City Council Discusses Retail-Needs Study

The Port Angeles City Council might conduct a retail analysis of Port Angeles and a 15-mile radius outside the city. The study would hopefully find out:

Why more residents don't shop locally;

How current businesses can expand; and

What types of businesses are most likely to succeed in Port Angeles.

Increase in Log Exports from North Olympic Peninsula

China's increased demand for wood products has given a boost to log exports from the North Olympic Peninsula. The vice president and general manager of Merrill & Ring of Port Angeles said:

“China is, as they say, red hot. We get calls from three or four people a week wanting to buy logs from us. Somebody’s got a friend who’s related to somebody in China and they want to buy logs. It’s a bit of a gold rush mentality right now. I don’t know when it will change, but let’s hope it doesn’t. The wood that’s going there . . . is primarily for forming material that they use to make the concrete housing units, also for packaging and pallet material.”

Dan Di Guilio to be Temporary General Manager of Jefferson Transit

Port Angeles Mayor Dan Di Guilio will be the temporary General Manager of Jefferson Transit. He will replace Peggy Hanson, who has resigned.

Di Guilio used to be the General Manager of Clallam Transit, retiring in 2004. His temporary assignment in Jefferson County might last through the end of 2011.

Sprint Boat Races Approved by Planning Commission

The Port Angeles Planning Commission gave unanimous approval for A2Z Enterprises to build a sprint boat race track near Fairchild Airport, and to hold events there. The track is expected to be finished by July, and the sprint boat race finals will be held on September 17th.

A2Z Enterprises is expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people to attend the race.

Hidden Cameras Might Catch Illegal Dumpers

People who dump their garbage, old furniture, cars, etc. on state lands might be caught on camera. Wayne Fitzwater, Olympic region natural resource specialist for the DNR, said:

“Pretty much any forest road you can go down and find a dump site...It ebbs and flows — you see a lot more toward the end of the month when people are moving and trying to avoid the cost of taking the stuff to a transfer station. We are definitely increasing surveillance. We cannot spend all the money we have been to be constantly cleaning it up. We will have the cameras out there and be doing a lot more enforcement.”

This website has more information.

Port Angeles Historic District Approved by State

Washington State's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has approved the creation of the Port Angeles Civic Historical District.

The district consists of three buildings on Lincoln Street: the original Clallam County Courthouse building, the Museum at the Carnegie, and the building that has previously been the council chambers, jail and fire hall.

Huge Price Increase for P.A. Waterfront Improvement Plan

The cost just went way up for the Waterfront and Transportation Improvement Plan. It will cost an additional $700,000, bringing the total to $ 1.7 million.

The City Council voted unanimously to approve the additional funding.

Kent Myers Finalist for Job in Missouri

City Manager Kent Myers is one of four finalists for the top administrative post in Columbia, MO.

The previous city manager of Columbia was making $150,000 a year, but Columbia's mayor said the salary would probably be increased in order to attract the best candidates.

Columbia's population is 108,500.

Unemployment Up on North Olympic Peninsula

Clallam County's unemployment rate is at 11.5% as of January; up from 10.1%.

In Jefferson County it's 10.7%; up from 9.4%.

But on the bright side, first time unemployment claims are slightly down. In Clallam County there were 781 new claims in January; down from 893 the previous month. In Jefferson County, there were 204 new claims; 248 the previous month.

Kalaloch Razor Clamming Suspended for Season

The Kalaloch Beach razor clam fishery has been closed for the rest of the season in order to protect the declining razor clam population.

Black Ball Ferry Purchases Victoria Express

Black Ball Ferry Lines, which operates the MV Coho, is purchasing the business operations of Victoria Express, which has been owned by Victoria Rapid Transit, Inc.

The principals of Victoria Rapid Transit, Inc. will be launching a new Explorer Series of tours out of Port Angeles. Jack Harmon, president of Victoria Rapid Transit, Inc. said:

“The Explorer Series sailings will present opportunities to explore the ecological and cultural wonders of our region, an area that is significantly under-recognized for its amazing beauty and opportunities.”

Programs and Positions Eliminated at Peninsula College

This isn't exactly "news" but it finally made it to the PDN. Peninsula College will be eliminating 17 full-time positions, five part-time positions and several programs. Programs on the chopping block include fisheries studies and a massage program.

The college will also be enrolling fifty fewer full-time students.

Clallam Transit Service Reduction

Clallam Transit has eliminated several low-ridership bus trips because of their $400,000 budget deficit. The cuts will take effect in April.

This article lists the bus trips that will be eliminated.