Commissioner race set

Candidate filing week closed May 10, and according to state election documents, Heather Dudley-Nollette will challenge Ben Thomas in the Aug. 6 primary for the District 1 commissioner’s seat. Current District 2 County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour was the only candidate to file a candidacy for that race. According to the Washington state Office of the Secretary of State, all candidates who filed for office for Washington’s 2024 elections had until 5 p.m. May 13 to withdraw their candidacies. Tuesday, May 14, is the deadline for state officials to send finalized candidate lists to county elections offices.

Apartment fire on Kearney

East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) responded to a call about a commercial structure fire at the Kearney Street Apartments at 1:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. Several people saw flames at the apartments at 809 Gaines Street and called 911.

By 2:33 p.m., the Port Townsend Police Department, Naval Magazine Indian Island’s Engine 91, EJFR’s Battalion Chief 14, Ladder 1, Engine 1, Engine 6, Aid 1, Air 4, Aid 2, 103 and 101 were all on the scene, according to EJFR. Additional units from EJFR’s Station 5 and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also were en route, while units from neighboring Kitsap and Clallam counties covered EJFR stations. Volunteers and off-duty firefighters responded to cover stations, support the fire suppression and provide emergency medical services. An additional basic life support call was toned during this fire.

The fire was out by 2:42 p.m. EJFR reported the fire was contained to one apartment. The residents incurred minor injuries. The Red Cross assisted with emergency housing. The cause of the fire is under investigation.   

NW Expressions calls for art

Northwest Expressions has invited artists across the region to enter work in any two- or three-dimensional medium for its contemporary art exhibition to open in August in Port Townsend. 

Northwind Art, the nonprofit organization operating Jeanette Best Gallery at 701 Water St., is orchestrating the exhibit.

"We welcome the full spectrum of artwork: ceramics, fiber, jewelry, paintings, mixed media, metalwork, photography and beyond," said Northwind spokesperson Diane Urbani. The deadline to submit the online application is July 15.

Port Townsend's Richard Jesse Watson and Jesse Joshua Watson are jurors. They will award a $500 jurors' choice prize and three $300 merit awards. A $150 people's choice prize also will be presented at the close of the show. 

Artists, must be residents of Oregon or Washington and may enter up to three works. The art will be on view at Jeanette Best Gallery from Aug. 23 through Sept. 29. 

No AI-fake political ads

U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) have introduced the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, legislation aimed at safeguarding federal elections. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) previously introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Artificial intelligence holds immense potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, from health care to national security to everyday life,” said Rep. Kilmer, according to a press release. “But when it comes to our democratic processes, the intentional use of AI to create and spread deceptive content threatens the very fabric of our electoral integrity.” The Act includes exceptions to uphold First Amendment rights, allowing for parody and satire. There is also an exception for the use of AI-generated content in news broadcasts when clearly identified.

The bill seeks to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to expressly prohibit the distribution of materially deceptive AI-generated audio, images, or videos that pertain to federal candidates within political advertisements or certain issue ads aimed at influencing federal elections or fundraising efforts. Federal candidates who are affected by such deceptive content would be able to initiate actions to have the content removed and entitled to pursue damages in federal court.

The prohibition would apply broadly to any individual, political committee, or entity that distributes content with the intent to fraudulently influence an election outcome or raise funds.

Chimacum barn fire

East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) responded to a barn fire on Gibbs Lake Road, just off West Valley Road, at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday, May 12. Engine 6 was the first on the scene and reported that the two-story barn was fully engulfed in flames. The sheriff’s deputies deployed a drone for an aerial view. The fire crew then deployed a defensive strategy and extinguished the fire shortly after 8 p.m. No animals were present during the time of the fire. The owners attempted to fight the fire with the water they had on hand.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

State land wildfire risk funding

USDA Forest Service announced plans to invest $26.6 million in Washington reduce wildfire risk to local communities. None of the grants are local. 

The Community Wildfire Defense grants are part of more than $250 million being invested in 158 projects across 31 States, two Territories and 11 Tribes, according to a May 14 press release issued by the USDA Forest Service. A total of 22 projects were funded across Washington and Oregon, which will receive more than $24 million.

The additional support is specifically for communities that have limited resources and face high risk from wildfire. 

“These grants empower communities to implement strategic wildfire mitigation projects, enhancing both their resilience and safety,” said Jacque Buchanan, Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region. “By supporting initiatives like defensible space creation, fuel reduction, and community education, we are working together to safeguard lives, property, and our precious natural resources.”