New Border Patrol Station Almost Ready

The Border Patrol might start moving into their new station as early as tomorrow. The new location, at 110 Penn Street, is a 19,000 square foot building that can house up to fifty agents. 

Port Angeles Workshop on Energizing Downtown Areas

On June 6th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Vern Burton Center, there will be workshop titled “Highway 101 Revisited: Investing in Downtowns for Increased Health and Prosperity on the Olympic Peninsula.”  This workshop is being sponsored by Forterra, based in Seattle, which describes itself as “Washington’s largest community-building and conservation organization.”

The organization's goal is “to bring a diverse group of stakeholders together from around the Peninsula to explore how to energize downtown areas, focusing on economic development, historic preservation and urban design.” 

The workshop is open to the public.   The same group will be holding another workshop in Aberdeen on June 14th.

First Federal Might Convert to Stock Savings Bank

First Federal, based in Port Angeles, has applied to convert from a mutual savings bank to a stock savings bank.  If regulators approve the application, First Federal would be able to sell stock to the public.

New Website for Reporting Non-Emergency Crimes Online

The Port Angeles Police Department now has a website for reporting non-emergency crimes such as theft or vandalism.  The non-emergency police phone number, 360-452-4545, is still available in addition to the website.

Information for reporting crime online can be found Here.

Warning About Crosswalks in Port Angeles

This isn't exactly a newsflash, but it's good to see this warning from the PDN.  According to the Port Angeles downtown resource officer, three people have been hit in crosswalks at Front and Albert Streets.  (Over how long a time span?  The article doesn't say.)

Aggressive or inattentive drivers, inattentive pedestrians, jaywalkers and bicyclists riding against the traffic can all add up to an accident waiting to happen.

The article describes one incident where a guide dog was run over in a crosswalk.  The driver wasn't considered to be entirely at fault because the sun was in his eyes.  That's an excuse?

Monday Night Presentation on Tsunami Debris

Tomorrow night, 7 p.m. at the Peninsula College Little Theater, oceanographer Curt Ebbesmeyer will give a presentation on tsunami debris. The presentation is to inform people of what they can do, and what risks are involved, if they find debris on the beach from last year's tsunami in Japan.

PDN Rants and Raves, 5/20/12

I sent in a rant to the PDN Rants and Raves section which didn't get published, so I'm going to publish it here instead.  Or to paraphrase Mel Brooks, it's good to have a blog.  My rant:

Rant to a Port Angeles restaurant that was CLOSED on a day they're always OPEN. We had planned a dinner gathering at this restaurant, weeks in advance, after making absolutely certain that the restaurant is open on that day. Pick a schedule and run with it.

There, it's off my chest.  The restaurant, by the way, is excellent:  great service, food to die for, etc; which is why we were so irate when we had to go somewhere else at the last minute.

County Auditor Closes Sequim Licensing Office

Clallam County Auditor Patty Rosand closed the Sequim Vehicle and Vessel Licensing Office today.  She's gathering the office's records for an audit which will determine whether or not she terminates the contract of sub-agent Karen Shewbert.

Shewbert had sought a court injunction that would allow her office to remain open while the case was being appealed. 

Customer Satisfaction on North Olympic Peninsula

The current Peninsula Poll at the PDN website asks:  "In general, how do you think customers of businesses and services are treated on the North Olympic Peninsula?"  With 890 votes cast, the results are:

Good:  46.0%

So so:  29.4%

Excellent:  12.1%

Poorly:  11.6%

Undecided:  0.9%

Owner of Everwarm to Speak at Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Terry McCartney, owner of Everwarm Hearth & Home, will be the guest at tomorrow's Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon.  He will be discussing proposed legislation which might restrict the use of wood-burning stoves.

Tomorrow's Cruise Ship Visit Canceled

The Holland America cruise ship, ms Zuiderdam, which was scheduled to arrive in Port Angeles tomorrow, will NOT be coming in after all.  Their Port Angeles visit has been canceled because of rough conditions at sea.

County Auditor to Close Sequim Vehicle Licensing Office

Clallam County Auditor Patty Rosand is planning to close the Sequim Vehicle and Vessel Licensing Office tomorrow afternoon.  The contractor operating this office is seeking a court injunction to keep the office open.

Patty Rosand said the Sequim subcontractor, Karen Shewbert, is not complying with her contract.  Karen Shewbert said:

“She’s been harassing me since she’s started in office in 2007.”

New Surveillance Cameras Along Port Angeles Waterfront

Twenty-eight new digital cameras along the Port Angeles waterfront will allow police officers to view images from their patrol cars as well as from police headquarters.  Eighteen of these cameras are digital replacements for already-existing analog cameras, and ten of the cameras are new.  The cameras currently cover the waterfront trail from east of the Red Lion to Francis Street Park.  With the addition of the ten new cameras, the surveillance area will extend to the MV Coho ferry dock.

City Council Urged to Reinstate Yvonne Ziomkowski

Former Port Angeles mayors Larry Doyle and Glenn Wiggins, and former Port of Port Angeles commissioner Corby Somerville are urging the City Council to reinstate Yvonne Ziomkowski to her position as finance director.