Erik Hidle

Quilcene runs out of gas: Only station closes

QUILCENE -- If you're going for a drive down U.S. Highway 101, make sure you check the gas tank first. There's no gasoline in Quilcene.… Continue reading

Jefferson County hospital has technology link with Swedish in Seattle

PORT TOWNSEND -- A new program at at Jefferson Healthcare will put a digital doctor from Seattle in the room with Jefferson County patients. Jefferson… Continue reading

Tidal Clock’s time runs out: Port Townsend City Council votes unanimously to alter failed waterfront public art

PORT TOWNSEND -- The Tidal Clock is counting down to its final hour. On Monday night, the Port Townsend City Council decided to put an… Continue reading

Port Townsend Police Department adds victim advocate

PORT TOWNSEND -- The Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program of Jefferson County has found a way to get one step closer to victims in Port Townsend.… Continue reading

What happened in that trailer? Lab tests inconclusive

PORT TOWNSEND -- After four months of investigating and awaiting state crime lab results, the Port Townsend Police Department has announced that it doesn't know… Continue reading

Hood Canal Bridge: Ferry rules set at meeting; passenger vessel will allow small pets, some luggage

PORT HADLOCK -- Golf clubs and small dogs are fine, but prison transfers and extra luggage are not. These are just some of the rules… Continue reading

Jefferson GOP answer’s ACLU’s bus sign on Border Patrol with one of its own

PORT TOWNSEND -- In response to the planned posting of American Civil Liberties Union signs on Jefferson Transit buses in March, GOP of Jefferson County… Continue reading

Port Townsend School Board holds off on school closure vote after legal challenge

PORT TOWNSEND -- The Port Townsend School District board decided to postpone a vote on closing Mountain View Elementary School, in light of a court… Continue reading

Rhododendron queen candidates face Port Townsend chamber audience

PORT TOWNSEND -- The two candidates vying for 2009 Rhododendron Festival queen introduced themselves briefly to business leaders on Monday. Cecily Ellis, 16, of Quilcene… Continue reading

WSU’s Jefferson Extension facing deep cutbacks

PORT HADLOCK -- Washington State University's Extension Center faces deep cutbacks in state funding that could curtail its programs offered in Jefferson County. Katherine Baril,… Continue reading

Jefferson hospital officials travel to workshop in Atlanta

PORT TOWNSEND -- Jefferson Healthcare commissioners said that their trip to Atlanta was exactly what they needed. But this was no vacation. For nine hours… Continue reading

Jefferson PUD eyes Port Townsend city water

The Jefferson County Public Utility District wants to buy some of the city of Port Townsend's water, but city officials aren't sure they want to… Continue reading

Roadblocks constitutional, Border Patrol agents tell forum in Chimacum

CHIMACUM -- Border Patrol checkpoints do not violate constitutional rights, three agents told about 60 people at a presentation hosted by the GOP of Jefferson… Continue reading

Trouble brewing: Landmark Port Townsend ale house falls on hard times

PORT TOWNSEND -- The owners of the Water Street Brewing and Ale House will close the popular pub on March 11 if they can't pay… Continue reading

Company ready to open up to Port Ludlow residents about quarry proposal

PORT LUDLOW -- A proposed 142-acre basalt quarry near here is getting a public airing. A spokesman for Pope Resources said his company and Iron… Continue reading

Jefferson undersheriff says he’ll consider running now that Brasfield is retiring

PORT HADLOCK -- Mike Brasfield, Jefferson County sheriff for six years, is turning in his badge. Brasfield, a Democrat who began his second four-year term… Continue reading

Both sides on Border Patrol controversy demonstrate at key highway junction

DISCOVERY BAY -- About 50 people at the intersection of U.S. 101 and state Highway 20 carried signs on Saturday afternoon protesting stepped-up Border Patrol… Continue reading

Film festival unveils artwork for 10th season

PORT TOWNSEND -- The Port Townsend Film Festival is going back to its roots. On Thursday night, festival organizers unveiled the artwork for its poster… Continue reading

Dicks asks Homeland Security secretary for review of Border Patrol activity on North Olympic Peninsula

U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks has requested that the head of the federal Department of Homeland Security review Border Patrol activity on the North Olympic Peninsula.… Continue reading

Holding the fort may be a tough sell in Olympia if the old fort’s name is Townsend

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series about the two state parks on the North Olympic Peninsula that are in danger of… Continue reading