Michael S. Lockett

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Rear Adm. Matthew Bell is retiring from command of Coast Guard District 17 after 36 years of service in the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard District 17 CO looks back on decades of service

Big things are coming for Alaska, the admiral says.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Rear Adm. Matthew Bell is retiring from command of Coast Guard District 17 after 36 years of service in the Coast Guard.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
A proposal to the Docks and Harbors board to double residency fees for live-aboard residents of Juneau’s harbors have rankled many.

Docks and Harbors floats idea of live-aboard fee increase

Live-aboard residents less than thrilled about potential doubling of residency fee.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
A proposal to the Docks and Harbors board to double residency fees for live-aboard residents of Juneau’s harbors have rankled many.
Alaska Airlines and SkyNRG formed a partnership to advance sustainable aviation fuel made from municipal solid waste, the airline announced, as part of its steps towards making the airline a net-zero emissions industry. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Airlines)

Net-zero emissions, cleaner fuel… and planes that run on waste?

Alaska Airlines announces environmental commitments and efforts.

Alaska Airlines and SkyNRG formed a partnership to advance sustainable aviation fuel made from municipal solid waste, the airline announced, as part of its steps towards making the airline a net-zero emissions industry. (Courtesy photo / Alaska Airlines)
A man was indicted by a Juneau grand jury on April 8 for multiple sexual assault alleged to have occurred in Juneau from 2016 to 2020 in Juneau. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A man was indicted by a Juneau grand jury on April 8 for multiple sexual assault alleged to have occurred in Juneau from 2016 to 2020 in Juneau. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau man was indicted at the beginning of April for two charges of sexual abuse of a minor, according to an Alaska Department of Law news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man indicted on sexual abuse of a minor charges

The maximum penalty if convicted is 99 years imprisonment.

A Juneau man was indicted at the beginning of April for two charges of sexual abuse of a minor, according to an Alaska Department of Law news release. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Sonny Mauricio 
The Thunder Mountain High School Dance Team, shown here, ended their season with a superior-rated performance at their regional tournament.

Dance teams round out a virtual season with superiority

Both earned the highest rating for their regional competition.

Courtesy photo / Sonny Mauricio 
The Thunder Mountain High School Dance Team, shown here, ended their season with a superior-rated performance at their regional tournament.
Courtesy photo / Imagine Learning 
Educators at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School hold a giant check for the food donated to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank through a drive that math students at the school participated in.

Middle school students raise money for food bank with math skills

The donation drive was spread across schools in four states.

Courtesy photo / Imagine Learning 
Educators at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School hold a giant check for the food donated to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank through a drive that math students at the school participated in.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Susan Moseby, left, SAFE program administrator, and Jenny Farley, a nurse with the child advocacy center, man a table at IGA Foodland for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, giving information and resources to those who ask on April 16, 2021.

Child abuse referrals are climbing after declining during pandemic

Children were especially hard hit by the isolation, stress, weight of events.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Susan Moseby, left, SAFE program administrator, and Jenny Farley, a nurse with the child advocacy center, man a table at IGA Foodland for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, giving information and resources to those who ask on April 16, 2021.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Free vaccines for tourists: Governor talks future of tourism industry

The governor wants $150 million to aid the tourism industry.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities triggered an avalanche as a mitigation measure above Thane Road on April 15, 2021.

City plans ahead for future avalanche seasons

More snow isn’t bad, but dynamic weather makes predicting avalanches tricky

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities triggered an avalanche as a mitigation measure above Thane Road on April 15, 2021.
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s cheer team, shown here after winning the Region V competition, went on to win the state championships for their division for 2021. (Courtesy photo / Carlene Nore)

JDHS cheerleaders take state title as season wraps up

Small teams and empty gyms were the rule, not the exception this year.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé’s cheer team, shown here after winning the Region V competition, went on to win the state championships for their division for 2021. (Courtesy photo / Carlene Nore)
This photo shows the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine sits on a table at a pop up vaccinations site the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, in the Staten Island borough of New York. The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)

CDC freeze on Johnson and Johnson vaccine sets clinics scrambling

The odds of being affected are vanishingly rare, but CDC says better safe than sorry.

This photo shows the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine sits on a table at a pop up vaccinations site the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, in the Staten Island borough of New York. The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer)
The town of Tenakee Springs is holding a fundraiser to replace a footbridge washed out in the torrential December rains of 2020. (Courtesy photo / Nicole Pegues)

Tenakee Springs fundraises to replace washed-out bridge

With the birdge cut, residents on the far side have no foot access to town.

The town of Tenakee Springs is holding a fundraiser to replace a footbridge washed out in the torrential December rains of 2020. (Courtesy photo / Nicole Pegues)
The Juneau Police Department is searching for a man and woman, pictured here in surveillance footage, wanted in connection for a robbery that occurred downtown on April 1, 2021. (Courtesy photo / JPD)

Police search for suspects in downtown robbery and beating

The victim was struck on the back of the head repeatedly, and his backpack briefly stolen.

The Juneau Police Department is searching for a man and woman, pictured here in surveillance footage, wanted in connection for a robbery that occurred downtown on April 1, 2021. (Courtesy photo / JPD)
Snowfall in Juneau is expected to largely taper off this weekend, replaced by warmer temperatures, said National Weather Service meteorologists. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

More snow may be coming, but the end may be in sight

Many have begged fruitlessly to the uncaring gods for the arrival of spring in the Southeast.

Snowfall in Juneau is expected to largely taper off this weekend, replaced by warmer temperatures, said National Weather Service meteorologists. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kiana Potter, seen here during the Region V tournament, committed to playing basketball for Whitman College in Washington on April 8, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kiana Potter, seen here during the Region V tournament, committed to playing basketball for Whitman College in Washington on April 8, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department are seeking Brenda Jay Gallant, 40, after she was indicted recently for her alleged role in a 2021 vehicle arson. (Courtesy photo / JPD)

Police seeking woman indicted for arson

The indictment for the August fire came this March.

The Juneau Police Department are seeking Brenda Jay Gallant, 40, after she was indicted recently for her alleged role in a 2021 vehicle arson. (Courtesy photo / JPD)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Coast Guard Communications Command deployed one of its mobile communications vehicle to Juneau aboard a C-130 to assist Coast Guard District 17 in a continuity of operations exercise.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Coast Guard Communications Command deployed one of its mobile communications vehicle to Juneau aboard a C-130 to assist Coast Guard District 17 in a continuity of operations exercise.
The Juneau Police Department arrested a man for a felony arrest warrant Tuesday after a several hour standoff on April 6, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Police arrest man for felony arrest warrant after standoff

No one was injured during the standoff and arrest.

The Juneau Police Department arrested a man for a felony arrest warrant Tuesday after a several hour standoff on April 6, 2021. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel underwent annual ice rescue training at Twin Lakes on April 7, 2021. The training occurs in the spring, when the ice is rotted and most dangerous. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Firefighters on ice: CCFR goes for a chilly dip as part of annual training

The annual training prepares firefighters for accidents on Juneau’s frozen lakes and ponds.

Capital City Fire/Rescue personnel underwent annual ice rescue training at Twin Lakes on April 7, 2021. The training occurs in the spring, when the ice is rotted and most dangerous. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)