Joe Smillie

Olympic Animal Sanctuary director talking to groups in Utah, New York about placing dogs [Corrected]

FORKS –– Olympic Animal Sanctuary Director Steve Markwell said Wednesday he has had conversations with two animal rescue organizations about finding new places for the… Continue reading

UPDATED — Animal rescue group expects to accept several Olympic Animal Shelter dogs

FORKS –– Utah dog rescue organization Best Friends Animal Society will accept some of the 125 dogs from Steve Markwell's embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary. “Assuming… Continue reading

UPDATE — Olympic Animal Sanctuary director talking to groups in Utah, New York about placing dogs

FORKS –– Olympic Animal Sanctuary Director Steve Markwell said Wednesday he has had conversations with two animal rescue organizations about finding new places for the… Continue reading

The sole employee of Steve Markwell's Olympic Animal Sanctuary

‘Not fast enough,’ protesters of dog shelter say of plans to move animals, close

FORKS — Critics of Steve Markwell's dog shelter said their protests outside the pink warehouse that currently houses the dogs will continue despite his announcement… Continue reading

The sole employee of Steve Markwell's Olympic Animal Sanctuary
Steve Markwell interacts with dogs at his Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks during a visit by a Peninsula Daily News reporter in October. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks to close, and its operator wants to send the dogs to Utah

FORKS –– Citing weariness with protests, the owner of the embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks announced plans Saturday to close up shop and wants… Continue reading

Steve Markwell interacts with dogs at his Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks during a visit by a Peninsula Daily News reporter in October. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News
LeRoy the pit bull that is at the center of essentially a custody battle between Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks and the Seattle-based Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation

LeRoy the pit bull granted another week in Forks

PORT ANGELES –– LeRoy the pit bull can stay at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks for at least another week. Clallam County Superior Court… Continue reading

LeRoy the pit bull that is at the center of essentially a custody battle between Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks and the Seattle-based Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation

Olympic Animal Sanctuary to close, its operator says

FORKS –– Citing weariness with protests, the owner of the embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks announced plans Saturday to close up shop and wants… Continue reading

LeRoy the pit bull that is at the center of essentially a custody battle between Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks and the Seattle-based Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation

LeRoy the pit bull granted another week in Forks

PORT ANGELES –– LeRoy the pit bull can stay at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks for at least another week. Clallam County Superior Court… Continue reading

LeRoy the pit bull that is at the center of essentially a custody battle between Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks and the Seattle-based Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation
Pickets stand outside in the Forks rain in front of the Olympic Animal Sanctuary (background). Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Owner of Forks dog sanctuary freed from jail on own recognizance; due in court today in custody session for Leroy the pit bull

FORKS — The executive director of the embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary was arrested Thursday after he allegedly kicked the car of one of the protesters… Continue reading

Pickets stand outside in the Forks rain in front of the Olympic Animal Sanctuary (background). Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Ex-donor sues embattled Forks dog sanctuary over her $50,000 donation

PORT ANGELES –– A former donor has filed suit against Steve Markwell’s embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary, claiming that a $50,000 donation to help build a… Continue reading

Forks dog sanctuary owner arrested

FORKS — Steve Markwell, executive director of the embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary, was arrested this morning after police officers saw him allegedly kick the car… Continue reading

Forks Police Administrator Rick Bart

Lawmen in Forks confronted by dog shelter protester after Chamber of Commerce luncheon

FORKS — City Police Administrator Rick Bart and Sheriff Bill Benedict reiterated Wednesday that they have no cause to investigate Steve Markwell’s dangerous-dog shelter in… Continue reading

Forks Police Administrator Rick Bart
Pickets stand outside in the Forks rain in front of the Olympic Animal Sanctuary (background). Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Owner of Forks dog sanctuary freed from jail on own recognizance; due in court today in custody session for Leroy the pit bull

FORKS — The executive director of the embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary was arrested Thursday after he allegedly kicked the car of one of the protesters… Continue reading

Pickets stand outside in the Forks rain in front of the Olympic Animal Sanctuary (background). Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Ex-donor sues embattled Forks dog sanctuary over her $50,000 donation

PORT ANGELES –– A former donor has filed suit against Steve Markwell’s embattled Olympic Animal Sanctuary, claiming that a $50,000 donation to help build a… Continue reading

Forks Police Administrator Rick Bart

Lawmen in Forks confronted by dog shelter protester after Chamber of Commerce luncheon

FORKS — City Police Administrator Rick Bart and Sheriff Bill Benedict reiterated Wednesday that they have no cause to investigate Steve Markwell’s dangerous-dog shelter in… Continue reading

Forks Police Administrator Rick Bart
The winning design by Integrus Architecture and Lydig Construction. City of Sequim

Sequim goes back to its rural roots for civic center design

SEQUIM –– A barn-style design said to be inspired by the bunchgrasses of the Sequim prairie was selected unanimously as the new civic center by… Continue reading

The winning design by Integrus Architecture and Lydig Construction. City of Sequim

Protester of dog shelter in Forks arrested for violating restraining order

FORKS – One of two protesters demanding the release of a dog named Sonny from Steve Markwell’s Olympic Animal Sanctuary was scheduled to appear in… Continue reading

The winning design by Integrus Architecture and Lydig Construction.

Sequim picks its design for the new City Hall and police headquarters

SEQUIM –– A barn-style design said inspired by the bunchgrasses of the Sequim prairie was selected unanimously as the new civic center by the City… Continue reading

The winning design by Integrus Architecture and Lydig Construction.

Ecology to pay for water use credits in Dungeness watershed

PORT ANGELES –– The state will continue to pay for certificates required under the Dungeness Water Rule for new water users in the Dungeness Valley.… Continue reading

Looking for a city office in Sequim? Temporary locations while new civic center is built

SEQUIM –– City Hall moved over the weekend to two locations as officials prepare for construction of a new $15 million civic center. Offices are… Continue reading