Columbia Bank Opening New Branch in Port Angeles

The former Westsound Bank location, at East Front Street and Albert, will reopen on October 24th as a branch of Columbia Bank.

Columbia Bank's current Port Angeles branch, located inside the Lincoln Street Safeway, will close in October.

Uproar Over Lincoln Park Tree Removal

There's a groundswell of opposition to the proposed removal of trees from Lincoln Park. The City Council has approved the removal of up to 45 trees. These trees won't be removed until three years from now, when the Lincoln Park Master Plan has been completed.

The Port of Port Angeles wants the trees removed because they're in the way of the landing approach to William F. Fairchild International Airport.

Fluoride Lawsuit Dismissed

Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser has dismissed the lawsuit against using fluoride in Port Angeles' and Forks' drinking water.

The case went to Judge Verser because of a potential conflict of interest among Clallam County judges. The plaintiffs in the case were Clallam County Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, Protect the Peninsula’s Future and retired physician Eloise Kailin.

Peninsula Plywood Raises More Funds

Peninsula Plywood will receive about half of a $500,000 grant which it will need to stay afloat.

The City is expecting $212,500 this week from the state Department of Commerce. In order to receive the rest of the grant money, PenPly will need to raise $470,000 over the next two months.

2011 Concerts on the Pier

The 2011 Concerts on the Pier series begins next Wednesday, June 22nd. All performances are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The schedule is:

June 22: Deadwood Revival (Folk, Bluegrass)

June 29: Locust Street Taxi (Ska, Pop and Swing)

July 6: Blackberry Bushes Stringband of Seattle (Bluegrass)

July 13: Vocalist Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz (Jazz Classics)

July 20: The Starlings (Americana and Folk)

July 27: Abby Mae & the Homeschool Boys (Appalachian Folk)

Aug. 3: Bound to Happen (Rock and Roll)

Aug. 10: Cody Rentas Band (Blues)

Aug. 17: Olympic Express (Big Band Swing)

Aug. 24: Sequimarimba (Marimba)

Aug. 31: SuperTrees (Rock and Roll)

Sept. 7: Ranger & the Re-Arrangers (Gypsy Jazz)

Police Cracking Down on Anonymous Precious Metals/Jewelry Sales

Pawn shops have to require identification from people who are selling precious metals, coins or jewelry. This is to prevent stolen property from being pawned.

Two days ago Port Angeles Police cracked down on Precious Gems and Metals of Wabash, Ind., which had been operating out of the Red Lion. A plainclothes officer purchased an item and wasn't asked for identification. The Downtown Resource Officer said:

“I did not make a custodial arrest, but I collected all their information. I’m going to be referring them for charges with the city prosecuting attorney...I arrest people for pawning stolen property.”

Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for transient pawn brokers who don't ask for ID or care who the seller is.

2011 Local Elections

Here are the candidates in the upcoming primary and general elections in Clallam and Jefferson Counties.

Jim Hallett Running for Port of Port Angeles Position

Jim Hallett, former mayor of Port Angeles and current president of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, will run for the District Number 2 position on the Port of Port Angeles commission.

This position is currently held by George Schoenfeldt.

City Council Approves $500,000 Grant Application for PenPly

PenPly would use this state Department of Commerce grant for purchasing raw materials, hiring 15 to 20 new employees and paying some overdue bills. Grant Munro, investor and former City Council member, said:

“Without this grant, PenPly may not make it. With this grant, PenPly will make it for another three to four months at least.”

Nathan West, economic and community development director, told the City Council that the Commerce Department plans to approve the grant and will get the money to the mill in the next few days.

All-Week Access to Hurricane Ridge Next Winter?

This past winter, visits to Hurricane Ridge were up 12% over the previous 5-year average. The all-week schedule was made possible by a $250,000 commitment from the federal Interior Department and $75,000 which was raised locally.

The Interior Department is willing to contribute the same amount again this year, as part of a two- to three-year trial basis. But will local civic leaders be able to raise the necessary $75,000 again?

Country Aire Buying Gottschalks Building

The owners of Country Aire have offered $650,000 to K.O. Erickson Trust, which owns the building where Gottschalks used to be. And the offer has been accepted.

Country Aire will probably move into the former Gottschalks location by late September.