Erik Hidle

Mountain View Elementary School to close in 2009

PORT TOWNSEND ¬­-- Mountain View Elementary won't be seeing another first day of school. The campus at Walker and Blaine streets will close for good… Continue reading

Economic hardship increasing number of homeless animals

QUILCENE -- Second Chance Ranch does exactly what the name implies: gives animals a second chance. For some, it's the chance to be adopted and… Continue reading

Hundreds turn out in Port Townsend for a ‘warm’ welcome for Santa Claus

PORT TOWNSEND -- A light drizzle wasn't going to stop Santa Claus from showing up in Port Townsend on Saturday night. In fact, the absence… Continue reading

Mill to close for at least 10 days; no pay for idled workers

PORT TOWNSEND -- The Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill will close Dec. 19 for at least 10 days, the manager said, and if sales don't… Continue reading

Burglar breaks into Port Townsend courthouse — but there’s nothing in the safe

PORT TOWNSEND -- Shortly after a failed Wednesday morning heist, a would-be burglar returned to the scene of the crime in handcuffs, Port Townsend police… Continue reading

Port Townsend designer sheds common ideas about ordinary homes

PORT TOWNSEND -- Architect Randy Fox wants to change the way people live. A new creation by the Port Townsend building designer is questioning some… Continue reading

A big green giant arrives in downtown Port Townsend; it’ll soon glow in lights

PORT TOWNSEND ¬­-- The frail beauty of the Haller Fountain statue is about to be trumped by a big, green giant. The Port Townsend community… Continue reading

Retailers in Port Townsend/Jefferson County break the dawn’s early light today

Jefferson County shoppers can expect the same treatment at home as shoppers nationwide will receive today: early morning hours, reduced prices and special sales. Hadlock… Continue reading

New East Jefferson fire chief sees his job as ‘a perfect fit’

PORT TOWNSEND -- After a year without a permanent fire chief, East Jefferson Fire Rescue, Jefferson County's largest fire district, will welcome a new leader… Continue reading

No-shooting zone expanded in Jefferson

IRONDALE -- Hunters take note: There is a new spot in Jefferson County where the use of guns is now prohibited. County commissioners Monday unanimously… Continue reading

Gas prices good news of the bad economy; how low will they go?

Experts are saying drivers can thank the struggling national economy for low gasoline prices, both nationally and close to home on the North Olympic Peninsula.… Continue reading

Jefferson fire chief contract on board’s agenda Tuesday

The East Jefferson Fire Rescue board may offer a fire chief contract to one of its final candidates on Tuesday. Charles "Chuck" Tandy has been… Continue reading

Pope Resources seeks to reassure group on plans for land after swap with state

CHIMACUM -- Residents expressed wariness of a proposed land swap of more than 4,000 acres of forest between the state Department of Natural Resources and… Continue reading

Brinnon man — a citizen — faces Border Patrol over misdemeanor drug investigation

The U.S. Attorney's Office said it will not prosecute misdemeanor drug possession cases filed by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Federal charges against at least five… Continue reading

Jefferson, public mull ideas on county parks

PORT TOWNSEND -- Four community meetings in the last week have taught Jefferson County's Parks and Recreation manager that people really care about the county's… Continue reading

Port Townsend paper mill installs its own weather station

PORT TOWNSEND -- Port Townsend Paper Corp. is now in the weather business. The local paper mill has installed a weather surveying system on top… Continue reading

Port Townsend pool expected to stay open at least through end of year

PORT TOWNSEND -- The only public swimming pool in East Jefferson County is expected to stay open at least until the end of the year,… Continue reading

‘Shields here but unable to respond’: 100 gather to remember Medal of Honor winner and all veterans

GARDINER -- It is said that Medal of Honor recipient Marvin G. Shields stood in the Gardiner Cemetery years ago and told his brother that… Continue reading

Jefferson sheriff’s deputy who drove patrol car while drunk is fired

PORT HADLOCK -- A Jefferson County sheriff's deputy has been fired after an internal investigation found that he showed up to work drunk Oct. 30.… Continue reading

Chimacum gas station’s $2.299 sets a new pace for Peninsula

Josh Lee knows he has the cheapest gasoline in Chimacum. He also said he has the lowest price for a gallon of regular unleaded on… Continue reading