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Former DHS employee Bert Christopher Heitstuman was arrested in Anchorage Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 for multiple counts of sexual assault. (Courtesy photo / Department of Law)

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Ex-DHS officer indicted on sexual assault charges

The alleged offenses occurred between 2012 and 2018.

Courtesy photo / NASA The Perseverance rover, seen here from the descent stage, landed on Mars on Feb. 18.

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Perseverance prepares to get down to it after lengthy commute to work

It’s bringing scientists sounds from out of this world.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel rescued an injured person on a trail near Thunder Mountain High School on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

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CCFR rescues injured person on trail in Mendenhall Valley

Contray to rumors, no one fell in the river.

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)

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Visibility is key: Data and murdered and missing Indigenous women

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

Kathy Benner, center, manager of the Juneau Raptor Center, prepares to wrap a sheet around an injured trumpeter swan to transport him as Matthew Brown holds the bird near Auke Bay on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Kerry Howard)

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Swan seized safely with sheet

At last, the beaked beast’s been bound.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities used the DaisyBell device on Feb. 21, 2021 to precisely trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road, reducing the chances of a catastrophic natural avalanche, similar to the same practice shown above in 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File)

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DOTPF conducts avalanche risk reduction along Thane Road

The snowpack got its bell rung.

Courtesy photo / Heather Holt The Thunder Mountain High School varsity boys beat Sitka in an away game Feb. 19.

Sports

Juneau basketball teams have solid weekend of games, home and away

JDHS boys continue their undefeated streak, now 12-0

Alaska Airlines is inspecting a 737-700 after it was struck by lightning while flying from Juneau to Sitka on Feb. 21, 2021 in accordance with the company’s policies. (Courtesy photo / National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration)

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Alaska Airlines inspecting flight after lightning strike near Sitka

An inspection is the airline’s standard procedure after a strike.

Juneau recently dropped its community risk level to Level 1. The change allows bars and gyms to become slightly more flexible in their operations. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Lagers and joggers: Restrictions ease on local bars and gyms

The Level 1 distinction offers some subtle but important maneuvering room.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire The Gold Town Theater’s new drive-in location at the downtown subport lot hosts a fully armed and operational screen for all-weather conditions.

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New faces downtown: Drive-in theater settles into new home

The Gold Town Theater’s drive-in gets lively with its showings.

A Fairbanks man was indicted in federal court Friday, Feb. 18, 2021 after investigators discovered he attempted to pay to have an ex-romantic partner killed. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

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Fairbanks Man indicted for murder for hire

Indictment follows months of alleged domestic violence, according to the Department of Justice.

Thomas Moreno, Southeast Alaska Food Bank employee, unloads food at the food bank on Feb. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Amid adversity, Juneau’s food banks soldier on

Demand up and donations down is not a good trajectory.

Presiding judges in the Alaska court system will be able to choose whether to go forward with criminal jury trials on a case by case basis soon, such as those held at the Dimond Courthouse, seen here Oct. 20, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Mask policy, largely suspended jury trials remain in place for state’s courts

The presiding judge will choose to hold jury trials on a case-by-case basis going forward.

Juneau Police Department officers arrested a man obstructing traffic and acting erratically on Egan Drive Tuesday evening, Feb. 16, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

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Police detain man obstructing traffic on Glacier Highway

The man sustained minor injuries when he was being apprehended Tuesday evening.

Wendy Wallers administers the coronavirus vaccine to Christina MacDougall during a clinic at Centennial Hall on Feb. 11, 2021. The City and Borough of Juneau lowered the risk level for the coronavirus to Level 1 on Feb. 17, the lowest since the system was put in place. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Juneau lowers community risk level

The risk level is the lowest it’s been since the risk system was put in place.

A City and Borough of Juneau minibus crashed into a guardrail on Egan Drive near Twin Lakes for reasons unknown on Feb. 15, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Bus crash possibly caused by mechanical failures

No injuries occurred, but the bus is likely totalled.

Coast Guard Cutter Hickory crewmembers offload pallets of water destined for the residents in Angoon, Alaska, Feb. 14, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

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Tlingit and Haida, Coast Guard work together to help Angoon

Mechanical failures and cold threatened the water supply.

Gov. Ernest Gruening (seated) signs the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945. Witnessing are O. D. Cochran, Elizabeth Peratrovich, Edward Anderson, Norman Walker and Roy Peratrovich. (Courtesy Photo / Alaska State Library - Historical Collections)

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Officials honor Elizabeth Peratrovich day with proclamations

With physical gatherings limited, virtual events and statements marked the day.

Members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force arrested a Juneau resident for the possession of methamphetamines worth more than $50,000 on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

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Anti-drug task force arrests Juneau resident, seizes meth worth more than $50,000

The arrest was made Friday.

Juneau-Douglas' Garrett Bryant (24) is fouled by Sitka's Stephen Harmon on a rebound Thursday night at Sitka High. (Photo James Poulson)

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Clear of coronavirus cluster concern, Juneau basketball back in action

There’s a busy week ahead for Juneau’s teams.