Top stories

Splish, splash, they’re making a dash

Crowds were already gathered around the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend by 4:30 a.m. Monday, June 5, to cheer the launch of the seventh annual Race to Alaska. Onlookers clutched …

Terry Robb to play at Palindrome

Rainshadow Recording welcomes bluesman Terry Robb to the Palindrome Saturday, June 10. Robb is an acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist, singer, composer, arranger and record producer. His work is …

Folk rocks the Guildhall in Quilcene

Golden Shoals has hit their stride following a name change in 2020 that reflects an adventurous approach to traditional American music. Over the past 10 years, Golden Shoals — made up of …
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received 263 calls for service between Saturday, April 15 and Friday, April 21. Below are selected reports. At 2:27 p.m. Sunday, April 16 in Quilcene, …
The Port Townsend Police Department received a total of 188 calls between Friday, April 28, and Thursday, May 4. Below are selected reports. At 11:40 a.m. Sunday, April 30, in the 2400 block of …
New Day Learning Academy is celebrating its 13th annual “Read to Feed” campaign and service-learning project. All proceeds will go to Heifer International, a nonprofit that provides farm …
Jurors in the first-degree assault case of Anna Young heard two very different versions of an alleged early morning attack with a hatchet that left her husband with multiple head lacerations and a …
The American Association of University Women/University Women’s Foundation of Jefferson County has announced the winners of its 2023 scholarships. The 2023 women scholars are Haley …

News from local businesses
Meet Lynn Terwoerds, New Board Member of First Fed

Port Townsend resident Lynn Terwoerds has embraced community in the PNW, serving on non-profit boards where she can make a positive impact locally. Currently she is President of the Board of …

Local Musicians Commemorate First Fed Centennial

First Fed has announced the winner of its centennial songwriting contest is “We Believe” by mother and daughter team Mary and Jessie Morgan. The song was selected based on voting open to …

Arts and Entertainment
Wild Rose Chorale is ‘Happy Together’ singing weekend concerts
By its very nature, a cappella choral singing relies upon the complex interweaving of individual voices to make a cohesive whole. The …
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Textile artists land their ‘UFOs’ for PT exhibition
Peninsula Fiber Artists tried something new for their current exhibit. Ten members filled identical brown paper bags with their …
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Art league celebrates artist, jeweler for June
Gail Larson is the Port Ludlow Art League’s Artist of the Month for June. Pamela Raine has earned Jeweler of the Month …
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Port Townsend Gallery presents artists of the month
Port Townsend Gallery will cap off its exhibit in June with artworks from Loran Scruggs. The new show will also include some …
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Coronavirus coverage
Jefferson County to halt online COVID-19 reporting
Jefferson County Public Health’s weekly reports COVID-19 and the transmission risk dial are being replaced with state data and …
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COVID-19 death toll in Jefferson County rises to 35
A Jefferson County resident has died from COVID-19, Jefferson County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry said Monday. The death …
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Virus burden ‘enormous’ for hospital
Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center is filling up with people with respiratory problems, Jefferson County Public Hospital District …
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In other news ...
Local news

City launches video series on financial sustainability

Port Townsend has launched the first of five short videos that showcase its financial sustainability project. Following the first week’s introduction, a new video will be released each …

Burn restrictions begin in Jefferson County

The 2023 summer season is here, and fire restrictions are now in place. Due to above average temperatures and the lack of precipitation, an earlier-than-normal dry season, fire department …

Marine Resources Committee calls for projects

The North Pacific Coast Marine Resources Committee has issued a “Request for Proposals” for the committee’s 2023-2025 funding round. The committee, in collaboration with the …

Multicultural Center will host open houses this week

Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates will host a grand opening of their new Multicultural Center across two days this week. The opening is planned for Friday, June 9 and Sunday, June 11 …

Marine expert gives talk on Puget Sound conservation

Jacques White, executive director of Long Live The Kings, will talk about conservation on Puget Sound at a Community Connection Mixer hosted by Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and Puget Sound …
Obituaries

Joseph Francis Kaczyk Jr.

Joseph Francis Kaczyk Jr. died on May 30, after a long journey with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. His wife Meg, sister Monica, and friends Andrew, and Sally were with him as he passed. Joe was born …

LeRoy Walter Glessing

LeRoy Walter Glessing, 94 of Port Townsend passed away May 21, 2023. He was born March 12, 1929, to Walter and Helen Glessing on a farm in Ireton, Iowa. Later his family moved to Baudette, …

John McKenzie Clise

John McKenzie Clise, playful former Port Townsend mayor, longtime proprietor of Aldrich’s store, husband of Pam McCollum Clise, died May 27 at age 91. An imposing guy – he stood …

Matthew Lee Caldwell

Matthew Lee Caldwell was born May 14, 1958 in Port Townsend, Washington. Matt, or “Coach,” was surrounded by loved ones in his final hours and passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023. …

Joyce Ann Brown

Joyce Ann Brown, 69, a resident of Port Townsend, Washington, passed away on May 15, 2023. Joyce was born on Aug. 25, 1953 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Geneva Thompson and Earl Bryant. She was …
Calendar of events
Opinion & Columnists
A special treat: A week not in the North Bay | Life in Ludlow
In retrospect last week was full of opportunities to recognize, celebrate or help others. On Monday there was a Memorial Day …
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Like fine wine, PT is aging | Mann Overboard
Geezer-riffic? PT and Jefferson County made Page 1 of the Seattle Times last week in a story about this state’s aging since 2010 …
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My love letter to food | Kitchen to Kitchen
I’m cooking Italian all summer, and planned a staycation to coincide. I’m calling it la mia cucina estiva, my summer …
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TOONS

Today's cartoon for Thursday, June 8

Today's cartoon is by Dave Whamond, PoliticalCartoons.com.

Today's cartoon for Wednesday, June 7

Today's cartoon is by Monte Wolverton.

BLOGS
Donald Trump has been unable to lie his way to control of a Free Press through the uneducated over-use of short near-illiterate jabs via social media and rabble-rousing pep rallies—and control …
Deer have grown to like and trust us, it seems. This fawn later was moved to a more secluded spot. We’ve lived quite a while in the same house on an oversized. well-hedged lot …
Letters
City’s streets are crumbling | Letter to the editor
Amid all the talk of golf courses and swimming pools, I want to raise a respectful hand and ask, “Um, potholes?” The …
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Pool essential for health of community | Letter to the editor
We are three octogenarians who credit the three-day-a-week aqua aerobics class at the Mountain View Pool with helping us maintain good …
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Let enough be enough; just enjoy what we have | Letter to the editor
I feel the need to respond to the letter about the slow process of permits in Jefferson County: “Long waits for permits in …
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Annual Rhody fest rates more coverage | Letter to the editor
I have been disappointed by The Leader’s coverage of this year’s Rhody Festival. In the past there have been pages of …
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Port Townsend Food Bank adds extra shift | Letter to the editor
The volunteers at the Port Townsend Food Bank are excited to announce the Port Townsend Food Bank added an additional shift from 3 to …
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Sports

Rivals boys tennis earns fifth place in doubles at State

The Rivals Reid Martin of Chimacum and Stuart Dow of Port Townsend combined to take fifth place in doubles at State during the tournament over Memorial Day weekend in Yakima.   Martin …
SPORTS GALLERIES

Varsity boys basketball: East Jefferson vs. Bellevue Christian High School | Photo Gallery

The East Jefferson Rivals varsity boys basketball team  faced Bellevue Christian High School in hoops  Jan. 5.  The Leader's James Sloan captured the action courtside  as the …

Varsity Girls Basketball: East Jefferson vs. Seattle Christian | Photo Gallery

The East Jefferson Rivals varsity girls basketball team  earned their first win of the season Monday, Dec. 12 versus Seattle Christian at home in the Chimacum High Gymnasium.  The …
The East Jefferson girls track team tied for sixth place at the Washington State Track & Field Championships. The championships were held on Memorial Day weekend at Zaepfel Stadium in …
The Inchelium offense packed a powerful sting Friday at the 1B State Fastpitch Softball Championship Tournament in Yakima. Unfortunately for Quilcene, it was the Rangers who nudged the nest as …
Returning to the golf course for their weekly play, the Discovery Bay Women’s Club came together for a game of “Criss Cross.” The game involves each golfer playing her 18-hole …
There was a lot to like for the East Jefferson Rivals track and field teams in Renton last week as four high school athletes won district championships in several events with even more runners …
And that’s a wrap for the East Jefferson Rivals’ spring sports season — apart from boys tennis and the track and field teams headed to Yakima for State. The spring season saw …
More Sports
Rivals softball team splits double-header
The East Jefferson Rivals varsity softball team ended its final home matchup of the year facing Vashon Island High in a double-header …
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26 East Jefferson track and field athletes qualify for Districts
The East Jefferson Rivals track and field teams brought their “A” game at Vashon Island High School over the weekend, with …
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Port Townsend club golfers swing into spring with ‘Blind Draw’
The  Port Townsend Women’s Golf Club returned to action last Tuesday at the Port Townsend Golf Course, teeing off for a …
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Discovery Bay golfers ‘Beat the Pro’
They came, they saw, and one of them conquered the competition. The Discovery Bay Women’s Club faced pro golfer Jeff Kent …
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East Jefferson track and field teams excel at invites
The East Jefferson Rivals track and field teams had a busy time in late April, with the teams participating in three meets across the …
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