PORT ANGELES — Closures of the Elwha River bridge on U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles are possible this morning after a series of closures Monday night, but after that, no closures are expected for the rest of the week.
Multiple closures lasting 40 to 45 minutes each occurred at the bridge Monday afternoon until about 8 p.m. while crews demobilized drilling equipment, hauling it up to the bridge deck, according to Claudia Bingham Baker, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
After this, no closures are expected this week, although they may resume later, she said.
Crews have been drilling bore samples along the bridge’s two piers, resulting in intermittent hour-long closures, as they explore the degree of erosion. Sediment from the former Lake Aldwell and high water has scoured the riverbed in which the piers sit.
Crews have not collected all the data they need, Bingham Baker said Monday, but plans have changed because of a storm the National Weather Service has forecast to come into the area on Friday.
Large boulders will be placed around the base of each of the piers to retard the rate of erosion.
“They want get the rip-rap in place before the water level rises because of the storm,” Bingham Baker said.
The rip-rap work will not require traffic closures on the bridge.
4-H enrollment
WSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program is enrolling for the 2016-17 4-H year.
Those interested can plan to attend one of the following 4-H information sessions to learn about the opportunities available through the 4-H program.
Children are always welcome.
In Clallam County
• Today from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
• Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sequim Library, 630 Sequim Ave.
• Monday, Oct. 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Forks Library, 141 S. Forks Ave.
In Jefferson County
• Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock.
• Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Port Townsend Library’s “Pink House” (which is actually blue), 1220 Lawrence St.
4-H programs in Clallam and Jefferson counties have a variety of clubs and programs led by certified adult volunteer leaders.
For more information, contact Clallam County 4-H Program Coordinator Jenny Schmidt at 360-417-2398 or jenny.schmidt@wsu.edu; or Jefferson County 4-H Program Coordinator Tanya Barnett at 360-379-5610, ext. 208, or Tanya.barnett@wsu.edu.
OMC jewelry sale starts Wednesday
PORT ANGELES — Olympic Medical Center (OMC), 939 Caroline St., will host a new and used jewelry and scarves sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
This auxiliary fundraiser’s proceeds go directly back to the hospital.
Another sale will take place at the OMC Medical Service Building, 840 N. Fifth Ave., Sequim, from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12.
For more information, phone Betty Olszak at 360-681-2888.
Balance workshop
SEQUIM — The Sequim Gym, 160 E. Bell St., will host a free talk, “Easy Steps to Improving Balance and Stability,” at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
This talk will address why people tend to lose their balance and stability as they age and introduce key factors in improving those critical aspects of their lives.
Reservations strongly recommended; email Alicia@sequimgym.com or phone 360-681-2555.
For more information, visit www.sequimgym.com.
Legal clinic set is for PT on Saturday
PORT TOWNSEND — Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Lawyers will present the quarterly Jefferson County Free Legal Clinic event at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St., on Saturday.
This event is a free drop-in legal advice clinic for the public.
This clinic allows local people to address their legal issues in one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers.
It is intended to help those who are otherwise unable to financially access an attorney but is open to all those who wish to attend.
Attorney volunteers will be available from noon to 3 p.m. to answer legal questions, direct people to local services that might be able to assist them and to explain the legal process to them.
Volunteers will answer questions regarding family law, tenant/landlord, public assistance, estate, bankruptcy, employment and creditor issues.
It is anticipated demand for this clinic will be high, so it is recommended that attendees arrive on time to ensure being seen by an attorney.
For questions, contact Executive Director Shauna Rogers at 360-504-2422 or email probonolawyers@gmail.com.
