and Bishop said they'd ask customers to wear a mask regardless of the mandate. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Fire/Rescue will be escorting their Clauses around Juneau this year, with some slight modifications to the annual tradition. (Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau)

Santa Claus is coming to town

Capital City Fire/Rescue, Mr. and Mrs. Claus ready for parade

Capital City Fire/Rescue will be escorting their Clauses around Juneau this year, with some slight modifications to the annual tradition. (Courtesy photo / City and Borough of Juneau)
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. 14

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 first doses of the vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Anchorage on Dec. 13, 2020, and are due to begin being injected within days. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)

Alaska receives first coronavirus vaccine shipments

The first vaccinations are expected to happen this week.

The first doses of the vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Anchorage on Dec. 13, 2020, and are due to begin being injected within days. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Department of Health and Social Services)
First Student Inc. held a bus parade Saturday to remember recently killed employee Mark Sateri, driving by the Mountain View Apartments where Sateri lived and died as residents came out to remember him, Dec. 12, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man remembered as kind, enthusiastic, hardworking

Residents at the Mountain View Apartment came out to remember their former friend and neighbor.

First Student Inc. held a bus parade Saturday to remember recently killed employee Mark Sateri, driving by the Mountain View Apartments where Sateri lived and died as residents came out to remember him, Dec. 12, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Tailings Treatment Facility at Kensington Gold Mine, seen here on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, will need to be expanded in order for the mine to operate for another 10 years. Environmentalists are concerned about pollutants from the mine contaminating local waters. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Kensington public comment period extended

Another 10 years?

The Tailings Treatment Facility at Kensington Gold Mine, seen here on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, will need to be expanded in order for the mine to operate for another 10 years. Environmentalists are concerned about pollutants from the mine contaminating local waters. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a wreck in which a pickup truck slid off the road near Twin Lakes. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)

Slick roads create hazards, lead to multiple wrecks

Authorities responded to multiple wrecks.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responds to a wreck in which a pickup truck slid off the road near Twin Lakes. (Courtesy Photo / CCFR)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Bartlett Regional Hospital is not concerned about its ability to medevac critically injured patients in spite of rising case numbers in the hospitals that would typically receive them in Anchorage and Seattle.

Officials: Out-of-town case spikes don’t impede medevacs

Patients requiring advanced care will still be able receive it elsewhere.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire Bartlett Regional Hospital is not concerned about its ability to medevac critically injured patients in spite of rising case numbers in the hospitals that would typically receive them in Anchorage and Seattle.
Matt Barnaby, co-owner and brewer at the Barnaby Brewing Company, works to fill wooden casks for a longer term beer project on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Barnaby has added his name to a list of commenters who don’t like a proposed definition change by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board that would limit the sorts of activities that can happen in breweries and distilleries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Matt Barnaby, co-owner and brewer at the Barnaby Brewing Company, works to fill wooden casks for a longer term beer project on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau brewery does well at beer championship

It was a pour showing, not a poor one.

Matt Barnaby, co-owner and brewer at the Barnaby Brewing Company, works to fill wooden casks for a longer term beer project on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Barnaby has added his name to a list of commenters who don’t like a proposed definition change by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board that would limit the sorts of activities that can happen in breweries and distilleries. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire) Matt Barnaby, co-owner and brewer at the Barnaby Brewing Company, works to fill wooden casks for a longer term beer project on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn / 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 Friday, Dec. 11

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)
Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)

Eaglecrest holds off on opening as poor conditions persist

Cold weather and snow guns will help to ready the slopes for shredding.

Eaglecrest Ski Area, seen above, is delaying its opening until colder weather and snowfall replenish areas affected by warm temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Courtesy photo / Chris Miller)
Heritage Coffee Roasting Company is one of several Juneau businesses helping to prepare hundreds of meals for Haines residents and emergency relief workers following landslides that destroyed many homes and killed two. (Courtesy Photo / Kirk Stagg)

Juneau organizations serve up help for Haines

Hundreds of meals a day go north to help feed Haines.

Heritage Coffee Roasting Company is one of several Juneau businesses helping to prepare hundreds of meals for Haines residents and emergency relief workers following landslides that destroyed many homes and killed two. (Courtesy Photo / Kirk Stagg)
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 Thursday, Dec. 10

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)
Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)

Lawsuit against JPD officer involved in fatal shooting dismissed

The lawsuit, announced in July, was dismissed, resolving the case.

Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)
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. 9

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 nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, as the U.K. health authorities rolled out a national mass vaccination program. U.K. regulators said Wednesday Dec. 9, 2020, that people who have a “significant history’’ of allergic reactions shouldn’t receive the new Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine while they investigate two adverse reactions that occurred on the first day of the country’s mass vaccination program. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

Juneau officials expect to receive fewer than 1,000 vaccine shots

Subsequent shipments are expected.

A nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, as the U.K. health authorities rolled out a national mass vaccination program. U.K. regulators said Wednesday Dec. 9, 2020, that people who have a “significant history’’ of allergic reactions shouldn’t receive the new Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine while they investigate two adverse reactions that occurred on the first day of the country’s mass vaccination program. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
Kelly Michael Stephens, shown in this 2007 photo, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo | Ben Crittenden)

Family files wrongful death suit against Juneau police, city

They want to view the audio and video from the encounter for their own investigation.

Kelly Michael Stephens, shown in this 2007 photo, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo | Ben Crittenden)
With Mt. Baker in the background, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits Puget Sound north of Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The Alaska Navy League is holding a drive for the servicemembers aboard as they’re deployed during the winter holidays. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier / U.S. Coast Guard)

Not home for the holidays: Navy League holds drive for deployed icebreaker

The icebreaker was retasked north to support the national security and science mission there.

With Mt. Baker in the background, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB-10) transits Puget Sound north of Seattle on Dec. 4, 2020. The Alaska Navy League is holding a drive for the servicemembers aboard as they’re deployed during the winter holidays. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Steve Strohmaier / U.S. Coast Guard)
The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will have students back in classes in January. The district released its schedule for students to return Tuesday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

District releases in-person learning schedule

Masks are a must on campus.

The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School, seen here on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, will have students back in classes in January. The district released its schedule for students to return Tuesday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Organizations are withdrawing searchers from landslide-stricken Haines after the Alaska State Troopers called off active search and rescue operations due to hazardous conditions with the terrain and bad weather conditions in the search area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Lt. Erick Oredson)

State calls off active search and rescue operations in Haines

Many organizations are withdrawing their searchers but continuing their support of recovery work.

Organizations are withdrawing searchers from landslide-stricken Haines after the Alaska State Troopers called off active search and rescue operations due to hazardous conditions with the terrain and bad weather conditions in the search area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Lt. Erick Oredson)