Mercedes Cordero, left, a junior at Thunder Mountain High School,and Gwen Lockwood, a senior at TMHS moved a chair at Chapel by the Lake on Jan. 17. The pair, along with about 20 other high school students, spent part of their Martin Luther King Jr. holiday chipping in with other volunteers readying the church to receive students from Riverbend School. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

When pipes burst, generosity flows

Church steps up to serve as school

Mercedes Cordero, left, a junior at Thunder Mountain High School,and Gwen Lockwood, a senior at TMHS moved a chair at Chapel by the Lake on Jan. 17. The pair, along with about 20 other high school students, spent part of their Martin Luther King Jr. holiday chipping in with other volunteers readying the church to receive students from Riverbend School. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau, stands amid a mountain of donated pillows on Jan. 17. Patterson was part of a drive to collect food and household goods in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Community service marks MLK Day

Volunteers collect goods, dispense legal advice

Sherry Patterson, president of the Black Awareness Association of Juneau, stands amid a mountain of donated pillows on Jan. 17. Patterson was part of a drive to collect food and household goods in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center 
This golden eagle was rescued by the Juneau Raptor Center over the summer after being found weak and thin.
Courtesy photo / Juneau Raptor Center 
This golden eagle was rescued by the Juneau Raptor Center over the summer after being found weak and thin.
Superior Court Judge Amy Mead delivers an instruction to the jury on Jan. 13, 2021 as she presides over the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Superior Court Judge Amy Mead delivers an instruction to the jury on Jan. 13, 2021 as she presides over the trial of a man charged with killing another man in Yakutat in 2018. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A basketball sits ready for play at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 7, 2021. Starting this week, Juneau’s high school basketball and hockey players may participate in enhanced COVID-19 screenings rather than wear a mask while playing. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Prep sports teams breathe easier

New testing options let players drop masks.

A basketball sits ready for play at Thunder Mountain High School on Dec. 7, 2021. Starting this week, Juneau’s high school basketball and hockey players may participate in enhanced COVID-19 screenings rather than wear a mask while playing. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This picture shows recent editions of the Juneau Empire. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
This picture shows recent editions of the Juneau Empire. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department was reaccredited as a department after a multi-year process. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Police department completes reaccreditation process

It took over a year to certify, due to the pandemic.

The Juneau Police Department was reaccredited as a department after a multi-year process. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Superior Court Judge Amy Mead delivers an instruction in court on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, as she presides over the case of a man charged with killing his friend.

Yakutat killing trial begins with statements and witnesses

Attorneys for both sides are establishing the timeline of events.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Superior Court Judge Amy Mead delivers an instruction in court on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, as she presides over the case of a man charged with killing his friend.
This Aug. 21, 2020 photo shows the interior of Riverbend Elementary School, which suffered severe damage after two water pipes burst following extreme cold in Juneau. The Juneau School District announced Thursday the school would remain closed until at least next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This Aug. 21, 2020 photo shows the interior of Riverbend Elementary School, which suffered severe damage after two water pipes burst following extreme cold in Juneau. The Juneau School District announced Thursday the school would remain closed until at least next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

All schools but one to open Thursday

Riverbend remains closed due to flooding.

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Members of the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly during a Zoom meeting on Jan. 10, seconds before a caller disrupted the meeting in a Zoom bombing episode. (Screenshot)
Members of the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly during a Zoom meeting on Jan. 10, seconds before a caller disrupted the meeting in a Zoom bombing episode. (Screenshot)
A worker stands outside a collapsed building in Lemon Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, one of two building collapses reported in Juneau amid ongoing rain following heavy snowfall. The City and Borough of Juneau said no injuries were reported and urged building owners to be cautious of snow loads on roofs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A worker stands outside a collapsed building in Lemon Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, one of two building collapses reported in Juneau amid ongoing rain following heavy snowfall. The City and Borough of Juneau said no injuries were reported and urged building owners to be cautious of snow loads on roofs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department is seeking more information about a sexual abuse of a minor case that’s been under investigation since March 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Police seek information in sexual abuse of a minor case

There may be more to the case than has been discovered.

The Juneau Police Department is seeking more information about a sexual abuse of a minor case that’s been under investigation since March 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to extend the city’s COVID-related ordinances through April 30. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City extends COVID mitigation measures through April

Decision generates intense input and a plea for civility

A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to extend the city’s COVID-related ordinances through April 30. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Closed

Update: Empire offices to open on Tuesday for normal hours

Employees continue to be available remotely.

Closed
Heavy snow over the weekend was followed by rising temperatures and steady rain. This led to icy conditions and added weight to snow imperiling decks, roofs and vessels in the capital city. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Heavy snow over the weekend was followed by rising temperatures and steady rain. This led to icy conditions and added weight to snow imperiling decks, roofs and vessels in the capital city. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The company responsible for running Juneau’s landfill is taking steps to reduce the odor emitted by the decomposing garbage. (Courtesy photo / Mark Frisco, Waste Management)

Changes underway at landfill to reduce odors

Some fixes have already been carried out.

The company responsible for running Juneau’s landfill is taking steps to reduce the odor emitted by the decomposing garbage. (Courtesy photo / Mark Frisco, Waste Management)
The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard investigated minor oil spill near Sandy Beach

The source couldn’t be ID’d but was not a source of major concern, said a Coast Guard spokesperson.

The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Chief Financial Officer has resigned, according to hospital officials. Benson is the third executive to resign from BRH in the last four months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hospital CFO resigns

Departure marks third exec to leave

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Chief Financial Officer has resigned, according to hospital officials. Benson is the third executive to resign from BRH in the last four months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)