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Michael S. Lockett

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniel, an aviation maintenance technician at Air Station Sitka, observes an oil sheen surrounding the Western Mariner, an 83-foot inspected tug, in Neva Strait March, 21, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard / Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Wereda)

News

Recovery efforts for grounded tug near Sitka continue

Nearly a thousand gallons of diesel have been recovered from the ruptured tank.

The deadline for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, which comes from the fund managed by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is coming up fast, landing on March 31, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Deadline approaching to apply for PFD

This year’s payout is still being decided.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich’s legacy is strong in Juneau, where a recently finished mural and renamed plaza help honor the memory of the civil rights activist.

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Organizations unite to celebrate legacy of Elizabeth Peratrovich

Juneau recently named a plaza in her honor.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer pulls in a rescue basket during an emergency call to a stricken vessel south of Sitka on Feb. 7, 2022. (Screenshot)

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Coast Guard rescues two from sinking vessel near Sitka

The fishing boat was taking on water with dead engines.

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to increase recruitment numbers after a pandemic-induced drop left the expanding service understrength. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

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Crewing the cutters: Pandemic complicated recruiting, says Coast Guard

Distancing and not being able to get face to face with folks didn’t help numbers.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas pulls into Icy Point Strait in Hoonah, on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Royal Caribbean personnel are saying booking numbers for the 2022 season are looking healthy.

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Local companies and Royal Caribbean anticipating busy cruise season

“We are getting more bookings today than we were at this time in 2019…”

Courtesy Photo / Lt. j.g. Matthew Hall Coxswain Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Dillbeck navigates the Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa’s small boat to Wrangell harbor to drop off a boatload of donations from an event in Petersburg.

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Coast Guard offers boatload of support for local communities

The crew lifted, distributed, and transported donations to where they could do the most good.

U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Montemarano The USS Hopper (DDG 70) prepares to moor in Homer, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with its participation in Northern Edge 2017 in Homer, Alaska, April 29, 2017. The Navy is proposing to considerably expand its exercise area in the Gulf of Alaska.

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Navy proposes expanding Gulf of Alaska exercise area

The proposal would more than quadruple the sea room for ships and aircraft to manuever in.

Employees of the Alaska Department of Corrections used excessive force, failing to comply with the department’s own use of force policy, according to a report released by the state ombudsman on Monday. (Screenshot)

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Report: Excessive force used in Anchorage prison

The ombudsman found the five allegations made by inmates justified, and only partially rectified.

Goldbelt Transportation and Allen Marine Tours will contract with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to provide ferry service through the Southeast for the remainder of the winter, according to a news release. (Courtesy photo / Goldbelt Transportation)

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Goldbelt, Allen Marine pick up winter ferry contracts

Contracts were signed this January for several winter runs to Southeast communities.

The Coast Guard briefly investigated an oil leak near Sandy Beach on Jan. 10, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Coast Guard investigated minor oil spill near Sandy Beach

The source couldn’t be ID’d but was not a source of major concern, said a Coast Guard spokesperson.

Screenshot This screenshot, taken from a public social media page, shows the comments made by a person identified on their profile as a member of the Petersburg Police Department, which is investigating the comment.

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Man no longer employed by Petersburg police after social media post investigation

The comment was made by a profile that listed employer as Petersburg Police Department.

A number of people in Juneau have gone missing in 2021, including Clifford White, bottom left, who hasn’t been located. (Composite photo / Juneau Empire)

News

Rescues and recoveries: Police, searchers talk recent missing persons cases

2021 has had a number of high-profile missing persons cases.