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Assistant Fire Chief Mike Sanders walks past the burnt remains of a play structure at the Dream Playground on Wednesday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Well-loved amenity reduced to rubble

Port Angeles police investigating blaze as arson

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Sanders walks past the burnt remains of a play structure at the Dream Playground on Wednesday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Townsend Library Director Melody Sky Weaver, left, and Library Manager of Youth & Outreach Services Emily Bufford marvel at the dozens of entries in the library’s Uptown Gingerbread Contest. Voting ended Monday and winners of the all-edible competition will be announced Friday. At the Jefferson County Library, 31 gingerbread houses — 18 from youth — were entered into the Home for the Holidays: Gingerbread House Making Contest. The deadline to vote in that contest is 5 p.m. today. Winners in both contests will be announced on Friday. Houses are on display at the Port Townsend Library at 1220 Lawrence St. and the Jefferson County Library at 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/For Peninsula Daily News)

Gingerbread housing

Port Townsend Library Director Melody Sky Weaver, left, and Library Manager of Youth & Outreach Services Emily Bufford marvel at the dozens of entries in… Continue reading

Port Townsend Library Director Melody Sky Weaver, left, and Library Manager of Youth & Outreach Services Emily Bufford marvel at the dozens of entries in the library’s Uptown Gingerbread Contest. Voting ended Monday and winners of the all-edible competition will be announced Friday. At the Jefferson County Library, 31 gingerbread houses — 18 from youth — were entered into the Home for the Holidays: Gingerbread House Making Contest. The deadline to vote in that contest is 5 p.m. today. Winners in both contests will be announced on Friday. Houses are on display at the Port Townsend Library at 1220 Lawrence St. and the Jefferson County Library at 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock. (Diane Urbani de la Paz/For Peninsula Daily News)
The Port Angeles Boat Haven is all aglow with holiday lights on various boats. Temperatures on the North Olympic Peninsula are forecast to be in the mid- to upper 40s this week with overnight lows dipping into the upper 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)

Holiday reflections

The Port Angeles Boat Haven is all aglow with holiday lights on various boats. Temperatures on the North Olympic Peninsula are forecast to be in… Continue reading

The Port Angeles Boat Haven is all aglow with holiday lights on various boats. Temperatures on the North Olympic Peninsula are forecast to be in the mid- to upper 40s this week with overnight lows dipping into the upper 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Butch Zaharias, a captain and division chief with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), checks in on drivers and fellow CERT members in festive garb during the Family Holiday Meal Bag distribution in Sequim’s Carrie Blake Park. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim event hands out 1,200 holiday meals

Volunteers gather at Carrie Blake Community Park

Butch Zaharias, a captain and division chief with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), checks in on drivers and fellow CERT members in festive garb during the Family Holiday Meal Bag distribution in Sequim’s Carrie Blake Park. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
After 28 years, Isobel Johnston’s agave plant started to bloom this summer and rose to about 22 feet. “I never ever thought it’d get that tall,” she said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

After 28 years, Sequim agave reaches 22 feet tall

Owner, fire district plan to start anew with seedling

After 28 years, Isobel Johnston’s agave plant started to bloom this summer and rose to about 22 feet. “I never ever thought it’d get that tall,” she said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Judy Tordini, top, helps unload a bundle of six wreaths from a truck that arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Church of Latter-Day Saints parking lot on Monroe Road in Port Angeles. From left to right, Gwen Oden, Erin Rousos and Jim Bower were among a host of volunteers who helped receive 2,411 wreaths for local cemeteries. The wreaths from Maine will be distributed in Saturday ceremonies. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)

Wreaths arrive for ceremonies on Saturday

Fallen veterans to be honored at local gravesites

Judy Tordini, top, helps unload a bundle of six wreaths from a truck that arrived Wednesday afternoon at the Church of Latter-Day Saints parking lot on Monroe Road in Port Angeles. From left to right, Gwen Oden, Erin Rousos and Jim Bower were among a host of volunteers who helped receive 2,411 wreaths for local cemeteries. The wreaths from Maine will be distributed in Saturday ceremonies. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Enzo Ramirez, 4, of Port Angeles clutches his dollar bill while searching for an affordable gift to purchase at a vendor table set up by Port Angeles-based Power Up Perler & Soaps during Saturday’s Holiday Market at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The market featured dozens of gift and craft tables by local artisans, including a donation and craft table benefiting Peninsula Friends of Animals. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
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Holiday market

Enzo Ramirez, 4, of Port Angeles clutches his dollar bill while searching for an affordable gift to purchase at a vendor table set up by… Continue reading

Enzo Ramirez, 4, of Port Angeles clutches his dollar bill while searching for an affordable gift to purchase at a vendor table set up by Port Angeles-based Power Up Perler & Soaps during Saturday’s Holiday Market at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. The market featured dozens of gift and craft tables by local artisans, including a donation and craft table benefiting Peninsula Friends of Animals. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Farrah Friswold, 5, of Port Angeles looks at a silhouette of a bird for placement on an overhead projector at an interactive light station at Wintertide on Saturday in Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The Wintertide Festival of Lights featured a variety of hands-on activities, food, music, a fire dancing exhibition, a lantern walk and a seasonal selection of illuminated sculptures, as well as an ongoing Makers Market of artistic gifts in the fine art center gallery. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
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Wintertide Festival

Farrah Friswold, 5, of Port Angeles looks at a silhouette of a bird for placement on an overhead projector at an interactive light station at… Continue reading

Farrah Friswold, 5, of Port Angeles looks at a silhouette of a bird for placement on an overhead projector at an interactive light station at Wintertide on Saturday in Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The Wintertide Festival of Lights featured a variety of hands-on activities, food, music, a fire dancing exhibition, a lantern walk and a seasonal selection of illuminated sculptures, as well as an ongoing Makers Market of artistic gifts in the fine art center gallery. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Judy Willman, daughter of University of Washington rowing team member Joe Rantz, signs a movie poster for the movie “The Boys in the Boat,” a tribute to the team’s rise to winning a gold medal in the 1936 Olympics. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Spotlight on ‘The Boys in the Boat’

Story with Sequim tie has advance screening

Judy Willman, daughter of University of Washington rowing team member Joe Rantz, signs a movie poster for the movie “The Boys in the Boat,” a tribute to the team’s rise to winning a gold medal in the 1936 Olympics. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Traffic backs up on Monroe Road because of an automobile wreck near the intersection with U.S. Highway 101 on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

One wreck, two locations in East Port Angeles

Crash backs up traffic for miles Thursday morning

Traffic backs up on Monroe Road because of an automobile wreck near the intersection with U.S. Highway 101 on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Emily McAlily, in the part of Chandon, left, toys with the wig of Steve Methner, playing the role of King Triton, prior to a Tuesday rehearsal of the PA Panto production of Ethel Mermaid and the Varying Degrees of Evil, which starts this weekend at Peninsula College. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Now divorced from prince, mermaid wants to go home

PA Panto show to be performed over two weekends

Emily McAlily, in the part of Chandon, left, toys with the wig of Steve Methner, playing the role of King Triton, prior to a Tuesday rehearsal of the PA Panto production of Ethel Mermaid and the Varying Degrees of Evil, which starts this weekend at Peninsula College. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
The Fractal Phase from Wintertide 2022 offers a taste of the 2023 Light Art Experience that will be available during the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center’s third annual Wintertide Festival of Lights. (Cascadia Films)

Third annual Wintertide Festival of Lights set for Saturday

Light installations, market among outdoor attractions

The Fractal Phase from Wintertide 2022 offers a taste of the 2023 Light Art Experience that will be available during the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center’s third annual Wintertide Festival of Lights. (Cascadia Films)
Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and kisses from Maru, a white husky mix belonging to Ally Kreider of Port Angeles, at the second annual Santa Paws holiday photo event on Saturday at Petsense in Port Angeles. Pet owners were allowed to bring their critters for a photo with Santa in an event sponsored by the Soroptimist International Noon Club of Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
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Holiday kisses

Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and kisses from Maru, a white husky mix belonging to Ally Kreider of Port… Continue reading

Santa Claus, portrayed by John Greiner of Port Angeles, gets licks and kisses from Maru, a white husky mix belonging to Ally Kreider of Port Angeles, at the second annual Santa Paws holiday photo event on Saturday at Petsense in Port Angeles. Pet owners were allowed to bring their critters for a photo with Santa in an event sponsored by the Soroptimist International Noon Club of Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Dylan Kinney, 4, is introduced to Santa by her gran Debbie Hinton, both from Port Townsend, as Santa greeted kids on Saturday in downtown Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Holiday greetings

Dylan Kinney, 4, is introduced to Santa by her gran Debbie Hinton, both from Port Townsend, as Santa greeted kids on Saturday in downtown Port… Continue reading

Dylan Kinney, 4, is introduced to Santa by her gran Debbie Hinton, both from Port Townsend, as Santa greeted kids on Saturday in downtown Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Orange traffic barrels line the sides of U.S. Highway 101 at Ennis Creek for preliminary surveys in preparation for upcoming culvert replacement. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Survey work for fish barrier removal begins in Port Angeles

Some lane closures may be necessary from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Orange traffic barrels line the sides of U.S. Highway 101 at Ennis Creek for preliminary surveys in preparation for upcoming culvert replacement. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Sue Ridder and husband Johnny from Vancouver, visiting relatives in Port Townsend, start cleaning some of the 13 Dungeness crab they caught in Port Townsend Bay on Wednesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Catch of the day

Sue Ridder and husband Johnny from Vancouver, visiting relatives in Port Townsend, start cleaning some of the 13 Dungeness crab they caught in Port Townsend… Continue reading

Sue Ridder and husband Johnny from Vancouver, visiting relatives in Port Townsend, start cleaning some of the 13 Dungeness crab they caught in Port Townsend Bay on Wednesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Jon Picker, airport and marina manager for the Port of Port Angeles, describes runway sections for William R. Fairchild International Airport on a diagram of the terminal area. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Fairchild upgrades completed

Ribbon cutting is planned for Dec. 12

Jon Picker, airport and marina manager for the Port of Port Angeles, describes runway sections for William R. Fairchild International Airport on a diagram of the terminal area. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rich Foutch of Active Construction, Inc., in Tacoma paints a line on the roadway at the new roundabout at Kearney Street and state Highway 20 for the placement of temporary stripes in a pedestrian crosswalk on Monday in Port Townsend. The temperatures have to be in the mid-50s to install permanent striping, he said. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
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Roundabout striping

Rich Foutch of Active Construction, Inc., in Tacoma paints a line on the roadway at the new roundabout at Kearney Street and state Highway 20… Continue reading

Rich Foutch of Active Construction, Inc., in Tacoma paints a line on the roadway at the new roundabout at Kearney Street and state Highway 20 for the placement of temporary stripes in a pedestrian crosswalk on Monday in Port Townsend. The temperatures have to be in the mid-50s to install permanent striping, he said. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Santa Claus, portrayed by Stephen Rosales of Sequim, waves to the crowd after his arrival by vintage fire truck at Centennial Place in downtown Sequim on Saturday, part of the city’s Hometown Holidays celebration. Santa, accompanied by Irrigation Festival royalty, greeted children next to the city’s Christmas tree in an event that also featured music by the Sequim City Band and a lighted tractor parade. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
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Holiday tradition

Santa Claus, portrayed by Stephen Rosales of Sequim, waves to the crowd after his arrival by vintage fire truck at Centennial Place in downtown Sequim… Continue reading

Santa Claus, portrayed by Stephen Rosales of Sequim, waves to the crowd after his arrival by vintage fire truck at Centennial Place in downtown Sequim on Saturday, part of the city’s Hometown Holidays celebration. Santa, accompanied by Irrigation Festival royalty, greeted children next to the city’s Christmas tree in an event that also featured music by the Sequim City Band and a lighted tractor parade. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Singers, from left, Abbigail Cuellar, 16, Danielle Lorentzen of Ghostlight Productions, Kaylyn Stroup, 15, and Max MacFall, 15, perform a Christmas carol during Wednesday evening’s opening ceremony for the 33rd annual Festival of Trees at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Tickets are available for Festival of Trees

Senior breakfast, gala and family days also part of annual event

Singers, from left, Abbigail Cuellar, 16, Danielle Lorentzen of Ghostlight Productions, Kaylyn Stroup, 15, and Max MacFall, 15, perform a Christmas carol during Wednesday evening’s opening ceremony for the 33rd annual Festival of Trees at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)