Jeff Chew

PSE contributions to anti-PUD campaign jump in Jefferson County

PORT TOWNSEND -- Puget Sound Energy contributions have jumped to more than $237,000 in the power company's high-voltage campaign to sway voters from putting electric-service… Continue reading

State to nix Gardiner passing lane project

GARDINER ¬­-- The brakes appear to have been slammed on a $3 million project to widen a stretch of U.S. Highway 101 for a truck-climbing… Continue reading

Static in the power line: Some in Jefferson County think PUD takeover of electricity service too costly

PORT TOWNSEND — Switching East Jefferson County electrical service from Puget Sound Energy to Jefferson County Public Utility District would cost too much, say Port… Continue reading

Worries aired about Navy test range expansion

QUILCENE -- East Jefferson County residents told Navy officials at a public hearing that they worried that an expanded undersea warfare test range in Hood… Continue reading

Port Townsend to lose car ferry service, possibly near holidays

PORT TOWNSEND — Maintenance work on the Steilacoom II ferry, which is required by year's end, will mean the return of temporary passenger-only ferry service… Continue reading

Cash-strapped Jefferson County considers $5,000 to keep pool open

PORT TOWNSEND — Facing a general fund budget deficit of nearly $1.5 million, Jefferson County commissioners on Monday gave serious consideration to a request from… Continue reading

Jefferson County’s new administrator sits in — as an observer

PORT TOWNSEND — Voicing some apprehension about dropping into Jefferson County government during a difficult time of year — budget season — newly hired county… Continue reading

Building renovation has historical link with family

PORT TOWNSEND — Barbara Blowers is far from clamming up about her family's long, colorful history at the newly restored, turn-of-the-20th century clam cannery building… Continue reading

State lands boss views creosote-laden pilings pull firsthand

MARROWSTONE ISLAND — Hearing that driftwood poisoned with creosote washes up on Jefferson County beaches and sometimes ends up in campfires, Commissioner of Public Lands… Continue reading

Policy group’s report backs power by PSE over PUDs

PORT TOWNSEND — It would be better to stick with Puget Sound Energy in Jefferson County, a Washington Policy Center analyst concluded in a report… Continue reading

Ads on transit buses spark questions about taking sides in Jefferson PUD power vote

PORT TOWNSEND — Passengers unhappy with political signs on Jefferson Transit buses will have to ride and bear it. The space is leased and the… Continue reading

Bailey quits Centrum job to key new role for Fort Worden State Park

PORT TOWNSEND — Thatcher Bailey has resigned as Centrum's executive director after five years in the position to form a task force and nonprofit organization… Continue reading

Brinnon senior nutrition program saved

BRINNON — The threat of closing Brinnon's senior nutrition program has been lifted, the Olympic Community Action Programs' executive director said. "They're off of red… Continue reading

Sen. Hargrove backs Port Townsend-Edmonds ferry

PORT TOWNSEND — State Sen. Jim Hargrove, unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election after 24 years as a state lawmaker, expressed support for a… Continue reading

Biking commuters to have safe place to store wheels

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson Transit bus and bicycle riders will be able to store their bikes in secured lockers at Haines Place Park and Ride… Continue reading

OlyCAP gets $800,000 check from federal agency

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County, Port Townsend and state elected leaders joined Olympic Community Action Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development officials on… Continue reading

Jefferson County Democratic Party endorses PUD power

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Democrats have overwhelmingly voted to endorse Proposition 1, which would grant Jefferson County Public Utility District the authority to provide… Continue reading

Rescue crew gets real training on windy Port Townsend Bay

PORT TOWNSEND — For East Jefferson Fire-Rescue's Marine Division rescue team Wednesday, it was a clear case of being in the right place at the… Continue reading

Jefferson County jail to house Port Gamble S’Klallam inmates

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County has struck an interagency agreement with the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe to house its jail inmates at Jefferson County Jail.… Continue reading

New no-shooting zones proposed in Jefferson County

CHIMACUM — The Jefferson County No Shooting Area Review Committee has outlined two new no-shooting zones surrounding Chimacum, Irondale and Port Hadlock's population centers, planning… Continue reading