‘Coffee with Mayor’ to air on KSQM

The City of Sequim has partnered with KSQM FM radio to host a live call-in session of Coffee with the Mayor at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 28. Residents are encouraged to tune into 91.5 FM or visit ksqmfm.com/live. Mayor William Armacost will be joined by Public Works Director David Garlington to answer questions or receive comments.

Listeners may call 360-681-0000 during the show to ask questions live or they can submit questions in advance to City Clerk Sara McMillon by email at smcmillon@sequimwa.gov, or by traditional mail to: City Clerk Sara McMillon, 152 West Cedar Street, Sequim WA 98382.

Coffee with the Mayor is an opportunity for residents to meet with the mayor to chat, ask questions, express a concern, or make a comment about the city or the community.

Coho ferry cancels runs through June 30

The MV Coho’s cancelled ferry sailings between Victoria and Port Angeles will extend until at least June 30, the ferry operator said in a statement issued on May 14.

Blackball Ferry Line, operator of the MV Coho, had initially cancelled its daily ferry runs between the two cities on March 30 through April 30. The cancellations were then extended into May in-keeping with US/Canada border crossing restrictions enacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“July sailings are still in pending status until we learn when the border will re-open to non-essential travel and it is considered safe for people to begin travelling again,” the statement reads.

Beekeepers offer swarm assistance

With spring in bloom and honey bees beginning to congregate throughout the region, the North Olympic Peninsula Beekeepers’ Association (NOPBA) maintains a website (www.nopba.org/swarm-list) with information for the community related to honey bee swarms.

The group has a list and contacts of individuals who collect bee swarms from neighbors across Clallam County. In addition, the website provides information on how to identify common wasps and bees.

NOPBA’s mission is to promote the common interest and general welfare of beekeeping, to protect honeybees, to encourage good bee management practices and encourage good public relations in the community.

City officials warn of local scam

Local agencies, businesses and employees are being targeted with fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits, including receiving what may look like legitimate Employment Security Department benefit claimant letters in the mail, City of Sequim officials said last week.

Unknown persons have filed for fraudulent unemployment benefits on behalf of employees, across the county, city officials said in a press release.

Those who receive what they suspect is a fraudulent claim are urged to not respond or provide any personal information. Instead, they should file a fraud claim with Employment Security Department online (www.esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-fraud) or via toll free phone (800-246-9763).

Free toothbrushes, kits coming to peninsula

Delta Dental of Washington and its Arcora Foundation are partnering with school districts, senior service organizations and community-based nonprofits statewide for Operation Toothbrush, an initiative to provide necessary dental health supplies to communities in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Olympic Peninsula is receiving 1,000 dental health kits — containing a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and dental floss — for distribution by Delta Dental in partnership with Olympic Community Action Programs, as part of its community outreach efforts. Also included are reminders about how to maintain good oral health at home, as well as information about DentistLink, a free referral service to connect people with urgent dental care, if their dentist isn’t accessible.

For information on services provided by Olympic Community Action Programs, or how to help, visit www.olycap.org.