It’s a transition of nearly half a dozen years for one of Port Townsend’s oldest businesses. Printery Communications, at 631 Tyler St. in Uptown Port …
The following short items have been culled from the archives of The Leader and the University of Washington library. Text and style appear verbatim from the original printing, including any errors. …
    For Washington’s heavily Democratic congressional delegation, Monday was a complicated day. On one hand, they applauded the peaceful transfer of presidential power …
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Port Townsend Police Department said it was unable to submit a police log for this week and will submit one next week.      The Jefferson County …
Arts and Entertainment
Bass player Charles Clements and guitarist George Clements will be joined by drummer Pele Greenberg and fiddler Carolyn Kendrick at the Palindrome on Jan. 16.

‘An evolving journey into Americana music’: Aunt in PT urged The Clements Brothers to play the Palindrome

    The suggestion to play the Palindrome came from the aunt of the twins that anchor The Clements Brothers band. “Our Aunt Francie told us, ‘You have to play the …
The Community Chorus with Jon Stafford (in plaid shirt) last spring, the last time he directed them.

Chorus to sing music by contemporary composer

    Jon Stafford, spring director of the Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County, has selected music by Shawn Kirchner to center the chorus’ next …
Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson modernize decades-old erotic thriller tropes in Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl.”

Movie Review: ‘Babygirl’ inverts traditional power dynamics in its troubled romance

    Writer-director Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl,” starring Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, is inspired by 1992’s “Basic Instinct” and …
“Fort Wonder’s Magic Mountain,” by Mike Biskup.

Northwind plans fine-art pop-up sale this weekend in PT

    In its first-ever Pop-Up Sale on Saturday, Jan. 18, through Monday, Jan. 20, Northwind Art will offer fine art and furnishings at what it deemed “unheard-of …

News from local businesses

Unlock Your Savings Potential for the New Year

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to reassess your financial goals and take control of your savings. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to maximize your current savings …

Give Your Kids a Gift that Keeps Giving: High-Yield Savings


The holiday season is upon us—a time for joy, giving, and meaningful connections with loved ones. While toys and gadgets often top the wish lists, there’s a unique gift that grows in …

In other news ...
Obituaries

David Eugene Wilson Jr.

It is with love and precious memories that we announce the passing of David E. Wilson Jr. on Jan 5, 2025, following a battle with cancer. Dave was the son of David E Wilson Sr. and Roetta C …

Maj (Ret) Jonathon Powell

Maj (Ret) Jonathon Powell, USMC pilot, passed away on December 6, 2024, at the age of 65.  He is survived by his mother, sister, brother, two sons, daughter, and 11 grandchildren.  Jon …

Nancy Phyllis Sendler

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Nancy Sendler. Nancy had many creative gifts, spiritual insights, and a love of justice. She will be deeply missed. Born in Highland Park, …
Calendar of events
Opinion & Columnists
Meredith Jordan
Readers weigh in with their thoughts and guidance on direction for The Leader | Mixing Metaphors & Doubling Entendres
Our first annual editorial survey ran for five weeks, starting in December and ending in January, and with it came a boatload of information to inform our editorial decisions and content strategies …
Edward Thompson Jr.
City Council should not allow housing at Camas Prairie Park | Guest Column
I am writing on behalf of Supporters of Camas Prairie Park, a new group of concerned citizens of Port Townsend who have united to prevent the unprecedented and irresponsible development of …
Marcia Kelbon
Port Townsend’s paper mill provides benefits that outweigh stench | Out of Balance
What makes a good neighbor? If it is one that supports and enriches our community, are they entitled to bit of grace for being not quite practically perfect in every way? I believe so and that we …
Ned Luce
2025 is a mathematical perfect square of a year ­— for everyone | Life in Ludlow
Elvis Presley turned 90 years of age on Jan. 8. I keep track of that because that is also my birthday, although I am nine years younger at 81 years. Your attention is drawn to this because the …
Bill Mann
Oh, Canada — hope for anti-Trumpers even as Trudeau leaves power | Mann Overboard
I was pleased to get an invitation recently from Canadian TV network CBC to come on its air and give an American’s perspective on the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The …
Scott Doggett
Solitude is often the best treatment for a wounded deer | Wild Neighbors
Few people on the Quimper Peninsula know what to do when they come across an injured deer. That was evident from the 89 replies to a Dec. 26 post by Teri Evernden of Port Townsend on social …
TOONS

BLOGS
  After seeing her star-making turn in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” last year all that Hulu had to do to get me to watch its true-crime miniseries …
Letters
    • Relax, Co-op ‘activists’

        The Co-op boycott “activists” look like a popularity contest and I question their activism as performative. There …

    • Support the newspaper

        We read and appreciated Gary Larson’s recent editorial outlining the value of local news organizations in sustaining a healthy …

    • Support school levy

        Our community has an important opportunity to support our youth on Feb. 11, when the Port Townsend School District renewal levies …

    • Lesson from L.A.

        The Los Angeles fires are an ongoing disaster. But like many major events, they also present an opportunity: Large urban areas will …

    • Admiralty Avenue unsafe

        It’s time to do something to improve the safety for pedestrians and cyclists on Admiralty Avenue; connecting San Juan with …

    • ‘Scurrilous’ departure

        The announcement by Fort Worden Hospitality (FWH) that it is not only curtailing operations but stiffing customers of deposits, many …

Photo Gallery

Photos of efforts to contain Jupiter fire near Brinnon

John and Christy Strickland sit in lawn chairs and watch as ground and airborne firefighters attempt to tame the wildfire on Mount Jupiter, west of Brinnon on Friday, August 17.
Photos taken of the wildfire on Mount Jupiter near Hood Canal, where firefighters have been battling the blaze since Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Sports
    The East Jefferson Rivals team finished second out of the eight teams in the second annual East Jefferson Team Dual Tourney, winning four dual matches before losing a …
    The East Jefferson Rivals Wrestling Team finds itself in its third week of practice the first week in December. The athletes have been working hard in the practice room …
    Several former Port Townsend High School cross country athletes have continued to pursue their sport collegiately and have just concluded their seasons. Aliyah Cassidy …