Kathy Cruz

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Eric and Tina Thomson, owners of Tedesco’s Italian Fresh, moved to Sequim in 2016. They fell in love with the area after they visited Tina’s son, Dustin Miller, who is the restaurant’s bar manager. Eric serves on the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, and he and his family support several local causes. (Monica Berkseth/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Tedesco’s restaurant built on family name

Owners, support WAG, food bank and other local causes

 

Director Bill Stone, far left, observes as the full cast of “Death Perception,” written by John Painter, rehearses the week before the launch of the New Works Showcase at Olympic Theatre Arts in Sequim. The cast is, from left, Veronica Konecnik, Jory Kahn, Simon Close, Joel Swenning and Rebecca Maberry. (Monica Berkseth)

Olympic Theatre Arts to host New Works Showcase

Works by eight local playwrights featured

 

Every holiday season, crews string colorful Christmas lights on every shrub and tree at 7 Cedars and other Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe properties. (Patrick Walker/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

7 Cedars casino to offer Holiday Light Tours

Plans expected to boost offseason tourism, chamber director says

 

Bagpiper Rick McKenzie, who performed “Amazing Grace” during the 2023 regional Veterans Day ceremony in the hanger at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, is scheduled to perform at this year’s ceremony, which will be held at the Port Angeles High School auditorium due to the federal government shutdown. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

Veterans Day event moved to Port Angeles High School auditorium

Ceremony moved from air station due to federal government shutdown

Bagpiper Rick McKenzie, who performed “Amazing Grace” during the 2023 regional Veterans Day ceremony in the hanger at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, is scheduled to perform at this year’s ceremony, which will be held at the Port Angeles High School auditorium due to the federal government shutdown. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Judy Lange stands in the craft store at the Shipley Center amid items made by the fiber arts group she leads. Items from the store will be sold at the Shipley Center Holiday Bazaar scheduled for Friday and Saturday. (Reba Renner)

Shipley Center kicks off holiday bazaars

Vendors to sell items Friday and Saturday

Judy Lange stands in the craft store at the Shipley Center amid items made by the fiber arts group she leads. Items from the store will be sold at the Shipley Center Holiday Bazaar scheduled for Friday and Saturday. (Reba Renner)

Attempted murder trial delayed

Competency hearing set for Jan. 9, 2026

Kat Malcom, child nutrition director for the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, prepares chicken enchilada wraps for distribution to children throughout Sequim. During the months of June and July, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula provided more than 16,000 meals and snacks to children in Sequim and Port Angeles. (Jacques Star/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Teens help provide thousands of meals this summer

Boys Girls Clubs of Olympic Peninsula steps in with program

Kat Malcom, child nutrition director for the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, prepares chicken enchilada wraps for distribution to children throughout Sequim. During the months of June and July, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula provided more than 16,000 meals and snacks to children in Sequim and Port Angeles. (Jacques Star/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Tyler Carey and Lenara, 4, fly a kite together at Olympic Bluffs Cidery & Lavender Farm during Sequim Lavender Weekend last month. Olympic Bluffs is one of the sites visited throughout the summer by American Cruise Lines passengers through van excursions spearheaded by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Nationwide tourism downturn may have little impact on Peninsula

While others may be facing closure, area attractions thriving

Tyler Carey and Lenara, 4, fly a kite together at Olympic Bluffs Cidery & Lavender Farm during Sequim Lavender Weekend last month. Olympic Bluffs is one of the sites visited throughout the summer by American Cruise Lines passengers through van excursions spearheaded by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Tammy Blessing holds up her cell phone through which she is communicating with her daughter, Taylor White. She and her husband Cassidy Blessing (behind her) shop for a new pair of school shoes for Taylor with a gift card provided by H.U.M.A.N., a new Sequim nonprofit created by Cassidy’s former bosses, Darrin and Alicia Liggins. (Jacques Star/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Nonprofit provides students with shoes for school

Shopping event provides 25 kids with $100 gift cards

Tammy Blessing holds up her cell phone through which she is communicating with her daughter, Taylor White. She and her husband Cassidy Blessing (behind her) shop for a new pair of school shoes for Taylor with a gift card provided by H.U.M.A.N., a new Sequim nonprofit created by Cassidy’s former bosses, Darrin and Alicia Liggins. (Jacques Star/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Trinity UMC to start safe parking program

Partnership will help those living in vehicles

Sequim nets $500K in grant funds to revamp park

New playground will be for kids of all abilities

Vintage at Sequim, 1009 W. Brackett Road, is among five apartment complexes in Western Washington that have been sued by the state attorney general, along with their California-based management company, for allegedly engaging in unfair and deceptive practices that have impacted senior tenants. (Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Complex for seniors sued by AG

Executive says company follows letter, spirit of law

Vintage at Sequim, 1009 W. Brackett Road, is among five apartment complexes in Western Washington that have been sued by the state attorney general, along with their California-based management company, for allegedly engaging in unfair and deceptive practices that have impacted senior tenants. (Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Suzan Mannisto, co-manager of Pioneer Memorial Park, introduces the “Pathway Accessible to All Project” as Sequim Irrigation Festival Prince Malachi Byrne looks on. (Sequim Prairie Garden Club)

Garden Club launches path at Pioneer Memorial Park

Organization seeking additional grants, fundraising

Suzan Mannisto, co-manager of Pioneer Memorial Park, introduces the “Pathway Accessible to All Project” as Sequim Irrigation Festival Prince Malachi Byrne looks on. (Sequim Prairie Garden Club)
Frank Nicholson and David Martel.

Veterans in Warrior Bike program to pass through Peninsula towns

Community asked to welcome, provide lodging this summer

Frank Nicholson and David Martel.
The Hanshaw family is struggling under the weight of emotional and financial stressors brought by the recent diagnoses by doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital that have finally answered the question of why Ember, center, has always been frail. Shown with Ember are her parents, Jennifer and Tim Hanshaw, and 9-year-old sister Lena, who shares a hereditary condition with her father and sister. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim fifth-grader fights rare cluster of life-threatening diagnoses

Conditions affect one in more than 100 million, doctors say

The Hanshaw family is struggling under the weight of emotional and financial stressors brought by the recent diagnoses by doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital that have finally answered the question of why Ember, center, has always been frail. Shown with Ember are her parents, Jennifer and Tim Hanshaw, and 9-year-old sister Lena, who shares a hereditary condition with her father and sister. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce honored four citizens during a luncheon at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course. Volunteer events photographer Ron Stecker, left, was named Citizen and the Year and philanthropist George Brown, right, was presented the Bill & Esther Littlejohn Humanitarian Award. Clallam County Fire District 3 volunteer Blaine Zechenelly, second from left, and Sequim Wheelers founder Nicole Lepping, second from right, were among the Citizen of the Year finalists. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim chamber names Citizen, Humanitarian of Year

Winners for 2024 announced at annual awards luncheon

The Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce honored four citizens during a luncheon at Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course. Volunteer events photographer Ron Stecker, left, was named Citizen and the Year and philanthropist George Brown, right, was presented the Bill & Esther Littlejohn Humanitarian Award. Clallam County Fire District 3 volunteer Blaine Zechenelly, second from left, and Sequim Wheelers founder Nicole Lepping, second from right, were among the Citizen of the Year finalists. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)

Opponents want park to stay day use

State updates plan for Miller Peninsula

The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)
Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.

‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that includes those with disabilities, was dropped off at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church by… Continue reading

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
Rod Dirks enjoys affection from his 2-year-old daughter Maeli, who expresses confidence that doctors will heal her dad’s cancer. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim man fighting rare form of cancer

Family faces uncertainty buoyed by community support

Rod Dirks enjoys affection from his 2-year-old daughter Maeli, who expresses confidence that doctors will heal her dad’s cancer. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)