NEWS BRIEFS: Dry weather prompts tree farm closures in Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason counties . . . and other items

Olympic Resource Management, a Pope Resources company, will temporarily close all general public access to its Hood Canal Tree Farm properties in Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties effective Friday.

The closure will remain in effect until significant rainfall occurs, the company said.

Notice of reopening will be posted at www.poperesources.com.

“Exceptionally dry weather conditions make for extreme fire danger that threatens private and public resources,” the company said in an email.

Pope Resources owns and manages approximately 69,000 acres of forestland on its Hood Canal Tree Farm in Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties.

Photo contest

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer is asking for photos from residents of his 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula, in his third Facebook Cover Photo Contest.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Photos must be original, high-quality and taken in the region of the 6th District.

All entrants must own the copyrights for their submission.

On Thursday, July 2, Kilmer, a Democrat from Gig Harbor and a Port Angeles native, will post the photos of five finalists on his Facebook page.

Fans of the page can “like” their favorites. Voting will end at 5 p.m. Monday, July 6, and the winner will be announced Tuesday, July 7.

The winning photo will appear as the cover photograph for Kilmer’s Facebook page.

“Washington state is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, and I’m excited to see how my constituents will capture the beauty of our region,” Kilmer said.

For consideration, residents can submit original, high-quality photos along with their names, photo locations and brief descriptions to Kilmer at Photocontest@mail.house.gov.

Grief support program now in Quilcene

QUILCENE — Jefferson Healthcare Hospice has expanded its drop-in grief support program in Quilcene.

Beginning this Saturday, the Grief Support Group will meet twice each month on the second and fourth Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The group will meet at the South County Medical Clinic, 294843 U.S. Highway 101.

This program welcomes anyone who is grieving a death, recent or in the past.

Each session is facilitated and includes such topics as common grief reactions, coping with stress or grief within families.

Grief and loss support services are provided at no cost, and no registration is required.

For more information, phone Bernie Ward-Crixell at 360-385-2200, ext. 4684.

Wine, art show

PORT ANGELES — Olympic Cellars Winery, 255410 U.S. Highway 101, will host an arts and crafts show and sale from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Sales from the “For the Birds (and Other Critters)” show will benefit the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.

Artists featured at the show include Patricia Ford (birdhouses), Sharon Prosser (feeders), Maryann Proctor (colorful paintings), Nancy Lawrence (ceramics) and Natalie Brown (metal sculptures).

Wine is available for purchase along with the art.

For more information or to volunteer, phone the Humane Society at 360-457-8206.

Sanctuary Day

FORKS — Get Into Your Sanctuary Day will celebrate the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary’s natural and cultural marine resources at the Kalaloch Lodge, 157151 U.S. Highway 101, this Saturday.

The free daylong event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with free yoga on the beach with Poser Yoga.

At 11:30 a.m., the sanctuary and Surfriders seek volunteers to help clean up and walk the beach.

Lynne Barre of NOAA Fisheries will talk about Southern Resident killer whales at the Kalaloch Lodge at 3 p.m.

Finally, sustainable seafood dinners with Olympic Culinary Loop restaurants will be offered at the end of the day.

For more information, contact Nicole Harris at nicole.harris@noaa.gov or 360-457-6622.

Sock puppets

FORKS — The Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., will offer a children’s Superhero Sock Puppet Storytime at 2 p.m. Monday.

This free program features stories, puppets, fingerplays, songs and movement exercises.

Participants also will create a superhero sock puppet for storytimes at home.

For more information, phone the library at 360-374-6402, email youth@nols.org or visit www.nols.org.

More in News

Public feedback still shaping Clallam ordinance on RV usage

Community Development department set to move sections of its proposal

Jen Colmore, Sequim Food Bank’s community engagement coordinator, has been hired as the executive director. She will start in her new role after outgoing director Andra Smith starts as executive director of the Washington Food Coalition later this month. (Sequim Food Bank)
Sequim Food Bank hires new executive director

Sequim organization tabs engagement coordinator

Sara Nicholls, executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, also known as the Sequim Free Clinic, inspects food items that are free to any patient who needs them. Soroptimist International of Sequim sponsors the food pantry, she said. (Austin James)
Sequim Free Clinic to celebrate 25th year

Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

Weekly flight operations scheduled

Field carrier landing practice operations will take place for aircraft… Continue reading

“Angel” Alleacya Boulia, 26, of St. Louis, Mo., was last seen shopping in Port Angeles on Nov. 17, National Park Service officials said. Her rented vehicle was located Nov. 30 at the Sol Duc trailhead in Olympic National Park. (National Park Service)
Body of missing person found in Sol Duc Valley

Remains believed to be St. Louis woman

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park, conducts a tour for interested visitors on Thursday. The lighthouse was built in 1878 when Congress approved $8,000 for the light and foghorns. Although the facility is still an active U.S. Coast Guard station, the equipment is monitored and operated remotely and no keepers are present. Regular tours on Saturdays and Sundays will resume in May. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Lighthouse tour

Dan Willis of Port Townsend, a docent at the Point Wilson Lighthouse… Continue reading

EMT Teresa DeRousie, center, was recognized for her long service to Clallam County Fire District 2. Presenting the award were Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Denton, left, and Chief Jake Patterson. (Clallam County Fire District 2)
Clallam 2 Fire Rescue hosts awards banquet

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue recognized career and volunteer members during… Continue reading

Construction set to begin on new marine life center in Port Angeles

Groundbreaking event scheduled for April 8 at Pebble Beach Park

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory rower propels his craft in the calm waters of the Salish Sea. Whidbey Island is in the distance. Today’s high temperature is forecast to be in the low 50s with partly cloudy skies. Rain is set to return this weekend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rowing on the Strait

A seal pops its head out of the water as a dory… Continue reading

Fire protection may impact insurance rates

New protection class considers nuanced data

The view looking south from Hurricane Ridge, where variable winter weather has limited snow coverage and contributed to pauses in snow sports operations in recent weeks. (Washington’s National Park Fund)
Lack of snow has impact at Hurricane Ridge

Water equivalent well below average for February