Port of PT gets nod for Community Engagement

The Washington Public Ports Association has awarded the Community Engagement Award to the Port of Port Townsend for its Point Hudson Breakwater Project.

The award recognizes port staff who ensured their major in-water infrastructure project would minimize disruption of the marine environment while also being well-understood, accessible and visible to members of the community.

The WPPA deemed the breakwater reconstruction essential to protecting and preserving historic Point Hudson, and noted the port partnered with state and federal regulators while it “emphasized community” through its sea creature relocation and public underwater camera.

After the community voted to approve the development of the project with the Port’s Industrial Development District Levy in 2019, the port collaborated with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center to provide training for divers on relocating the marine wildlife under the breakwater, along with the Washington SCUBA Alliance and the Octopus Gardens Dive Shop.

Rainier Scholars raises $2M

Rainier Scholars announced it raised $2 million to support Puget Sound academic opportunities at its Milestone Moments 25th anniversary celebration May 9. 

Since launching, Rainier Scholars has seen more than 1,000 lives transformed from underrepresented populations, through a comprehensive 12-year program that blends well-being support, college guidance and leadership, and career development in both public and private schools in the Seattle and Tacoma areas. 

Since the original class of students joined the program:  98% of Rainier Scholars have pursued college prep pathways; 99% of Rainier Scholar high school seniors were accepted to four-year colleges and universities; and 91% of eligible Rainier Scholars have graduated or are on track to graduate from four-year colleges or universities.

Brinnon woman sentenced

Brinnon resident Keri Nelson was sentenced on May 16 to three months in custody followed by 12 months of community custody for charges of arson in the second degree and assault in the fourth degree, for incidents that occurred on March 24 on Kelly Road, in Brinnon, Washington. 

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said at about 4:18 p.m. on March 24, it received a report of a possible assault on Kelly Road. The caller, Katherine Almaden, reported that Nelson had assaulted her neighbor, Denise Leif, by grabbing her hair and striking her vehicle.

Almaden noted that Nelson had violated a pre-trial no-contact order.

While deputies were en route, additional 911 calls reported that Nelson’s Kelly Road residence was engulfed in flames, with callers describing dark smoke and crackling sounds. 

Upon arrival, deputies observed a fully involved structure fire.

Nelson was found standing in the middle of the road, appearing agitated and disheveled, yelling for help. Body-worn camera footage captured Nelson making statements such as, “I had to set it on fire, because they stole my phone and it was dead,” and “I had a torch to the bed in the back bedroom, so it would send smoke.”

Due to the sentencing reform act, the court imposed a three-month custodial sentence for the arson and assault charges. Additionally, Nelson was ordered to complete 12 months of community custody, that included substance abuse and mental health treatment. 

WSDOT meetings open

The Washington State Department of Transportation is hosting two online community meetings next week to share what’s ahead for the busy travel season.

WSDOT will provide updates on service plans, new vessel construction and upcoming projects. Most of the time will be for questions and comments from the public.

Participants can also provide feedback on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s fare proposals.

Advance registration is required to attend via Zoom at noon on Wednesday, May 21, and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. Questions can be sent to wsfcomms@wsdot.wa.gov. Recordings will be posted on WSDOT’s community participation webpage on Friday, May 23.