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The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

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The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Serving Port Townsend and Jefferson County since 1889

12/24/2025

Chemakum tribal elder, Empty Bowl Press receive Humanities Washington awards

By Kirk Boxleitner

Humanities Washington celebrated its 50th anniversary by bestowing the state humanities council’s award to 50 people and organizations whom they judged have made “outstanding contributions to the public humanities.” Two of the awardees hail from Jefferson County.

Rosalie Walz, an elder of the Chemakum Tribe, and Empty Bowl Press of Chimacum, run by Holly Hughes and John Pierce, were Jefferson County’s two Humanities Washington awardees.

Chimacum resident Anne Murphy, former executive director of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, personally nominated Walz, citing the tribal elder’s 2022 book, “Still Here: Portraits of the Chemakum,” with photographer Brian Goodman, due to “the trauma it uncovers, and the sensitivity required to nurture and usher this tough, small tribe forward.”

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/23/2025

OWL360 director recognized with Woman of Excellence Award

By Alex Frick

Kelli Parcher, founder and director of OWL360, was awarded the American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) 2026 Woman of Excellence Award during a Dec. 13 ceremony at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend.

Parcher was honored for her long-standing record of supporting both youth and young adults in Jefferson County. She has worked to create housing, provide education and introduce pathways for young people who might fall outside traditional support systems.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/22/2025

Avian flu detected in Jefferson County, human risk remains low

By Mallory Kruml

Two backyard flocks in Jefferson County have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirmed the first positive test on Nov. 21 and a second on Dec. 8.

Allison Berry, the health officer for Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), couldn’t provide the specific locations but said both cases were in east Jefferson County.

“If you don’t have birds in your care, this is not something for you to worry about,” Berry said. “If you do have birds in your care, I want you to know there are things you can do to keep your birds and yourselves safe.”

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/21/2025

More than three dozen cats rescued in Brinnon, receive ‘extensive’ medical care

By Kirk Boxleitner

A cat rescue in Brinnon last month yielded 38 cats in need of care.
Jamie Aumock, confidential secretary and office manager for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the cat rescue at 151 Kelly Road in Brinnon on Nov. 20 was a collaborative effort among the sheriff’s office, Center Valley Animal Rescue of Quilcene and Pasado’s Safe Haven of Sultan.

“A search warrant was served, and 38 cats were seized,” Aumock said. “All the cats were transported to Center Valley Animal Rescue for intake evaluations. After the intake, all cats — minus two kittens in critical health, and a mother cat to feed and help care for them — were turned over to Pasado’s Safe Haven, where they’ll be held for evidence.”

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/20/2025

City wraps 2025 budgeting with third supplemental

By Mallory Kruml

Finance Director Jodi Adams presented Port Townsend’s city council with the third and final list of supplemental budget appropriations for 2025 at its Dec. 8 meeting.

“Supplemental 3 has a total expenditure increase of $327,766,” Adams wrote in an email to The Leader. “Of that amount, there’s $100,933 in interfund transfers making that actual spending increase of $226,833.”

Council members approved the first reading of the supplemental budget at that meeting and voted unanimously to adopt it on Dec. 15.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/19/2025

‘Get excited,’ city manager says: Chip sealing slated for Sheridan, Monroe streets

By Mallory Kruml

With a unanimous vote, Port Townsend’s city council authorized City Manager John Mauro to enter into a grant agreement with the state, securing $353,000 for chip seal work planned for Monroe and Sheridan streets.

Once complete, the chip seal will run from Sims Way to Hastings Avenue on Sheridan Street and on Monroe Street between Water and Jackson streets.

The city expects to go out to bid on the project in the spring and start construction in the summer.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/18/2025

County halts rec center closure, asks public for $150,000

By Mallory Kruml

Plans to shutter the Port Townsend Recreation Center have been put on hold as county officials explore alternative funding options.

The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department identified closing the 620 Tyler St. rec center as the preferred option when asked to reduce its general fund budget to help remedy the county budget crisis.

But County Administrator Josh Peters said an outpouring of public support for the center has prompted a different approach.

“Folks have said loud and clear that they would like to keep the rec center open,” Peters said. “Some were even willing to contribute, so we’re going to see what that looks like.”

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/17/2025

Council defies packed chamber, approves comp plan 6-1

By Alex Frick

On Dec. 15, after weeks of emotionally charged public testimony urging caution and delay, the Port Townsend City Council voted to adopt a sweeping update to the city’s comprehensive plan. Adopting the ordinance fulfills the city’s state-required review under Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA), while leaving some residents with unresolved tension over process, pace and public trust.

By a final tally of 6-1, the vote finalizes the city’s 2025 comprehensive plan periodic review, which updates the long-range planning document that guides Port Townsend’s growth and development over the next 20 years.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/16/2025

Rivals show early promise in season opening jamboree

By Alex Frick

The East Jefferson Rivals opened the wrestling season Dec. 3 in front of a full house at Port Townsend High School’s Bruce Blevins Gym, giving spectators their first glimpse at a deep roster that has the potential to be one of the program’s strongest teams in recent years.

The jamboree saw four teams converge for the preseason meet, where each wrestler had the opportunity to wrestle two shortened, three-minute matches. About 40 Rivals took to the mat, including Issac Eades, Alex Garcia, John Neville, Finn Quillen, Layton Lopeman, Lilly Shoop and Isla Emerson who made their competitive debuts.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/15/2025

$2.5 Million funding gap further delays YMCA childcare center

By Mallory Kruml

Ballooning costs have further delayed a long-anticipated and needed childcare center slated for Port Townsend.

“The initial bids we received came in significantly higher than anticipated,” said Jodi Minker-James, Olympic Peninsula YMCA marketing and communications manager. “We are working really hard on raising the additional funds needed to close that gap.”

Regardless, Miker-James said, “The YMCA is committed to this project and we will have more information about building progress once we’ve met the financial requirements.”

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/14/2025

Lighted sculpture breaches in Adams Street Park for the holidays

By Mallory Kruml

Passersby may notice a new addition to Adams Street Park in downtown Port Townsend this holiday season.

“I think this is something everyone in town of all ages is going to want to come downtown and see, then spend a little time walking among the lights, checking out the creative shop windows, and shopping local this holiday season,” said Port Townsend Main Street Executive Director Natalie Maitland.

The temporary structure, a metal mother and baby whale wrapped in string lights, was funded with lodging tax dollars and crafted by local artist Gunter Reimnitz.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

12/13/2025

County and city greenlight new homeless housing plan

By Alex Frick

Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend unanimously approved the 2025–2030 Jefferson County Homeless & Affordable Housing Services Plan on Dec. 8, setting a five-year framework for how local governments and service providers will coordinate homeless response efforts, including outreach, shelter, prevention and housing related programs.

The plan follows state requirements and uses Department of Commerce planning tools to assess local needs and structure the county’s homeless service strategies.

For the full story pick up a copy of The Leader or go to ptleader.com

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