Kelly Matlock, retired health educator with Jefferson County Public Health, was given a lifetime achievement award.

Kelly Matlock, retired health educator with Jefferson County Public Health, was given a lifetime achievement award.

Retired health educator receives lifetime achievement award

PORT TOWNSEND — A longtime health educator with Jefferson County Public Health has received an Exemplary Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in substance abuse prevention.

Kelly Matlock, who retired in September after a decade of work with the agency, was given the Department of Social and Health Services award at the annual Washington State Prevention Summit in Yakima on Nov. 7.

The agency announced the award Thursday.

Matlock was nominated by the state Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery for her work to build community readiness, strategic planning and implementation of an evidence-based program in Port Townsend and Chimacum.

This is the second Exemplary Achievement Award Matlock has received.

In 2012, Matlock and Anne Dean were honored for their work in using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study as the foundation for their community efforts in substance abuse prevention, for spearheading the “Our Kids: Our Business” child abuse and neglect information campaign and for bringing the University of Washington’s Communities That Care training to Jefferson County.

“I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with the best at Jefferson County Public Health and with a community as committed as Jefferson County to the health and well-being of youth and families,” Matlock said

Denise Banker with Jefferson County Public Health is the new coalition coordinator for Chimacum Prevention Coalition. She now spearheads the community substance abuse prevention efforts.

For more information, contact Banker at 360-385-9438.

More in News

School measures, fire district propositions passing

Port Townsend and Brinnon school district measures were passing… Continue reading

Rob Birman has served as Centrum’s executive director for 14 years. When the arts nonprofit completes its search for its next leader, Birman will transition into a role focused on capital fundraising and overseeing capital projects for buildings Centrum oversees. (Centrum)
Centrum signs lease to remain at Fort Worden for next 35 years

Executive director will transition into role focused on fundraising

Clallam approves contracts with several agencies

Funding for reimbursement, equipment replacement

Mark and Linda Secord have been named Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year for 2025.
Secords named Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Mark and Linda Secord have been chosen as Marrowstone… Continue reading

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess Payton Frank, Queen Lorelei Turner and 2025 Queen Taylor Frank. The 2026 queen was crowned by the outgoing queen during a ceremony at Chimacum High School on Saturday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rhody coronation

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess… Continue reading

Jefferson considering new site for solid waste

Commissioners direct further exploration

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