Dana Zigmund

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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)
Rose Lawhorne has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital, officials announced in a news release on Monday. Lawhorne is a long-time hospital employee and is currently serving as Bartlett’s chief nursing officer. She will begin the CEO role on April 4. (Courtesy Photo/Bartlett REgional Hospital)

Longtime Bartlett employee Rose Lawhorne named CEO

She is currently the chief nursing officer

Rose Lawhorne has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Bartlett Regional Hospital, officials announced in a news release on Monday. Lawhorne is a long-time hospital employee and is currently serving as Bartlett’s chief nursing officer. She will begin the CEO role on April 4. (Courtesy Photo/Bartlett REgional Hospital)
On Friday, Juneau school officials announced that two new principals have been named for the upcoming school year. Harborview School, will welcome Kelley Harvey as the new principal in August. William Sarandria was named the new principal at Auke Bay Elementary School, starting in August. Both Harvey and Sarandria are long-time Juneau educators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau educators named to local principal posts

Auke Bay and Harborview Schools to welcome new principals in August

On Friday, Juneau school officials announced that two new principals have been named for the upcoming school year. Harborview School, will welcome Kelley Harvey as the new principal in August. William Sarandria was named the new principal at Auke Bay Elementary School, starting in August. Both Harvey and Sarandria are long-time Juneau educators. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
New principals will take the helm at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools next school year. A committee interviewed five candidates for the roles this week. School officials plan to name the new principals soon. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Principal candidates interview for open jobs

Committee interviews candidates for the top job at Harborview and Auke Bay

New principals will take the helm at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools next school year. A committee interviewed five candidates for the roles this week. School officials plan to name the new principals soon. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
It's Girl Scout Cookie time. Local scouts will sell about 24,500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in Juneau this cookie-selling season. Cookies are available at pop-up cookie stands at Safeway, Rainbow Foods, The Grind Coffee Company and Nugget Mall. Or, text “cookies” to 59618 to find a nearby cookie sales location or order them online. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Local Girl Scouts are selling cookies all around Juneau

What’s your favorite cookie flavor?

It's Girl Scout Cookie time. Local scouts will sell about 24,500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in Juneau this cookie-selling season. Cookies are available at pop-up cookie stands at Safeway, Rainbow Foods, The Grind Coffee Company and Nugget Mall. Or, text “cookies” to 59618 to find a nearby cookie sales location or order them online. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members discussed changes to soften the restrictions outlined in an earlier proposal that would have significantly curtailed the use and sale of fireworks in the city. Key questions include where fireworks can be sold and what types of fireworks qualify as concussive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City committee mulls fireworks limitations

What’s too loud on July 4?

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members discussed changes to soften the restrictions outlined in an earlier proposal that would have significantly curtailed the use and sale of fireworks in the city. Key questions include where fireworks can be sold and what types of fireworks qualify as concussive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This screenshot from a video posted by Salty Lady Seafood Co. shows an orca swimming close to a boat. "I thought for sure it would splash us with its tail or nose the skiff," the company said in a social media post. "It was just checking us out though. Fun end to a hard day of work at the farm." (Screenshot)

A whale of a tale

Salty Lady Seafoods crew enjoy an unexpected visit.

This screenshot from a video posted by Salty Lady Seafood Co. shows an orca swimming close to a boat. "I thought for sure it would splash us with its tail or nose the skiff," the company said in a social media post. "It was just checking us out though. Fun end to a hard day of work at the farm." (Screenshot)
Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, has been nominated for a Women of Distinction award. She is pictured here addressing the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Board praises superintendent, nominates her for award

Superintendent subject of glowing remarks from school board during Women’s History Month

Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, has been nominated for a Women of Distinction award. She is pictured here addressing the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
Board of Education members are debating the best way to spend operating funds, allocate grant money and use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for the 2021-22 school year. Personnel changes are expected at multiple schools ahead of that school year, including principal changes at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Looking ahead: Board of education mulls budget for next school year

Enrollment uncertainty complicates budget process for Juneau School District.

Board of Education members are debating the best way to spend operating funds, allocate grant money and use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for the 2021-22 school year. Personnel changes are expected at multiple schools ahead of that school year, including principal changes at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Half of Juneau’s residents expected to get COVID-19 vaccine by end of March

Late Tuesday, state officials expanded vaccine eligibility

Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacist Chris Sperry holds a vial of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A hearing officer heard arguments for and against revoking a special use permit the city granted for a Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska-run transitional living facility on the corner of Alaway Avenue and Glacier Highway. This picture shows a proposed design of the facility. (Courtesy Image / Tlingit and Haida)

Hearing held for proposed Alaway Avenue project

Both sides of debate make their case.

A hearing officer heard arguments for and against revoking a special use permit the city granted for a Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska-run transitional living facility on the corner of Alaway Avenue and Glacier Highway. This picture shows a proposed design of the facility. (Courtesy Image / Tlingit and Haida)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jenae Pusich dribbles down the court at Friday night's game against Thunder Mountain High School. On Friday, THMS carried the night with a score of 52-45. However, on Saturday, Pusich scored 19 points in a game JDHS won 54 to 35. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Crosstown matchups put teams on road to post-season

JDHS win clinches team No. 1 seed in the Region V tournament.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Jenae Pusich dribbles down the court at Friday night's game against Thunder Mountain High School. On Friday, THMS carried the night with a score of 52-45. However, on Saturday, Pusich scored 19 points in a game JDHS won 54 to 35. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020, is hiring a new CEO. Three finalists have been selected and will visit the hospital later this month. Members of the public who wish to meet the finalists will have an opportunity to do so and provide feedback to the hiring committee on March 19. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

The search for a new Bartlett CEO enters the final phase

Meet the candidates.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, shown here on Nov. 30, 2020, is hiring a new CEO. Three finalists have been selected and will visit the hospital later this month. Members of the public who wish to meet the finalists will have an opportunity to do so and provide feedback to the hiring committee on March 19. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Sound icons on Juneau’s recently installed wayfinding signs indicate a stop on the new Juneau Voice Audio Walk. Designed as a mobile-phone-based audio walking tour through the downtown area, listeners can hear a diverse collection of stories ranging from experiences growing up in the Juneau Indian Village to learning about the experiences of Stuart Sliter, née Johnson, who served as the very first Miss Alaska at the dawn of Alaskan statehood via their mobile phones. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Juneau Voices Audio Walk debuts downtown

Audio installations share Juneau’s forgotten history.

Sound icons on Juneau’s recently installed wayfinding signs indicate a stop on the new Juneau Voice Audio Walk. Designed as a mobile-phone-based audio walking tour through the downtown area, listeners can hear a diverse collection of stories ranging from experiences growing up in the Juneau Indian Village to learning about the experiences of Stuart Sliter, née Johnson, who served as the very first Miss Alaska at the dawn of Alaskan statehood via their mobile phones. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, center-right, talks to students as they re-enter Floyd Dryden Middle School on Jan. 11, 2021, the first day of hybrid learning after nine months of distance learning due to COVID-19. The extended break from full-time, in-person learning has meant enrollment changes for the district, which has resulted in reduced grant money. On Wednesday night, the city Finance Committee unanimously agreed to transfer $56,646 to the Juneau School District to help shore up fiscal year 2021 coffers.

Juneau Finance Committee agrees to transfer money to Juneau School District

The money will offset reduced grant money.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File Juneau School District Superintendent Bridget Weiss, center-right, talks to students as they re-enter Floyd Dryden Middle School on Jan. 11, 2021, the first day of hybrid learning after nine months of distance learning due to COVID-19. The extended break from full-time, in-person learning has meant enrollment changes for the district, which has resulted in reduced grant money. On Wednesday night, the city Finance Committee unanimously agreed to transfer $56,646 to the Juneau School District to help shore up fiscal year 2021 coffers.
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)
Petersburg resident Sara Hadad-Dembs recently found her biological brother through a DNA testing kit. The pair recently met for the first time when she traveled to Chicago. "This is what it looks like when genetics kick in and a total stranger just gets you," she said in a recent interview. (Courtesy Photo/Sara Hadad-Dembs
Capital City Weekly

Petersburg woman finds long-lost brother after DNA test

Multi-year search ends with additional family members.

Petersburg resident Sara Hadad-Dembs recently found her biological brother through a DNA testing kit. The pair recently met for the first time when she traveled to Chicago. "This is what it looks like when genetics kick in and a total stranger just gets you," she said in a recent interview. (Courtesy Photo/Sara Hadad-Dembs
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)
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)