Tag: COVID-19 - Page 2 - Alaska Watchman

Open defiance: Anchorage restaurants packed despite mayor’s order

CultureAugust 5, 2020

Kriner’s Diner has become ground zero for those who oppose increasingly stringent health mandates imposed on Anchorage by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Jason Woscek went out of his way to eat at Kriner’s on Aug. 5, bringing his family and out-of-state relatives

Scrambling Anchorage parents ask school district for homeschool stipends

EducationAugust 4, 2020

Parents are petitioning the Anchorage School District for financial help as they take on the task of homeschooling their children this year. The district notified parents last week that schools would not be reopening for at least the first quarter of the

Southeast university imposes mask mandates, wants violators reported

EducationJuly 31, 2020

The University of Alaska Southeast, which has campuses in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan will impose mask mandates for all students, staff and visitors as it provides both online and in-person classes this fall. According to the university’s newly released

Seward extends COVID restrictions despite zero hospitalizations or deaths

PoliticsJuly 29, 2020

Seward residents will continue to live under an extensive list of COVID-19 mandates. On Monday, July 27, the Seward City Council voted unanimously to extend emergency regulations that restrict campgrounds to 50% capacity, prohibit gatherings of 20 or more

Municipal Attorney: Anchorage mayor’s new order doesn’t apply to churches

CultureJuly 23, 2020

In imposing his latest COVID-19 mandate Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s emergency order made no mention of religious entities. According to July 24 email Municipal Attorney Kathryn Vogel, however, churches are still under a previous order in which gatherings of 500

Mayor’s latest emergency order again treats Anchorage churches as non-essential

CrimeJuly 22, 2020

Update from editor: While the actual text of Mayor Berkowitz’s latest emergency order makes no mention of churches or religious exemptions, his legal department clarified on July 23 that churches will be allowed to operate under a previous order which

Anchorage Assemblywoman: Mayor’s homeless plan is a misuse of taxpayer funds

OpinionJuly 22, 2020

Anchorage’s homeless problem has exploded in the last five years. Here are the numbers as compiled by the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness. 177 camps noticed in 2016 414 camps noticed in 2017 444 camps noticed in 2018 1,111 camps noticed in 2019

Mask mandate imposed on Juneau residents

FreedomJuly 21, 2020

Residents of Alaska’s capital city and surrounding borough are now required to wear face masks when gathered in indoor public settings or communal spaces outside the home. Those who resist the law are subject to a civil fine of up to $25. The Juneau

While Alaska COVID infections rise, other metrics look good

CultureJuly 15, 2020

With alarming headlines about the growing danger of COVID-19, the Alaska Watchman would like to provide the following stats to help keep things in perspective. It’s true that the overall number of Alaskans documented to have been infected continues to rise

Juneau nixes July 4th fireworks show just weeks after massive BLM protest

CultureJune 30, 2020

A week after announcing the city would hold its annual 4th of July fireworks show, the Juneau Assembly reversed course and put a stop to the Independence Day celebration. On June 29, the Assembly voted 5-4 to reject an emergency ordinance that authorized the

COVID-19