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Bartlett Regional Hospital infection preventionist Charlee Gribbon prepares vaccines during a clinic at Centennial Hall on Feb. 11, 2021. The City and Borough of Juneau is on track to have about half of its residents vaccinated by the end of March. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

80% of Juneau residents now eligible for COVID vaccine

“Healthy people means healthy economies.”

Bartlett Regional Hospital infection preventionist Charlee Gribbon prepares vaccines during a clinic at Centennial Hall on Feb. 11, 2021. The City and Borough of Juneau is on track to have about half of its residents vaccinated by the end of March. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Wednesday, March 10

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)
Board of Education members are debating the best way to spend operating funds, allocate grant money and use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for the 2021-22 school year. Personnel changes are expected at multiple schools ahead of that school year, including principal changes at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Looking ahead: Board of education mulls budget for next school year

Enrollment uncertainty complicates budget process for Juneau School District.

Board of Education members are debating the best way to spend operating funds, allocate grant money and use federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for the 2021-22 school year. Personnel changes are expected at multiple schools ahead of that school year, including principal changes at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a fire near Lena Beach on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, where a shed fire ignited the interior insulation of a residence. (Courtesy photo / Robert Zager)

Firefighters tackling smouldering roof fire near Lena Beach

A shed fire caught the roof interior of the adjoining house on fire.

Capital City Fire/Rescue responded to a fire near Lena Beach on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, where a shed fire ignited the interior insulation of a residence. (Courtesy photo / Robert Zager)
President Joe Biden, seen in this March 8 photo, and his administration are supporting a controversial road through a national wildlife refuge on the remote Alaska Peninsula that is home to migrating waterfowl, continuing the policy of former President Donald Trump.(AP Photo / Patrick Semansky )

Biden shows support for controversial road in Alaska refuge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Joe Biden’s administration is supporting a controversial road through a national wildlife refuge on the remote Alaska Peninsula that is home… Continue reading

President Joe Biden, seen in this March 8 photo, and his administration are supporting a controversial road through a national wildlife refuge on the remote Alaska Peninsula that is home to migrating waterfowl, continuing the policy of former President Donald Trump.(AP Photo / Patrick Semansky )
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Capital City Weekly

JDHS puts on pandemic-friendly production of ‘Fame: The Musical’

Feel it coming together?

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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)
(Courtesy Photo / Vivian Mork Yéilk’)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Aim for the stars

It’s fitting a Raven works at NASA.

(Courtesy Photo / Vivian Mork Yéilk’)
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)
This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)

COVID at a glance for Tuesday, March 9

The most recent state and local numbers.

This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML)
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)
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Police calls for Tuesday, March 9, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

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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)
This photo shows female king eiders. The rare-for-the-area ducks were recently spotted at Point Louisa. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
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On The Trails: Tracks and king eiders

Eiders and more.

This photo shows female king eiders. The rare-for-the-area ducks were recently spotted at Point Louisa. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
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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)