Jamestown S’Klallam tribal council member dies

Kurt Grinnell.

Kurt Grinnell.

BLYN — Kurt Grinnell, a Jamestown S’Klallam tribal council member and tribal aquaculture manager, has died.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said he died in a single-vehicle wreck on Mount Pleasant Road at about 4:12 p.m. Tuesday.

Grinnell, 57, was pronounced dead at the scene, said Chief Deputy Brian King.

His car had tracked off the road, through a fence and hit a tree, King said.

Grinnell was traveling alone.

“We’re still looking into the cause,” King said when reached by cell phone Wednesday.

“Drugs and/or alcohol are not a factor.”

Tribal members are in mourning, according to Betty Oppenheimer, the tribe’s communication specialist, who said the tribe would comment and provide more information at a later date.

Grinnell was elected to the council in October 2004, according to his biography on the tribe’s website at jamestowntribe.org/tribal-council.

A longtime fisherman, he and his wife, Terri, owned Jamestown Seafood.

He had served on the Hunting and Fishing Committee for 33 years.

He was the policy liaison for the tribe’s Natural Resource Department and chaired the Natural Resource Committee.

In the 1980s, he attended fin-fish negotiation meetings with the Makah and Point Elliot Treaty tribes.

In the early ’90s, he served as the Indian Child Welfare case worker, chemical dependency counselor and social worker.

He served the tribe in the areas of education, housing and culture, the biography said.

More in News

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass on display on the pier in Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
The golden hour

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass… Continue reading

The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)
Opponents want park to stay day use

State updates plan for Miller Peninsula

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

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Poplars to be removed in spring

Boat Yard expansion part of larger project

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition launches pool survey

Results intended to inform design process

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few miles south of Port Angeles. While the Peninsula has seen temperatures below freezing this week, a warming trend is expected by this weekend with highs reaching the upper 40s and overnight lows in the 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter snowscape

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few… Continue reading