NEWS BRIEFS: State Patrol begins extra DUI patrols on Peninsula . . . and other items

PORT ANGELES — Extra driving-under-the-influence enforcement patrols for the holiday season have begun on the North Olympic Peninsula.

The stepped-up DUI patrols started statewide Nov. 26 and will end Jan. 1, according to a news release from the state Traffic Safety Commission.

In Clallam and Jefferson counties, the Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Sequim police departments; the Clallam County and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices; and the State Patrol will be teaming up for the extra patrols, with the support of the Clallam and Jefferson Regional Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force.

The state Traffic Safety Commission aims to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030, an initiative known as Target Zero.

For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.

Forks fire safety

FORKS — The Forks Fire Department and the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer fire safety advice and help to a neighborhood Saturday.

Volunteers from the Forks Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Bill Paul, will join Red Cross volunteers to canvass the Alder Grove residential area.

The volunteer teams will install smoke alarms in homes that have none, replace batteries on existing alarms and develop an evacuation plan with each home.

“This will be an opportunity to educate our community and protect our families and neighborhoods,” said Forks Fire Chief Bill Paul.

This campaign is part of a national Red Cross project to reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries in the United States by 25 percent within five years, the local chapter said in a news release.

The Red Cross said statistics show home fires are the biggest disaster threat facing communities.

Twenty-three percent of home fatalities nationally occur in households with non-operating smoke alarms, and it is estimated that 37 percent nationwide lack smoke alarms.

AAUW scholarships

PORT TOWNSEND — The University Women’s Foundation of Jefferson County, an affiliate of American Association of University Women — Port Townsend, is accepting applicants for university scholarships.

Applications are due in March; scholarship recipients will be notified in early May.

The $11,000 Elmira K. Beyer Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to an East Jefferson County woman who has completed at least one year of university study and wishes to continue her education.

Additional university scholarships also will be awarded, including three scholarships to young women graduating from Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene high schools in 2016 and going on to college.

In 2015, UWF awarded over $40,000 in scholarships.

Applications for endowed scholarships must be postmarked by March 13. Applications for high school scholarships must be post-marked by March 26.

Finalists will be notified and interviewed in early April. Those selected will be notified later that month and invited to attend the UWF Scholars Recognition Meeting in early May.

Details, criteria, and application forms can be found at http://pt-wa.aauw.net.

For more information, email ufwscholarship@outlook.com.

Holiday gala

PORT ANGELES — The North Peninsula Building Association’s Holiday Gala and Silent Auction will be at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St., on Thursday.

This year, donations will go toward the Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics clinic, Healthy Families and the Clallam County Food Bank.

Donations are still being accepted via Eran Kennedy at info@npba.info or Diana Johnson at diana.npba@gmail.com, or by phoning the building association’s office at 360-452-8160.

Book discussion

PORT TOWNSEND — Downwind: A People’s History of the Nuclear West will be discussed at the Port Townsend Library, 1220 Lawrence St., at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to a news release: “Downwind is an unflinching tale of the atomic West that reveals the high price of nuclear testing and uranium extraction during and after the Cold War.

“In detail, Downwind brings to light the experiences and concerns of Americans whose voices have been silenced and marginalized for decades in the name of patriotism and national security, tracing the evolution of a citizen activist movement that eventually challenged the federal government and powerful military and energy industries.”

Author Sarah Fox is a writer, folk historian and mother living in Seattle.

She holds a master’s degree in history from Utah State University.

Santa in Sequim

SEQUIM — The Santa Fire Brigade from Clallam County Fire District No. 3 started its sixth year of fundraising. Tuesday, cruising around the western end of Sequim to collect toys, food or cash for the Sequim Food Bank and Sequim Community Aid.

They will be covering the area east of Sequim Avenue to North Blake Avenue with the decorated antique fire engine from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.

On Thursday, Santa will be on the highly visible 1939 Ford firetruck from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Emerald Highlands area and Elk Creek Apartments.

Friday is designated as a “makeup day” if the team gets rained out and to include stores along Washington Street.

For more information and updates, phone Len Horst at 360-461-0654.

Gospel Singers

PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers will perform a special Christmas concert at Park View Villas, 1430 Park View Lane, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17.

Sign language interpretation will be provided by Karen Coles.

The event is free and open to the community.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information, phone 360-452-7222.

State Patrol begins extra DUI patrols

PORT ANGELES — Extra driving-under-the-influence enforcement patrols for the holiday season have begun on the North Olympic Peninsula.

The stepped-up DUI patrols started statewide Nov. 26 and will end Jan. 1, according to a news release from the state Traffic Safety Commission.

In Clallam and Jefferson counties, the Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Sequim police departments; the Clallam County and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices; and the State Patrol will be teaming up for the extra patrols, with the support of the Clallam and Jefferson Regional Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force.

The state Traffic Safety Commission aims to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030, an initiative known as Target Zero.

For more information, visit www.targetzero.com.

Forks fire safety

FORKS — The Forks Fire Department and the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer fire safety advice and help to a neighborhood Saturday.

Volunteers from the Forks Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Bill Paul, will join Red Cross volunteers to canvass the Alder Grove residential area.

The volunteer teams will install smoke alarms in homes that have none, replace batteries on existing alarms and develop an evacuation plan with each home.

“This will be an opportunity to educate our community and protect our families and neighborhoods,” said Forks Fire Chief Bill Paul.

This campaign is part of a national Red Cross project to reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries in the United States by 25 percent within five years, the local chapter said in a news release.

The Red Cross said statistics show home fires are the biggest disaster threat facing communities.

Twenty-three percent of home fatalities nationally occur in households with non-operating smoke alarms, and it is estimated that 37 percent nationwide lack smoke alarms.

AAUW scholarships

PORT TOWNSEND — The University Women’s Foundation of Jefferson County, an affiliate of American Association of University Women — Port Townsend, is accepting applicants for university scholarships.

Applications are due in March; scholarship recipients will be notified in early May.

The $11,000 Elmira K. Beyer Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to an East Jefferson County woman who has completed at least one year of university study and wishes to continue her education.

Additional university scholarships also will be awarded, including three scholarships to young women graduating from Port Townsend, Chimacum and Quilcene high schools in 2016 and going on to college.

In 2015, UWF awarded over $40,000 in scholarships.

Applications for endowed scholarships must be postmarked by March 13. Applications for high school scholarships must be post-marked by March 26.

Finalists will be notified and interviewed in early April. Those selected will be notified later that month and invited to attend the UWF Scholars Recognition Meeting in early May.

Details, criteria, and application forms can be found at http://pt-wa.aauw.net.

For more information, email ufwscholarship@outlook.com.

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