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The fear of looking ridiculous or incompetent prevents many people from putting their creative abilities on display. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went To The Woods: Fear of the single star

There are good leaps and there are dumb ones.

The fear of looking ridiculous or incompetent prevents many people from putting their creative abilities on display. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
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)
Service from ferries like the MV Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020, have become unreliable for coastal communities as year-to-year planning leads to high levels of uncertainty, according to coastal lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lack of planning hampers AMHS, lawmakers say

Uncertainty hurts business.

Service from ferries like the MV Tazlina, seen here coming into dock at Juneau on May 16, 2020, have become unreliable for coastal communities as year-to-year planning leads to high levels of uncertainty, according to coastal lawmakers. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Spot, a kitten who escaped on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry bound from Washington to Haines, took a solo adventure in Juneau but was returned to her family in Haines by a thoughtful Juneau resident on March 9, 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Ashlyn Harper)

Kitten escaped on ferry found in Juneau and returned to owner

The cat made the last leg of the trip to Haines Tuesday after a solo expedition.

Spot, a kitten who escaped on an Alaska Marine Highway ferry bound from Washington to Haines, took a solo adventure in Juneau but was returned to her family in Haines by a thoughtful Juneau resident on March 9, 2021. (Courtesy Photo / Ashlyn Harper)
In this December 2020 photo, Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacy personnel take delivery of the first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine. About three months later, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the state is making the vaccine available to all Alaskans starting March 10. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Breaking: Vaccine soon available to all Alaskans

Everyone living and working in Alaska.

In this December 2020 photo, Bartlett Regional Hospital pharmacy personnel take delivery of the first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine. About three months later, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the state is making the vaccine available to all Alaskans starting March 10. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here on Aug. 11, 2020, will be holding a news conference at 5 p.m. regarding COVID-19, according to a release from his office. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Watch: Dunleavy news conference on COVID-19

Watch here.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, seen here on Aug. 11, 2020, will be holding a news conference at 5 p.m. regarding COVID-19, according to a release from his office. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a carport fire occurring on March 6, 2021, seen above, as an intentionally set fire. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Police and fire marshal investigating Smith Hall carport fire as arson

“The question we’re dealing with is, why would someone burn senior citizen’s property or automobiles.”

Capital City Fire/Rescue and the Juneau Police Department are investigating a carport fire occurring on March 6, 2021, seen above, as an intentionally set fire. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
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)
Medical Assistant Keona Shepard holds up the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as she prepares to administer it at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the mass coronavirus vaccination in New Orleans, in this Thursday, March 4, 2021, file photo. (Chris Granger / The Advocate)

CDC: Fully vaccinated people can gather without masks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the guidance Monday.

Medical Assistant Keona Shepard holds up the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as she prepares to administer it at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center during the mass coronavirus vaccination in New Orleans, in this Thursday, March 4, 2021, file photo. (Chris Granger / The Advocate)
The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmakers question whether proposed department split is legal

Governor maintains executive order is within his powers, others are less sure.

The Department of Health and Social Services, its headquarters seen here in Juneau on Monday, March 8, 2021, could be split into two departments by an executive order from the governor. However, some lawmakers have raised concern about the legality of the order, saying it could lead to costly litigation. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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)
Marvin Roberts flashes four fingers in a sign of solidarity for the so-called Fairbanks Four following his address at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage in this 2017 photo. Roberts and three other men were convicted of killing a Fairbanks teenager in 1997. Four men who say they were illegally imprisoned for nearly two decades for the murder of a teenager in Alaska will have their lawsuit go forward after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to get involved in the case. The high court turned away the case Monday. As is typical, the justices did not comment in rejecting the case. That leaves in place a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In January of last year it overturned a lower court ruling that had dismissed a lawsuit by the “Fairbanks Four” against the city of Fairbanks. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)

Supreme Court won’t get involved in Fairbanks Four case

The high court turned away the case Monday.

Marvin Roberts flashes four fingers in a sign of solidarity for the so-called Fairbanks Four following his address at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage in this 2017 photo. Roberts and three other men were convicted of killing a Fairbanks teenager in 1997. Four men who say they were illegally imprisoned for nearly two decades for the murder of a teenager in Alaska will have their lawsuit go forward after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to get involved in the case. The high court turned away the case Monday. As is typical, the justices did not comment in rejecting the case. That leaves in place a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In January of last year it overturned a lower court ruling that had dismissed a lawsuit by the “Fairbanks Four” against the city of Fairbanks. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen)
A health worker prepares a dosage of COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic at Centennial Hall on Feb. 11. A surge in vaccine availability means more people can get the vaccine, but so far few people are being required to get it. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

What’s your vaccine policy? Here’s what Juneau’s largest employers are doing

The shot is highly recommended by private and public employers.

A health worker prepares a dosage of COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic at Centennial Hall on Feb. 11. A surge in vaccine availability means more people can get the vaccine, but so far few people are being required to get it. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
The Capitol is seen at dusk as work in the Senate is stalled on the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, in Washington, Friday, March 5, 2021. Senators plan to continue to vote on amendments through the night. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Biden, Dems prevail as Senate OKs $1.9T virus relief bill

It passed 50-49, now heads to House.

The Capitol is seen at dusk as work in the Senate is stalled on the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, in Washington, Friday, March 5, 2021. Senators plan to continue to vote on amendments through the night. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Rick Casillo comes over the last drop as he comes down the Happy River Steps heading to Puntilla Lake, Alaska, during the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The world’s most famous sled dog race starts Sunday, March 7, 2021, without its defending champion in a contest that will be as much dominated by unknowns and changes because of the pandemic as mushers are by the Alaska terrain. (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)

Pandemic forces route change, other precautions for Iditarod

This year’s Iditarod will be marked by pandemic precautions, a route change, no spectators and more.

  • Mar 6, 2021
  • By MARK THIESSEN Associated Pess
  • Iditarod
Rick Casillo comes over the last drop as he comes down the Happy River Steps heading to Puntilla Lake, Alaska, during the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The world’s most famous sled dog race starts Sunday, March 7, 2021, without its defending champion in a contest that will be as much dominated by unknowns and changes because of the pandemic as mushers are by the Alaska terrain. (Bob Hallinen / Anchorage Daily News)
This photo shows a multi-vehicle carport following an early morning fire. (Courtesy Photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)

Firefighters extinguish early morning carport fire

The fire marshal will investigate.

This photo shows a multi-vehicle carport following an early morning fire. (Courtesy Photo / Capital City Fire/Rescue)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Thane Road to close Saturday morning for avalanche hazard reduction

Thane Road will be closed for two hours Saturday morning to allow for avalanche hazard reduction, the state’s transportation department announced. The closure is scheduled… Continue reading

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, contracting with Coastal Helicopters, works to reduce avalanche risk on Thane Road by setting off avalanches in a controlled fashion on Feb. 5, 2021.(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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)
From left to right: Alaska state Reps. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, and Sara Rasmussen, R-Anchorage, speak on the Alaska House floor on Friday, March 5, 2021. The House passed a Sense of the House on Friday, condemning as inappropriate and objectifying comments Fields had made toward Rasmussen last month. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

House condemns comments about lawmaker’s appearance

Rebuke passed without objection.

From left to right: Alaska state Reps. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, and Sara Rasmussen, R-Anchorage, speak on the Alaska House floor on Friday, March 5, 2021. The House passed a Sense of the House on Friday, condemning as inappropriate and objectifying comments Fields had made toward Rasmussen last month. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)