NEWS BRIEFS: Investigators look at serial cat killings … and other items

OLYMPIA — Police say investigators are trying to determine whether a beheaded kitten’s head found this week is related to a series of cat killings in the area.

The Olympian reports Lacey police Cmdr. Jim Mack said the head was found in a wooded area near Clearbrook Drive Southeast and Yonkers Drive Southeast.

Thurston County Joint Animal Services is analyzing the remains. Mack said police also have seen coyotes in that area recently.

Cat corpses have been found in Thurston County mutilated by what authorities believe is a serial cat killer.

As of Thursday, the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in case had reached $21,000.

A house cat also was killed in Port Angeles in July. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

Flight operations scheduled for next week

COUPEVILLE — There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island at Ault Field midmorning to afternoon Tuesday.

Operations are also slated for mid to late morning Wednesday.

Comments, including

noise complaints, can be directed to the station’s

comment line at 360-257- 6665 or via email at comments.NASWI@navy.mil.

All other questions can be directed to the public affairs office at 360-257-2286.

Resources evening talk

FORKS — Olympic Natural Resources Center’s Evening Talk series will feature a presentation by Kim Sager-Fradkin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21.

Included in her presentation at the center, 1455 S. Forks Ave., will be results from four years of research on mortality factors impacting Columbian black-tailed deer on the Olympic Peninsula, with a study area focused on the Pysht Game Management Unit.

She will also discuss the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s latest cougar research project with a discussion about citizen involvement.

Sager-Fradkin is a Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Wildlife Program Manager and runs the tribe’s research, as well as wildlife monitoring programs.

Prior to joining the tribe’s Natural Resources Department in 2007, she worked in Olympic National Park for 10 years primarily studying black bears.

She has an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology from Humboldt State University and a Master’s of Science degree in wildlife from University of Idaho.

She lives in Port Angeles and spends her free time exploring the Olympic Peninsula with her husband, two young children and puppy.

Refreshments will be served and a potluck of your favorite dessert is encouraged, event organizers said.

For more information, contact Frank Hanson at 360-374-4556 or fsh2@uw.edu.

Grants available

The Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau is accepting applications for its latest round of 2018 Tourism Enhancement Grants.

Grants are awarded to qualified projects focusing on Clallam County tourism promotion.

The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 4. Applications, as well as their respective submission guidelines and information, can be accessed online by visiting www.olympicpeninsula.org.

Applications will be considered and reviewed by the OPVB board during its Wednesday, Sept. 19 meeting.

Funds for this grant program are derived from revenue generated by the hotel-motel tax on lodging facilities in unincorporated Clallam County, according to a news release.

Lodging tax revenue is designated for the promotion of tourism to encourage long-term economic growth through tourism-related projects or events that attract overnight guests to the destination, according to the release.

For more information, call OPVB Executive Director Marsha Massey at 360-452-8552.

Registration for business planning course

PORT TOWNSEND — The Economic Development Council of Jefferson County (EDC Team Jefferson) is offering an 11-week business planning course in September in Port Townsend.

Registration is required. To register, visit www.edcteamjefferson.org.

Tuition is payable online or by check, and partial tuition assistance may be available.

Jim Williams, a business planning expert, will lead the courses beginning Thursday, Sept. 6 at EDC’s Business Resource Center, 2409 Jefferson St., Suite A.

EDC Team Jefferson’s courses are designed for current business owners, as well as budding entrepreneurs.

Topics covered include creating a business plan, seeking funding resources, creating

marketing strategies and preparing to start or grow a business.

The EDC received a $10,000 grant from the Herbert B. Jones Foundation to help fund the courses.

Grant funds will offset expenses for students who enroll in courses during 2018-19.

The course is sponsored by Kitsap Bank and the North Olympic Development Council.

For more information, contact 360-379-4693 or admin@edcteamjefferson.org.

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