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Auditors reported that Juneau's municipal books are clean that their accounting methods follow generally accepted accounting principles. The audits included a look at the City and Borough of Juneau, Juneau Public Schools and Bartlett Hospital. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Audit shows CARES Act spending within guidelines

Juneau’s municipal books look good.

Auditors reported that Juneau's municipal books are clean that their accounting methods follow generally accepted accounting principles. The audits included a look at the City and Borough of Juneau, Juneau Public Schools and Bartlett Hospital. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The 52-foot fishing vessel, Haida Lady, submerged between Cobb Island and Silver Point South of Sitka, Alaska, February 28, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Unknown amount of diesel spilled after boat sinks south of Sitka

Clean up and investigation into the sinking are underway.

The 52-foot fishing vessel, Haida Lady, submerged between Cobb Island and Silver Point South of Sitka, Alaska, February 28, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
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 3

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)
Pharmacist Madeline Acquilano draws a syringe of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning. Cities and states are rapidly expanding access to vaccines as the nation races to head off a resurgence in coronavirus infections and reopen schools and businesses battered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Appointments fill up quick as vaccine eligibility expands

There’s a waitlist.

Pharmacist Madeline Acquilano draws a syringe of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning. Cities and states are rapidly expanding access to vaccines as the nation races to head off a resurgence in coronavirus infections and reopen schools and businesses battered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Steve Wolf strikes a punching bag as his wife Bev Ingram holds it during a boxing class designed to help fight back against the symptoms Parkinson’s disease through a specific regimen at Pavitt Health and Fitness on March. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents fight back against Parkinson’s

Local class attracts international, virtual crowd of people with the disease.

Steve Wolf strikes a punching bag as his wife Bev Ingram holds it during a boxing class designed to help fight back against the symptoms Parkinson’s disease through a specific regimen at Pavitt Health and Fitness on March. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
J.D. McComas, a wildlife specialist with Juneau International Airport, climbs a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck to rescue a bald eagle trapped in a tree on March 1, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Despite high-climbing rescue, eagle euthanized for injuries

Firefighters, the raptor center and airport personnel worked together to help the bird.

J.D. McComas, a wildlife specialist with Juneau International Airport, climbs a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck to rescue a bald eagle trapped in a tree on March 1, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Large cruise ships are unlikely to visit Alaska this summer due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, restrictions at the Canadian border, and a lack of sailing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. However, in a close 5-4 vote Monday evening, the City Assembly decided to relax COVID-19-related travel mandates sooner rather than later and made other changes to make travel easier for the upcoming tourist season. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Officials say end is in sight, but caution remains necessary

Assembly votes to relax travel restrictions earlier in May.

The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Large cruise ships are unlikely to visit Alaska this summer due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, restrictions at the Canadian border, and a lack of sailing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. However, in a close 5-4 vote Monday evening, the City Assembly decided to relax COVID-19-related travel mandates sooner rather than later and made other changes to make travel easier for the upcoming tourist season. (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 Tuesday. March 2

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 City and Borough of Juneau’s City Assembly approved a tax-break Monday evening that allows people with eligible, new housing developments that include four or more units inside the downtown abatement zone to pay a reduced tax rate for 12 years. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau Assembly approves tax break for downtown residential development

The change supports a long-standing goal to increase housing.

The City and Borough of Juneau’s City Assembly approved a tax-break Monday evening that allows people with eligible, new housing developments that include four or more units inside the downtown abatement zone to pay a reduced tax rate for 12 years. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Peter Segall / 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 Monday, March 1

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 Behrends Avenue avalanche chute is visible above the Breakwater Inn on Feb. 27, 2021, when extreme avalanche risk prompted evacuation of the area. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Avalanche risk lowered, but the danger is still there

While the immediate risk is lessened, Juneau isn’t out of the deep end yet.

The Behrends Avenue avalanche chute is visible above the Breakwater Inn on Feb. 27, 2021, when extreme avalanche risk prompted evacuation of the area. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A man, seen at top center, threw snowballs at and verbally harassed a group of Alaska Native women at a rally near the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Jamiann Hasselquist)

Man disrupts event focused on missing and murdered Indigenous women

Yelling, throw snowing caught on video by organizers.

A man, seen at top center, threw snowballs at and verbally harassed a group of Alaska Native women at a rally near the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Jamiann Hasselquist)
City and Borough of Juneau emergency program manager Tom Mattice stands outside Centennial Hall, appropriated as an evacuation shelter for those in the path of possible avalanches on Feb. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Update: Avalanche danger remains high

Natural avalanches likely, and human triggered avalanches are very likely

City and Borough of Juneau emergency program manager Tom Mattice stands outside Centennial Hall, appropriated as an evacuation shelter for those in the path of possible avalanches on Feb. 27, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This map shows the Behrends Avenue Avalanche Path. City and Borough of Juneau recommends residents who live within the path evacuate their residences due to increasing risk of avalanche danger. Centennial Hall will open as an emergency shelter at 8 p.m. (Courtesy Image / CBJ)

City recommends evacuation for downtown Juneau neighborhood

Centennial Hall to open as evacuation center.

This map shows the Behrends Avenue Avalanche Path. City and Borough of Juneau recommends residents who live within the path evacuate their residences due to increasing risk of avalanche danger. Centennial Hall will open as an emergency shelter at 8 p.m. (Courtesy Image / CBJ)
An investigation into a complaint from an inmate at Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, exposed issues with the Alaska Department of Corrections Dental Services Program. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Report: Overhaul needed for DOC’s dental program

An investigation into an incident at Lemon Creek Correctional Center exposed shortcomings in the Department of Corrections’ Dental Services Program, according to a report from… Continue reading

An investigation into a complaint from an inmate at Lemon Creek Correctional Center, shown above, exposed issues with the Alaska Department of Corrections Dental Services Program. (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 Friday, Feb. 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)
Like many municipal bodies, the City and Borough of Juneau has been conducting business via public meetings hosted on Zoom. While this has helped to keep the wheels of government turning, it's also opened the door to Zoom bombing. Zoom bombing happens when an anonymous party joins the meeting and shares graphic or lewd content. City officials are considering an ordinance that makes it illegal to Zoom bomb a meeting hosted from Juneau. This screen grab from CBJ's website shows the city assembly meeting via Zoom. (Screenshot)

Potential ordinance seeks to curb lewd, obscene and threatening language in virtual meetings

There’s no three-second delay in Zoom

Like many municipal bodies, the City and Borough of Juneau has been conducting business via public meetings hosted on Zoom. While this has helped to keep the wheels of government turning, it's also opened the door to Zoom bombing. Zoom bombing happens when an anonymous party joins the meeting and shares graphic or lewd content. City officials are considering an ordinance that makes it illegal to Zoom bomb a meeting hosted from Juneau. This screen grab from CBJ's website shows the city assembly meeting via Zoom. (Screenshot)
Cassandra Cropley holds a poster showing photos of her cousin, Linda Skeek, after the 2020 Women’s March, Jan. 18. Skeek went missing in January 2016 and is feared dead. Much of the problem is in the data and the way it’s collected, say advocates of improved and standardized systems. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Visibility is key: Data and murdered and missing Indigenous women

For some, law enforcment agencies and data systems are active parts of the problem.

Cassandra Cropley holds a poster showing photos of her cousin, Linda Skeek, after the 2020 Women’s March, Jan. 18. Skeek went missing in January 2016 and is feared dead. Much of the problem is in the data and the way it’s collected, say advocates of improved and standardized systems. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
In this Feb. 2019 photo, students wait for rides outside Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale. Classes will be in session this summer with programs focused on credit recovery for high school students. Children in lower grades will focus on overall learning recovery after COVID-19 upended the traditional school year and process by forcing a suspension in in-person learning. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

Summer break to include school for some Juneau students

School’s in for summer.

In this Feb. 2019 photo, students wait for rides outside Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kale. Classes will be in session this summer with programs focused on credit recovery for high school students. Children in lower grades will focus on overall learning recovery after COVID-19 upended the traditional school year and process by forcing a suspension in in-person learning. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
The City and Borough of Juneau’s Augustus G. Brown Swimming Pool, pictured here last spring, and the Dimond Park Aquatic Center will both expand their capacity and offer additional flexibility for lap swims beginning March 1. They are among the CBJ facilities that will expand offerings now that the city’s COVID risk level has been reduced to Level 1, or minimal risk. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)

City officials optimistic about local COVID-19 situation

The numbers look good, but city leaders call for continued vigilance

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Augustus G. Brown Swimming Pool, pictured here last spring, and the Dimond Park Aquatic Center will both expand their capacity and offer additional flexibility for lap swims beginning March 1. They are among the CBJ facilities that will expand offerings now that the city’s COVID risk level has been reduced to Level 1, or minimal risk. (Peter Segall/Juneau Empire)