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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)

News

City reports 2 buildings collapse as continuing rain stresses infrastructure

Rain to continue through weekend.

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)

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City extends COVID mitigation measures through April

Decision generates intense input and a plea for civility

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)

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Meltdown: Heavy snow chased by rain prompts closures, concerns

Concern builds as rain increases weight of snow pack

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)

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Local leaders expect old issues to shape new session

Familiar issues to dominate session.

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

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Update: Heavy snow prompts closings

Schools, a street and a store.

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)

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City Assembly poised to consider COVID mitigations

Quick-moving omicron variant forces meeting to Zoom

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)

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

Local dog registration supports animal welfare

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)

News

Juneau schools to reopen Monday, as planned

Omicron upends return to US schools and workplaces

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)

News

New year delivers a cold, snowy week

Falling flakes and temperatures.

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)

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City raises risk level amid surging COVID cases

A dozen BRH staff members isolating; boosters likely for teens

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

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Snow removal debate sparks a flurry of comments

Resident asks city crews to stop blocking driveways

City crews remove snow near 4th and E Streets in Douglas on Monday, Dec. 20. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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Snow many issues

Public works officials talk snow removal

”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)

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City inches toward relaxing some COVID mitigations

State public health experts weigh in

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)

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City narrows field in search for new City Hall site

CBJ officials pick four potential city hall sites

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)

News

City lowers community risk level

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

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire This photo shows vehicles at the city impound lot in Lemon Creek on Dec. 9, 2021. Space is perpetually at a premium in the impound lot, which holds vehicles for all sorts of reasons.

News

Junk car disposals are on the rise, city seeks to do more

Clearing abandoned vehicles from city property can be admistratively tricky.

Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Alexandra Pierce, the newly named City and Borough of Juneau Tourism Manager, stands on South Franklin Street on Dec. 3.

News

From the docks to a desk in city hall

Pierce prepares for Tourism Manager role

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly heard a rosy revenue report at the Finance Committee meeting. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

News

Sales tax collection surpasses city’s projection

“Sales tax doesn’t lie,” says CBJ finance director.

Commercial property owners throughout the city filed 210 tax appeals this year. On Wednesday night, Jeff Rogers, finance director for the City and Borough of Juneau, told the city’s Finance Committee that 130 appeals had been closed and 80 appeals remain open. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Mt. Juneau, looming above downtown, seen here on April 21, 2021, is a brisk hike with a good view from the summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Commercial property tax appeals continue

No appellant has won so far.

FedEx trucks sit outside the Juneau Fed Ex office on Nov. 25. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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Shopping online? CBJ taxes still apply

Remote sellers tax generated $2M last year