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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 Thursday, March 18

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)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont and the JDHS boys will face Ketchikan for the title on March 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)

JDHS boys ready for Ketchikan as TMHS looks back on season

JDHS will combat Ketchikan for the regional title Saturday.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Cooper Kriegmont shoots during a basketball game against Ketchikan on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Kriegmont and the JDHS boys will face Ketchikan for the title on March 20, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Lexie Razor)
New principals will take the helm at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools next school year. A committee interviewed five candidates for the roles this week. School officials plan to name the new principals soon. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Principal candidates interview for open jobs

Committee interviews candidates for the top job at Harborview and Auke Bay

New principals will take the helm at Auke Bay and Harborview elementary schools next school year. A committee interviewed five candidates for the roles this week. School officials plan to name the new principals soon. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Detective Patrick Taylor draws a sidearm-controller Wednesday during a VR training simulation as Sgt. Sterling Salisbury controls the scenario from a computer elsewhere.

VRPD: Police using virtual tools to train for real de-escalation

De-escalation formed the core of a recent major training block

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Detective Patrick Taylor draws a sidearm-controller Wednesday during a VR training simulation as Sgt. Sterling Salisbury controls the scenario from a computer elsewhere.
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 17

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)
The Juneau Police Department announced a program to help better serve the community and its at-risk members on March 16, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau police begin program for at-risk community members

The database will allow police to better help Juneau residents in distress.

The Juneau Police Department announced a program to help better serve the community and its at-risk members on March 16, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
It's Girl Scout Cookie time. Local scouts will sell about 24,500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in Juneau this cookie-selling season. Cookies are available at pop-up cookie stands at Safeway, Rainbow Foods, The Grind Coffee Company and Nugget Mall. Or, text “cookies” to 59618 to find a nearby cookie sales location or order them online. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Local Girl Scouts are selling cookies all around Juneau

What’s your favorite cookie flavor?

It's Girl Scout Cookie time. Local scouts will sell about 24,500 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in Juneau this cookie-selling season. Cookies are available at pop-up cookie stands at Safeway, Rainbow Foods, The Grind Coffee Company and Nugget Mall. Or, text “cookies” to 59618 to find a nearby cookie sales location or order them online. (Ben Hohenstatt/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 Tuesday, March 16

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)
Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members discussed changes to soften the restrictions outlined in an earlier proposal that would have significantly curtailed the use and sale of fireworks in the city. Key questions include where fireworks can be sold and what types of fireworks qualify as concussive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

City committee mulls fireworks limitations

What’s too loud on July 4?

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Mendenhall Valley on New Year's Eve. At Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members discussed changes to soften the restrictions outlined in an earlier proposal that would have significantly curtailed the use and sale of fireworks in the city. Key questions include where fireworks can be sold and what types of fireworks qualify as concussive. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Sandi Eldridge, pharmacist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, draws a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a vaccine clinic at Coast Guard Station Juneau on March 13, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

VA and Coast Guard cooperate to vaccinate veterans

Dozens of veterans in Juneau received the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Sandi Eldridge, pharmacist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, draws a dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a vaccine clinic at Coast Guard Station Juneau on March 13, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / 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 Monday, March 15

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)
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 Friday, March 12

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)
Pictured are ( left to right) Shane Walker, deputy director, Juneau Animal Rescue; Christina Austin, Foodland casher; Cecilia Watson, Foodland cashier; Kelly Crow, Super Bear store director; and Rick Wilson, Foodland store director (Courtesy Photo)

Food Land and Super Bear customers donate to Juneau Animal Rescue

During every transaction, Super Bear IGA and Foodland IGA cashiers are asking customers if they would like to round up their change for charity. The… Continue reading

Pictured are ( left to right) Shane Walker, deputy director, Juneau Animal Rescue; Christina Austin, Foodland casher; Cecilia Watson, Foodland cashier; Kelly Crow, Super Bear store director; and Rick Wilson, Foodland store director (Courtesy Photo)
Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Garrett Bryant signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Columbia Basin College at JDHS on March 11, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

JDHS senior signs to play college baseball in Washington

The student thanked parents and coaches for their support of his baseball career.

Juneau-Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé senior Garrett Bryant signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Columbia Basin College at JDHS on March 11, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Juneau man was arrested on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, for two charges of sexual abuse of a minor for an incident in Anchorage. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau man indicted on sexual abuse of a minor charges

He was indicted by an Anchorage grand jury on Thursday.

A Juneau man was arrested on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, for two charges of sexual abuse of a minor for an incident in Anchorage. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This screenshot from a video posted by Salty Lady Seafood Co. shows an orca swimming close to a boat. "I thought for sure it would splash us with its tail or nose the skiff," the company said in a social media post. "It was just checking us out though. Fun end to a hard day of work at the farm." (Screenshot)

A whale of a tale

Salty Lady Seafoods crew enjoy an unexpected visit.

This screenshot from a video posted by Salty Lady Seafood Co. shows an orca swimming close to a boat. "I thought for sure it would splash us with its tail or nose the skiff," the company said in a social media post. "It was just checking us out though. Fun end to a hard day of work at the farm." (Screenshot)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Governor withdraws DHSS split order

Reorganizing the department remains a priority.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during an August news conference. On thursday, Dunleavy withdrew an executive order reorganizing the state’s largest department, the Department of Health and Social Services, after lawmakers sought to block it. (Courtesy Photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters seek to extinguish a house fire near Point Lena on March 10, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)

Point Lena house fire ignition source under investigation

The damage to the roof is substantial, but no injuries occured.

Capital City Fire/Rescue firefighters seek to extinguish a house fire near Point Lena on March 10, 2021. (Courtesy photo / CCFR)
Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, has been nominated for a Women of Distinction award. She is pictured here addressing the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Board praises superintendent, nominates her for award

Superintendent subject of glowing remarks from school board during Women’s History Month

Bridget Weiss, superintendent of the Juneau School District, has been nominated for a Women of Distinction award. She is pictured here addressing the Senate Education Committee at the Capitol on April 16, 2019. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
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)