Michael S. Lockett

By land or sea: Law enforcement urges sober driving this holiday weekend
By land or sea: Law enforcement urges sober driving this holiday weekend
Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                 A black bear sow and her cub walk along the Trail of Time at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. A lack of visitors to the area this year may have emboldened bears to explore surrounding areas, local experts said, although it’s hard to know for sure.

Are more bears wandering in residential areas? It’s hard to say

Less tourists and early-summer hunger could be pushing them into areas usually more crowded.

Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File                                 A black bear sow and her cub walk along the Trail of Time at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. A lack of visitors to the area this year may have emboldened bears to explore surrounding areas, local experts said, although it’s hard to know for sure.
An officer from the Juneau Police Department investigate an officer involved shooting off Cinema Drive on Dec. 29,2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File)

Parents of man killed by JPD to sue department

The officer was cleared by the state, but not everyone finds that decision valid.

An officer from the Juneau Police Department investigate an officer involved shooting off Cinema Drive on Dec. 29,2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire File)
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                 Lack of cruise ships relying on shore power from Alaska Electric Light and Power will not affect customers, said an AEL&P official June 29, 2020.

Heavy rain and surplus of power means savings for power customers

The lack of cruise ships hasn’t hurt rates.

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                 Lack of cruise ships relying on shore power from Alaska Electric Light and Power will not affect customers, said an AEL&P official June 29, 2020.
Photos by Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                The Glory Hall is currently the only source for a meal for many Juneau residents experiencing homelessness, June 25, 2020. Executive Director Mariya Lovishchuk said that this is leading to friction with downtown residents and businesses, and she supports the Juneau Cares program, a program that pays local restaurants to help feed the homeless or food-insecure.

Program to feed hungry, fund restaurants trudging toward reality

The program could inject up to $1 million into local restaurants while feeding the most vulnerable.

Photos by Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                The Glory Hall is currently the only source for a meal for many Juneau residents experiencing homelessness, June 25, 2020. Executive Director Mariya Lovishchuk said that this is leading to friction with downtown residents and businesses, and she supports the Juneau Cares program, a program that pays local restaurants to help feed the homeless or food-insecure.
Screenshot                                Members of Tlingit and Haida’s lunchtime chat discuss the tribal courts system over web conference on June 25.

Tlingit and Haida talks tribal courts at weekly luncheon

Soon, the courts will gain access to several national crime databases.

Screenshot                                Members of Tlingit and Haida’s lunchtime chat discuss the tribal courts system over web conference on June 25.
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire                                The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020.

Improving but there’s more work to do, JPD and Assembly agree

The JPD meets many standards protesters want already, chief says

Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire                                The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020.
Juneau drag performers ready for Stonewall Riot anniversary
Juneau drag performers ready for Stonewall Riot anniversary
Irene Lampe dances a robe for its first dance ceremony at the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Monday, June 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Annie Bartholomew)

Weavers celebrate new robe with first dance at SHI

The event is part of a resurgent trend for traditional weaving.

Irene Lampe dances a robe for its first dance ceremony at the Sealaska Heritage Institute on Monday, June 22, 2020. (Courtesy photo | Annie Bartholomew)
Trail Mix Inc. contracted with ROTAK Helicopter Services to provide a K-Max heavy lift helicopter to slingload dozens of tons of gravels for new construction on the Horse Tram Trail on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Special delivery: Trail Mix uses helicopter to build new trail

The synchropter can lift more than its own weight.

Trail Mix Inc. contracted with ROTAK Helicopter Services to provide a K-Max heavy lift helicopter to slingload dozens of tons of gravels for new construction on the Horse Tram Trail on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Construction takes place at Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday, June 9, 2020. Work on the roundabouts is expected to be completed by September. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Valley road construction closures ongoing till autumn

The project is ticking right along, according to the DOT.

Construction takes place at Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday, June 9, 2020. Work on the roundabouts is expected to be completed by September. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
The USCGC Healy, the Coast Guard’s only medium icebreaker, lies moored to the pier in Juneau as it returns to Seattle at the end of deployment, Oct. 27, 2019. The Healy is one of two U.S. icebreakers, but perhaps that will change, as a White House memorandum directs the government to look at options for expanding the icebreaker fleet. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

White House examining more options for expanding U.S. icebreaker fleet

Leasing and further construction are both possibilities.

The USCGC Healy, the Coast Guard’s only medium icebreaker, lies moored to the pier in Juneau as it returns to Seattle at the end of deployment, Oct. 27, 2019. The Healy is one of two U.S. icebreakers, but perhaps that will change, as a White House memorandum directs the government to look at options for expanding the icebreaker fleet. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Supporters of LGBTQ+ rights hold placards in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 8, 2019. The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment. It’s a resounding victory for LGBTQ+ rights from a conservative court. (AP Photo | Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Alaskans celebrate Supreme Court decision protecting LGBTQ+ rights

The 6-3 decision is a resounding victory for the LGBTQ+ community.

Supporters of LGBTQ+ rights hold placards in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 8, 2019. The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment. It’s a resounding victory for LGBTQ+ rights from a conservative court. (AP Photo | Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
The Juneau Empire, offices seen here, is launching a new grant program to match advertisers’ purchases in an effort to help spur economic recovery. Grants will range from $500 to $20,000 in advertising credits, matching the client, and can be used for both print and digital advertising. The application for the grant is available at <a href="http://www.soundpublishing.com/grantapplication/" target="_blank">http://www.soundpublishing.com/grantapplication/</a>. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Empire launches grant program to help local businesses recover

Grant applications are available till the end of June.

The Juneau Empire, offices seen here, is launching a new grant program to match advertisers’ purchases in an effort to help spur economic recovery. Grants will range from $500 to $20,000 in advertising credits, matching the client, and can be used for both print and digital advertising. The application for the grant is available at <a href="http://www.soundpublishing.com/grantapplication/" target="_blank">http://www.soundpublishing.com/grantapplication/</a>. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
A pair of bald eagles lay on the beach near Auke Bay after locking talons and falling from the sky on June 9, 2020, a somewhat common behavior. The Juneau Raptor Center has had an active spring, handling half a dozen calls about bald eagles in the last week and rescuing other birds as well. (Courtesy photo | Kevin Henderson)

It was a busy week for Juneau Raptor Center

Half a dozen bald eagles and other birds have needed help.

A pair of bald eagles lay on the beach near Auke Bay after locking talons and falling from the sky on June 9, 2020, a somewhat common behavior. The Juneau Raptor Center has had an active spring, handling half a dozen calls about bald eagles in the last week and rescuing other birds as well. (Courtesy photo | Kevin Henderson)
Police investigating hit-and-run on bicyclist

Police investigating hit-and-run on bicyclist

The bicyclist was injured; the driver, unidentified.

Police investigating hit-and-run on bicyclist
“Alaska is consistently rated very high, in part because of the consistent boating safety programs, such as Kids Don’t Float,” said Mike Folkerts, boating safety specialist for Coast Guard District 17. He said such campaigns and widespread use of life jackets help explain why Alaska saw fewer boating-related deaths last year than in 2018. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

2019 boating deaths, injuries in Alaska down from previous years

Alaska’s high rate of life jacket use likely saved many lives.

“Alaska is consistently rated very high, in part because of the consistent boating safety programs, such as Kids Don’t Float,” said Mike Folkerts, boating safety specialist for Coast Guard District 17. He said such campaigns and widespread use of life jackets help explain why Alaska saw fewer boating-related deaths last year than in 2018. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer was among the attendees at the “I Can’t Breathe” vigil held Saturday, May 30 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.

JPD Chief talks department strengths, struggles amid nationwide protests

The department is adapting to deal with community demands.

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer was among the attendees at the “I Can’t Breathe” vigil held Saturday, May 30 at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park.
A plan is being refined to use CARES Act funds to help feed Juneau’s food-insecure residents, such as the patrons of the Glory Hall. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
A plan is being refined to use CARES Act funds to help feed Juneau’s food-insecure residents, such as the patrons of the Glory Hall. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Chief Ed Mercer of the Juneau Police Department answered questions from the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau on the department’s use of force policy, oversight, and other topics during an Assembly webinar on June 9, 2020. (Stock photo | Juneau Empire)

Assembly asks for use of force policy specifics

Police department’s top brass says no for now, citing legal concerns.

Chief Ed Mercer of the Juneau Police Department answered questions from the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau on the department’s use of force policy, oversight, and other topics during an Assembly webinar on June 9, 2020. (Stock photo | Juneau Empire)