Briefly: Arraignment delayed in luring case; bridge closures announced

Arraignment in luring case slated today

PORT ANGELES — Donald A. Halkett, who is accused of luring boys from a birthday part in Port Angeles on June 7, will be arraigned in Clallam County Superior Court today.

The arraignment was delayed Tuesday to give defense attorneys time to review a mental health evaluation.

Clallam County Superior Court Judge George L. Wood set the arraignment for 9 a.m. today.

Halkett, 68, is charged with luring, a Class C felony, and remains in custody at the Clallam County jail on $30,000 bail.

According to a police statement, parents of children at the birthday party at Lincoln Park said Halkett approached several children and attempted to entice them away from the party to see magic tricks.

Halkett denied the claims, police said, before saying he talked to three boys.

He said he asked them for a high-five before a man asked him to leave, the police statement said.

Public hearing

PORT HADLOCK — The state Board of Health plans a public hearing today.

The public will be invited to provide testimony at 10:40 a.m. at a meeting from 8:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Inn at Port Hadlock, 310 Hadlock Bay Road.

Discussions will focus on a proposal to modify the rule about how health-care providers attending or assisting in births treat newborns’ eyes to prevent infections that can cause blindness, and a petition for rule-making on the handling of animal manure in populous areas.

Updates also will be presented on the regulation of “Group B” drinking water systems and on the school environmental health and safety rule.

Copies of the agenda and related materials are available online at www.sboh.wa.gov or by phoning 360-236-4100.

Hood Canal Bridge

SHINE – Motorists can expect three 90-minute closures of the Hood Canal Bridge between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. overnight Thursday.

The state Department of Transportation gave no times for the delays, saying in a prepared statement that the nature of the work prevented scheduling it that closely.

Crews will install six new 3-inch bolts in the bridge’s draw span. The work requires the east-half lift spans to be in the raised position while two bolts are set at three locations along the draw span assembly.

Although the bridge reopened June 3 after replacement of the eastern half, the project is scheduled to continue through December 2009 as crews make final connections to new east-half anchors, complete electrical upgrades and make final adjustments.

For more information on the Hood Canal Bridge Project, click on www.HoodCanalBridge.com.

Meeting, fly-in

PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Radio Controlled Modelers Group will meet at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., for a meeting and indoor flying at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Members of the public are invited.

The group also plans a fly-in at its field at 1520 Critchfield Road, off Edgewood Drive, at 10 a.m. Saturday.

For more information, phone Lee Hunt at 360-460-1378.

Candidate meeting

PORT TOWNSEND — An open house will be held at the home of Doug Breit-haupt, a candidate for Port of Port Townsend commissioner, District 3, at 7 p.m. Friday.

Breithaupt, his family and supporters will be in attendance.

Members of the community are invited to participate in a discussion.

Light refreshments will be served.

Breithaupt’s home, 43 Bentley Place, is the former Discovery Bay (Uncas) School.

It has been in the Breit-haupt family since 1986.

People interested in attending the meeting are asked to RSVP.

To RSVP or for more information, phone Breit-haupt at 360-379-0531, e-mail dougbreithaupt@gmail.com or click on https://sites.google.com/site/breithauptforport commissioner.

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