News

Members from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team traveled to California to compete in an independent tournament on March 26, 2021 after high coronavirus levels squashed their hopes of going to the Alaska state championship. (Courtesy photo / Zoey Kriegmont)

Basketball players get final games in California

It may not have been a perfect ending but they got there together.

Members from the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys basketball team traveled to California to compete in an independent tournament on March 26, 2021 after high coronavirus levels squashed their hopes of going to the Alaska state championship. (Courtesy photo / Zoey Kriegmont)
A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. A resolution urging federal action on maritime laws was held up by House Republicans with legal concerns. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

House Republicans balk at cruise ship waiver language

Will they waive them through?

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. A resolution urging federal action on maritime laws was held up by House Republicans with legal concerns. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Thane Road to close Sunday for avalanche hazard reduction

Thane Road will be closed for three hours on Sunday to allow for avalanche hazard reduction, the state’s transportation department announced. The closure is scheduled… Continue reading

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Police Department officers say everything is safe following a report of a man carrying a rifle downtown. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police: Everything safe following report of man carrying rifle downtown

The report came in around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Juneau Police Department officers say everything is safe following a report of a man carrying a rifle downtown. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Friday, March 26

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)
Two women were indicted Thursday for the arson of vehicle near Skater’s Cabin that occurred on Aug. 5, 2020. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

2 indicted in connection to Skater’s Cabin vehicle arson

The vehicle was torched last autumn.

Two women were indicted Thursday for the arson of vehicle near Skater’s Cabin that occurred on Aug. 5, 2020. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
A phone screen displays a message warning of a potential spam call. Juneau Police Department warns residents to be aware of a scam involving someone claiming to be with Social Security Administration. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Police warn of phone phishing scam

Scammers are posing as members of the Social Security Administration.

A phone screen displays a message warning of a potential spam call. Juneau Police Department warns residents to be aware of a scam involving someone claiming to be with Social Security Administration. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A new Systematic Racism Review Committee will soon be in place to guide Juneau’s municipal lawmakers as they consider future ordinances. City Assembly members established the committee late last year after racial justice protests took place in Juneau and around the country throughout the summer of 2020. Here, Lacey Davis attends a May 30, 2020, vigil honoring George Floyd, the man whose death while in police custody sparked protests worldwide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau seats members of the Systematic Racism Review committee

First meeting on April 1, policy review begins in July.

A new Systematic Racism Review Committee will soon be in place to guide Juneau’s municipal lawmakers as they consider future ordinances. City Assembly members established the committee late last year after racial justice protests took place in Juneau and around the country throughout the summer of 2020. Here, Lacey Davis attends a May 30, 2020, vigil honoring George Floyd, the man whose death while in police custody sparked protests worldwide. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Department of Environmental Conservation has an ongoing study to measure the effects of air pollution from cruise ship emissions in Juneau, particularly the waterfront area, seen here on March 24, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

State scientist talks cruise ship emission effects in Juneau

Ongoing data gathering will show much the big ships affects air quality in Juneau.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has an ongoing study to measure the effects of air pollution from cruise ship emissions in Juneau, particularly the waterfront area, seen here on March 24, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Thursday, March 25

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team, posing here for a team photo at Twin Lakes, went through a gameless season in 2021, with all travel curtailed by the coronavirus. (Courtesy photo / Steve Quinn)

Resiliency and focus: Hockey coach looks back on limited season

Juneau’s club teams accounted handily for themselves, however.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears hockey team, posing here for a team photo at Twin Lakes, went through a gameless season in 2021, with all travel curtailed by the coronavirus. (Courtesy photo / Steve Quinn)
A panel of state and local experts answered questions and encouraged COVID-19 vaccinations during a moderated online discussion Wednesday evening. Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, encouraged all eligible Alaskans to get vaccinated as soon as possible to end the pandemic. Here, department of Veterans Affairs nurse Regina McComber applies a bandage to David Summers’ arm on the morning of March 13, 2021. Summers was among the veterans who were vaccinated at a VA clinic in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

An ounce of prevention through a shot in the arm

Experts gather to talk COVID vaccines, answer local questions.

A panel of state and local experts answered questions and encouraged COVID-19 vaccinations during a moderated online discussion Wednesday evening. Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, encouraged all eligible Alaskans to get vaccinated as soon as possible to end the pandemic. Here, department of Veterans Affairs nurse Regina McComber applies a bandage to David Summers’ arm on the morning of March 13, 2021. Summers was among the veterans who were vaccinated at a VA clinic in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, March 24

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)
Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss checks someone in during a vaccine clinic held at a school district facility. The district will hold in-house clinics for any Juneau resident between 16 and 18 on April 9. (Courtesy photo / Juneau School District)

School district announces student-focused vaccine clinics

The clinic is open for any 16+ child in Juneau, not just school district students.

Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss checks someone in during a vaccine clinic held at a school district facility. The district will hold in-house clinics for any Juneau resident between 16 and 18 on April 9. (Courtesy photo / Juneau School District)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, March 23

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé player Tias Carney looks to pass to Lope Elizarde during the first half in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship against Ketchikan High School at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)

Boys basketball team members eye independent tournament

The team, unaffiliated with the school district, would travel to California to compete.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé player Tias Carney looks to pass to Lope Elizarde during the first half in the boys’ varsity Region V basketball championship against Ketchikan High School at Clarke Cochrane Gymnasium on Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
The City and Borough of Juneau is working to correct violations that occurred at two of their three wastewater treatment facilities between 2015 and 2019. Many of the violations occurred during a summer construction project at the Juneau-Douglas facility, which was accepting wastewater from cruise ships during the construction process. A number of effluent violations were reported from that timeframe. Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Wastewater treatment violations result in fines

Juneau to pay $64,000 and undertake corrective actions

The City and Borough of Juneau is working to correct violations that occurred at two of their three wastewater treatment facilities between 2015 and 2019. Many of the violations occurred during a summer construction project at the Juneau-Douglas facility, which was accepting wastewater from cruise ships during the construction process. A number of effluent violations were reported from that timeframe. Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
After months of discussion, the board of education gathered via Zoom late last week to finalize the district’s fiscal year 2021-2022 operating budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

School board OKs funds for teaching supplies, finalizes budget

An additional $5.5 million in federal money coming soon

After months of discussion, the board of education gathered via Zoom late last week to finalize the district’s fiscal year 2021-2022 operating budget. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
A bear statue near the Alaska State Capitol Building stares pensively into the snow as inches fall on Juneau as part of a series of winter storm systems on March 22, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Snow is falling, and the avalanche risk rising

March will be a hefty but not record-breaking month for snow.

A bear statue near the Alaska State Capitol Building stares pensively into the snow as inches fall on Juneau as part of a series of winter storm systems on March 22, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Monday, March 22

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)