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Legislative ballot battles shaping up for Washington’s fall elections

Intriguing match-ups in the fall elections emerged Friday, May 9, as Democrats look to retain control of several seats in the Washington state Legislature. Two Senate contests should provide a …

Five permanently affordable homes planned for Port Townsend

The Olympic Housing Trust recently announced its partnership with Anderson Homes of Sequim, which will serve as the general contractor for Dundee Hill Community Homes, a “sustainably designed, …

Climate law delivers $2.5 million for salmon restoration in Jefferson County

Four Jefferson County projects were awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to restore salmon habitat, thanks to the Climate Commitment Act. A total of $71.3 million was awarded to 69 projects …

Police Log

The Port Townsend Police Department responded to a total of 158 calls from May 2-8. Officers conducted 15 traffic stops, and made two DUI arrests. Calls such as domestic violence and suicides left …
More News
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a total of 285 calls for service from May 2-9. Deputies conducted 71 traffic stops, of which five resulted in criminal …
Comp plan now Jefferson County rolled out a full public review draft of its Comprehensive Plan update at its May 7 Planning Commission meeting and seeks input from county residents. The …
The idea of Greater Idaho — splitting off most of eastern Oregon to join with the state of Idaho — isn’t going to fly. It won’t happen. So here’s another idea: The …
This is the first in a series of stories about how Port Townsend city officials spend money. The City of Port Townsend has spent at least $1.89 million on consultants over the last five years …
Peninsula College’s Writer-in-Residence for 2025 is set to address Port Townsend audiences about how “Little House on the Prairie” has retained a surprising relevance in …

Law Enforcement

Sheriff's Log

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a total of 295 calls for service from April 11-18. Deputies conducted 74 traffic stops, of which 3 resulted in criminal (misdemeanor/felony) …

Police Log

Port Townsend Police responded to a total of 181 calls from April 12-19, and conducted 30 traffic stops. Calls such as domestic violence and suicides are left out of the call log, so as to not …

Arts & Entertainment
Northwest Celtic instrumentalists Susan McCroskey Burke and John Whelan are set to perform at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Port Townsend on May 17.

From Wexford to the West Coast, Celtic musicians trace the music of memory

An afternoon of Northwest Celtic instrumental music is lined up for this weekend at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Port Townsend. Although she makes her home in Olympia, lifelong …
Port Townsend novelist JoAnne Tompkins and Bellingham poet Dion O’Reilly will be featured at the May 15 “Readings at the Meeting House.”

Literary series spotlights acclaimed Northwest novelist and poet

Two Western Washington authors, one of whom hails from Port Townsend, are set to be featured at the next set of public readings at the Port Townsend Friends Meeting House. JoAnne Tompkins, a …

Local church concert raises funds for Ugandan AIDS orphans

Port Townsend’s 15th-annual concert to benefit Ugandan orphans has assembled a host of local musical performers and musical groups this year, with the First Presbyterian Church on 1111 Franklin …
Natasha Lyonne lives in the character of slob sleuth Charlie Cale like a second skin in Rian Johnson’s “Poker Face” on Peacock.

‘Poker Face’ makes its clever, funny return to streaming on Peacock

While I try to prioritize theatrical releases, I still receive requests for reviews of streaming content, which I began writing about after the pandemic sent us all into lockdown. As horrible as …
By Kirk Boxleitner   Grant Morrison, who’s written some of my favorite superhero comics, has frequently advanced the idea of superhero characters, and even entire superhero …
Acclaimed jazz artist Wynton Marsalis took the time to talk to The Leader about his upcoming benefit concert for Centrum this month, during which he’ll be leading a 13-piece jazz orchestra in …
Leader staff   They began playing together at a pub session in Paisley, Scotland, in 1968, and now, the Celtic band known as the Tannahill Weavers has come to Port Townsend. The …
The 29th annual Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival is celebrating “The Spirit of Innovation” from Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4, a title which festival chair Kathy Knoblock …
News from local businesses

Banking with Purpose: Celebrating 10 Years of the First Fed Foundation

If you live on the Olympic Peninsula or anywhere in western Washington, chances are you’ve seen First Fed show up for your community. Whether it’s supporting local nonprofits, sponsoring …

Why Banking Locally is a Smart Move for Small Businesses

Charmaine and Caleb Messinger, owners of Southern Nibble in Sequim, WA.


As a small business owner, choosing the right banking partner is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. You need a bank that supports your growth, understands your challenges, and …

Your Dream of Homeownership Could Be Closer Than You Think

First Fed offers the new Washington Covenant Homeownership Program, designed to expand homeownership for certain minorities in Washington State

Your Dream of Homeownership Could Be Closer Than You Think For many, buying a home feels out of reach. High prices, down payments, closing costs, and insurance requirements can make it seem …

Calendar of events
Obituaries
Thomas Leo Plut
Thomas Leo Plut, born June 17, 1938 to Dr. and Mrs. Harry G. Plut, passed away on April 25, 2025. Known as “Tom” to friends and family, he was born and raised in Port Townsend before …
Eric James Morgensen
Eric James Morgensen, 74, of Port Townsend, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2025, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on September 5, 1950, in Bremerton, Washington, …
Judith W Heath
Judith Heath passed away on 27 March, 2025 at St Michaels, Silverdale. She was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma and was not able to survive long enough to start any treatment. Judy was born …
Gary Durrell Griswold
Gary Durrell Griswold, a great husband, father and talented artist, passed away May 10, 2024, after a valiant battle with several illnesses and injuries. He was 81. The date was marked by a rare …
Brandon Eugene Williamson
Brandon Eugene Williamson, 40, passed away on April 7, 2025, in Port Townsend, Washington.  Born on July 3, 1984, in Albany, Oregon, Brandon moved with his family to Port Townsend in …
Opinion
Columnists
Washington’s homebuyer aid excludes some based on race
If you were fortunate enough to complete a real estate transaction in our tight housing market since the beginning of 2024, you unknowingly participated in our state’s first of its kind racial …
From ‘Jeopardy!’ failure to Rotary defeat, my lifelong streak of quiz show calamities
Not the green-jacket golf tournament. The TV quiz show once hosted by Alex Trebek.  Many of you, like us, are hooked on the brainy quiz show. I’ve been watching …
Pat Cooper consulting with Frank Trafton of Frederickson Electric about his potential emergency power needs.
The big power outage, a small water shutdown, and some music
The specter of a major disaster seems to have the attention of most people. There may be a tornado or a flood or a hurricane or a wildfire or a blizzard or even a President. However, the scariest one …
On open records, executive sessions and salary charts | Mixing Metaphors & Doubling Entendres
On April 14, the Port Townsend City Council alerted the public it would be going into executive session to discuss the comparable salaries for City Manager John Mauro. That followed the city’s …
Zory Hill
Take it from me: Investing in a new pool will pay dividends | Soapbox
Until recently, I worked as a lifeguard and water aerobics instructor at the Olympic Peninsula YMCA. I started there in August 2022 and want provide a quick backstory, since it’s relevant …
Jason Victor Serinus
Macrocosm and microcosm: Quilcene school board reflects national struggles | As I See It
As the Trump Administration consolidates its power and attacks anyone who arouses their supreme leader’s ire, more and more Americans ponder what they can do to turn the situation around.
TOONS

Letters
    • Prayer in school

      Why would you even entertain bible studies in public school curriculum? Bible studies in church and home is everyone’s right! But in …

    • Context please

      Salaries and benefits paid to public officials have always been hot-button issues.  Publishing the numbers can create easy targets for …

    • Flawed survey

      In February, Commissioner Dudley-Nollette and Jefferson County Aquatic Coalition (JAC) representatives hosted a forum in Quilcene to discuss the …

    • Measles wake-up call

      Measles wake-up call I was horrified to read in the Washington Post that our country “faces millions of measles cases over the next 25 …

    • Face value

      Years ago, I had a manager who, on occasion, liked to say, “Please don’t waste time analyzing the obvious. ”I think that …

    • Destroying systems brings harm, no gain

      I know if you are paying attention to the dismantling of our democracy each day that you are to some degree outraged and horrified just as I am …

Photos

PHOTOS: Creative signs, heartfelt emotion stretch for half a mile

People waving signs in protest of the Trump administration line East Sims Way as cars pass on Saturday, April 5, in Port Townsend.
People critical of President Donald Trump lined Sims Way on Saturday, April 5, rallying to protest the administration’s barrage of policies and actions on immigration, the economy and cuts to government agencies and departments with the help of Elon Musk.   
Sports
Springtime and warming weather mean it is time to pull out the golf clubs and visit the driving range. Women’s Golf Clubs in the area are now in full swing on their seasons from April through …
At North Kitsap High School on April 24 the EJ Track and Field team competed against Sequim, NK, and Olympic high schools in their first of two meets of the week. Conditions were sunny, warm, and …
Spring time and warming weather mean it is time to pull out the golf clubs and visit the driving range. Women’s Golf Clubs in the area are now in full swing of their seasons from April …
East Jefferson (EJ) track-and-field athletes traveled to the Dave Snyder’s Lil’ Norway Invitational at North Kitsap High School on Saturday, April 19.