Matthew Nash

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)

Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)
Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim Police investigators report they continue to submit items for DNA and fingerprint evidence to discover person behind the murder of Sequim’s Valerie Claplanhoo in January 2019. (Rebecca Ruby)

Claplanhoo homicide investigation ongoing

Alliance with Missing and Murdered Indigenous team continues

Sequim Police investigators report they continue to submit items for DNA and fingerprint evidence to discover person behind the murder of Sequim’s Valerie Claplanhoo in January 2019. (Rebecca Ruby)
Mark Simpson sits atop the Sequim Skate Park in July 2023 where he had skated for years and advocated for its expansion. Community members rallied to support him and his family through the next year as he battled cancer. He died in April 2024. Sequim Mayor Brandon Janisse has proposed naming the skate park after him for his years of dedication to skating, the park and children. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group, file)

Proposal aims to rename skate park

Sequim mayor seeks change to honor advocate

Mark Simpson sits atop the Sequim Skate Park in July 2023 where he had skated for years and advocated for its expansion. Community members rallied to support him and his family through the next year as he battled cancer. He died in April 2024. Sequim Mayor Brandon Janisse has proposed naming the skate park after him for his years of dedication to skating, the park and children. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group, file)
A part of the Sequim School District’s proposed bond includes improvements to its stadium bleachers so they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Other improvements could include new or renovated bleachers, a resized track and an improved field. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Proposed Sequim schools bond would evaluate stadium, bus loop

Prior to resurfacing last summer, track was unsuitable for competition

A part of the Sequim School District’s proposed bond includes improvements to its stadium bleachers so they comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Other improvements could include new or renovated bleachers, a resized track and an improved field. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Kindergartener Zoey Griffin eats lunch with classmates in Amy Skogsberg’s class. For most of Greywolf Elementary’s history, students have eaten in their classrooms as the school was built without a dedicated cafeteria. A bond proposal includes building a cafeteria at the school, improving its parking lot and bus loop, and updating its air handler and heating units. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Kindergartener Zoey Griffin eats lunch with classmates in Amy Skogsberg’s class. For most of Greywolf Elementary’s history, students have eaten in their classrooms as the school was built without a dedicated cafeteria. A bond proposal includes building a cafeteria at the school, improving its parking lot and bus loop, and updating its air handler and heating units. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Kathy Downer, a Sequim City Council member, resigned on Jan. 13 to spend more time with family. She was elected to office in 2021 and reelected to a different position in 2023. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Interviews are set for Sequim opening

Special meeting Feb. 3 for council candidates

Kathy Downer, a Sequim City Council member, resigned on Jan. 13 to spend more time with family. She was elected to office in 2021 and reelected to a different position in 2023. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Clallam County Fire District 3 firefighters look to contain a fire in 2024. Calls for fires were down last year, but general calls for service were up from 2023. (Beau Sylte/Clallam County Fire District 3)

Fire districts in Sequim, Port Angeles see record numbers in 2024

Departments adding staff, focusing on connecting patients to resources

Clallam County Fire District 3 firefighters look to contain a fire in 2024. Calls for fires were down last year, but general calls for service were up from 2023. (Beau Sylte/Clallam County Fire District 3)
Due to Helen Haller Elementary’s age, antiquated equipment, limited amenities, such as bathrooms, costs for renovation and many other factors, Sequim School District leaders are proposing a new elementary school as part of the Feb. 11 construction bond. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim school bond aims to address safety

Special election ballots mailed Wednesday

Due to Helen Haller Elementary’s age, antiquated equipment, limited amenities, such as bathrooms, costs for renovation and many other factors, Sequim School District leaders are proposing a new elementary school as part of the Feb. 11 construction bond. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
If a construction bond is approved, Sequim High School’s open campus could be enclosed to increase safety and update the older facility, Sequim School District staff said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Ballots for Sequim schools’ bond, levy measures to be mailed Jan. 22

Helen Haller Elementary would be replaced, if successful

If a construction bond is approved, Sequim High School’s open campus could be enclosed to increase safety and update the older facility, Sequim School District staff said. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Stakeholders and community leaders stand together for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County's Lyon's Landing property in Carlsborg on Dec. 23. (Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County)

Habitat breaks ground at Carlsborg development

Lyon’s Landing planning to host 45 homes

Stakeholders and community leaders stand together for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County's Lyon's Landing property in Carlsborg on Dec. 23. (Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County)
Kathy Downer takes the oath office for Sequim City Council seat No. 1 on Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers. She plans to resign from council this month after three-plus years to spend time with family. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Sequim council member to resign

Downer unseated former mayor in 2023 election

Kathy Downer takes the oath office for Sequim City Council seat No. 1 on Jan. 8, 2024, in the council chambers. She plans to resign from council this month after three-plus years to spend time with family. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)

High school senior earns eagle rank with scouts

Kathol, 18, earns 29 merit badges through Sequim troop

Scout Grace Kathol enjoys a hike on Klahhane Ridge. (Peter Craig)
Sequim High School senior Sophia Treece shares her excitement with friends after she receives a new laptop for college at the Winter Wishes assembly on Dec. 18. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim students’ wishes granted

High schoolers, community continue tradition

Sequim High School senior Sophia Treece shares her excitement with friends after she receives a new laptop for college at the Winter Wishes assembly on Dec. 18. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
For 20-plus years, Bob and Kelly Macaulay have decorated their boat and dock off East Sequim Bay Road for Christmas, seen here more than a mile away. However, the couple sold their boat earlier this year. (Doug Schwarz)

Couple retires Christmas boat display on Sequim Bay

Red decorations lit up area for 20-plus years

For 20-plus years, Bob and Kelly Macaulay have decorated their boat and dock off East Sequim Bay Road for Christmas, seen here more than a mile away. However, the couple sold their boat earlier this year. (Doug Schwarz)
A ballot box in the Sequim Village Shopping Center at 651 W. Washington St. now holds two fire suppressant systems to prevent fires inside after incidents in October in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore. A second device was added by Clallam County staff to boxes countywide to safeguard ballots for all future elections. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Political party officials fine with Clallam’s loss of bellwether

With election certified, reps reflect on goals, security

A ballot box in the Sequim Village Shopping Center at 651 W. Washington St. now holds two fire suppressant systems to prevent fires inside after incidents in October in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore. A second device was added by Clallam County staff to boxes countywide to safeguard ballots for all future elections. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Residents of various manufactured home parks applaud the Sequim City Council’s decision on Dec. 9 to approve a new overlay that preserves manufactured home parks so that they cannot be redeveloped for other uses. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim preserves overlay for homes

Plots can be sold, but use must be same

Residents of various manufactured home parks applaud the Sequim City Council’s decision on Dec. 9 to approve a new overlay that preserves manufactured home parks so that they cannot be redeveloped for other uses. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Toys for Sequim Kids, seen in 2023, offers families in the Sequim School District free gifts for children ages 1-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sequim Prairie Grange. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Toys for Sequim Kids event set for today

Annual event helps hundreds of children receive gifts

Toys for Sequim Kids, seen in 2023, offers families in the Sequim School District free gifts for children ages 1-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sequim Prairie Grange. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

January trial set for men charged with burglary at AM/PM in Carlsborg

Men allegedly assaulted AM/PM employee during October incident

Helen Haller Elementary, mostly built in the 1970s, would be replaced with a new school if voters approve a bond proposal from Sequim School District in February. The proposal also includes new instructional wings at Sequim High School, a cafeteria at Greywolf Elementary, a new athletic stadium, new transit center and various safety improvements. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Sequim to ask for bond, EPO levy

Elementary building, classrooms proposed

Helen Haller Elementary, mostly built in the 1970s, would be replaced with a new school if voters approve a bond proposal from Sequim School District in February. The proposal also includes new instructional wings at Sequim High School, a cafeteria at Greywolf Elementary, a new athletic stadium, new transit center and various safety improvements. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)