News

Gabe Donohoe, lead sewer, works on creating face shields for people with hearing loss. Rapid Response PPE, founded at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, is creating specialized PPE, allowing people with hearing loss or dead people to easily see the speaker’s face, May 29, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Local mask-making company continues to grow

In two weeks, they’ve produced and shipped more than 6,000 of the specialized face masks.

Gabe Donohoe, lead sewer, works on creating face shields for people with hearing loss. Rapid Response PPE, founded at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic, is creating specialized PPE, allowing people with hearing loss or dead people to easily see the speaker’s face, May 29, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Archie (center), Ella (left) and Arrow (right) enjoy the dog-friendly Field 2 in Melvin Park on April 26, 2020. The field, Dimond Park, and the grassy area on top of Gold Street are all closed to dogs indefinitely due to a rising amount of unremoved dog poop. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Poop piles pose problem for parks

Three areas are closed, and more may follow if behavior does not improve.

Archie (center), Ella (left) and Arrow (right) enjoy the dog-friendly Field 2 in Melvin Park on April 26, 2020. The field, Dimond Park, and the grassy area on top of Gold Street are all closed to dogs indefinitely due to a rising amount of unremoved dog poop. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
State announces another new COVID-19 case

State announces another new COVID-19 case

That’s back-to-back days.

State announces another new COVID-19 case
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Finance committee votes to hold line on property tax

“Projects will still go on. Services will still go on.”

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
A sign on the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. Under a proposal being put before the UA Board of Regents next week, UAS could be merged with one of the other two schools in the system. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska president says difficult changes are coming

Regents to meet next week.

A sign on the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. Under a proposal being put before the UA Board of Regents next week, UAS could be merged with one of the other two schools in the system. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
This drawing, shown to the Assembly in February when Sealaska Heritage Institute requested financial support for the project, depicts what the area surrounding a proposed arts campus would look like following the project’s completion. Wednesday, SHI asked the Assembly to postpone deciding whether to proved $1.5 million for the campus. (Courtesy Photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Assembly puts arts campus support decision on hold

The $1.5 million question.

This drawing, shown to the Assembly in February when Sealaska Heritage Institute requested financial support for the project, depicts what the area surrounding a proposed arts campus would look like following the project’s completion. Wednesday, SHI asked the Assembly to postpone deciding whether to proved $1.5 million for the campus. (Courtesy Photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Marie Claire Harris and Roman walk down the newly repaved Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge Trail) on, May 27, 2020. The trail has been moved, repaved, and reopened after riverbank erosion threatened the original trail. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge) project starts off big summer for Juneau trails

Treadwell Ditch Trail is one among many trails recieving some TLC.

Marie Claire Harris and Roman walk down the newly repaved Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei (Brotherhood Bridge Trail) on, May 27, 2020. The trail has been moved, repaved, and reopened after riverbank erosion threatened the original trail. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka carries out training in Juneau, Alaska, June 26, 2018. (Petty Officer 1st Class Jon-Paul Rios | U.S. Coast Guard)

Good Samaritans, Coast Guard rescue capsized boaters

Good Samaritans and good life jacket use likely saved their lives.

A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka carries out training in Juneau, Alaska, June 26, 2018. (Petty Officer 1st Class Jon-Paul Rios | U.S. Coast Guard)
A bald eagle perches on top of the whale statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on May 26, 2020. The pump rooms for the whale have been repaired after being damaged by flooding last October, but theywill remain turned off for now to save costs and discourage gatherings. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Thar she doesn’t blow: Whale statue all fixed up, but will remain off for now

Cost-saving and crowd-prevention will keep the statue quiet for now.

A bald eagle perches on top of the whale statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on May 26, 2020. The pump rooms for the whale have been repaired after being damaged by flooding last October, but theywill remain turned off for now to save costs and discourage gatherings. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
JPD: Man subdued after trying to grab officer’s sidearm during arrest

JPD: Man subdued after trying to grab officer’s sidearm during arrest

The suspect was charged with 17 separate offenses, including drug and firearm charges.

JPD: Man subdued after trying to grab officer’s sidearm during arrest
Assembly may approve $1M for child care providers

Assembly may approve $1M for child care providers

Vote expected on Thursday.

Assembly may approve $1M for child care providers
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Henry Williams runs from Douglas to the Mendenhall Valley on Memorial Day to honor dead service members, including his relative, Air Force Tech Sgt. Leslie Dominic Williams, who died in Afghanistan in 2011.

Memorial Day passes quietly amid coronavirus concerns, damp weather

People found their own ways to honor the hallowed dead.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire Henry Williams runs from Douglas to the Mendenhall Valley on Memorial Day to honor dead service members, including his relative, Air Force Tech Sgt. Leslie Dominic Williams, who died in Afghanistan in 2011.
Riding through rain, bikers show support for fallen soldiers

Riding through rain, bikers show support for fallen soldiers

To show support.

Riding through rain, bikers show support for fallen soldiers
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire The senior class of 2020 graduates with much less pomp and circumstance as the coronavirus keeps gatherings truncated and social interaction at arms length, May 22, 2020.

‘In a word, it’s been weird’: It’s been a different sort of graduation season for the Class of 2020

Seniors prepare to enter a new world.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire The senior class of 2020 graduates with much less pomp and circumstance as the coronavirus keeps gatherings truncated and social interaction at arms length, May 22, 2020.
A black bear feeds on dandelions near Peterson Creek in this August 2018 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Be mindful of inquisitive ursine neighbors as weather warms

Bears are trash scavengers, particularly in lean years

A black bear feeds on dandelions near Peterson Creek in this August 2018 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Salaries and benefits for police and firefighters will be one of the immediate uses for federal coronavirus relief money, said city officials. However, there is lingering uncertainty over how else that money will, or even can be, spent. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

First responder salaries, child care and business grants are top priority for CARES money

Juneau to receive $25 million in first payment.

Salaries and benefits for police and firefighters will be one of the immediate uses for federal coronavirus relief money, said city officials. However, there is lingering uncertainty over how else that money will, or even can be, spent. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
State announces additional COVID case in Juneau

State announces additional COVID case in Juneau

Case announced as state reopens.

State announces additional COVID case in Juneau
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File School districts throughout the state will put together plans for what the next school year will look like. Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weisse said smaller groups and less mixing are expected to remain important.

Juneau School District readies for summer assignment

Districts will plan for how to safely continue education.

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File School districts throughout the state will put together plans for what the next school year will look like. Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weisse said smaller groups and less mixing are expected to remain important.
People get drinks and sun at the Flight Deck, Thursday, May 21. Restaurants are among the businesses able to open to 100% capacity as of Friday although many business owners and managers said they intend to proceed slowly. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau businesses leerily eye new phase of reopening

Some are opening the throttle, but many are holding at Phase 2 levels.

People get drinks and sun at the Flight Deck, Thursday, May 21. Restaurants are among the businesses able to open to 100% capacity as of Friday although many business owners and managers said they intend to proceed slowly. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Juneau libaries to reopen soon

Juneau libaries to reopen soon

There will new schedules and guidelines.

Juneau libaries to reopen soon