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Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: A grumble of fishermen and a squabble of seagulls

Whatever we’re called as a collective, we’re a noisy bunch.

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Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire On Sept. 27, Bridget Weiss, superintendent of Juneau Public Schools, stood outside the classroom of former math teacher and basketball coach Bill Szepanski, who inspired her to pursue a degree in education and a teaching and coaching career. Later this week, Weiss will accept the 2022 Alaska Superintendent of the year award in Anchorage.

Words from the Weiss: Catching up with Alaska’s superintendent of the year

She’s had one heck of a year.

Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire On Sept. 27, Bridget Weiss, superintendent of Juneau Public Schools, stood outside the classroom of former math teacher and basketball coach Bill Szepanski, who inspired her to pursue a degree in education and a teaching and coaching career. Later this week, Weiss will accept the 2022 Alaska Superintendent of the year award in Anchorage.
Alaskans with GCI Communications email accounts reported having trouble signing up for a free credit monitor service being offered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, their Juneau offices seen here in this Jan. 13, 2021, file photo, in the wake of a data breach. GCI said Tuesday the issue should be resolved soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

GCI working to fix issues registering for credit monitoring offered by state

Some email accounts had trouble signing up for free post-data breach service.

Alaskans with GCI Communications email accounts reported having trouble signing up for a free credit monitor service being offered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, their Juneau offices seen here in this Jan. 13, 2021, file photo, in the wake of a data breach. GCI said Tuesday the issue should be resolved soon. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This screenshot of the Department of Health and Social Services COVID-19 cases dashboard shows the alert level in communities in Southeast Alaska. Red areas are at a high alert level and based on more than 100 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period. Yellow areas are at a moderate risk level based on 10-50 cases per 100,000 people over a week. Blue areas are at a low level based on 10 or fewer cases per 100,000. (Screenshot)

Some Southeast communities see COVID cases rise

Mitigation in place.

This screenshot of the Department of Health and Social Services COVID-19 cases dashboard shows the alert level in communities in Southeast Alaska. Red areas are at a high alert level and based on more than 100 cases per 100,000 people over a seven-day period. Yellow areas are at a moderate risk level based on 10-50 cases per 100,000 people over a week. Blue areas are at a low level based on 10 or fewer cases per 100,000. (Screenshot)
A bill aimed at helping Alaska’s hospitals died Monday after provisions were added by lawmakers barring vaccine mandates. In this file photo, a nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)

Boosters are now available. Here’s who’s eligible and how to get one

COVID-19 booster vaccinations are available in Juneau, the City and Borough of Juneau announced. The booster shots are available to certain people who received the… Continue reading

A bill aimed at helping Alaska’s hospitals died Monday after provisions were added by lawmakers barring vaccine mandates. In this file photo, a nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
Lawmakers will return to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, for a fourth special session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office confirmed the start date of the next session will be changed from a Friday to a Monday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Next special session to begin Monday, not Friday

Fourth special session.

Lawmakers will return to the Alaska State Capitol, seen here on Sept. 24, for a fourth special session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office confirmed the start date of the next session will be changed from a Friday to a Monday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball and the Japanese Ship Kashima, a naval training vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, transit together during a maritime exercise near Dutch Harbor on Sept. 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / USCG)

Coast Guard and Japanese military conduct joint training at sea

The partner nations were able to take advantage of the serendiptious opportunity.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball and the Japanese Ship Kashima, a naval training vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, transit together during a maritime exercise near Dutch Harbor on Sept. 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / USCG)
James Connally, a senior, makes his way toward the end zone to open the scoring for the Juneau Huskies. Connally also caught a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

7 points: The Huskies are conference champs

Takeways from the Week 7 win and a look ahead to the playoffs.

James Connally, a senior, makes his way toward the end zone to open the scoring for the Juneau Huskies. Connally also caught a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win against South Anchorage High School. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Joy Lyon, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children since 1996, left the post on Sept. 1, — precisely 25 years after she first stepped into the role. At her retirement party last week, friends celebrated her love of Dolly Parton and her work to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children in Juneau and other parts of Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

An ode to Joy

Longtime early childhood advocate retires

Joy Lyon, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children since 1996, left the post on Sept. 1, — precisely 25 years after she first stepped into the role. At her retirement party last week, friends celebrated her love of Dolly Parton and her work to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to children in Juneau and other parts of Southeast Alaska. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Amelia Conrad, 4, presents Zara Rutherford with a stuffed moose donning aviator goggles while Mclain Patterson, 7, holds a sign reading “Fly Zara Fly!” at Ward Air. Rutherford is flying her way around the world in pursuit of the Guinness world record for youngest woman solo pilot to circumnavigate the world. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Plane determination: Teen contends with weather, forest fires while flying around the world

Young pilot passes through Juneau on global journey.

Amelia Conrad, 4, presents Zara Rutherford with a stuffed moose donning aviator goggles while Mclain Patterson, 7, holds a sign reading “Fly Zara Fly!” at Ward Air. Rutherford is flying her way around the world in pursuit of the Guinness world record for youngest woman solo pilot to circumnavigate the world. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Within the City and Borough of Juneau, four museums collect objects to tell the tale of the area and its people. The Juneau Empire visited each museum to learn about some of the oldest human-made objects each has on hand. Objects include a Chilkat robe (upper left), a 5,450 year old spruce root basket (upper right), a fish trap (lower left), and a piece of moon rock (lower right). (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Turning the clock way, way back

A tour of the oldest objects on display in Juneau’s museums

Within the City and Borough of Juneau, four museums collect objects to tell the tale of the area and its people. The Juneau Empire visited each museum to learn about some of the oldest human-made objects each has on hand. Objects include a Chilkat robe (upper left), a 5,450 year old spruce root basket (upper right), a fish trap (lower left), and a piece of moon rock (lower right). (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Per diem for special sessions? It’s up to lawmakers

They have options.

The doors of the Alaska State Capitol were open Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, though the Alaska State Legislature was not in session. They will be soon, however, as Gov. Mike Dunleavy has called a fourth special session of the year. Lawmakers receive a per diem for days in session, and with so many special sessions those costs can add up. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
State health officials announced record numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths Friday, but said the high numbers were the result of a data reporting backlog and needed context. Despite the anamolies in the reporting, health officials emphasized COVID-19 was stressing the states health care systems and urgerd Alaskans to get vaccines, like these laid out during a mass-inoculation clinic in Juneau on Mar. 13, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)

Health department: Data backlog drives high numbers for cases, deaths

Zink: ‘Get vaccinated.’

State health officials announced record numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths Friday, but said the high numbers were the result of a data reporting backlog and needed context. Despite the anamolies in the reporting, health officials emphasized COVID-19 was stressing the states health care systems and urgerd Alaskans to get vaccines, like these laid out during a mass-inoculation clinic in Juneau on Mar. 13, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file)
Bartlett Regional Hospital is looking for an interim CEO after Rose Lawhorne resigned from the top job on Saturday, after six months in the position. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Bartlett to search for interim CEO

Board targets mid-October for new hire

Bartlett Regional Hospital is looking for an interim CEO after Rose Lawhorne resigned from the top job on Saturday, after six months in the position. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Zach Gordon Youth Center manager Jorden Nigro points out a quilt donated by a Monday night quilting group to Shéiyi X̱aat Hít, or Spruce Root House, Juneau’s new youth shelter, on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire) Zach Gordon Youth Center manager Jorden Nigro points out a quilt donated by a Monday night quilting group to Shéiyi X̱aat Hít, or Spruce Root House, Juneau’s new youth shelter, on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

New youth shelter spreads its branches wide

The city has been without a youth shelter for about two years.

Zach Gordon Youth Center manager Jorden Nigro points out a quilt donated by a Monday night quilting group to Shéiyi X̱aat Hít, or Spruce Root House, Juneau’s new youth shelter, on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire) Zach Gordon Youth Center manager Jorden Nigro points out a quilt donated by a Monday night quilting group to Shéiyi X̱aat Hít, or Spruce Root House, Juneau’s new youth shelter, on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
In this July 2017 photo, the midnight sun shines across sea ice along the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The Biden administration is stepping up its work to figure about what to do about the thawing Arctic, which is warming three times faster than the rest of the world. The White House said Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, that it is reactivating the Arctic Executive Steering Committee, which coordinates domestic regulations and works with other Arctic nations. It also is adding six new members to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, including two indigenous Alaskans. (AP Photo / David Goldman)

White House steps up work on what to do about thawing Arctic

The White House said Friday it is reactivating the Arctic Executive Steering Committee.

In this July 2017 photo, the midnight sun shines across sea ice along the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The Biden administration is stepping up its work to figure about what to do about the thawing Arctic, which is warming three times faster than the rest of the world. The White House said Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, that it is reactivating the Arctic Executive Steering Committee, which coordinates domestic regulations and works with other Arctic nations. It also is adding six new members to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, including two indigenous Alaskans. (AP Photo / David Goldman)
A patrol vehicle driven by a Juneau Police Department officer struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, resulting in minor injuries. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau police car strikes pedestrian

The teenager suffered minor injuries but didn’t require hospitalization.

A patrol vehicle driven by a Juneau Police Department officer struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, resulting in minor injuries. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A voter casts his ballot in Juneau’s municipal election at the Douglas Library on Sept. 23. All ballots must be returned to the city by 8 p.m. on election day, Oct. 5. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Local election moves to high gear as ballots roll in

Voters are casting ballots

A voter casts his ballot in Juneau’s municipal election at the Douglas Library on Sept. 23. All ballots must be returned to the city by 8 p.m. on election day, Oct. 5. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced legislation to permanently exempt large ships from the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which threatened Alaska's cruise ship season this year. The PVSA puts regulations on large cruise ship vessels, like this one entering the Gastineau Channel on Aug. 22, which are critical to the local tourism industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Murkowski enters bill to exempt Alaska from Passenger Vessel Services Act

Legislation would let ships travel to Alaska without stopping in Canada.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced legislation to permanently exempt large ships from the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which threatened Alaska's cruise ship season this year. The PVSA puts regulations on large cruise ship vessels, like this one entering the Gastineau Channel on Aug. 22, which are critical to the local tourism industry. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment until Oct. 18, to generate ideas for investment opportunities for the Biden administration’s Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy which hopes to build upon partnerships with regional entities. The USDA Forest Service has previously worked with regional organizations to promote regional development, such as this May, 2021 stream restoration project near Craig, done in partnership with the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition and many others. (Courtesy photo / Ian Johnson via U.S. Forest Service)

US Forest Service seeks public comment for regional investment ideas

Door’s wide open.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment until Oct. 18, to generate ideas for investment opportunities for the Biden administration’s Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy which hopes to build upon partnerships with regional entities. The USDA Forest Service has previously worked with regional organizations to promote regional development, such as this May, 2021 stream restoration project near Craig, done in partnership with the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition and many others. (Courtesy photo / Ian Johnson via U.S. Forest Service)