News

This composite photo shows Kristy Germain and Stacy Diouf, two long-serving Juneau educators, who have been acting as interim principals at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Floyd Dryden Middle School, respectively. Recently, they were both named to their positions permanently. (Juneau Empire File and Courtesy Photo)

Long-serving Juneau educators named to permanent administrative posts

New principals named for Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Floyd Dryden Middle School.

This composite photo shows Kristy Germain and Stacy Diouf, two long-serving Juneau educators, who have been acting as interim principals at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Floyd Dryden Middle School, respectively. Recently, they were both named to their positions permanently. (Juneau Empire File and Courtesy Photo)
MV LeConte docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal with the MV Tazlina in the background on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The LeConte was present in Juneau when a bomb threat was made against it Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Police arrest 1 after bomb threat at ferry terminal

No bomb was located, a JPD spokesperson said.

MV LeConte docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal with the MV Tazlina in the background on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. The LeConte was present in Juneau when a bomb threat was made against it Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, according to the Juneau Police Department. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau Police Department arrested a man after a brief chase across a rooftop on Feb. 9, 2021, in connection with a vehicle theft several weeks ago. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Police arrest man after rooftop chase near airport

The arrest was connected to a vehicle theft several weeks ago.

The Juneau Police Department arrested a man after a brief chase across a rooftop on Feb. 9, 2021, in connection with a vehicle theft several weeks ago. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue recently distributed challenge coins as a thank you to the emergency workers and staff who assisted with COVID-19 testing at the Juneau International Airport from March 2020 until Jan. 31. On Feb. 1, state contractor Capstone took over airport testing. (Courtesy Photo/City and Borough of Juneau)

COVID-19 testing continues at the airport under new management

Capstone takes over efforts from CBJ and CCFR

Capital City Fire/Rescue recently distributed challenge coins as a thank you to the emergency workers and staff who assisted with COVID-19 testing at the Juneau International Airport from March 2020 until Jan. 31. On Feb. 1, state contractor Capstone took over airport testing. (Courtesy Photo/City and Borough of Juneau)
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, Feb. 9

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)
Alaska State Troopers and local law enforcement agencies in Ketchikan arrested a woman on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 in possession of more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of drugs at the Ketchikan International Airport. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Troopers seize over $250,000 in heroin, opioids in Ketchikan

Troopers and local law enforcement working in concert made the arrest.

Alaska State Troopers and local law enforcement agencies in Ketchikan arrested a woman on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 in possession of more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of drugs at the Ketchikan International Airport. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Midgi Moore, CEO of Juneau Food Tours, holds up a Taste Alaska! Alaska Sweetheart Box inside Juneau Food Tours' new location on Shattuck Way. The boxes, which were launched in June, are a way for Juneau Food Tours to give people a taste of the capital city amid the pandemic. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Thinking inside the box: Food tour business has new location, delivery product

Delivery box gives people a taste of Alaska wherever they are.

Midgi Moore, CEO of Juneau Food Tours, holds up a Taste Alaska! Alaska Sweetheart Box inside Juneau Food Tours' new location on Shattuck Way. The boxes, which were launched in June, are a way for Juneau Food Tours to give people a taste of the capital city amid the pandemic. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area, which is part of the Tongass National Forest. During the first few weeks of Joe Biden's presidency, he's issued several executive orders related to conservation. SEACC is hosting a webinar series to help people in Southeast Alaska learn more about how executive orders during the first 100 days of Biden's presidency might affect The Tongass National Forest and other issues related to climate change. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Webinar series explores climate change in Southeast Alaska and national politics

SEACC to host monthly Climate Conversations through May.

A sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area, which is part of the Tongass National Forest. During the first few weeks of Joe Biden's presidency, he's issued several executive orders related to conservation. SEACC is hosting a webinar series to help people in Southeast Alaska learn more about how executive orders during the first 100 days of Biden's presidency might affect The Tongass National Forest and other issues related to climate change. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
People play on the frozen Twin Lakes on Saturday, Feb. 6. A high pressure system in Canada is sending temperatures through the floor for the next week, according to the National Weather Service. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Cool under pressure: High pressure system torpedoes temperatures

What’s cooler than being cool? Ice cold.

People play on the frozen Twin Lakes on Saturday, Feb. 6. A high pressure system in Canada is sending temperatures through the floor for the next week, according to the National Weather Service. (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, Feb. 8

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)
A Juneau man was indicted for possession of child pornography on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man indicted for possession of child pornography

A warrant has been issued for the 62-year-old man’s arrest.

A Juneau man was indicted for possession of child pornography on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A lab scientist processes upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. Two new cases were confirmed in Juneau School District on Feb. 4, 2021, prompting quarantines of possible contacts. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)

Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Juneau School District

Basketball teams, elementary school class are quarantining.

A lab scientist processes upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. Two new cases were confirmed in Juneau School District on Feb. 4, 2021, prompting quarantines of possible contacts. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
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, Feb. 4

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)
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, Feb. 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)
A pair of ravens cast a wary eye about on the downtown waterfront as snow falls across Juneau on Feb. 3, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Heavy snow precedes a sunny end to the week

But forecasters expect a snowy weekend.

A pair of ravens cast a wary eye about on the downtown waterfront as snow falls across Juneau on Feb. 3, 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 Tuesday, Feb. 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)
Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Appointments are still available for the second vaccine clinic for elderly residents 65 and older on Feb. 11-12 as of Feb. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Appointments available for next city vaccine clinic

It’s also just about time for the second dose for those who went to the first clinic.

Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. Appointments are still available for the second vaccine clinic for elderly residents 65 and older on Feb. 11-12 as of Feb. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
On Wednesday night, the Finance Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Household Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The programs, which are were funded with federal CARES Act money, aim to help people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ Finance Committee to consider expanding relief programs

With nearly $5 million already distributed, more need remains.

On Wednesday night, the Finance Committee will meet to discuss the future of the Household Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The programs, which are were funded with federal CARES Act money, aim to help people who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. Based on resident complaints, CBJ is considering new regulations that will restrict the types of fireworks that can be used in different parts of the borough, limit the sale of fireworks and impose fines of $500 for violations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ considers new restrictions on fireworks

Fuse is lit, but final decision is still a ways off.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. Based on resident complaints, CBJ is considering new regulations that will restrict the types of fireworks that can be used in different parts of the borough, limit the sale of fireworks and impose fines of $500 for violations. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau School District plow truck caught fire Monday morning in the parking lot of Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé, Feb. 1, 2021. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is unknown, said Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

School district vehicle catches fire in JDHS parking lot

Bystanders attempted to extinguish the fire, but the vehicle is likely a total loss.

A Juneau School District plow truck caught fire Monday morning in the parking lot of Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé, Feb. 1, 2021. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is unknown, said Capital City Fire/Rescue fire marshal Dan Jager. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)