City and Borough of Juneau

Juneau’s first electric bus, parked in the Capital Transit garage on April 8, 2021. The bus has experienced some mechanical and battery problems since entering service last spring. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

Plugging along: Electric bus faces mechanical issues

City remains committed to electrifying its fleet.

 

Screenshot / City and Borough of Juneau Concept drawings of a potential new City Hall building for the City and Borough of Juneau show what a new building atop the downtown transit center parking garage might look like. The city is considering several options for a new City Hall, and on Wednesday will take public testimony on proposals.

Have thoughts on a new City Hall? Your chance to weigh in is coming up

Wednesday, 6 p.m.

 

This Aug. 21, 2020 photo shows the interior of Riverbend Elementary School, which suffered severe damage after two water pipes burst following extreme cold in Juneau. The Juneau School District announced Thursday the school would remain closed until at least next week. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Riverbend Elementary to remain closed due to water damage

Alternative plans being made.

 

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City considers changing plan to allow cruise dock, more shore power

Public comment now open

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Members of the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly during a Zoom meeting on Jan. 10, seconds before a caller disrupted the meeting in a Zoom bombing episode. (Screenshot)

Officials to consider ‘Zoom bombing’ ordinance after disruptions

There’s been two separate incidents this week.

Members of the City and Borough of Juneau City Assembly during a Zoom meeting on Jan. 10, seconds before a caller disrupted the meeting in a Zoom bombing episode. (Screenshot)
A worker stands outside a collapsed building in Lemon Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, one of two building collapses reported in Juneau amid ongoing rain following heavy snowfall. The City and Borough of Juneau said no injuries were reported and urged building owners to be cautious of snow loads on roofs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City reports 2 buildings collapse as continuing rain stresses infrastructure

Rain to continue through weekend.

A worker stands outside a collapsed building in Lemon Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, one of two building collapses reported in Juneau amid ongoing rain following heavy snowfall. The City and Borough of Juneau said no injuries were reported and urged building owners to be cautious of snow loads on roofs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to extend the city’s COVID-related ordinances through April 30. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City extends COVID mitigation measures through April

Decision generates intense input and a plea for civility

A sign seen on a downtown Juneau business reminds customers that masks are required. On Monday night, CBJ officials voted to extend the city’s COVID-related ordinances through April 30. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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)

Meltdown: Heavy snow chased by rain prompts closures, concerns

Concern builds as rain increases weight of snow pack

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)
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)

Local leaders expect old issues to shape new session

Familiar issues to dominate session.

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)
Steven Duke shovels snow from the top of the roof at Don Abel Tool and Equipment Rental on Jan. 7. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Update: Heavy snow prompts closings

Schools, a street and a store.

Steven Duke shovels snow from the top of the roof at Don Abel Tool and Equipment Rental on Jan. 7. (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)

City Assembly poised to consider COVID mitigations

Quick-moving omicron variant forces meeting to Zoom

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)
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)

Don’t get tagged: It’s time to register your dog

Local dog registration supports animal welfare

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)
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)

Juneau schools to reopen Monday, as planned

Omicron upends return to US schools and workplaces

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)
Lucas Kittikamron-Mora, 13, holds a sign in support of COVID-19 vaccinations as he receives his first Pfizer vaccination at the Cook County Public Health Department, May 13, 2021 in Des Plaines, Ill. The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 decided they’re also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose. (AP Photo / Shafkat Anowar)

City raises risk level amid surging COVID cases

A dozen BRH staff members isolating; boosters likely for teens

Lucas Kittikamron-Mora, 13, holds a sign in support of COVID-19 vaccinations as he receives his first Pfizer vaccination at the Cook County Public Health Department, May 13, 2021 in Des Plaines, Ill. The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and federal regulators on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 decided they’re also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds once enough time has passed since their last dose. (AP Photo / Shafkat Anowar)
Waves pummel Sandy Beach on Douglas on Jan. 3. Avalanche debris from a weekend slide on Thane Road is visible across the Gastineau Channel. The avalanche delayed crews in responding to a power outage further down Thane Road. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

New year delivers a cold, snowy week

Falling flakes and temperatures.

Waves pummel Sandy Beach on Douglas on Jan. 3. Avalanche debris from a weekend slide on Thane Road is visible across the Gastineau Channel. The avalanche delayed crews in responding to a power outage further down Thane Road. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Snow is piled up Tuesday outside the Mt Jumbo gym building in Douglas.

Snow removal debate sparks a flurry of comments

Resident asks city crews to stop blocking driveways

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Snow is piled up Tuesday outside the Mt Jumbo gym building in Douglas.
”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)

City inches toward relaxing some COVID mitigations

State public health experts weigh in

”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)
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 city eased requirements for masks for vaccinated individuals indoors on Dec. 13, 2021. Masks will still be requireed in all City and Borough of Juneau facilities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City lowers community risk level

Very little will change, save that the vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks indoors.

The city eased requirements for masks for vaccinated individuals indoors on Dec. 13, 2021. Masks will still be requireed in all City and Borough of Juneau facilities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)