Matthew Nash

Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Juan Carlos Cisneros-Lopez, Sequim Junior Soccer’s new director of coaching, works with players, such as Barrett Gerdes, 6-and-a-half, at a preseason skills camp on March 1 at the Albert Haller Playfields. In the coming months, Cisneros-Lopez said he plans to develop a curriculum for players and coaches to succeed.

SEQUIM JUNIOR SOCCER: First development director hired by program

Sequim Junior Soccer looks to level up its players’ game with support from a local expert. Sequim High grad Juan Carlos “JC” Cisneros-Lopez,… Continue reading

Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Juan Carlos Cisneros-Lopez, Sequim Junior Soccer’s new director of coaching, works with players, such as Barrett Gerdes, 6-and-a-half, at a preseason skills camp on March 1 at the Albert Haller Playfields. In the coming months, Cisneros-Lopez said he plans to develop a curriculum for players and coaches to succeed.
Sequim City Council members will discuss March 24 how the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display, pictured in 2022, impacts wildlife and residents. Local advocates made the request to council members in February to stop the fireworks display and move the drone show away from wildlife habitat at Carrie Blake Community Park. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Sequim City Council to discuss fireworks

Grassroots group advocates for changes

Sequim City Council members will discuss March 24 how the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display, pictured in 2022, impacts wildlife and residents. Local advocates made the request to council members in February to stop the fireworks display and move the drone show away from wildlife habitat at Carrie Blake Community Park. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Interact Club members fill jugs and buckets in the Dungeness River for the annual Walk for Water event on March 1. They walk about 4 miles roundtrip to symbolize how far some people must go for drinking water. They raised more than $5,000 to help build a well in a Ghana village. (John Pehrson)

Sequim High students raise money through Walk for Water

Interact Club helps fund another well in Ghana

Interact Club members fill jugs and buckets in the Dungeness River for the annual Walk for Water event on March 1. They walk about 4 miles roundtrip to symbolize how far some people must go for drinking water. They raised more than $5,000 to help build a well in a Ghana village. (John Pehrson)
Residents expressed concerns on Feb. 27 to Sequim’s hearing examiner that improvements should be made to West Brownfield Road before any developments go in nearby. City staff said they’re negotiating with a developer to pay some of the costs to realign and repair the road so it’s safer and has better drainage. The funds would be refunded if they’re not used by the city within five years. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Examiner to rule on two projects

Neighbors seek improvements before one moves forward

Residents expressed concerns on Feb. 27 to Sequim’s hearing examiner that improvements should be made to West Brownfield Road before any developments go in nearby. City staff said they’re negotiating with a developer to pay some of the costs to realign and repair the road so it’s safer and has better drainage. The funds would be refunded if they’re not used by the city within five years. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
A volunteer helps at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge detect and trap European green crab. The refuge seeks more volunteers for various shifts from April to September or October by emailing Volunteer Coordinator Leshell Michaluk-Bergan at leshell@dungenessrivercenter.org. (Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe)

Jamestown Tribe seeks volunteers for green crab detection

Invasive species continues to be found across Peninsula waterways

A volunteer helps at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge detect and trap European green crab. The refuge seeks more volunteers for various shifts from April to September or October by emailing Volunteer Coordinator Leshell Michaluk-Bergan at leshell@dungenessrivercenter.org. (Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe)
A new parking lot for Sequim city staff is slated to be finished sometime this summer. City council members agreed to a contract with Hoch Construction of Port Angeles to build the lot. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim contracts to build new parking lot

Spots to be open to public on weekends

A new parking lot for Sequim city staff is slated to be finished sometime this summer. City council members agreed to a contract with Hoch Construction of Port Angeles to build the lot. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

PDC to look into Sequim letter

Complaint: Support for schools broke law

Sequim City Council member Kelly Burger takes the oath of office from City Clerk Heather Robley on Feb. 10 after council members voted to appoint him to replace Kathy Downer. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim council appoints Burger to fill seat

Appointed position goes through certification of 2025 general election

Sequim City Council member Kelly Burger takes the oath of office from City Clerk Heather Robley on Feb. 10 after council members voted to appoint him to replace Kathy Downer. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
A mobile unit from the Jamestown Healing Clinic in Sequim drives to Clallam Bay on weekdays to provide treatment for 30-40 opioid use disorder patients in the West End. The program started last March. (Jamestown Healing Clinic)
A mobile unit from the Jamestown Healing Clinic in Sequim drives to Clallam Bay on weekdays to provide treatment for 30-40 opioid use disorder patients in the West End. The program started last March. (Jamestown Healing Clinic)
Sequim School District administrators, staffers, families and supporters gather in Stymie’s Bar and Grill on Feb. 11 after they learned the district’s bond and levy proposals were passing. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim School District leaders celebrate results

Construction bond, EPO levy both pass

Sequim School District administrators, staffers, families and supporters gather in Stymie’s Bar and Grill on Feb. 11 after they learned the district’s bond and levy proposals were passing. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
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)

Five candidates set for Irrigation Festival royalty

Creative displays, QA featured on Saturday

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)
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)

Sequim exploring funding mechanism to incentivize development

City would create district, repurpose tax dollars for lift stations

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)
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.

Sequim troop celebrates centennial with dinner

Scout organization began in 1925 in a Sunday school class

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.
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)

Second man pleads guilty to Carlsborg AM/PM burglary

Two-year sentence includes drug treatment, mental health evaluation

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)
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)

Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

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)
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)

YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

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)
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)

Claplanhoo homicide investigation ongoing

Alliance with Missing and Murdered Indigenous team continues

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)
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)

Proposal aims to rename skate park

Sequim mayor seeks change to honor advocate

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)
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)

Proposed Sequim schools bond would evaluate stadium, bus loop

Prior to resurfacing last summer, track was unsuitable for competition

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)
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)
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)