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The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. The Encore was visiting Juneau as part of an abbreviated cruise season this summer after COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season. The City and Borough of Juneau recently conducted an online survey for residents to share their views on the tourism industry. Local cruise critics say they are eagerly awaiting survey results. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Cruise critics reflect on shortened season

“It was not intolerable”

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. The Encore was visiting Juneau as part of an abbreviated cruise season this summer after COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season. The City and Borough of Juneau recently conducted an online survey for residents to share their views on the tourism industry. Local cruise critics say they are eagerly awaiting survey results. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
(AP Photo / David Zalubowski Shoppers wend their ways amid displays of cranberry sauce, green beans and soups set up for Thanksgiving Day feasts in a grocery store Tuesday in southeast Denver.

Talkin’ turkey substitutions: New takes on Thanksgiving fare

How to find substitutes, add local flavor

(AP Photo / David Zalubowski Shoppers wend their ways amid displays of cranberry sauce, green beans and soups set up for Thanksgiving Day feasts in a grocery store Tuesday in southeast Denver.
Triangle Club bartender Sam Sims pulls a pint on Nov. 17, 2021 as Juneau recently announced that bars would be able to operate for their full hours under modified mitigation measures. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Bar owners welcome eased mitigation measures

Rapidly shifting tides around mitigation measures have made many of them leery, however.

Triangle Club bartender Sam Sims pulls a pint on Nov. 17, 2021 as Juneau recently announced that bars would be able to operate for their full hours under modified mitigation measures. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Team Forget-Me-Not competes in the Synchro Fall Classic in California in November as they return to competitions after nearly two years without skating against another team. (Courtesy photo / Cynthia Slawter Photography)

Skate team places 3rd in out-of-state competition

Cool heads and high skills prevailed

Juneau’s Team Forget-Me-Not competes in the Synchro Fall Classic in California in November as they return to competitions after nearly two years without skating against another team. (Courtesy photo / Cynthia Slawter Photography)
The staff at Frenchie's Floral Studio downtown takes a break from preparing Thanksgiving arrangements on Friday, Nov. 12. Florist Heather Alducin, (left), floral designer, Nikki Box, (second left), stand with shop owners Jeremy Bauer, (center right), and Jason Clifton, (right). French bulldogs George (held by Bauer) and Gracie (on table), served as the inspiration for the shop's name. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Local florists are blooming with Thanksgiving table ideas

Seasonal colors add a festive touch

The staff at Frenchie's Floral Studio downtown takes a break from preparing Thanksgiving arrangements on Friday, Nov. 12. Florist Heather Alducin, (left), floral designer, Nikki Box, (second left), stand with shop owners Jeremy Bauer, (center right), and Jason Clifton, (right). French bulldogs George (held by Bauer) and Gracie (on table), served as the inspiration for the shop's name. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Police and family are search for 29-year-old Clifford K. White, missing for several weeks, and last seen near Switzer Village. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

Family seeks information on missing man as search continues

He’s been missing for several weeks, and was last seen in Switzer Village.

Police and family are search for 29-year-old Clifford K. White, missing for several weeks, and last seen near Switzer Village. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
Kylie Morris argues NATO should have an increased presence in the Baltic states as a timer indicates time remaining during a drama, debate and forensics tournament Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Debating on home turf

TMHS hosts first home tournament in two years

Kylie Morris argues NATO should have an increased presence in the Baltic states as a timer indicates time remaining during a drama, debate and forensics tournament Saturday at Thunder Mountain High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Chef Michael “MB” Brewer and his wife, Jennry, share a toast Saturday to their new adventures at Roma Bistro on the Wharf. The couple recently moved to Juneau to take on leadership roles at the Juneau Waterfront Restaurant Group, which includes Roma, The Hangar at the Wharf, The Alaska Fish and Chips Company, Pier 49, and Twisted Fish Company Alaska Grill.

Award-winning chef brings new flavors to Juneau

Former electrical engineer plans to brighten local menus

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Chef Michael “MB” Brewer and his wife, Jennry, share a toast Saturday to their new adventures at Roma Bistro on the Wharf. The couple recently moved to Juneau to take on leadership roles at the Juneau Waterfront Restaurant Group, which includes Roma, The Hangar at the Wharf, The Alaska Fish and Chips Company, Pier 49, and Twisted Fish Company Alaska Grill.
A sign reading “Masks Required” lies on the ground near a softball field at Melvin Park in this May photo. The City and Borough of Juneau is lowering the community risk level for COVID-19, but masks remain required inside public spaces. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

City lowers community risk level

While masks are still required in public places, some mitigation measures will immediately relax.

A sign reading “Masks Required” lies on the ground near a softball field at Melvin Park in this May photo. The City and Borough of Juneau is lowering the community risk level for COVID-19, but masks remain required inside public spaces. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The former Walmart was used as an example for a vacant building that could potentially be assessed for redevelopment via a federal grant that Juneau is applying for. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

City to apply for grant to potentially redevelop underused buildings

This grant will help assess what contaminants or chemicals may be present on potential sites.

The former Walmart was used as an example for a vacant building that could potentially be assessed for redevelopment via a federal grant that Juneau is applying for. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard updates Sector Juneau command center number

Those in distress should call 911.

A Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium patrols Auke Bay during an exercise in 2018. (Lt. Brian Dykens / U.S. Coast Guard)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire An elementary school child gets a COVID-19 test at the Hegevig Regional Fire Training Center on Aug. 27. In early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 through 12. Previously, the vaccine had only been OK’d for people 12 and older. The Juneau School district reported many COVID-19 cases in children who were not eligible to be vaccinated. In some cases, the positive tests led to classroom quarantines.

City officials consider COVID mitigation changes

Vaccination levels rise as cases fall

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire An elementary school child gets a COVID-19 test at the Hegevig Regional Fire Training Center on Aug. 27. In early November, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 through 12. Previously, the vaccine had only been OK’d for people 12 and older. The Juneau School district reported many COVID-19 cases in children who were not eligible to be vaccinated. In some cases, the positive tests led to classroom quarantines.
Jim Wild, left, and Mary Jo Lord-Wild, right, stand outside a weather collection station similar to one they have at their home in Elfin Cove. Lord-Wild recently received the Thomas Jefferson Award for her volunteer work collecting weather data over the last 47 years. (Courtesy photo/Kimberly Vaughan)

Local woman earns prestigious NOAA award

Thomas Jefferson award honors 47 years of volunteer service

Jim Wild, left, and Mary Jo Lord-Wild, right, stand outside a weather collection station similar to one they have at their home in Elfin Cove. Lord-Wild recently received the Thomas Jefferson Award for her volunteer work collecting weather data over the last 47 years. (Courtesy photo/Kimberly Vaughan)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
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Murkowski makes candidacy official

‘A feud from outside.’

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, speaks to reporters after filing for re-election Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at the Division of Elections office in Anchorage, Alaska, setting up a race against a primary challenger endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)
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Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal served as a navigational beacon for generations of mariners. Local volunteers are working to preserve it for future generations of lighthouse enthusiasts. (Courtesy Photo/Matthew York)

Local volunteers work to restore, preserve and share historic lighthouse

Many hands make lighthouse work.

Eldred Rock Lighthouse in the Lynn Canal served as a navigational beacon for generations of mariners. Local volunteers are working to preserve it for future generations of lighthouse enthusiasts. (Courtesy Photo/Matthew York)
U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran's for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Remembering the costs of war, veterans ring bell for peace

The toll of war.

U.S. Coast Guard veteran Jim Wilcox Sr. strikes a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Nov. 11, 2021, during an Armistice Day celebration hosted by Veteran's for Peace. The local VFP chapter holds bell ringings annually on Nov. 11, which is also Veterans Day, to remember all the lives lost to war and to call for world peace. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This photo shared by the Campbell family shows Matthew Campbell, who wore No. 20 when playing for the Crimson Bears. It’s the same number now worn by younger brother, Brandon Campbell. Matthew died in 2020, and the Campbell family continues his legacy with an annual award recognizing two local hockey players for their kindness and sportsmanship. (Courtesy Photo

Remembering Matthew: Family Prepares for 2nd annual hockey awards

Their goal? Continuing a dream

This photo shared by the Campbell family shows Matthew Campbell, who wore No. 20 when playing for the Crimson Bears. It’s the same number now worn by younger brother, Brandon Campbell. Matthew died in 2020, and the Campbell family continues his legacy with an annual award recognizing two local hockey players for their kindness and sportsmanship. (Courtesy Photo
Douglas Island Pink and Chum had a better year than 2020, and things appear to be improving for next year, said hatchery employees. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

DIPAC clocks good 2021 season

Returns aren’t as good as several years ago but they’re an improvement over 2020’s dismal numbers.

Douglas Island Pink and Chum had a better year than 2020, and things appear to be improving for next year, said hatchery employees. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The season’s first snow greeted people downtown Wednesday, Nov. 10. Later that morning, forecasters at the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory, predicting that two to four inches of snow could fall on the capital city starting late Thursday night and into Friday morning. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

Low-pressure system likely to bring snow to Juneau

That escalated quickly.

The season’s first snow greeted people downtown Wednesday, Nov. 10. Later that morning, forecasters at the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory, predicting that two to four inches of snow could fall on the capital city starting late Thursday night and into Friday morning. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)
Flowers lay at the plaque of Juneau’s 9/11 memorial on Sept. 11, 2006. The memorial, located in Riverside Rotary Park in the Mendenhall Valley was the first in the nation. Twenty years ago, Juneau resident Debbie Penrose-Fischer and her husband Brent Fischer harnessed their grief in the face of the national tragedy to become the driving force behind the creation of the memorial, which serves as a gathering point each Sept. 11 and provides a place for community members to reflect on Veterans Day. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Pausing to remember

Pausing to remember: The story behind a local memorial

Flowers lay at the plaque of Juneau’s 9/11 memorial on Sept. 11, 2006. The memorial, located in Riverside Rotary Park in the Mendenhall Valley was the first in the nation. Twenty years ago, Juneau resident Debbie Penrose-Fischer and her husband Brent Fischer harnessed their grief in the face of the national tragedy to become the driving force behind the creation of the memorial, which serves as a gathering point each Sept. 11 and provides a place for community members to reflect on Veterans Day. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)