Dana Zigmund

An avid gardener and long-time Juneau resident, Judy Hauck, holds a yogurt container with lettuce. Using a basic shop light and empty yogurt containers, she's been growing greens inside her home this winter. ((Courtesy Photo/ Judy Hauck)

Grow her own way: Inside gardening provides homegrown produce despite cold and snow

Microgreens and summer vegetables thrive on North Douglas this winter.

An avid gardener and long-time Juneau resident, Judy Hauck, holds a yogurt container with lettuce. Using a basic shop light and empty yogurt containers, she's been growing greens inside her home this winter. ((Courtesy Photo/ Judy Hauck)
Juneau City Hall. On Thursday night, assembly members voted to add money to the Household and Individual Assistance programs and make the eligibility requirements more restrictive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

CBJ allocates more money for individual assistance programs

The funding boost comes with tighter eligibility requirements.

Juneau City Hall. On Thursday night, assembly members voted to add money to the Household and Individual Assistance programs and make the eligibility requirements more restrictive. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A worker walks on the pier near Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery Thursday afternoon. Ice has formed on the Gastineau Channel amid frigid temperatures brought on by a high-pressure ridge over mainland Alaska and Western Canada. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Bitter cold temperatures flirt with record lows

A strong high-pressure ridge over mainland Alaska brings frigid air to Southeast

A worker walks on the pier near Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery Thursday afternoon. Ice has formed on the Gastineau Channel amid frigid temperatures brought on by a high-pressure ridge over mainland Alaska and Western Canada. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
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)
Nathan Jackson, a Ketchikan-based Traditional Woodcarver and Sculptor was named a 2021 USA Fellow on Wednesday. The honor came from United States Artists, an organization dedicated to promoting artists. Winners receive $50,000 in prize money to use based on their needs. (Courtesy Photo / Hall Anderson, United States Artists)

A Q&A with renowned Northwest Coast artist Nathan Jackson

The Ketchikan-based artist was named a 2021 USA Fellow last week.

Nathan Jackson, a Ketchikan-based Traditional Woodcarver and Sculptor was named a 2021 USA Fellow on Wednesday. The honor came from United States Artists, an organization dedicated to promoting artists. Winners receive $50,000 in prize money to use based on their needs. (Courtesy Photo / Hall Anderson, United States Artists)
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)
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)
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)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, has his temperature taken inside the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 19, 2021. The high tech check-ins have become routine over the past few weeks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, has his temperature taken inside the Alaska State Capitol on Jan. 19, 2021. The high tech check-ins have become routine over the past few weeks. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau's downtown harbor in September 2014. On Thursday, Canada announced a ban on cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

‘Devestating decision’: Locals react to Canada’s cruise ban

The announcement was made Thursday.

A fishing vessel is drawfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau's downtown harbor in September 2014. On Thursday, Canada announced a ban on cruise vessels in Canadian waters through February 2022. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy Photo/Hall Anderson, United States Artists
Nathan Jackson, a Ketchikan-based Traditional Woodcarver and Sculptor was named a 2021 USA Fellow on Wednesday.

Renowned Northwest Coast artist named USA Fellow

United States Artists awards $50,000 to the Ketchikan-based artist.

Courtesy Photo/Hall Anderson, United States Artists
Nathan Jackson, a Ketchikan-based Traditional Woodcarver and Sculptor was named a 2021 USA Fellow on Wednesday.
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)
Wildflower Court staff and residents are quarantining after the City and Borough announced a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the site. So far, all affected residents and staff are asymptomatic. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Residents and staff at care facility still symptom-free

The majority of staff and residents are vaccinated.

Wildflower Court staff and residents are quarantining after the City and Borough announced a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the site. So far, all affected residents and staff are asymptomatic. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)

Syphilis infections are surging in Alaska

A variety of forces are leading to the increased numbers.

This image shows treponema pallidum, the bacteria that cause syphilis. (Courtesy Photo / NIAID)
Tease

CBJ looks to revoke pot shop licenses when taxes are late

“Where there’s chronic delinquency, there needs to be enforcement.”

Tease
Juneau resident and owner of Rain Coast Data Meilani Schijvens, recently wrote and published a book for readers ages nine to 12. The book takes place in the fictional land of Zanzia, but includes nods to Southeast Alaska and features the talents of local artists. (Courtesy Photo/Sander Schijvens)

Juneau resident creates a fictional world for kids

A variety of local talent is on display in “Mapmaker’s Mistake.”

Juneau resident and owner of Rain Coast Data Meilani Schijvens, recently wrote and published a book for readers ages nine to 12. The book takes place in the fictional land of Zanzia, but includes nods to Southeast Alaska and features the talents of local artists. (Courtesy Photo/Sander Schijvens)
Emergency worker Tyler Morgan administers a COVID-19 test at Juneau International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Local COVID-19 risk level to remain at moderate

Rising case numbers only indicator in the high-risk category.

Emergency worker Tyler Morgan administers a COVID-19 test at Juneau International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This January 2020 photo shows cars piled up at an illegal junkyard on River Road in the Mendenhall Valley. On Monday night, the City and Borough City Assembly moved a step closer to starting to clean up the site. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Illegal junkyard headed toward the trash heap

CBJ to solicit bids to clean up the property.

This January 2020 photo shows cars piled up at an illegal junkyard on River Road in the Mendenhall Valley. On Monday night, the City and Borough City Assembly moved a step closer to starting to clean up the site. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Cars zoom down the track at Saturday's Pinewood Derby. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the race to move a virtual format. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

The race must go on

Cub Scouts take the Pinewood Derby high tech.

Cars zoom down the track at Saturday's Pinewood Derby. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the race to move a virtual format. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
On Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the review of the Trump administration's decision to lift the Roadless Rule in the Tongass National Forest. The news has lead to optimism among local conservation groups. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Conservationists welcome Biden’s Roadless Rule review order

Local conservation group reacts to news, looks to the future.

On Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the review of the Trump administration's decision to lift the Roadless Rule in the Tongass National Forest. The news has lead to optimism among local conservation groups. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)