PUD buys AP&T building

The Jefferson PUD board of commissioners approved the purchase of the Alaska Power & Telecom (AP&T) building at 193 Otto St. during a special meeting on May 13, 2024. The 6,812-square-foot building features 21 office spaces, two network rooms, and a dedicated conference space. The purchase agreement is for the appraised amount of $1.16 million, with an additional $125,000 allocated for office equipment and onsite supplies. The property was built in 2002 and served as AP&T’s corporate headquarters. AP&T has relocated its headquarters to Ketchikan, Alaska. The PUD currently employs 76 people between its water, electric, and broadband divisions. It expects to reach 100 employees before 2030, reducing contractor expenses and creating local broadband and line crew, and administrative positions. The property was purchased using PUD reserve funds.

R2AK sailing off

The Race to Alaska starts at 5 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, but not before the R2AK Ruckus is complete. The Ruckus runs from 3 to 7 p.m. on June 8 at the Northwest Maritime Center. Organizers and participating partners will begin serving food, drinks, and applying tattoos at 3 p.m., ahead of the “Women’s Adventure” panel, which convenes at 4:14 p.m. Live music kicks off at 5 p.m. Billed as an opportunity to give the racers a night to remember, before the extended voyage that’s set to follow, R2AK fans are encouraged to attend the Ruckus to put faces, and hulls, to the blips on the tracker screen.

Dozens of R2AK boats and crew members are expected to be spread across the Ruckus, for fans to check out, as attendees will have the opportunity to study the watercraft, and peer into the eyes of the “marginally sane adventurers” who choose to race, knowing the dangers. Event organizers are paying for the first 15 R2AK logo tattoos visitors obtain. 

Bookmobile schedule change

The Jefferson County Library District announced changes to key programs beginning the first week of June. On June 1, the Bookmobile stops in Coyle and Gardiner will permanently move to Fridays. Bookmobile will be at Coyle Community Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and at Gardiner Community Center from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. There will be an extra summer stop in Brinnon at the Lazy C at 350 Appaloosa Drive on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. until Aug. 29.

Open Carry rules update

A new law goes into effect June 6 which further prohibits the open carry of firearms and other weapons in new locations, including public libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit stations or facilities used for public transportation, such as bus stops and light rail stations. Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5444 into law March 26. Washington is an open-carry state, which means people can carry firearms without permits. However, people who conceal carry their firearms must have a concealed carry license. Inslee signed another bill into law in 2021 that banned the open carry of guns and other weapons at the Washington State Capitol and surrounding grounds and at, or near, any permitted public demonstration across the state. 

Hood Canal bridge closures

As construction on the center lock rehabilitation project continues, nighttime travelers can expect overnight bridge closures from June 10 to June 14. According to project managers, the bridge will close nightly at 10 p.m. and will reopen the following morning at 5 a.m.

The bridge will also have 30 to 40-minute daytime test openings on June 14. State department of transportation officials said they decided to separate the work into phases after Memorial Day weekend to avoid long weekend closures. The current schedule plans for work to be done on weeknights. Closures require good weather and calm tides, and in the absence of both, may require re-scheduling.