Charlie Bermant

Craddock Verser is stepping down as Jefferson County Superior Court judge today. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Judge fighting cancer to swear in successor today

PORT TOWNSEND — While pancreatic cancer has forced Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Craddock D. Verser to leave the bench, he hopes the illness does… Continue reading

Craddock Verser is stepping down as Jefferson County Superior Court judge today. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Retrial set for man charged in murder of timber family

PORT TOWNSEND — Attorneys are preparing for a March 4 retrial of Michael J. Pierce, who was convicted in 2010 of the first-degree murders of… Continue reading

Allison Alderman served as manager of Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend for almost a year. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Fort Worden manager to leave post

PORT TOWNSEND — After 11 months as the manager of Fort Worden State Park, Allison Alderman is leaving next week for a new job in… Continue reading

Allison Alderman served as manager of Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend for almost a year. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Retrial set for man charged in murdering timber scions

PORT TOWNSEND — Attorneys are preparing for a March 4 retrial of Michael J. Pierce, who was convicted in 2010 of the first-degree murders of… Continue reading

Fort Worden State Park manager leaving post

PORT TOWNSEND — Allison Alderman is leaving her position as Fort Worden State Park manager next week after eleven months on the job. Alderman’s last… Continue reading

A patch covers the place where a water main burst on Water Street in Pot Townsend. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Port Townsend street reopens after water main fixed

PORT TOWNSEND — A water main break at the access point to downtown Port Townsend was repaired ahead of schedule Tuesday morning, with Water Street… Continue reading

A patch covers the place where a water main burst on Water Street in Pot Townsend. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

State pass waived for PDA-managed sites

PORT TOWNSEND — Visitors to facilities managed by the Fort Worden Lifelong Learning Center Public Development Authority will not have to display Discover Passes in… Continue reading

Derelict ship could leave Port Ludlow this week, state says

PORT LUDLOW — The New Star may leave Port Ludlow Marina this week after overstaying its welcome by about 14 weeks. The rusting, engineless ship,… Continue reading

Phil Johnson

Masked Austin re-elected as county commissioners’ chair

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Commissioner John Austin was a masked man as he was re-elected as board chair Monday. The Port Ludlow Democrat and… Continue reading

Phil Johnson

Water Street set to reopen today in Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND — Water Street should be ready for traffic by this afternoon, city personnel said. “It should be open by Tuesday,” City Engineer Dave… Continue reading

Crews work to fix the broken water main in front of the Tides Inn on Water Street in Port Townsend on Sunday. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Water main repaired, but Highway 20 still shut in Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND — A broken water main early Sunday closed state Highway 20 between Washington Street and the Port Townsend ferry terminal as crews worked… Continue reading

Crews work to fix the broken water main in front of the Tides Inn on Water Street in Port Townsend on Sunday. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
Dennis McGuire of the Last Exit on Kearney Chess Club demonstrates some moves that could be used in the annual tournament that begins this week. Prizes will be paid out to the top 10 participants. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Peninsula chess tourney to make opening gambit

PORT TOWNSEND — North Olympic Peninsula chess players can match wits with each other in a six-week tournament beginning Monday in which the most logical… Continue reading

Dennis McGuire of the Last Exit on Kearney Chess Club demonstrates some moves that could be used in the annual tournament that begins this week. Prizes will be paid out to the top 10 participants. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
The New Star has been an unwelcome resident of Port Ludlow Marina since Oct. 1. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

DNR takes possession of derelict boat in Port Ludlow

PORT LUDLOW — The state Department of Natural Resources took ownership of the derelict New Star on Thursday, but the former owner said he is… Continue reading

The New Star has been an unwelcome resident of Port Ludlow Marina since Oct. 1. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
The Gweduc I was raised early Thursday at the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

Spill contained from boat that sank in Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND — A spill from a 31-foot boat with a 180-gallon diesel-fuel capacity that sank Wednesday next to a dock at the Port of… Continue reading

The Gweduc I was raised early Thursday at the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
The Treasure Hunter

Faulty power strip likely caused boat fire, investigators say

PORT TOWNSEND — Preliminary results of a fire in the Boat Haven boatyard Friday indicate that the fire's cause was electrical and accidental, the agency… Continue reading

The Treasure Hunter
Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies Kevin Denny

Brother-in-law finds body of missing Port Townsend man

PORT TOWNSEND — A 56-year-old man last seen Dec. 22, when he told his sister he planned to deliver Christmas presents, was found dead this… Continue reading

Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies Kevin Denny

Jefferson County issues formal denial of Port Townsend Paper permit

PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend Paper Corp. no longer qualifies for an inert-waste permit for the landfill at its Port Townsend plant, according to final… Continue reading

The first Sea Shanty Song Circle last January: from left

Sea Shanty Song Circle to celebrate first anniversary

PORT TOWNSEND — In January 2012, a loose coalition of sea chantey enthusiasts decided to meet each month to sing songs of the sea. A… Continue reading

The first Sea Shanty Song Circle last January: from left
A few of the estimated 120 swimmers jump off the dock near the Nordland General Store Tuesday. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News

High turnout, no skinny-dippers at Nordland plunge

NORDLAND — About 120 people jumped into the chilly waters of Mystery Bay on Tuesday to mark the beginning of a new year. The 19th… Continue reading

A few of the estimated 120 swimmers jump off the dock near the Nordland General Store Tuesday. Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
Brian Jennings was last seen at his Discovery Road trailer home Dec. 22.

Family’s worried about Jefferson man missing 10 days

PORT TOWNSEND — The family of a 56-year-old man missing for 10 days is concerned about his welfare. Brian Jennings, 56, was last seen Dec.… Continue reading

Brian Jennings was last seen at his Discovery Road trailer home Dec. 22.