Matthew Nash

Clallam County Fire District 3 firefighters look to contain a fire in 2024. Calls for fires were down last year, but general calls for service were up from 2023. (Beau Sylte/Clallam County Fire District 3)

Fire districts in Sequim, Port Angeles see record numbers in 2024

Departments adding staff, focusing on connecting patients to resources

 

Due to Helen Haller Elementary’s age, antiquated equipment, limited amenities, such as bathrooms, costs for renovation and many other factors, Sequim School District leaders are proposing a new elementary school as part of the Feb. 11 construction bond. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim school bond aims to address safety

Special election ballots mailed Wednesday

 

If a construction bond is approved, Sequim High School’s open campus could be enclosed to increase safety and update the older facility, Sequim School District staff said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Ballots for Sequim schools’ bond, levy measures to be mailed Jan. 22

Helen Haller Elementary would be replaced, if successful

 

Stakeholders and community leaders stand together for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County's Lyon's Landing property in Carlsborg on Dec. 23. (Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County)

Habitat breaks ground at Carlsborg development

Lyon’s Landing planning to host 45 homes

Stakeholders and community leaders stand together for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County's Lyon's Landing property in Carlsborg on Dec. 23. (Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County)
Kathy Downer takes the oath office for Sequim City Council seat No. 1 on Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers. She plans to resign from council this month after three-plus years to spend time with family. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Sequim council member to resign

Downer unseated former mayor in 2023 election

Kathy Downer takes the oath office for Sequim City Council seat No. 1 on Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers. She plans to resign from council this month after three-plus years to spend time with family. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)

High school senior earns eagle rank with scouts

Kathol, 18, earns 29 merit badges through Sequim troop

Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)
Sequim High School senior Sophia Treece shares her excitement with friends after she receives a new laptop for college at the Winter Wishes assembly on Dec. 18. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim students’ wishes granted

High schoolers, community continue tradition

Sequim High School senior Sophia Treece shares her excitement with friends after she receives a new laptop for college at the Winter Wishes assembly on Dec. 18. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
For 20-plus years, Bob and Kelly Macaulay have decorated their boat and dock off East Sequim Bay Road for Christmas, seen here more than a mile away. However, the couple sold their boat earlier this year. (Doug Schwarz)

Couple retires Christmas boat display on Sequim Bay

Red decorations lit up area for 20-plus years

For 20-plus years, Bob and Kelly Macaulay have decorated their boat and dock off East Sequim Bay Road for Christmas, seen here more than a mile away. However, the couple sold their boat earlier this year. (Doug Schwarz)
A ballot box in the Sequim Village Shopping Center at 651 W. Washington St. now holds two fire suppressant systems to prevent fires inside after incidents in October in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore. A second device was added by Clallam County staff to boxes countywide to safeguard ballots for all future elections. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Political party officials fine with Clallam’s loss of bellwether

With election certified, reps reflect on goals, security

A ballot box in the Sequim Village Shopping Center at 651 W. Washington St. now holds two fire suppressant systems to prevent fires inside after incidents in October in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore. A second device was added by Clallam County staff to boxes countywide to safeguard ballots for all future elections. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Residents of various manufactured home parks applaud the Sequim City Council’s decision on Dec. 9 to approve a new overlay that preserves manufactured home parks so that they cannot be redeveloped for other uses. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim preserves overlay for homes

Plots can be sold, but use must be same

Residents of various manufactured home parks applaud the Sequim City Council’s decision on Dec. 9 to approve a new overlay that preserves manufactured home parks so that they cannot be redeveloped for other uses. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Toys for Sequim Kids, seen in 2023, offers families in the Sequim School District free gifts for children ages 1-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sequim Prairie Grange. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Toys for Sequim Kids event set for today

Annual event helps hundreds of children receive gifts

Toys for Sequim Kids, seen in 2023, offers families in the Sequim School District free gifts for children ages 1-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sequim Prairie Grange. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

January trial set for men charged with burglary at AM/PM in Carlsborg

Men allegedly assaulted AM/PM employee during October incident

Helen Haller Elementary, mostly built in the 1970s, would be replaced with a new school if voters approve a bond proposal from Sequim School District in February. The proposal also includes new instructional wings at Sequim High School, a cafeteria at Greywolf Elementary, a new athletic stadium, new transit center and various safety improvements. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim to ask for bond, EPO levy

Elementary building, classrooms proposed

Helen Haller Elementary, mostly built in the 1970s, would be replaced with a new school if voters approve a bond proposal from Sequim School District in February. The proposal also includes new instructional wings at Sequim High School, a cafeteria at Greywolf Elementary, a new athletic stadium, new transit center and various safety improvements. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
(Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group) Sequim's Gracie Chartraw (No. 4) looks to pass against North Mason on Tuesday in Sequim. She is still recovering from an injury last season, but is expected to be one of the Wolves’ leading scorers, said coach Joclin Julmist.

PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Sequim girls plan to play scrappy

Being scrappy: that’s a major goal for this year’s Sequim girls varsity basketball squad to become successful, said head coach Joclin Julmist. Graduated from last… Continue reading

(Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group) Sequim's Gracie Chartraw (No. 4) looks to pass against North Mason on Tuesday in Sequim. She is still recovering from an injury last season, but is expected to be one of the Wolves’ leading scorers, said coach Joclin Julmist.
Holiday Lane stretches most of Diamond Point Road and features ornaments, homemade signs and more through the holidays. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Diamond Point’s decorating crew keeps holiday tradition

Volunteers decorate about 4 miles of Holiday Lane

Holiday Lane stretches most of Diamond Point Road and features ornaments, homemade signs and more through the holidays. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim passes its 2025 budget

Capital projects include expanded utilities

After learning about each other through a genealogy service 15 years ago and speaking on the phone for years, Steven Hanson of Montevideo, Minn., and Sue Harrison of Sequim met for the first time a few weeks ago. The siblings were placed for adoption by their biological mother about 10 years apart. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Adopted as babies, siblings meet decades later

Sequim woman started search for biological family 15 years ago

After learning about each other through a genealogy service 15 years ago and speaking on the phone for years, Steven Hanson of Montevideo, Minn., and Sue Harrison of Sequim met for the first time a few weeks ago. The siblings were placed for adoption by their biological mother about 10 years apart. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
A puppy named Captain Kirk is getting ready for adoption by Welfare for Animals Guild after it was rescued near Kirk Road. An unsecured makeshift kennel fell out of a truck on U.S. Highway 101 last month and was struck by another vehicle. (Welfare for Animals Guild)

Puppy rescued from wreck to be adopted

A puppy named Captain Kirk is about to boldly go to a new home. Captain Kirk was involved in a wreck about 11… Continue reading

A puppy named Captain Kirk is getting ready for adoption by Welfare for Animals Guild after it was rescued near Kirk Road. An unsecured makeshift kennel fell out of a truck on U.S. Highway 101 last month and was struck by another vehicle. (Welfare for Animals Guild)
Lost Mountain Station 36 at 40 Texas Valley Road recently sold to a neighbor after Clallam County Fire District 3 was unable to recruit volunteers to staff the station. Its proceeds will go toward future construction of a new Carlsborg Station 33. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

District sells one fire station

Commissioners approve 2025 budget

Lost Mountain Station 36 at 40 Texas Valley Road recently sold to a neighbor after Clallam County Fire District 3 was unable to recruit volunteers to staff the station. Its proceeds will go toward future construction of a new Carlsborg Station 33. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Clallam County Master Gardener Gordon Clark cuts leaves off Isobel Johnston’s agave plant that she had been growing for 28-plus years. She specifically requested Master Gardeners help her remove the plant while keeping at least one for years to come. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Master Gardeners help remove agave plant on Fifth Avenue

Several baby plants uncovered below large leaves

Clallam County Master Gardener Gordon Clark cuts leaves off Isobel Johnston’s agave plant that she had been growing for 28-plus years. She specifically requested Master Gardeners help her remove the plant while keeping at least one for years to come. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)