NEWS BRIEFS: Man charged with killing mother … and other items

SEATTLE — A 25-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in his mother’s slaying in Hoodsport on Christmas Day.

The Seattle Times reports Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Dorcy charged William R. Foster Thursday.

Sheriff’s deputies in Mason County say Foster stabbed and beat his mother to death Tuesday because he believed the 62-year-old woman was a demon.

According to documents from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Foster lived with his mother, Claudia Foster, in Hoodsport. Police say he arrived at the nearly home of a family member later Tuesday covered in blood and saying he “just slayed the demon.”

Documents say sheriff’s deputies found Foster’s mother dead at her home.

A judge Wednesday ordered Foster held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

It wasn’t immediately known if Foster has an attorney.

Eagles’ New Year’s Eve

PORT ANGELES — Black Diamond Junction will perform at the Port Angeles Eagles Club on New Year’s Eve.

Dancing and dinner are planned from 6 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday at the club at 2843 E. Myrtle St.

Tickets are $50 for the dinner and dancing and $20 after 8 p.m. for dancing only at the door.

In advance, they are $260 per table of eight, $75 per couple and $40 for an individual.

Dinner entrees are prime rib and chicken cordon bleu. Champagne will be available.

For tickets, phone 360-452-3344.

Holiday party supports area family center

PORT ANGELES —First Step Family Support Center recently held a holiday party for its clients.

More than 470 children and parents attended the party held in the Vern Burton Community Center.

According to a press release, more than 70 volunteers, including the men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams from Peninsula College, helped to make the event a success.

A turkey dinner was served and children had the opportunity to make ornaments, get presents for their parents and visit with Santa.

The Literary Council donated books for the children to take home.

Students assist area families with meals

PORT ANGELES — Students from Port Angeles High School distributed Thanksgiving dinner kits to families in need at all five district elementary schools last month.

Members of the Distributive Education Clubs of America club at the high school delivered the kits

to 47 families Nov. 19 and 20.

According to a press release, Westport Yachts, Wilder Auto Center, Windermere Real Estate Port Angeles, Irwin Dental Center, Mitch Gray Incorporated, Deer Park Self Storage, Mittelstaedt Chiropractic, and 4 Sisters Creations donated the turkeys for each kit.

All other food items were donated by club members.

For more information, email Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@portangelesschools.org.

Students honored by Rotary Club

CHIMACUM — Chimacum High School students Grace Aman and Delana Horner were recently honored by the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County as its October Students of the Month.

According to a press release, the students were nominated based on their leadership within their class as well as for their academic performance and involvement in extra-curricular activities.

Each student received a certificate of improvement from club President Caleb Summerfelt.

Sequim grad on dean’s list

JAMESTOWN, N.D. — Sequim native Abigail Hanstead has been named to the University of Jamestown’s fall 2018 dean’s list.

To qualify, students must maintain a semester GPA of 3.50 or better and carry 12 or more credit hours.

More in News

Mandy Miller of Port Angeles and other members of her family spent some time over the Fourth of July weekend picking eight pounds of strawberries at the Graysmarsh Farms north of Sequim. Raspberries will soon though reach their peak picking season, and both are available at Graysmarsh. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Berry picking

Mandy Miller of Port Angeles and other members of her family spent… Continue reading

Peninsula counties awarded $5M in grants

Funding to cover easements, equipment

Port of Port Angeles to forge ahead with terminal upgrade plans

Design phase would help envision future opportunities

The Northwest Watershed Institute purchased 81 acres for conservation and stewardship in the Tarboo Valley for inclusion in its 500-acre Tarboo Wildlife Preserve. (John Gussman)
Tarboo valley land set aside for preservation

Nearly 500 acres now part of wildlife preserve

Emily Simmons of Port Angeles, a member of the Surfriders Foundation, collects fireworks debris from along Ediz Hook Road in Port Angeles on Saturday. Although fireworks have been banned in the city of Port Angeles, many people used them illegally, leaving behind trash and spent casings and tasking volunteers to pick up the remains. A group from 4PA performed similar cleanup duty on another portion of the hook. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Cleanup efforts

Emily Simmons of Port Angeles, a member of the Surfriders Foundation, collects… Continue reading

Stage 3 water alert issued for Clallam Bay system

Clallam County Public Utility District No. 1 has declared a… Continue reading

Peninsula Trails Coalition seeking executive director

The deadline for priority consideration in the hiring of… Continue reading

Alternating traffic scheduled on Hood Canal bridge

The state Department of Transportation will replace a hydraulic cylinder… Continue reading

Volunteers sought for salmon restoration project

The Makah Tribe and Olympic National Park are seeking… Continue reading

Clallam commissioners to allocate opioid funding for health supplies

Board also approves funding for Port Angeles infrastructure project

Officials report fireworks-related incidents

Storage building a total loss, fire chief says

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Port Angeles transfer station on Sunday. (Port Angeles Fire Department)
Firefighters put out fire at Port Angeles landfill

Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions extinguished a fire in the… Continue reading