PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles School Board will consider approving the idea of a school-based health center when it meets Thursday.

The board will meet in regular session at 7 p.m. at the Central Services Building, at 216 E. Fourth St. A closed executive session is planned at 6:30 p.m.

The resolution the board will consider expresses support of a center, subject to approval of an agreement with the North Olympic Healthcare Network.

It also will consider approving a position of dean of students at Dry Creek Elementary School, high school graduation requirements and a policy concerning online learning.

The board will hear a report on lunch prices and on a state audit.

The board also will hear updates on truancy, the summer school plan and an extended 2016-17 school year from the director of special services.

Groundbreaking

PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula Housing Authority will celebrate the groundbreaking for eight new homes on the 1800 block of West 15th Street at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The event, at the construction site between K and M streets, is free and open to the public.

The homes will be built by families under the Mutual Self-Help Program, which entails that the families — who will be future residents — must work 32 hours per week on their and their neighbors’ homes until all eight are completed, according to a news release.

Those interested can volunteer up to 16 hours per week of work to help offset the program’s family weekly work requirement.

For more information, contact Carolyn Stimbery at 360-452-7631, ext. 882, or cstimbert@peninsulapha.org.

Phone town hall

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer will host a telephone town hall next Wednesday, June 14.

The town hall will begin at 6 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Kilmer a question or leave a message with their comments.

“It’s important to me that I hear directly from the people I represent,” Kilmer said. “It’s why in order to stay accountable and accessible every year, I hold a series of town halls in person and over the phone.

“I hope you’re able to participate in this upcoming call to share your ideas and concerns.”

Residents of the 6th District who would like to join the call can send an email to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov with their name and phone number by 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 13.

Residents who sign up before the deadline will receive a phone call June 14 inviting them to the town hall.

In 2017, Kilmer has held five town halls, including in Tacoma, Bremerton and Aberdeen, and on a ferry route from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. He also hosted four town halls recently at local colleges and universities in the region and a number of employee town halls at local businesses, most recently at Jefferson Healthcare hospital in Port Townsend.

In 2016, Kilmer held seven town hall meetings across the district.

Drink and Draw

PORT ANGELES — Drink and Draw, a free event for all ages, is planned at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Loom in Studio Bob, upstairs at 118½ E. Front St.

A model will pose for three 20-minute sessions.

Beer, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase.

Drawing supplies are available or bring your own.

Drink and Draw meets monthly on the Thursday just before Port Angeles Art Walk on the second weekend of the month.

5-1-1 travel info upgrade now ready

OLYMPIA — The state Department of Transportation will release an upgrade of the 5-1-1 travel information system today.

Regular callers will hear one noticeable change: A female voice is now used on the system. Upgrades to the voice recognition system also mean callers won’t have to use the touchtone menu items as often. All the other menus, features and options remain the same.

The 5-1-1 system offers information about statewide traffic incidents, mountain pass conditions, express lane status and statewide emergency messages.

Callers also can connect to neighboring states’ 5-1-1 systems and the Washington State Ferries reservation system, with details about schedules, fares and wait times.

More than 850,000 calls are made to 5-1-1 each year.

New location

SEQUIM — Coastal Farm & Ranch’s new location at 990 E. Washington St. will hold its grand opening through Sunday.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The grand opening is free and open to the public.

Performances by Sequim and Port Angeles high school cheerleaders, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, an ice-cream social and a 25-cent hamburger barbecue will be held.

Funds generated by the barbecue will benefit local Future Farmers of America and 4-H clubs.

For more information, phone 360-683-2135.