Joe Smillie

LARC gallery owner Shirley Mercer

Gallery opens space to artists in Sequim

SEQUIM –– Hammers pounded nails into freshly painted walls over the weekend as artists from across the North Olympic Peninsula hung their work inside the… Continue reading

LARC gallery owner Shirley Mercer

Hallmark shop in Sequim set to close after four decades; last one on Peninsula

SEQUIM –– For nearly four decades, Mike and Willa Phillips have been in the business of being thoughtful. Come next month, however, the couple will… Continue reading

Sequim elk still near highway but retreat into the woods

SEQUIM –– After three days of milling around in fields off U.S. Highway 101, the Dungeness herd of Roose­velt elk has retreated into the woods… Continue reading

Clallam County PUD Commissioner Hugh Haffner's 2009 Chevrolet Silverado sits in the woodpile where it came to a halt after Haffner drove off U.S. Highway 101 earlier this week. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Public utility district commissioner OK after single-car crash

SEQUIM –– Hugh Haffner, a Clallam County Public Utility District commissioner, was treated and discharged from Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles after driving his… Continue reading

Clallam County PUD Commissioner Hugh Haffner's 2009 Chevrolet Silverado sits in the woodpile where it came to a halt after Haffner drove off U.S. Highway 101 earlier this week. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Tourist attraction: People seek glimpses, photos of Sequim elk on the move

SEQUIM –– Hopeful photographers looked for the Dungeness herd of Roosevelt elk Thursday after the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office issued another advisory to drivers that… Continue reading

WEEKEND: Sequim to crown Irrigation Festival royalty Saturday

SEQUIM –– The oldest continuous festival in the state of Washington kicks off Saturday as four Sequim High School juniors vie for the title of… Continue reading

The Dungeness herd of Roosevelt elk relaxes Tuesday in Fred and Loretta Grant's field off Sequim Bay Road just east of Sequim. Drivers are being advised to keep a lookout for the elk trying to cross U.S. Highway 101

UPDATE — Be cautious: Sequim elk milling near Highway 101

ADVISORY FROM CLALLAM County Sheriff's Office this morning: Update on Sequim Elk Herd - They are approx. 400 yards from Hwy 101 in a field… Continue reading

The Dungeness herd of Roosevelt elk relaxes Tuesday in Fred and Loretta Grant's field off Sequim Bay Road just east of Sequim. Drivers are being advised to keep a lookout for the elk trying to cross U.S. Highway 101
Hugh Haffner's pickup truck rests at the woodpile it crashed into Wednesday afternoon. The Clallam County Public Utility District commissioner was taken to a hospital. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Clallam PUD commissioner stable after driving off U.S. 101, crashing into woodpile

SEQUIM –– Clallam County Public Utility District Commissioner Hugh Haffner was taken to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles and was reported in stable condition… Continue reading

Hugh Haffner's pickup truck rests at the woodpile it crashed into Wednesday afternoon. The Clallam County Public Utility District commissioner was taken to a hospital. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News
Kyle Sholinder and Max

Real love to the Max: Benefit concert for ailing dog organized by Port Angeles teenager

PORT ANGELES — The “Save Max” benefit concert planned by local teen Kyle Sholinder to raise funds for a surgery for his 5-year-old dog Max… Continue reading

Kyle Sholinder and Max
Hugh Haffner’s pickup truck rests at the woodpile it crashed into this afternoon. The Clallam County Public Utility District commissioner was taken to a hospital.  -- Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Clallam PUD commissioner stable after driving off U.S. 101, crashing into woodpile

SEQUIM –– Clallam County Public Utility District Commissioner Hugh Haffner was taken to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles and was reported in stable condition… Continue reading

Hugh Haffner’s pickup truck rests at the woodpile it crashed into this afternoon. The Clallam County Public Utility District commissioner was taken to a hospital.  -- Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News
American Legion Post Cmdr. Joe Carey displays the Mayan-themed poster and souvenir tasting glass each Strange Brewfest attendee will receive with his or her admission.  -- Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

It’s a new era for suds at this weekend’s Strange Brewfest

PORT TOWNSEND –– The ninth annual Strange Brewfest begins Friday, and organizers are hoping it signals the beginning of a new era of beer-based enlightenment.… Continue reading

American Legion Post Cmdr. Joe Carey displays the Mayan-themed poster and souvenir tasting glass each Strange Brewfest attendee will receive with his or her admission.  -- Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Sequim citizen group lobbies two levies’ passage

SEQUIM –– One day before ballots are set to hit the mail, Citizens for Sequim Schools worked to rally support from business leaders for the… Continue reading

Olympic Peninsula Academy plans a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Wednesday to mark its move into remodeled classrooms inside this 1979 building located at 221 W. Fir St. in Sequim.  -- Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Olympic Peninsula Academy to cut ribbon on new site

SEQUIM — School officials will cut the ribbon on a new site for the Olympic Peninsula Academy at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The public is invited… Continue reading

Olympic Peninsula Academy plans a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Wednesday to mark its move into remodeled classrooms inside this 1979 building located at 221 W. Fir St. in Sequim.  -- Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Port Hadlock store caters to do-it-yourself beer brewers

PORT HADLOCK — Just in time for the dark days of winter, Blackbird Homebrew opened its doors for the do-it-yourself brewmeister. “It’s a great time… Continue reading

Judy Kowalski and John Gabel   [Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News]

Spice shop owners invite sniffing — it fits to to a tea

PORT TOWNSEND –– Judy Kowalski and Jon Gabel brought the flavors of the world to Port Townsend last month when the couple opened the doors… Continue reading

Judy Kowalski and John Gabel   [Photo by Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News]
Dave LeRoux of Discovery Trail Farm

No lawn-watering for some? Costs outlined under Dungeness water rule

SEQUIM –– Property owners in much of rural East Clallam County who want to drill new wells to build homes will have to spend an… Continue reading

Dave LeRoux of Discovery Trail Farm
The 40-year-old trees were deemed a hazard after one of them was blown onto power lines in December during a storm. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

PUD cuts down 340 poplars on Kitchen-Dick Road

CARLSBORG — A stand of some 340 poplars along Kitchen-Dick Road, planted in the 1970s, was cut down this week by crews with the Clallam… Continue reading

The 40-year-old trees were deemed a hazard after one of them was blown onto power lines in December during a storm. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

School levies forum slated in Sequim tonight

SEQUIM –– School district officials spoke to about a half-dozen people about two levies on the Feb. 12 special election ballot earlier this week and… Continue reading

Jim Nyby checks out books for patron Jeanette Mifsud of Quilcene at the temporary quarters of the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock. It was once a yarn shop. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Temporary Jefferson library: Selling yarns of a different sort

PORT HADLOCK — While its permanent Port Hadlock headquarters undergo a $700,000 remodeling, Jefferson County Library's patrons are finding their way to its cozy temporary… Continue reading

Jim Nyby checks out books for patron Jeanette Mifsud of Quilcene at the temporary quarters of the Jefferson County Library in Port Hadlock. It was once a yarn shop. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
Genaveve Starr is sworn in Monday night by Sequim City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News

Newest Sequim City Council member sworn in

SEQUIM — Genaveve Starr was sworn in as the newest member of the Sequim City Council on Monday night. After interviewing the five candidates and… Continue reading

Genaveve Starr is sworn in Monday night by Sequim City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese. Joe Smillie/Peninsula Daily News