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Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File 
A number of complaints about issues at Lemon Creek Correctional Center as it dealt with COVID issues in 2020 were addressed in a recent news release from the state ombudsman’s office.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File 
A number of complaints about issues at Lemon Creek Correctional Center as it dealt with COVID issues in 2020 were addressed in a recent news release from the state ombudsman’s office.
”I’m full vaxxed from COVID,” read buttons at the Juneau Public Health Center in late November. Juneau’s relatively high vaccination rate plays a role in the local response to the ongoing pandemic. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City Assembly members agreed to move a step closer to “modest relaxations” to the city’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies and heard from state experts who praised Juneau’s performance in keeping the worst at bay so far. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
”I’m full vaxxed from COVID,” read buttons at the Juneau Public Health Center in late November. Juneau’s relatively high vaccination rate plays a role in the local response to the ongoing pandemic. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City Assembly members agreed to move a step closer to “modest relaxations” to the city’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies and heard from state experts who praised Juneau’s performance in keeping the worst at bay so far. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This map, provided by Alaska Natives Without Land, shows possible federal land grants for the landless community of Tenakee Springs, one of five communities in Alaska not granted land by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. (Screenshot)

50 years after ANCSA, some still fighting for land

The five landless communities and Vietnam veterans were left landless by the act.

This map, provided by Alaska Natives Without Land, shows possible federal land grants for the landless community of Tenakee Springs, one of five communities in Alaska not granted land by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971. (Screenshot)
City crews remove snow near 4th and E Streets in Douglas on Monday, Dec. 20. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Snow many issues

Public works officials talk snow removal

City crews remove snow near 4th and E Streets in Douglas on Monday, Dec. 20. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility. On Monday, the Public Works and Facilities Committee narrowed the scope of possibilities to four potential options. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City narrows field in search for new City Hall site

CBJ officials pick four potential city hall sites

This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility. On Monday, the Public Works and Facilities Committee narrowed the scope of possibilities to four potential options. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
The sun rises over Juneau on Dec. 16, 2021. The solstice on Dec. 21 will mark the shortest day of the year as the northern hemisphere is at its furthest away from the sun. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The sun rises over Juneau on Dec. 16, 2021. The solstice on Dec. 21 will mark the shortest day of the year as the northern hemisphere is at its furthest away from the sun. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Trooper Chris Umbs and Victoria Larson talk to Ethan and Wilbur during the annual Shop with a Cop Event at Fred Meyer on Dec. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Shopping aisle be home for Christmas

Shop with a Cop returns as in-person event.

Alaska State Trooper Chris Umbs and Victoria Larson talk to Ethan and Wilbur during the annual Shop with a Cop Event at Fred Meyer on Dec. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: A constitutional convention is fraught with danger for Juneau, Southeast and Alaska as a whole

Please follow the constitutional convention issue as it works its way through the political process.

  • Dec 20, 2021
  • By Bill Corbus
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Ryker Goddard shows how to cool off in the Southeast Alaskan forest. (Courtesy Photo / Mary Goddard)

Planet Alaska: Welcome to Ryker Camp

Southeast Alaska, through the eyes of a Tlingit child, a gift to us older humans.

Ryker Goddard shows how to cool off in the Southeast Alaskan forest. (Courtesy Photo / Mary Goddard)
Juneau's Imagination Station owner Alicia Smith highlights one of their best-selling items at the store this holiday, a robotic hedgehog. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau's Imagination Station owner Alicia Smith highlights one of their best-selling items at the store this holiday, a robotic hedgehog. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire 
Buses leave Auke Bay Elementary School at the end of the school day on Dec. 16. Auke Bay is one of the school buildings that was renovated using the state’s school bond debt reimbursement program that allows municipalities to renovate eligible schools by reimbursing about 70% of the cost of the project if it is approved by a referendum. This type of debt funding was also used to renovate Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Harborview elementary schools. In recent years, the state had not provided the full reimbursement amount. However, Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposed full funding for the program in the budget he unveiled Wednesday.

Local officials react to governor’s budget proposal

There’s support for school measure, concern about lack of long-term revenue.

Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire 
Buses leave Auke Bay Elementary School at the end of the school day on Dec. 16. Auke Bay is one of the school buildings that was renovated using the state’s school bond debt reimbursement program that allows municipalities to renovate eligible schools by reimbursing about 70% of the cost of the project if it is approved by a referendum. This type of debt funding was also used to renovate Sayéik: Gastineau Community School and Harborview elementary schools. In recent years, the state had not provided the full reimbursement amount. However, Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposed full funding for the program in the budget he unveiled Wednesday.
Julie Anderson is the commissioner for the state of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Her January retirement was announced on Friday.

Commerce department commissioner to retire

New commissioner to be named later, governor’s office says.

Julie Anderson is the commissioner for the state of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Her January retirement was announced on Friday.
AP Photo / Jessica Hill 
Miss Alaska Emma Broyles reacts after being crowned Miss America, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

New Miss America is the first Alaskan, Korean American title holder

The contestant from Alaska was crowned Miss America.

AP Photo / Jessica Hill 
Miss Alaska Emma Broyles reacts after being crowned Miss America, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)
This screenshot shows an organizational chart for a proposed Department of Family and Community Services. The department would be created through bifurcating the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Gov. Mike Dunleavy is expected to again issue an executive order splitting the state’s largest department. (Screenshot)
The Juneau School District headquarters on March 17, 2021. On Thursday, school officials sent an email to parents warning of a TikTok-based nationwide threat against schools for Dec. 17. Local officials said parents may notice an increased police presence but said they did not believe the threat was credible. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Local school officials respond to TikTok threat

Schools across country cite same post

The Juneau School District headquarters on March 17, 2021. On Thursday, school officials sent an email to parents warning of a TikTok-based nationwide threat against schools for Dec. 17. Local officials said parents may notice an increased police presence but said they did not believe the threat was credible. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls basketball team starting season swinging

A junior- and senior-heavy roster make for a formidable team.

Erlyn Penalosa of the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé girls varsity basketball team advances downcourt during practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the People First Initiative, a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous people, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday news conference in Anchorage. The plan is a part of Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)

Governor unveils budget

Priorities include public safety, infrastructure and substantial PFDs.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils the People First Initiative, a sweeping effort to target domestic violence and sexual assault, missing and murdered Indigenous people, human sex trafficking, foster care and homelessness, in a Tuesday news conference in Anchorage. The plan is a part of Dunleavy’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year. (Courtesy Photo / Office of the Governor)
Police responded to a comment made by a student about shooting up the school at a local school on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. No charges were filed and the issue was sorted in-house after a brief investigation. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Police responded to a comment made by a student about shooting up the school at a local school on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. No charges were filed and the issue was sorted in-house after a brief investigation. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS boys basketball gets ready to hit the road

Their first games this year will be away —way, way away.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé varsity boys basketball players Orion Dybdahl, left and Jake Sleppy, right contest a jump ball from Coach Robert Caspersons during a practice on Dec. 14, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau police chief recognized at Alaska Federation of Natives convention

The award was for an Alaska Native person who made outstanding contributions to their community.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)