Road workers repave roads near downtown Juneau on July 29, 2021 as part of the annual task of keeping Juneau’s roads in good condition. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau road construction season well underway

Summer in Juneau can smell a lot like hot asphalt.

Road workers repave roads near downtown Juneau on July 29, 2021 as part of the annual task of keeping Juneau’s roads in good condition. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
State health officials are again urging Alaskan who haven’t to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines are widely available in Alaska, as seen in this Aug. 5 photo, showing a sign advertising free shots. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
State health officials are again urging Alaskan who haven’t to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccines are widely available in Alaska, as seen in this Aug. 5 photo, showing a sign advertising free shots. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bodhi Race, 3, beams in the driver’s seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Race was among the children who attended the festivities on Rivercourt Way. Emergency responders, police, animal control officers, firefighters and search and rescue personnel interacted with the community for the annual even. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bodhi Race, 3, beams in the driver’s seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Race was among the children who attended the festivities on Rivercourt Way. Emergency responders, police, animal control officers, firefighters and search and rescue personnel interacted with the community for the annual even. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Sketches for a new 60 -by- 25-foot mural depicting Elizabeth Kaax̱gal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights activist who worked for equality for Alaska Natives in the 1940s, are laid out for sorting in the studio of Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl. (Courtesy photo / Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl)
Sketches for a new 60 -by- 25-foot mural depicting Elizabeth Kaax̱gal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights activist who worked for equality for Alaska Natives in the 1940s, are laid out for sorting in the studio of Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl. (Courtesy photo / Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl)
A $27 million renovation of Juneau International Airport, seen here on Aug. 3, 2021, is almost complete, aiming for the end of 2021 or early 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A $27 million renovation of Juneau International Airport, seen here on Aug. 3, 2021, is almost complete, aiming for the end of 2021 or early 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Jesse Ramsey
A number of bears, such as this one spotted downtown, have been observed around Juneau seeking shelter in cooler interiors and looking for food, according to Department of Fish and Game researchers. (Courtesy Photo / Jesse Ramsey)
Courtesy Photo / Jesse Ramsey
A number of bears, such as this one spotted downtown, have been observed around Juneau seeking shelter in cooler interiors and looking for food, according to Department of Fish and Game researchers. (Courtesy Photo / Jesse Ramsey)
Mila Cosgrove, right, who retired from her position as Deputy City Manager of the City and Borough of Juneau, received a commendation from the CBJ Assembly Monday night for her years of service to the city. This August 2011 file photo shows Cosgrove in her former position as CBJ Human Resources and Risk Management Director alongside former City Attorney Jane Sebens. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Mila Cosgrove, right, who retired from her position as Deputy City Manager of the City and Borough of Juneau, received a commendation from the CBJ Assembly Monday night for her years of service to the city. This August 2011 file photo shows Cosgrove in her former position as CBJ Human Resources and Risk Management Director alongside former City Attorney Jane Sebens. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Alaska Seaplanes is helping form a new airline, Aleutian Airways, which will serve the Anchorage- Unalaska route beginning soon. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau-based airline expands to Southwest Alaska under new flag

The focus is initially going to be on a single service route.

Alaska Seaplanes is helping form a new airline, Aleutian Airways, which will serve the Anchorage- Unalaska route beginning soon. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly gave the city manager's office the go-ahead to begin negotiations with Norwegian Cruise Line over land the company needs to build its proposed dock on Egan Drive, seen here on Jun. 6, 2021. The company will need access to state and city-owned tidelands in order to complete the dock, and City Manager Rorie Watt told Assembly members Monday the company could now submit its applications. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly gave the city manager's office the go-ahead to begin negotiations with Norwegian Cruise Line over land the company needs to build its proposed dock on Egan Drive, seen here on Jun. 6, 2021. The company will need access to state and city-owned tidelands in order to complete the dock, and City Manager Rorie Watt told Assembly members Monday the company could now submit its applications. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Aaron Sousa / Unsplash 
The federal moratorium on evictions ended Saturday, and though rent-relief dollars are still being sent out there’s some concerns the number of evictions could rise.

Eviction moratorium ends, state and local leaders wait and see

Rent relief is flowing, but it’s too soon to tell if evictions will spike

Aaron Sousa / Unsplash 
The federal moratorium on evictions ended Saturday, and though rent-relief dollars are still being sent out there’s some concerns the number of evictions could rise.
Karen Harris was found by a volunteer searcher and returned home safely after she was reported missing on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo / JPD)

Volunteer searcher helped bring missing woman home

The volunteer was motivated by another recent search and rescue case.

Karen Harris was found by a volunteer searcher and returned home safely after she was reported missing on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo / JPD)
This photo shows Kelly Crow,  Super Bear IGA  store director; Kathy Benner,  Juneau Raptor Center manager; JP Oudekerk, Super Bear IGA assistant manager; Pat Bock with Juneau Raptor Center; and Rick Wilson, Foodland IGA/Ace Hardware store director. (Courtesy Photo)
This photo shows Kelly Crow,  Super Bear IGA  store director; Kathy Benner,  Juneau Raptor Center manager; JP Oudekerk, Super Bear IGA assistant manager; Pat Bock with Juneau Raptor Center; and Rick Wilson, Foodland IGA/Ace Hardware store director. (Courtesy Photo)
Karen Harris took a walk up Basin Road at around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday , according to Juneau Police Department. At 9 p.m., police reported she was home safe. (Courtesy Photo / JPD)

Update: Overdue woman home safe

Police say she is safe.

Karen Harris took a walk up Basin Road at around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday , according to Juneau Police Department. At 9 p.m., police reported she was home safe. (Courtesy Photo / JPD)
After the second-wettest summer on record last year, Juneau is seeing more typical summer weather according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in downtown Juneau hadn't reached 70 degrees yet the morning of Saturday, July 31, 2021, but they would get there before the end of the day. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
After the second-wettest summer on record last year, Juneau is seeing more typical summer weather according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in downtown Juneau hadn't reached 70 degrees yet the morning of Saturday, July 31, 2021, but they would get there before the end of the day. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Icepeople editor and former Juneau Empire reporter Mark Sabbatini departs Svalbard on July 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Mark Sabbatini)

Arctic Circling back: Former Empire reporter talks newswriting in Svalbard

Former Empire reporter returns to Juneau after many years covering news in Longyearbyen.

Icepeople editor and former Juneau Empire reporter Mark Sabbatini departs Svalbard on July 21, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Mark Sabbatini)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Officials, artists and key Southeast Alaska figures alongside U.S. Postal Service leadership unveil the Raven Story stamp as part of the official release ceremony in front of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building on Friday, July 30, 2021.

Northwest Coast to post: Stamp featuring Raven, designed by Tlingit artist gets release

It marks the first time a Tlingit design has been featured on a stamp, according to SHI.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Officials, artists and key Southeast Alaska figures alongside U.S. Postal Service leadership unveil the Raven Story stamp as part of the official release ceremony in front of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building on Friday, July 30, 2021.
Capitol

Gov moves special session start date

Session to begin Aug. 16, after lawmakers request delay.

Capitol
The City and Borough of Juneau raised its coronavirus alert level to Level Three- High, beginning on July 30, 2021 after a recent spike in cases. (Unsplash / Tai’s Captures)

City raises community risk level to high

Masks are now mandatory for everyone, regardless of vaccine status, for all indoor public settings.

The City and Borough of Juneau raised its coronavirus alert level to Level Three- High, beginning on July 30, 2021 after a recent spike in cases. (Unsplash / Tai’s Captures)
The Juneau Police Department is asking for community assistance as they search for suspects involved in a June break-in at Glacier Gardens. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)

Police seek info on Glacier Gardens break-in

The break-in resulted in thousands of dollars of damage.

The Juneau Police Department is asking for community assistance as they search for suspects involved in a June break-in at Glacier Gardens. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly OK’d extending local mitigation measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly OK’d extending local mitigation measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)