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Heavy snow over the weekend was followed by rising temperatures and steady rain. This led to icy conditions and added weight to snow imperiling decks, roofs and vessels in the capital city. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Heavy snow over the weekend was followed by rising temperatures and steady rain. This led to icy conditions and added weight to snow imperiling decks, roofs and vessels in the capital city. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The company responsible for running Juneau’s landfill is taking steps to reduce the odor emitted by the decomposing garbage. (Courtesy photo / Mark Frisco, Waste Management)

Changes underway at landfill to reduce odors

Some fixes have already been carried out.

The company responsible for running Juneau’s landfill is taking steps to reduce the odor emitted by the decomposing garbage. (Courtesy photo / Mark Frisco, Waste Management)
The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Coast Guard investigated minor oil spill near Sandy Beach

The source couldn’t be ID’d but was not a source of major concern, said a Coast Guard spokesperson.

The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature, but local leaders were cautious about what could be accomplished in an election year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers will return next week to the Alaska State Capitol building, seen here on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, for the next session of the Alaska State Legislature, but local leaders were cautious about what could be accomplished in an election year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Chief Financial Officer has resigned, according to hospital officials. Benson is the third executive to resign from BRH in the last four months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Hospital CFO resigns

Departure marks third exec to leave

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s Chief Financial Officer has resigned, according to hospital officials. Benson is the third executive to resign from BRH in the last four months. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Steven Duke shovels snow from the top of the roof at Don Abel Tool and Equipment Rental on Jan. 7. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Steven Duke shovels snow from the top of the roof at Don Abel Tool and Equipment Rental on Jan. 7. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Siblings Lea Skaggs, left, and Drake Skaggs, right, show off work by their brother Avery Skaggs at the opening night of a show at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum featuring a selection of work Avery Skaggs created during the pandemic lockdown. The exhibition is titled “Home: Disability Creativity in a Pandemic Lockdown.” (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Creating without community

‘Capitvating’ new exhibit contains artist’s lockdown work

Siblings Lea Skaggs, left, and Drake Skaggs, right, show off work by their brother Avery Skaggs at the opening night of a show at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum featuring a selection of work Avery Skaggs created during the pandemic lockdown. The exhibition is titled “Home: Disability Creativity in a Pandemic Lockdown.” (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
The Supreme Court shown Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. The Supreme Court is taking up two major Biden administration efforts to bump up the nation's vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Supreme Court skeptical of Biden’s workplace vaccine rule

The court seemed more open to a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers.

The Supreme Court shown Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. The Supreme Court is taking up two major Biden administration efforts to bump up the nation's vaccination rate against COVID-19 at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The Petersburg Police Department is conducting an investigation into a report that a person identified as an officer of that department made fascist remarks on a social media page. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Man no longer employed by Petersburg police after social media post investigation

The comment was made by a profile that listed employer as Petersburg Police Department.

The Petersburg Police Department is conducting an investigation into a report that a person identified as an officer of that department made fascist remarks on a social media page. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a porcupine near Valdez. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: The porcupine’s winter in slow-motion

How do porcupines survive winter? A lengthy study provides insights.

This photo shows a porcupine near Valdez. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
A collection of signs advising patrons about various COVID-related issues sits atop the front desk at the Douglas Branch of the Juneau Public Library on Jan. 6. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
A collection of signs advising patrons about various COVID-related issues sits atop the front desk at the Douglas Branch of the Juneau Public Library on Jan. 6. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Line crews from Alaska Electric Light & Power work to restore power to Thane following an avalanche on Jan. 3, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Evan Bixby)

2021 saw far fewer power outages than record year 2020

Last year was in the average range for outages here in Juneau.

Line crews from Alaska Electric Light & Power work to restore power to Thane following an avalanche on Jan. 3, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Evan Bixby)
State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

State Senate president lays out vision for upcoming session

Micciche seeks path forward on budget, looks to pass legislation on fishing permits, alcohol regulations

State Sen. Peter Micciche fields questions from constituents during a joint chamber luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It’s the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (

State reports small population growth

Net migration still negative, but not as negative.

This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag. The state on Thursday reported a modest population growth between April 2020 and July 2021. It’s the first time since 2016 the state has reported a population increase. (
Alaska Airlines planes are parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise, March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Alaska Airlines said Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, it will trim its schedule by about 10% for the rest of January at it deals with “unprecedented” numbers of employees calling in sick during the current COVID-19 surge. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren, File)

Alaska Air trims January flights to cope with virus outbreak

Alaska Airlines said Thursday it will trim its schedule by about 10% for the rest of January.

  • Jan 6, 2022
  • Associated Press
  • travel
Alaska Airlines planes are parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise, March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. Alaska Airlines said Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, it will trim its schedule by about 10% for the rest of January at it deals with “unprecedented” numbers of employees calling in sick during the current COVID-19 surge. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren, File)
Snow blows off Mount Roberts high above the Thane avalanche chute, where an avalanche blew across the road during a major snowstorm last weekend. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Mercurial weather may increase avalanche risk

Snow becoming rain during a storm system is generally bad news.

Snow blows off Mount Roberts high above the Thane avalanche chute, where an avalanche blew across the road during a major snowstorm last weekend. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force/Alaska National Guard photo shows the William Miller Memorial School, larger structure top right, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River in the village of Napakiak, Alaska, on Dec. 3, 2019. The school is just 64 feet (19.51 meters) from the Kuskokwim River, and it's getting closer every year. Just two years ago, the school was less than 200 feet (60.96 meters) from the river. Climate change is a contributing factor in the erosion caused by the Kuskokwim, a river that becomes an ice highway for travelers in the winter. (Airman 1st Class Emily Farnsworth, U.S. Air Force/ Alaska National Guard)

Southwest Alaska school in race with climate change for new building

BETHEL — A school that is in danger of being lost to erosion because of climate change is at the top of the state’s list… Continue reading

This photo provided by the U.S. Air Force/Alaska National Guard photo shows the William Miller Memorial School, larger structure top right, which is being severely eroded by the nearby Kuskokwim River in the village of Napakiak, Alaska, on Dec. 3, 2019. The school is just 64 feet (19.51 meters) from the Kuskokwim River, and it's getting closer every year. Just two years ago, the school was less than 200 feet (60.96 meters) from the river. Climate change is a contributing factor in the erosion caused by the Kuskokwim, a river that becomes an ice highway for travelers in the winter. (Airman 1st Class Emily Farnsworth, U.S. Air Force/ Alaska National Guard)
City and Borough of Juneau ordinances require that all dogs over six months old and residing in Juneau for more than 30 days must be registered with Juneau Animal Rescue by Jan. 1 each year. This picture shows the 2022 tag issued to registered dogs. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau ordinances require that all dogs over six months old and residing in Juneau for more than 30 days must be registered with Juneau Animal Rescue by Jan. 1 each year. This picture shows the 2022 tag issued to registered dogs. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
The 1997-1998 Klawock boys basketball team. The author is in the back, the third player from the right. (Courtesy Photo)

I Went to the Woods: Region V memories

I Went to the Woods goes to the hardwood.

  • Jan 5, 2022
  • By Jeff Lund For the Juneau Empire
The 1997-1998 Klawock boys basketball team. The author is in the back, the third player from the right. (Courtesy Photo)
Sayéik: Gastineau Community School stands against a snowy backdrop on Jan. 4. Students in the Juneau School District are set to return to class on Monday. Despite rising COVID-19 cases across the City and Borough of Juneau, school officials say schools will be open and ready to welcome students. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Sayéik: Gastineau Community School stands against a snowy backdrop on Jan. 4. Students in the Juneau School District are set to return to class on Monday. Despite rising COVID-19 cases across the City and Borough of Juneau, school officials say schools will be open and ready to welcome students. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)