Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
While contract negotiations are still underway, the Progressive Design-Build team of Absher Construction of Puyallup, and McGranahan PK Architects of Tacoma will tentatively lead design and construction efforts for the new Helen Haller Elementary in Sequim. The project was approved as part of a bond in February 2025.

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Negotiations ongoing for elementary, high school bond project leads

Construction completion remains tentatively set for summer 2029

Paula Hunt/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Brad Simmons, president of UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics, speaks to the Olympic Medical Center Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. The two organizations signed a nonbinding letter of intent last August and are evaluating a potential partnership.

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OMC, UW Medicine consider ‘e-consults’

Local providers could connect to specialists

Sequim Gazette photo by Monica Berkseth/ Sequim philanthropist Marylaura Ramponi, center front, celebrated her 90th birthday Saturday at the Sequim Masonic Lodge with friends and family members, some of whom had traveled from California and Nevada for the occasion. Nine candles on her birthday cake represented each decade of her life. Ramponi donated $1 million to the Sequim School District to fund The Ramponi Center for Technical Excellence, the district’s Career and Technical Education building, in honor of her late husband Louie, a TV salesman and real estate investor.

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Photo: Community donor Ramponi turns 90

Sequim Gazette photo by Monica Berkseth

Steve Hobbs.

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Measures secure statewide elections

Official: Databases, processes are safe in Washington state

Photo courtesy Clallam County Fire District 3/
Firefighters with Clallam County Fire District 3 extinguished a brush fire on the 600 block of North Oak Wood Drive on Friday afternoon believed to have started by a torch used for burning weeds. The fire remains under investigation, staff said.

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Responder Blotter — April 1, 2026

The weekly blotter includes calls in the City of Sequim and in unincorporated Clallam County in the Sequim-Dungeness…

Photo courtesy Washington House Democrats
State Representative Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) said he made the decision not to run again this year prior to a diagnosis of Squamous cell carcinoma on his tongue last fall. “It was time for someone else,” he said. “Sixteen years is a good run.”

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Tharinger reflects on service after announcing political retirement

Friends, colleagues share how he made a difference

Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe seeks legislative support to transfer about 900 acres of land, including the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge with the Dungeness Spit, pictured, Protection Island, and land in Blyn by Sequim Bay to its ownership. Tribal Chairman/CEO W. Ron Allen said if transferred, they’d “only enhance accessibility, and capacity to educate the community and general community, including tourists.”

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Jamestown seeks land transfer of Dungeness Refuge, Protection Island

Tribal chairman says Randall to introduce legislation soon

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COMMUNITY NEWS — April 1, 2026

Great Decisions group to meet

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Fisher receives 7 1/2 years for manslaughter conviction

Aaron C. Fisher has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison with credit for time served following…

Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
Shoko Suskind, a volunteer for the Sequim-Shiso City Friendship Garden, stands in the water pulling weeds from the shoreline. She is one of 10 volunteers who work from 9 a.m.-noon each Tuesday from late March to October to provide upkeep of the garden. More volunteers are welcome.

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Open house highlights Sequim, Shiso City connection on Saturday

Friendship Garden hosts kite making, paper crafts, virtual tours, photography, more

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News

Habitat announces ‘Create for CHAIR-ity’ art fundraiser

Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County (HFHCC) is seeking artists and crafters to participate in its “Create for…

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/
 Approximately 4,300 people participated in the No King’s Rally 3 peaceful protest in Sequim on March 28.

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Updated: Sequim’s No King’s rally sees about 4,300 participants

As part of more than 3,300 “No Kings” rallies across the nation on Saturday, organizers with Indivisible Sequim…

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Man sentenced to 10 years for sex assault of teens

A 26-year-old Port Angeles man was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday for sexually assaulting two…