Sequim staff plan to send a proposal to the state this month to potentially fund sewer and water lift stations on West Sequim Bay Road using new developments’ property taxes through a Tax Increment Area by Sequim Bay in a 363-acre area. It would require the city to prove that developments in the area wouldn’t happen without the stations. The city council also would have to approve it. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

News

Sequim exploring funding mechanism to incentivize development

City would create district, repurpose tax dollars for lift stations

Contestants for the 130rd Sequim Irrigation Festival’s royalty court include, from left, Roxy Woods, Glenna Cary, Lily Tjemsland, Malachi Byrne and Joanna Morales. The pageant will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sequim High School’s auditorium. (Keith Ross, Keith’s Frame of Mind)

Life

Five candidates set for Irrigation Festival royalty

Creative displays, QA featured on Saturday

Matthew Nash / Olympic Peninsula News Group
Rick Godfrey stands with his Boy Scouts of America achievements on his office’s wall, including his merit badges and Troop 490 photos. In 1950, he was the youngest scout in the state to earn his Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. The troop celebrated 100 years at a special dinner on Saturday at the Sequim Masonic Lodge.

News

Sequim troop celebrates centennial with dinner

Scout organization began in 1925 in a Sunday school class

Two men are now serving prison time for beating an employee last October at the AM/PM in Carlsborg and attempting to take his wallet. Joshua Pulliam, 28, pleaded guilty on Dec. 18 to conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary and will serve a year in prison, while Julian Treat, 30, pleaded guilty Jan. 21 and was sentenced to two years in prison. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Crime

Second man pleads guilty to Carlsborg AM/PM burglary

Two-year sentence includes drug treatment, mental health evaluation

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)

News

Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

News

YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

Sequim Police investigators report they continue to submit items for DNA and fingerprint evidence to discover person behind the murder of Sequim’s Valerie Claplanhoo in January 2019. (Rebecca Ruby)

Crime

Claplanhoo homicide investigation ongoing

Alliance with Missing and Murdered Indigenous team continues

Mark Simpson sits atop the Sequim Skate Park in July 2023 where he had skated for years and advocated for its expansion. Community members rallied to support him and his family through the next year as he battled cancer. He died in April 2024. Sequim Mayor Brandon Janisse has proposed naming the skate park after him for his years of dedication to skating, the park and children. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group, file)

News

Proposal aims to rename skate park

Sequim mayor seeks change to honor advocate

A part of the Sequim School District’s proposed bond includes improvements to its stadium bleachers so they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Other improvements could include new or renovated bleachers, a resized track and an improved field. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

News

Proposed Sequim schools bond would evaluate stadium, bus loop

Prior to resurfacing last summer, track was unsuitable for competition

Kathy Downer, a Sequim City Council member, resigned on Jan. 13 to spend more time with family. She was elected to office in 2021 and reelected to a different position in 2023. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

News

Interviews are set for Sequim opening

Special meeting Feb. 3 for council candidates

Kindergartener Zoey Griffin eats lunch with classmates in Amy Skogsberg’s class. For most of Greywolf Elementary’s history, students have eaten in their classrooms as the school was built without a dedicated cafeteria. A bond proposal includes building a cafeteria at the school, improving its parking lot and bus loop, and updating its air handler and heating units. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

News

Sequim schools bond would include cafeteria at Greywolf Elementary

Transportation center also needs attention, staff say

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)

News

Sequim school bond aims to address safety

Special election ballots mailed Wednesday

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)

News

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

Departments adding staff, focusing on connecting patients to resources

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)

News

Sequim council member to resign

Downer unseated former mayor in 2023 election

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)

News

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)

News

Habitat breaks ground at Carlsborg development

Lyon’s Landing planning to host 45 homes

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)

News

Sequim students’ wishes granted

High schoolers, community continue tradition

Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)

News

High school senior earns eagle rank with scouts

Kathol, 18, earns 29 merit badges through Sequim troop

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)

News

Sequim preserves overlay for homes

Plots can be sold, but use must be same

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)

News

Political party officials fine with Clallam’s loss of bellwether

With election certified, reps reflect on goals, security