The City and Borough of Juneau announced on April 19 that masks were no longer required on public transit, including Juneau International Airport, Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau airport and public transit drop mask requirement

Nationwide, many locations have made masks optional.

The City and Borough of Juneau announced on April 19 that masks were no longer required on public transit, including Juneau International Airport, Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Hiring signs in the windows of businesses in downtown Juneau on Monday, April 18, 2022. Over a million passengers are expected to arrive aboard large cruise ships this summer, and local business say its been a challenge finding enough workers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Michael Patz, raised in Juneau, stands on the ice in front of the S.A. Agulhas II next to a sign showing the location of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s vessel, the Endurance, rediscovered by searchers aboard the icebreaker. (Courtesy photo / Michael Patz)
Michael Patz, raised in Juneau, stands on the ice in front of the S.A. Agulhas II next to a sign showing the location of the wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s vessel, the Endurance, rediscovered by searchers aboard the icebreaker. (Courtesy photo / Michael Patz)
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Gondola is a go: City agrees to pay $1.33 million for used lift in Austria

Now, the trick is getting it home and installed at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

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Paula Casperson (center) meets Wednesday at JDHS with Amanda Duvall (left) the district’s teacher and learning support coordinator, and Carrie Pusich, an activities assistant for the district. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

A principal of matter: Longtime JDHS leader Paula Casperson named regional principal of the year

Ordinarily parents aren’t thrilled to get a call from the principal…

Paula Casperson (center) meets Wednesday at JDHS with Amanda Duvall (left) the district’s teacher and learning support coordinator, and Carrie Pusich, an activities assistant for the district. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Jiselle Tagaloa, a kindergarten student, accepts payment for a card from Jan Beauchamp. Beauchamp was among those who bought cards' bearing students drawings to support a Ukrainian family living in Washington state. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Jiselle Tagaloa, a kindergarten student, accepts payment for a card from Jan Beauchamp. Beauchamp was among those who bought cards' bearing students drawings to support a Ukrainian family living in Washington state. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Cassee Olin, director of administrative services for Juneau School District, Superintendent Bridget Weiss and City Manager Rorie Watt participate in a City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Budgeting one tough step at a time

Lack of funds, people and certainty add to challenges as city leaders review spending plans.

Cassee Olin, director of administrative services for Juneau School District, Superintendent Bridget Weiss and City Manager Rorie Watt participate in a City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Soon-to-be instructors from the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, Xheighaa Warrior Veteran Canoe Journey, Coast Guard Sector Juneau, and the 17th Coast Guard District took part in a Kids Don’t Float training session being held at Dimond Park Aquatic Center in Juneau, Alaska, April 13, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)

Training the trainers: Coast Guard holds boating safety instructor class

Every kid with safe boating habits might be a life saved in the future.

Soon-to-be instructors from the Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, Xheighaa Warrior Veteran Canoe Journey, Coast Guard Sector Juneau, and the 17th Coast Guard District took part in a Kids Don’t Float training session being held at Dimond Park Aquatic Center in Juneau, Alaska, April 13, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 2nd Class Lexie Preston)
JDHS forward Kyla Bentz, top center, celebrates with her team after scoring on TMHS during a game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on April 12, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
JDHS forward Kyla Bentz, top center, celebrates with her team after scoring on TMHS during a game at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park on April 12, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A child playing with lighter fluid started a fire in a backyard shed on Tuesday that completely consumed the structure. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Investigation concludes child accidentally burned down shed

The fire comes as a dry week witnesses multiple grass fires.

A child playing with lighter fluid started a fire in a backyard shed on Tuesday that completely consumed the structure. (Courtesy photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
Courtesy photo / ASC
Elin Antaya, a Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior, was awarded the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award by the Alaska SeaLife Center for work supporting and stewarding the ocean.

Making waves: Juneau teen wins statewide award for ocean stewardship

Her involvement with the ocean ranges across all aspects of her life.

Courtesy photo / ASC
Elin Antaya, a Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior, was awarded the Hoffman-Greene Ocean Youth Award by the Alaska SeaLife Center for work supporting and stewarding the ocean.
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Mix and mask: Administrators, students say ‘variety of strategies’ working well with masking optional

“It seems to be going very well,” said Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss.

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This screenshot from a video shown during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting shows Riverbend Elementary School students working on a project. The school may soon have a new name, Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School. The name translates to “going back to clear water," in English. (Screenshot)

Renaming Riverbend: School board expresses support for gifted name

Further consideration of Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School comes next month.

This screenshot from a video shown during a Juneau School District Board of Education meeting shows Riverbend Elementary School students working on a project. The school may soon have a new name, Kaxdigoowú Héen Elementary School. The name translates to “going back to clear water," in English. (Screenshot)
A pair of rockslide on Douglas Highway cut traffic while Department of Transportation and Public Facilities personnel cleared debris. DOT&PF geologists are still monitoring the site. (Courtesy photo / DOT&PF)

Road remains closed as DOT monitors rockslide site

It’s been reopened for local or emergency traffic, but geologists are monitoring the slide site for further activity.

A pair of rockslide on Douglas Highway cut traffic while Department of Transportation and Public Facilities personnel cleared debris. DOT&PF geologists are still monitoring the site. (Courtesy photo / DOT&PF)
This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Off-road vehicle park gets traction

City pols OK negotiations for park at Mile 35 Glacier Highway.

This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)
This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lot next to Centennial Hall emerges as preferred site for new City Hall

Putting chambers for public meetings in convention center to save costs is a possibility.

This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Pricier parking: Downtown parking garages see a fee increase

As of July 1 monthly permits at both parking sites will cost $70 and annual permits $770.

This photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau’s Marine Parking Garage. Parking fees will be increasing for the garage in July. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Members of local environmental group 350Juneau and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network displayed signs in front of the downtown Juneau branch of Wells Fargo on Monday, April 11, 2022, as part of a demonstration urging the company's corporate leadership to cease funding of fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Members of local environmental group 350Juneau and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network displayed signs in front of the downtown Juneau branch of Wells Fargo on Monday, April 11, 2022, as part of a demonstration urging the company's corporate leadership to cease funding of fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed the state's operating and mental health budget bills on Saturday, April 9, 2022, after a week of marathon floor sessions tackling amendments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska House of Representatives passed the state's operating and mental health budget bills on Saturday, April 9, 2022, after a week of marathon floor sessions tackling amendments. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)