The World at our doorstep

The World stopped by for a short stay in Port Angeles Thursday while restocking and left port Friday afternoon en route to Vancouver B.C. The World is a floating residential community owned by its residents. The residents, currently from 40 different countries, live on board as the ship slowly circumnavigates the globe — staying in most ports from 2 to 5 days. Some residents live onboard full time while others visit their floating home periodically throughout the year. For more information visit The World. Photo by Jay Cline.

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Fire District 3 responds to wildland fire Thursday morning

Units from Clallam Fire District 3 and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources were dispatched early Thursday morning to a 75' by 75' deep-seated wild land fire on Johnson Creek Road.  Upon arrival, Incident Commander Darrel Sharp found a logging slash surrounded by heavy brush and timber with 4'-6' fire flame length. Due to the heavy fire load, steep terrain and extensive fuel, the fire was difficult to extinguish.

Fire crews used over 3600 gallons of water on the initial knockdown and attack.

The initial dispatch included over 12 District 3 personnel and Engine 34, Wild land Englnes 33 and 37, Water Tenders 33 and 34, Assistant Chief Roger Moeder and DNR Engine 261.  In addition a Type 3 Wild land Fire Commander and hand crew were called from DNR and the National Forrest Service responded with Engine 11.

According to Captain Sharp “ We are facing extremely dry conditions in which a fire can easily start and very rapidly spread.  As we face the 4th of July weekend, people need to be very careful with anything that might ignite a fire in this very dry vegetation” Information and photo provided by Clallam Fire District 3.

Red Flag Warning
On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a "red flag warning" effective from noon Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The warning means conditions are ideal for the start and spread of wildfires. It was prompted by very warm and dry weather conditions combined with unseasonably dry fuels and mid- and high-level "Haines index" values of five.

The Haines index ranges from two to six. It measures air stability and moisture content to gauge the atmosphere's potential contribution to a wildland fire's growth. A six means a high potential for large fire growth. A five means medium potential, four is low potential, and anything less than four means very low potential.

According to the weather service, high pressure aloft and a thermal trough at the surface will remain through most of the weekend, producing very warm and dry conditions.

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No serious injuries in Blyn collision

No one was seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 101 about seven miles east of Sequim that blocked traffic in both directions for about 45 minutes.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a Dodge Caravan driven by Donna Lois Potswald, 81, Sequim was westbound on U.S. Highway 101 in Blyn about 1:20 p.m. when it crossed the centerline. The Caravan collided broadside with a Subaru Forester driven by Laurel Anne Hermanson, 42, Portland.

The Caravan continued westbound before pulling over on the shoulder. The Forester spun around and went into the ditch. Both vehicles were declared totalled and towed from the scene.

Potswald was not injured. Hermanson was taken to Olympic Medical Center where she was treated and released.

Potswald was cited for crossing the centerline. No drugs or alcohol were involved and both drivers were wearing seatbelts, the incident report stated.

The highway was blocked in both directions for about 45 minutes. Photos by Brian Gawley.

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Band, chorus plan patriotic 4th

Concert starts at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4th

The Sequim City Band, under the direction of Sanford Feibus, and the Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus (formerly known as the Strait Men Barbershop Chorus), under the direction of Gary McRoberts, will join in a free patriotic Fourth of July salute to America at 3 p.m Saturday.

The 3 p.m. concert at the James Center for the Performing Arts in the Water Reuse Demonstration Park just north of Carrie Blake Park will present familiar favorites that remind us of America’s greatness.

Attendees can sing along with “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful” and “Yankee Doodle” and tap their toes to “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” featuring guest soloist Sharon Snel. Veterans of all eras should be ready to be acknowledged.

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Snap, crackle and pop on July 4th

When describing her favorite firework, “The Warhead,” Margie Macias demonstrates her favorite firework’s effects while shouting, “Whoosh!” and “Boom!” Gazette photo by Matthew Nash.

Snaps, crackles and pops will fill the air this Fourth of July as residents celebrate the nation’s birthday.

Fireworks stands in Sequim’s city limits have been selling state-legal fireworks since noon Sunday, June 28, and can continue until 9 p.m. July 5.

Washington law mandates the timetable. 

Two local churches are the only businesses to have applied to have fireworks stands in Sequim this year.

Sequim Worship Center’s stand is at Sequim Village Center, 609 W. Washington St., and Sequim Valley Foursquare has its stand adjacent to the Walmart parking lot, 1284 W. Washington St.

Legal fireworks should read “consumer fireworks” on the label. Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict said being caught with illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor that could result in $250-$1,000 in fines and/or jail time.

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Community News Briefs

No outdoor burning
A countywide burn ban is in effect from today until Oct. 1 unless continued dry conditions require the ban to be extended or if moisture conditions in September allow it to be lifted.
The ban applies to outdoor burning, except recreational fires are allowed unless further banned by extreme conditions.
Burn barrels are illegal in Washington and burning is not allowed in any designated urban growth area, such as that outside Sequim and in Carlsborg.
For alternatives to burn-ing, see collection and recycling information in the telephone directory.

Road projects
The Washington Department of Transportation says these operations will continue today and Thursday in Clallam County:
• Roadside maintenance, both directions of U.S. Highway 101 from McDonald Creek to the Clallam/Jefferson County line, flagger-controlled, one-way alternating traffic from
7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Sign washing, U.S. Highway 101 from Barnes Creek at Lake Crescent to Lincoln Street in Port Angeles. Moving operation with intermittent traffic delays from 8 a.m.-
4 p.m.
• Shoulder mowing, both directions of Highway 101 from Lake Crescent to South Pine Street in Port Angeles.
Moving operation with intermittent delays from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Walkling Trust accepting applications
The Ben and Myrtle Walkling Memorial Trust encourages new civic and charitable projects that benefit the citizens of Clallam County.
The trust is accepting applications for grants to be awarded in 2010. Requests to fund organizational budgets or to pay for existing or ongoing projects are not likely to be approved. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Ben and Myrtle Walkling Memorial Trust, P.O. Box 1588, Port Angeles, WA 98362, to receive an application. Completed application forms must be submitted by Sept. 30.
Myrtle Walkling died in 1992 and created the trust in her will, funding it with more than $1 million.

Grange serves ice cream, raises funds
Sequim Prairie Grange No. 1108 raised $822 for the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic June 20 at the first of three ice cream socials. Auxiliary president Joy Barrett will present the check.
The next ice cream social will be at 5 p.m. July 11. Proceeds will go to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.  
Sequim Prairie Grange is at 290 Macleay Road. 

Senior menu
Here are the Sequim Senior Nutrition Site menus, served at 4:30 p.m. at Suncrest Village Retirement Apartments, 251 S. Fifth Ave. Suggested donation $3. Menus are subject to change.
Wednesday July 1 — Caesar salad, chicken parmesan, buttered noodles, Italian mix vegetables, apricots
Thursday July 2 — Cook’s choice
Friday July 3 — Closed for holiday
Monday July 6 — Cole slaw, chicken patty sandwich, roasted potatoes, corn, lemon whip
Tuesday July 7 — Carrot raisin salad, pepper steak, steamed rice, tomato slices, cookie.

Centennial committee seeks volunteers
The Sequim Centennial Committee seeks volunteers to plan the city’s celebration of 100 years in 2013.
The next meeting is set for 1 p.m. July 15 in the small conference room at the
Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St.
Those interested in volunteering or with additional ideas can contact City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese at 683-4139 or kkuznek@ci.sequim.wa.us.
The committee’s stated mission is “Educate, Celebrate and Commemorate.”
Subcommittees include marketing, events, history, murals, time capsule, fundraising and sponsorship, costumes and community photo.
According to the late June Robinson of the Clallam County Historical Society, 79 men petitioned the Clallam County Commissioners on July 19, 1913, to incorporate Sequim.
The city limits included 440 acres, one mile north and south of Sequim Avenue and three-quarters of a mile east and west of it.
The election was held Oct. 24, 1913, and the vote was 90 to 66. The certificate of incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State on Nov. 20, 1913, and Sequim was declared a fourth-class city.

Meetings on hold until August
Meetings of the Clallam County Democratic Club resume Aug. 12.
Democratic Headquarters is open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 150 S. Fifth Ave., Sequim
Call 683-4502.

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