More News

Main Street Program seeks new director; Mullen to step down

The Port Townsend Main Street Program is in the market for a new executive director starting this summer.

Senior city planner John McDonagh dies unexpectedly

The city of Port Townsend acknowledged a recent loss when City Manager John Mauro informed attendees of the March 17 city council meeting of the passing of the city’s senior planner, John McDonagh, in the previous week.

Briefs: New lights for skaters, and more

Daily’s 20th milestone Daily Computer Consulting is celebrating 20 years of business in Port Townsend. Since 2005, the Lawrence Street business offers a wide range of services including …

Petition to change type of city government gains steam

A petition to change Port Townsend’s city government structure is gaining traction, with the effort garnering 178 signatures as of March 18, up from 100 on March 13.
More News
The city’s historic Charles Pink House in Uptown Port Townsend is slated for $253,000 worth of repairs this spring. 
A Brinnon man was sentenced March 10 in Jefferson County District Court for a May 2024 incident involving poaching Hood Canal spot shrimp on opening day of shrimp season. The defendant, Curtis …
At approximately 1:51 a.m. on Monday, March 17, East Jefferson Fire Rescue responded to a report of a fire in the 600 block of Robbins Road on Marrowstone Island.
Editor’s Note: Behind the Dais is a Q&A-style feature focusing on elected officials. This feature was coordinated by Mallory Kruml.   Port Townsend City Council Member Ben …
As this season’s Port Townsend Farmers Market prepares to open April 5, one longtime vendor is looking at a serious milestone.
As reproductive health access becomes increasingly restricted across the country, expanding Washington’s law that protects patients and healthcare workers is becoming more important, supporters of the law say.

Law Enforcement

Police Log

The Port Townsend Police Department responded to a total of 179 calls from March 6-13. Officers conducted 31 traffic stops and made one DUI arrest. Calls such as domestic violence and suicides are …

Arts and Entertainment
Carrie Jennings, pictured, and Wes Watkins were drawn to the Olympic Peninsula by its environmental diversity. Fittingly, they intend to offer audiences on the peninsula a diversity of musical genres.

‘Monster’n Me’ tour to swing through South County

Vocalist and flugelhorn player Carrie Jennings is following her Valentine’s Day weekend concert at the Finnriver Farm and Cidery with two days of performances in South Jefferson County venues this week.
Jodi Ericksen is the core teaching artist for “Aging Creatively,” Northwind Art’s program for people with memory loss and their caregivers.

Art program tailored to those with memory loss and their caregivers

“Aging Creatively,” a free art program for those with memory loss and their caregivers, starts this month at Northwind Art.
Kami Westhoff

‘Readings at the Meeting House’ to feature Bellingham poets

The next evening of “Readings at the Meeting House” is set to feature a pair of Bellingham poets addressing a Port Townsend audience.
With “Mickey 17,” Bong Joon-ho seems to have ascended to his fully actualized Pokémon form as a filmmaker, by achieving a synthesis of the pitch-black comedy, scathing social commentary and ambitious sci-fi concepts of 2006’s “The Host,” 2013’s “Snowpiercer” and 2019’s “Parasite.”
What Is Miso? Miso is made by fermenting soybeans with a mold called Aspergillus oryzae (known as koji), along with salt and sometimes other grains like rice or barley. The fermentation …
News from local businesses

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 …

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 …

Calendar of events
Obituaries
Robert Lee Schwiesow
Robert Lee Schwiesow was known and beloved for his easy-going manner, quick wit, and ready willingness to lend a hand when someone needed help. An avid reader, Bob was a fount of knowledge, from the …
Mary Ann Walker
Mary Ann (Hunter) Walker, age 92, passed away on March 2, 2025, in Novi, Michigan, where she was near her son Mike, daughter-in-law Esther, their children and grandchildren. The daughter of William …
Robert Norman “Bob” Knowlen
Robert Norman “Bob” Knowlen passed  away on February 12, 2025, in Port Townsend. He  was born to Raymond and Lola Knowlen on  November 10, 1953, in Port Townsend.  …
Marilyn Joan Ozmon Muller
Marilyn Joan Ozmon Muller of Minneapolis died March 6 th , 2025 at age 92. She was preceded in death by husband Paul Muller and son Laurits, parents Edgar and Martha Ozmon, sister Elizabeth Jane …
Jason Derek Pederson
With the heaviest of hearts, we announce the passing of Jason Derek Pederson on February 17, 2025, in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 55. Born on August 18, 1969, in Chehalis, Washington. He …
Opinion
Columnists
Barney Burke
Shouldn’t everyone pitch in on poverty? | Rebuttal
I was surprised the Housing Solutions Network ever suggested rents should be no more than a mortgage payment. Liz Revord’s March 12 letter now acknowledges other costs, but still promotes the …
Marcia Kelbon
A healthy silver lining: RFK Jr. could boost food and drug regulation | Out of Balance
My liberal-leaning friends and family members, and even a few conservatives, are struggling with the current presidential administration. In discussions I find that a bright spot to which most can agree concerns some potential community health benefits that may be achieved by the administration.
Bill Mann
A trip to the radio station recalls French rock-n-roll DJ days | Mann Overboard
While in the KPTZ studios playing music the other night, I experienced a bout of radio nostalgia.
A group of Chimacum fifth and sixth graders are taking up the challenges in the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition.
FIRST LEGO League robotics competition comes to Chimacum Elementary | Life in Ludlow
A group of Chimacum fifth and sixth graders under the leadership of teachers Josette Mendoza and Kristen Johnson are taking up the challenges in the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition.
A Western Bluebird adult male perched at a nest-box hole.
Birdhouses: Less complex than EVs, but no walk in the park | Wild Neighbors
Many birdhouses found in pet stores and online are not suitable for birds. That’s because cavity-nesting birds — those that naturally nest in tree hollows—don’t require …
The responsibilities that come with the Fourth Estate
The Leader proudly claims its place among professional legacy media. It's a role that also comes with a lot of responsibility.
TOONS

Letters
    • Connectivity acts locally

      What an awesome idea and successful event! The Production Alliance’s Connectivity Summit, which filled Chimacum High School with tables of …

    • Dig here, Leader

        I’m writing to flag some recent reporting by Jim Scarantino in another venue about the Evans Vista property development and to …

    • It’s a business 

        Kudos to Marcia Kelbon for her well-presented and concise article on rental realities in Jefferson County. As a local ‘mom and …

    • Learn from the tree

      Approaching the golf course from its paved entrance along Blaine Street, you are met by a large Douglas fir tree to your right, anchored by a …

    • Click your heels, Republicans

      A few Republican Senators might do themselves and the nation a service if they viewed a re-run of “The Wizard of Oz.”

    • Survey report

      At Housing Solutions Network, we’d like to thank Marcia Kelbon for sharing our Housing Jefferson County’s Economy Community Survey Report …

Photos

PHOTOS: Middle school wrestling

Angie Luckhurst, a Chimacum sixth grader, has her hand raised after defeating Marco Arabella of Sequim on March 12 at Port Townsend High School.
Wrestlers from East Jefferson County competed March 12 at Port Townsend High School.
Sports
Coach Jim Wilcox was talking excitedly about this year’s wrestling season in anticipation of the Mat Classic state wrestling championships at the Tacoma Dome this weekend.  “We …
  The East Jefferson Rivals wrestling team qualified a total of ten wrestlers for the Mat Classic state wrestling championships at the Tacoma Dome, which happens Feb. 20-22. …
    The East Jefferson Rivals wrestling team competed in five events between Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, catapulting the team into February. Two teams went to tournaments within 10 …