NEWS BRIEFS — U.S. Highway 101 repairs . . . and other items

Published 12:01 am Friday, December 26, 2014

Drivers traveling on U.S. Highway 101 near the Jefferson/Mason county line can expect brief delays for several months as the state Department of Transportation designs repairs on a section of roadway.

Earlier this month, rain saturated a portion of the hillside below the highway along Hood Canal, resulting in damage to about 75 feet of the northbound US 101 shoulder.

Since Thursday, Dec. 11, US 101 at Milepost 316 has been reduced to one lane of alternating traffic and the speed limit has been cut to 25 mph.

“This repair will not be quick,” said Tom Badger, chief engineering geologist Tom Badger.

“The terrain and soils in this area are challenging. We’ve finished drilling to gather geologic data, and we’ll use that data to evaluate repair options.

“In the meantime, to ensure motorist safety we’re slowing drivers down and restricting them to the uphill lane.”

Engineers are considering several repair solutions, he said.

The speed reduction and the one-way alternating traffic will remain in place until permanent repairs are complete, which could take months.

Habitat volunteers

FORKS — Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County has scheduled a volunteer orientation in Forks for Saturday, Jan. 17.

The one-hour session will be at 10 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 250 N. Blackberry Ave.

“Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County is an ecumenical, Christian housing ministry dedicated to tackling a significant social problem … decent housing for all” said Cyndi Hueth, executive director.

“We invite and encourage people from all walks of life to partner with us in this journey by volunteering on a committee or helping to build simple, decent, affordable homes for families in need.”

Established in 1991, Habitat has built 24 homes in Clallam County.

For more information about volunteering, phone 360-681-6780 or write to Jake Eyre at jake@habitatclallam.org.

Stevens students honored

PORT ANGELES — Thirty Stevens Middle School students were selected as Students of the Month for November and were honored at a recent luncheon at the North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center.

The seventh- and eighth-grade students were recognized by their teachers for showing kindness at and during school.

The following students were selected: Donavyn Adams-Brousseau, Lillian Batton, Christine Beirne, Bo Bradow, Leah Burwell, Josie Ciaciuch, Alexis Cobb, Jasmine Cottam, Rodney Dewater, Dilon Ebalo, Jordyn Ebalo, Nick Hillman, Baylee Linde, Amaris Martinez, Jessica McGoff, Nate McInnis, Carly Moe, Josh Moon, Ethan Musalek, Rain Ogemahgeshig, Kaylee Rickle, Samuel Rife, Emily Rygaard, Karlee Scarpa, Hollee Schnabel, Shyan Scott, Magnolia Silcox, Skyler Sullivan, Korin Urtezuela and Brianna Yacklin.

Teen awarded rank of Eagle Scout

PORT ANGELES — Kyle W. Rutten recently earned his Eagle Scout rank in an Eagle Court of Honor attended by 150 family and friends at Bethel Lutheran Church in Great Falls, Mont.

He is the son of former Port Angeles residents Bill and Deanna-Peterson Rutten.

Kyle is the grandson of Danetta (Beaver) Rutten, and Don and Kandy Peterson of Port Angeles.

Kyle’s Eagle Project was building a reading room at Sunnyside Elementary School in Great Falls, where he organized a multi-troop book drive, collecting more than 1,500 books for a reading room to be utilized by readers who have slower reading abilities.

A total of 157 hours, which included requests for furniture donations and books, went into planning and building the “Eagles Nest” reading room.

Kyle is a freshman at Charlie M. Russell High School in Great Falls.

Volunteer firefighter of December

PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Fire District No. 2 has selected volunteer firefighter and EMT Lt. Patricia Reifenstahl as December’s Volunteer of the Month.

The selection was “a pretty easy process when it came to Patti,” according to District 2 Chief Sam Phillips.

“We received numerous nominations on her behalf, and it is understandable. If there is an event in the fire district, you can bet Lt. Reifenstahl is involved,” he said.

One nomination came from Port Angeles Fire Chief Ken Dubuc who thanked her for her “tremendous help at the pancake breakfast,” an annual fundraising event for the Port Angeles Fire Auxiliary, her work and “driving force” behind the Fire Explorer Scouting program, her photography skills and her daily participation during Port Angeles Fire Department Sparky Week, where all second-grade students tour the downtown fire station and learn fire safety survival skills.

Reifenstahl joined the fire district in May 2001 and is certified as a wildland firefighter, a structural firefighter and an emergency medical technician.

She is responsible for Public Fire Education and Prevention efforts within the district, including managing fire safety at the local Kiwanis Kids Fest. She also manages Explorer Scout Troop 1012 affiliated with the fire district.

Recently, Reifenstahl was presented with letters of appreciation from the State Attorney General’s Office as well as Clallam County Public Utility District for her work instructing first aid and CPR classes.

Awards for ‘Angels in Shirtsleeves’

PORT ANGELES — Kiwanis of Port Angeles (Noon Club) has chosen two community volunteers to receive recognition for outstanding work in their community.

President Dan Di Guilio presented the “Angels in Shirtsleeves” awards to Rudy Hiener and Marty Lanzi recently.

Hiener has been a “friend of Kiwanis” for many years. He has assisted on many Kiwanis projects as a community volunteer alongside club members, including the friendship dinners, KONP Homeshow concessions, woodcutting and Kiwanis garage sales.

He’s also demonstrated exemplary service to the community as Downtown Association president and Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce cruise ship facilitator.

Lanzi has contributed with work through Knights of Columbus, assisting at functions at Queen of Angels Church, including Sunday breakfasts, the BASH dinner and fundraiser, the annual Kiwanis Prayer Breakfasts, community Thanksgiving dinners and charity fundraisers at the Ruddell Antique Car Show.

He is known for being a kind, caring, loyal friend and emergency dog-sitter.

Horse power talk

PORT TOWNSEND — “The Horse-Powered Market Garden” is the topic of Quimper Grange’s program, to be held from

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

The slideshow will provide attendees with a basic understanding of modern horse-powered organic farming.

Presenters Caitlin Arnold and Brandon Wickes spent eight months as draft-horse interns on a successful organic vegetable farm in Ontario, Canada, this past year and will talk about working with the horses and tools and equipment they used to grow vegetables for a 220-member CSA.

They see draft-horse farming as a viable alternative to using fossil fuels and are hoping to start their own horse-powered farm in 2015.

Arnold and Wickes will provide resources for those interested in learning more about and/or pursuing horse-powered farming.

The suggested donation of $5 to $10 helps maintain and improve the Quimper Grange hall.

The grange is located at 1219 Corona St.

For more information, email quimpergrange@gmail.com or visit www.quimpergrange.com.

Tickets on sale for yard, garden lectures in PT

PORT TOWNSEND — The 2015 Yard & Garden Series will meet again at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Lawrence St., on Saturdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon with lectures on growing interesting and healthy plants, cooking with herbs and saving seeds.

Lectures include the following:

■ “Cooking with Herbs” with Arran Stark

■ “Mushrooms and Sequim Terra Preta” with Lowell Dietz

■ “One Couple’s Love Affair with Plants” with Kelly Dodson and Sue Milliken

■ “Success in Growing Supermarket Orchids” with Toby Clauson

■ “Hellebores: Roses Beneath the Snow” with Pam Sinclair

■ “The Roots of It All” with Mary Robson

■ “Seed Saving for the Home Gardener” with Jadyne Reichner.

Series tickets may be purchased by mail for $50 per person. Send checks, made payable to Master Gardener Foundation, along with name, address, phone and number of tickets to: 2015 Yard & Garden Series, Cupola House, 380 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, WA 98368. Tickets will be delivered by mail.

Early orders are encouraged.

Single event tickets may be purchased for $12 per person at the door if seats are available.

Phone 360-301-2081 for more information.

Indian Island recognized for safety efforts

CHIMACUM — More than 60 sailors and civilians were in attendance for a flag raising ceremony commemorating Naval Magazine Indian Island becoming an Occupational Safety and Health Voluntary Protection Program “star partner” at the command building Dec. 17.

Receiving recognition as a “star partner” entailed a three-year process of naval magazine team members proactively mitigating fatalities, injuries and illness, along with proper documentation, resulting in a 52 percent decrease in recordable mishaps and 95 percent decrease in civilian lost workdays from fiscal 2012-2014.

“As a collective, we focused on hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training and management commitment and worker involvement before submitting an application to OSHA,” Michael Hoyt, naval magazine safety officer, said.

“We then underwent a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals.”

The star denotes demonstration of exemplary achievement in the prevention and control of occupational safety and health hazards and the development, implementation and continuous improvement of their safety and health management system.

“The nature of work here is inherently extremely dangerous,” Galen Blanton, deputy region administrator OSHA Seattle, said.

“[Indian Island] becoming a leader among federal agencies in making their workforce safe is commendable, and I see that it took the effort of all hands.”

Cmdr. Michael Yesunas, commanding officer of Indian Island, gave a speech alongside Blanton to naval magazine personnel before the raising of the star worksite flag.

“I am extremely proud of the Indian Island team,” Yesunas said. “Their hard work in ensuring a safe work environment has been recognized by the Navy for years, but it has now been recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is a great honor.”

‘Precious Gift’ service set Sunday in PA

PORT ANGELES — Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle St., will hold a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday with guest speaker the Rev. Eva McGinnis.

The lesson is “This Most Precious Gift.”

Free child care is available during the service.

A brief time for silent meditation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

All are welcome to attend all church activities.

Free HU Song set

SEQUIM — A free Community HU Song event will be held at Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday.

The HU Song is an ancient invocation used to open the consciousness to the light and sound of God, resulting in mystical experiences, spiritual insights and states of enlightenment and inner peace, according to a news release.

Participants will learn how to sing the HU and practice it for 20 minutes.

All ages are welcome.

For more information, email George Abrahams at justbe973@gmail.com or phone 360-582-3067.