News

The North Olympic Library System has released a video that highlights the progress being made on construction of the new Sequim library and showcases architectural illustrations of what library users can anticipate when the new facility is completed next spring.  The new facility will nearly double the library’s size from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet. It’s estimated the total project will cost around $10.6 million. After failing to gain voter approval for a bond measure in 2018 for the new library by a slim margin of only one percent, reaching 59 percent when it needed 60, the project was able to secure alternative funding through grants, timber revenue from DNR managed state trust lands, and community donations to continue with the project without a new bond or levy. 

To watch the video tour, read construction updates or support the new Sequim Library, visit NOLS.org/Sequim.

Upwards of 250 to 300 people attended a public meeting Monday at the 7 Cedars Resort to learn more about a planned project to build a multi-use waterfront community on 160 acres of property adjacent to the John Wayne Marina. Known as the “Sequim Bay West Neighborhood”, it’s a 600 home project modeled after Seabrook, a resort startup community on the Washington coast in Grays Harbor County that’s grown to 600 homes in the past 20 years.  Seabrook CEO Casey Roloff told the gathering yesterday the project focuses on creating a walkable community with commercial retail sites surrounded by relatively dense residential properties with parks and open spaces.

“And now a lot of people are realizing with climate change, with the environment, that we need to build more compact walk able places. So the reality when you live in a walkable community, 70 percent of our vehicle trips are cut out of our lives because those places we would normally drive our car to now we’re walking to those places. So, again, compact walkable places they’re good for people, they’re good for the environment and it’s a smarter way to grow into the future.”

He says Monday's gathering was the third public meeting they’ve held about the project.

“This meeting tonight is actually mandated by the City of Sequim. One of the requirements to make an application is to have public meetings. We did our first two public meetings back in April. And that’s because we want to get out in front of it, we want to hear to hear questions. We want to hear concerns and those of you that were at that meeting hopefully know that we’ve been proactive and again, trying to answer your questions.”

Questions raised at Monday’s meeting ranged from concerns about availability of water, traffic congestion and who will be paying for sewer and water infrastructure costs. He said one of the requirements of the city is doing a complete traffic study before the final application can be turned in and they are still awaiting that. Anyone with additional questions or comments is encourage too submit those online at sequiminfo@seabrookwa.com

A Sequim resident was airlifted to the burn unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after being injured when fire destroyed a fifth-wheel trailer where he was living in a small RV park at 1192 Taylor Cut-Off Road just after noon Friday.

Crews from Clallam County Fire District #3, responding to reports of a structure fire in an RV just after noon Friday, arrived to find a fully involved fire and neighbors tending to a person lying on the ground nearby. Paramedics determined that a Life Flight helicopter would be needed to transport the victim to the burn center at Harborview.  The fire was quickly knocked down. Additional units and volunteer firefighters assisted with scene control, backup, and cleanup efforts.

Battalion Chief Chris Turner says the 35’ Companion Fifth Wheel and its contents were a total loss. Overall, approximately 1,100 gallons of water were used to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Olympic Ambulance and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also provided assistance.

An ER nurse in the Olympic Medical Center’s Emergency Department has been presented with an award for her compassionate care of a frightened little 7 year-old girl who been brought to the ER for emergency care. Mallary Morris was presented with the hospital’s DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. It was created as a unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Morris was nominated for the award after the mother of the frightened girl wrote that her daughter ended up in the emergency room on one of the busiest night she has ever seen at the hospital. The mother is, herself, a hospital employee.  She says her daughter was nervous about an IV.  Nurse Morris, described as quiet and relaxed every time she entered the room in the midst of the busyness, made the quick decision to show the child how the IV process would go using the beanie baby bear her daughter had with her. When it was time to remove the IV, she once again used the process with her bear to show how it worked, making her daughter so calm she didn’t even flinch.  The mother wrote, “It was a game changer.  I cannot thank Mallary enough for the care and compassion she showed my child.”  She also wrote that she and her husband are no strangers to the hospital – they both work for OMC and her family has had to visit the ER on more than one occasion.  “Mallary,” she said, was by far the most amazing nurse we have ever met.”

Completion of construction on a parking lot at the Port Angeles City Hall is being lifted up as an example of a unique technology that paves the way toward improved environmental health and enhanced storm water management.  A PA City news release says the project is setting a new standard for future development on the Olympic Peninsula with consideration for on-site management. The project, largely paid for by a State Department of Ecology $1.43 million grant, provides significant improvements for storm water management and contributes to cleaner downstream waterways. It’s called a “Low Impact Development” project. It emphasizes the use of green infrastructure like permeable pavements, bioretention swales, and rain gardens to slow, filter, and infiltrate stormwater on site. By showcasing LID techniques, this project provides a model for how LID can be implemented to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements associated with new and re-development projects.

City Engineer Jonathan Boehme says “This unique project demonstrates how a parking lot can be built in a sustainable way that improves water quality in our urban streets.”  Public Works Director Mike Healy, “For years to come, the runoff from this rather large parking facility will be treated for contaminants prior to entering the receiving waters of Peabody Creek, thus improving the creek’s water quality and health.

The Sequim Police Department has a new patrol sergeant.  Police Officer Kyle Resser has been promoted to the position effective September 1. 

Sergeant Resser was hired as a Reserve Officer by the Sequim Police Department in 2015.   In 2016, he was hired as a full-time Police Officer and completed the 720-hour Criminal Justice Basic Law Enforcement Academy.  In his time with the department, Resser has worked as a Patrol Officer; Field Training Officer, training newly hired Officers after they completed the Washington State Police Academy; and for the past three years as the School Resource Officer.  As an Officer, Resser has received the Target Zero Traffic Safety and Life Saving awards and was selected as Officer of the Year in 2021 by the Sequim Police Department.

Police Chief Mike Hill says, “Kyle’s promotion to Sergeant is directly related to his shown ability to foster positive relationships with the school and broader community.  His proactive approach to policing combined with thorough casework has prepared Kyle well for his new role as Sergeant.”

As Resser moves into the role of Patrol Sergeant, Officer Daniel Martinez has been selected as the new School Resource Officer.

Original story from: https://www.sequimwa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1431 

Somewhat reminiscent of the Covid pandemic years, Clallam County health officials say there are so many new cases of the COVID-19 virus showing up in the community, multiple long term care facilities have now been confirmed as being in “outbreak” status.  Peninsula Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry says five facilities in the county – which are the majority of them – have now been classified as being in outbreak status.

“As far as what’s driving those outbreaks, probably the biggest contributor is just the amount of COVID-19 itself. There is quite a bit of COVID-19 transmission going on right now and the safety precautions that were in place during the height of the pandemic have been really relaxed significantly in long term care facilities. And some of that’s good. You know we want to make sure the people have visitors and can participate in activities and all those other critical things. But the more connections you have, the more likelihood that some of that virus gets in.

She says that one of the challenging changes since the lifting of the declaration of emergency is that staff in long term care facilities are not required to mask outside of an outbreak which has led to a lot of transmission.

“For the facilities that do have an outbreak in place, they are mandated to have masks and encourage patients to have masks as well. And quite a few other infection related protocols as well. So we’re working with all of that at this point. But it is concerning that our long-term residents are at high risk of severe disease.”

Even visitors are encouraged to wear masks.

“Yes. So if you are visiting a family member in a long term care facility it’s a really good idea to wear masks generally, but especially now to wear a high quality mask given that there is likely transmission of COVID-19 in that facility.”

In addition, it’s a good idea she says, to make sure when visiting that you are well in order to reduce any likelihood of bringing anything into the facility.

An outbreak is declared when it is confirmed five or more residents are documented that they got it in the facility.

The owner of the Gold Rush Jewelry and Coin store on the east side of Sequim in the 400 block of E. Washington Street has been arrested for investigation of multiple counts of theft and alleged unlawful issuance of bank checks (UIBC) leaving multiple customers owed over $100,000. Sequim Police with the assistance of OPNET, the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team served a search warrant at Gold Rush and Coin Thursday, August 29 related to numerous ongoing investigations of the business and owner Kurt Miller, according to a City of Sequim news release. A previous search warrant was served on a related financial account.

Over the past several months, multiple people in the community have reported that after selling, buying, or consigning precious metals at Gold Rush Jewelry and Coin they were paid by Miller in check (either in full or partial payment).  When some attempted to cash or deposit the checks, the checking account was alleged to have insufficient funds (NSF) leaving them without their precious metals or the money owed by Miller. All cases combined, there reportedly is well over $100,000 dollars allegedly owed. There are currently 19 identified victims, and there may be more. 

An ongoing investigation continues by the Sequim Police Department into other allegations of additional UIBC and theft crimes, according to the City news release.

The City of Sequim Arts Commission (SAC) has rolled out its newest public art initiative. It’s called a “Busking Spot” and will be located at the Seal Street Park in Sequim.  Busking is defined as a performance of music, dance, street theatre or art in a public space. The pilot program envisions providing acoustical musicians an approved location to perform in an informal capacity in the downtown shopping corridor. The Arts Commission hopes that this project will provide a welcoming, artful, and unique flair for visitors and community members as they wander downtown, while also providing opportunities to musicians in our community.  The spot will be available on a first come, first served basis. No permit or advanced sign-up to perform is required.  The SAC asks that acoustical musicians respect a two-hour set limit to be courteous to fellow musicians.  The City says additional “Busking Spot” locations may be added in the future.

Bail has been increased for a Port Angeles man arrested last weekend after a standoff with police that lasted nearly 12 hours, caused evacuation of nearby homes, brought in law enforcement personnel from nine city, county, state and federal agencies including multiple tactical elements, an armored vehicle, the Clallam County incident command vehicle, crisis negotiators and a cadre of law enforcement to contain the scene safely.

43-year Daniel Patrick Jacobs held off police while brandishing a shotgun Sunday following a police chase. He eluded officers for more than 20 miles in a chase that began on Highway 101 near Fairmont, winding through Little River Road, down Black Diamond Road and ending in a Port Angeles neighborhood at 16th and Pine streets but only after police disabled his vehicle with spike strips.  When he was originally booked into the Clallam County jail Sunday evening Bond was set at $12,250 with $1,250 dollars required to meet bail.  That has been revised now, increasing to a $22,500 bond, which would require $12,500 to be bailed out.

Crisis negotiators were able to talk to Jacobs by cellphone for hours. During the standoff he fired shots through the roof of his vehicle and three drones were deployed. He surrendered after multiple rounds of pepper balls were fired into his vehicle and then tear gas when he continued to be non-compliant.  He was booked into the jail on charges of Eluding a Police Vehicle, Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer, Malicious Mischief 3 DV, 4th Degree assault Domestic Violence and a failure to appear Warrant.