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Auditors reported that Juneau's municipal books are clean that their accounting methods follow generally accepted accounting principles. The audits included a look at the City and Borough of Juneau, Juneau Public Schools and Bartlett Hospital. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Audit shows CARES Act spending within guidelines

Juneau’s municipal books look good.

Auditors reported that Juneau's municipal books are clean that their accounting methods follow generally accepted accounting principles. The audits included a look at the City and Borough of Juneau, Juneau Public Schools and Bartlett Hospital. This photo shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 24. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Erin Ranney with sockeye salmon at her setnet site in the Egegik District. (Courtesy Photo / Erin Ranney)

From Egegik Fish Camp to National Geographic camerawoman: A Conversation with Erin Ranney

Erin Ranney might be best described as a force of nature for nature.

Erin Ranney with sockeye salmon at her setnet site in the Egegik District. (Courtesy Photo / Erin Ranney)
This Sept. 2008 photo provided by the Center for Whale Research taken near Washington state’s San Juan Islands shows scientists looking for clues about the diet of the Pacific Northwest’s endangered orcas using a pool skimmer to collect the scales or other remains of salmon the whales had eaten. A long-term study published Wednesday, March 3, 2021, reaffirmed the importance of Chinook salmon to the whales even when they cruise the outer Pacific Coast, where the fish are harder to find. (Ken Balcomb / Center for Whale Research)

Study: Chinook salmon are key to Northwest orcas all year

That includes fish that spawn in California’s Sacramento River all the way to the Taku River.

  • Mar 4, 2021
  • By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press
  • wildlife
This Sept. 2008 photo provided by the Center for Whale Research taken near Washington state’s San Juan Islands shows scientists looking for clues about the diet of the Pacific Northwest’s endangered orcas using a pool skimmer to collect the scales or other remains of salmon the whales had eaten. A long-term study published Wednesday, March 3, 2021, reaffirmed the importance of Chinook salmon to the whales even when they cruise the outer Pacific Coast, where the fish are harder to find. (Ken Balcomb / Center for Whale Research)
Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., listens during the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on her nomination to be Interior secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Some Republican senators labeled Haaland “radical” over her calls to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address climate change, and said that could hurt rural America and major oil and gas-producing states. The label of Haaland as a “radical” by Republican lawmakers is getting pushback from Native Americans. (Jim Watson / Pool Photo)

Senate energy panel backs Haaland for interior secretary

Murkowski was the lone Republican to support Haaland.

  • Mar 4, 2021
  • By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press
Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., listens during the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on her nomination to be Interior secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Some Republican senators labeled Haaland “radical” over her calls to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address climate change, and said that could hurt rural America and major oil and gas-producing states. The label of Haaland as a “radical” by Republican lawmakers is getting pushback from Native Americans. (Jim Watson / Pool Photo)
Petersburg resident Sara Hadad-Dembs recently found her biological brother through a DNA testing kit. The pair recently met for the first time when she traveled to Chicago. "This is what it looks like when genetics kick in and a total stranger just gets you," she said in a recent interview. (Courtesy Photo/Sara Hadad-Dembs
Capital City Weekly

Petersburg woman finds long-lost brother after DNA test

Multi-year search ends with additional family members.

Petersburg resident Sara Hadad-Dembs recently found her biological brother through a DNA testing kit. The pair recently met for the first time when she traveled to Chicago. "This is what it looks like when genetics kick in and a total stranger just gets you," she said in a recent interview. (Courtesy Photo/Sara Hadad-Dembs
Has it always been a police car. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Thursday, March 4, 2021

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

  • Mar 4, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Women members of the Alaska House of Representatives from both parties meet in the hallway of the capitol Wednesday, March 3, 2021, to discuss a vote to condemn Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, for sexists comments he made on the floor the previous week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Lawmaker could face formal rebuke for sexist comments

Members to vote Friday.

Women members of the Alaska House of Representatives from both parties meet in the hallway of the capitol Wednesday, March 3, 2021, to discuss a vote to condemn Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, for sexists comments he made on the floor the previous week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The 52-foot fishing vessel, Haida Lady, submerged between Cobb Island and Silver Point South of Sitka, Alaska, February 28, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Unknown amount of diesel spilled after boat sinks south of Sitka

Clean up and investigation into the sinking are underway.

The 52-foot fishing vessel, Haida Lady, submerged between Cobb Island and Silver Point South of Sitka, Alaska, February 28, 2021. (Courtesy photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
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 3

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)
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Chairman Andy Teuber introduces U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at a press conference at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Anchorage. The U.S. Coast Guard was searching for an overdue helicopter piloted by Teuber who is the former head of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Teuber had resigned last week after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him which he denied. Teuber left Anchorage about 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in a black and white Robinson R66 helicopter en route to Kodiak Island. (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News)

Search for missing helicopter, pilot near Kodiak suspended

The former president of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has not been recovered.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Chairman Andy Teuber introduces U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar at a press conference at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Anchorage. The U.S. Coast Guard was searching for an overdue helicopter piloted by Teuber who is the former head of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Teuber had resigned last week after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him which he denied. Teuber left Anchorage about 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in a black and white Robinson R66 helicopter en route to Kodiak Island. (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News)
Pharmacist Madeline Acquilano draws a syringe of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning. Cities and states are rapidly expanding access to vaccines as the nation races to head off a resurgence in coronavirus infections and reopen schools and businesses battered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Appointments fill up quick as vaccine eligibility expands

There’s a waitlist.

Pharmacist Madeline Acquilano draws a syringe of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn., Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The first shipments of the vaccine arrived at the hospital this morning. Cities and states are rapidly expanding access to vaccines as the nation races to head off a resurgence in coronavirus infections and reopen schools and businesses battered by the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Steve Wolf strikes a punching bag as his wife Bev Ingram holds it during a boxing class designed to help fight back against the symptoms Parkinson’s disease through a specific regimen at Pavitt Health and Fitness on March. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

Juneau residents fight back against Parkinson’s

Local class attracts international, virtual crowd of people with the disease.

Steve Wolf strikes a punching bag as his wife Bev Ingram holds it during a boxing class designed to help fight back against the symptoms Parkinson’s disease through a specific regimen at Pavitt Health and Fitness on March. 2, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Police calls for Wednesday, March 3, 2021

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

  • Mar 3, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
Has it always been a police car? (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
In this sample primary ballot released by the state, fictional candidates compete in a primary election. The candidates include a blend of fictional Republican and Democratic candidates. The August 2022 state primary election will be the first to feature open primaries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Video

State begins implementing voter-approved election overhaul

Here’s how it will work.

In this sample primary ballot released by the state, fictional candidates compete in a primary election. The candidates include a blend of fictional Republican and Democratic candidates. The August 2022 state primary election will be the first to feature open primaries. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Video
J.D. McComas, a wildlife specialist with Juneau International Airport, climbs a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck to rescue a bald eagle trapped in a tree on March 1, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Despite high-climbing rescue, eagle euthanized for injuries

Firefighters, the raptor center and airport personnel worked together to help the bird.

J.D. McComas, a wildlife specialist with Juneau International Airport, climbs a Capital City Fire/Rescue ladder truck to rescue a bald eagle trapped in a tree on March 1, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
A phone screen displays a message warning of a potential spam call. Alaska Department of Public Safety warns of a new scam involving text messages sent to the family members of missing people. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Department of Public Safety warns of scam targeting families of missing people

Scammers trawl social media for info, according to the department.

  • Mar 2, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
A phone screen displays a message warning of a potential spam call. Alaska Department of Public Safety warns of a new scam involving text messages sent to the family members of missing people. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Large cruise ships are unlikely to visit Alaska this summer due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, restrictions at the Canadian border, and a lack of sailing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. However, in a close 5-4 vote Monday evening, the City Assembly decided to relax COVID-19-related travel mandates sooner rather than later and made other changes to make travel easier for the upcoming tourist season. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Officials say end is in sight, but caution remains necessary

Assembly votes to relax travel restrictions earlier in May.

The Holland America Line cruise ships Eurodam, left, and Nieuw Amsterdam pull into Juneau’s downtown harbor on May 1, 2017. Large cruise ships are unlikely to visit Alaska this summer due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, restrictions at the Canadian border, and a lack of sailing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. However, in a close 5-4 vote Monday evening, the City Assembly decided to relax COVID-19-related travel mandates sooner rather than later and made other changes to make travel easier for the upcoming tourist season. (Michael Penn/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 2

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)
Loren Jones speaks about marijuana to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge in this January 2019 photo. Gov. Mike Dunleavy did not reappoint Jones to the Marijuana Control Board. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Jones out as Alaska marijuana board member

“I’m about to turn 75; I’m still on the Juneau Assembly. I’ve got lots of things to occupy my time.”

Loren Jones speaks about marijuana to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at its weekly luncheon at the Moose Lodge in this January 2019 photo. Gov. Mike Dunleavy did not reappoint Jones to the Marijuana Control Board. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A clutch of tree swallow eggs is partly ringed by long, white feathers. Naturalist Bernd Heinrich noted that the tree swallows using his nest boxes had a strong interest in white or light-colored feathers, sometimes collecting them from some distance away. (Courtesy Photo / Jessica Millsaps, Juneau Audubon tree swallow project, under permits from ADFG and USFWS.)

On The Trails: Wary ermine; tree swallow nests

Sights seen overhead and (nearly) underfoot.

A clutch of tree swallow eggs is partly ringed by long, white feathers. Naturalist Bernd Heinrich noted that the tree swallows using his nest boxes had a strong interest in white or light-colored feathers, sometimes collecting them from some distance away. (Courtesy Photo / Jessica Millsaps, Juneau Audubon tree swallow project, under permits from ADFG and USFWS.)