PORT ANGELES — U.S. Highway 101 traffic is scheduled to be flipped onto a milelong stretch of new lanes west of Sequim sometime today, state Department of Transportation officials announced.
Motorists traveling between Kitchen-Dick Road and Cliff Robinson Lane will be routed onto the recently paved new alignment north of the existing highway between midmorning and midafternoon, construction supervisor Bill Trodahl said.
Traffic impacts should be minimal, Transportation spokesman Doug Adamson said.
Adamson noted that the work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled to a later date.
The traffic switch is needed to allow the contractor, Scarsella Bros. Inc., to excavate and regrade the old lanes to match the profile of newly constructed road, Trodahl said.
The lane transfer also will allow crews to complete the installation of a box culvert with a pedestrian tunnel at East Owl Creek.
Transportation is in the second year of a two-year, $27.1 million project to widen the highway from two lanes to four lanes along a 3.5-mile stretch between Shore and Kitchen-Dick roads.
The project is on schedule to be completed by the end of this year.
Businesses along the highway remain open during construction.
PA pastor to retire from church in July
PORT ANGELES — Pastor Jo Ann “Joey” Olson of First United Methodist Church of Port Angeles will retire from active ministry July 1.
Her ministry has spanned 29 years, providing service to six United Methodist churches in Washington and Texas.
She is a former district superintendent for the Inland District of the United Methodist Church, based in Spokane.
“I have enjoyed my ministry and will miss the feisty Bible studies, leading worship and preaching, and all the wonderful people who have shared Christ’s love with me,” Olson said.
Olson and her husband, Ole, plan to stay in Port Angeles.
Ole is an artist at the Heatherton Gallery at The Landing mall and has carved several totem poles in the area.
Olson’s retirement plans include travel, brunch, learning Spanish, reading and enjoying the Peninsula great outdoors.
The church welcomed its new pastor, the Rev. Tom Steffen, early this month.
He served at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Bellevue.
First United is located at 110 E. Seventh St.
Sunday worship services are held at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
For more information, phone 360-452-8971 or visit www.pafumc.org.
Solstice celebrations
PORT ANGELES — On Saturday, Niobe Weaver will present “Summer Solstice in the Olympics” from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Unity in the Olympics, 2917 E. Myrtle St.
Weaver is a singer who focuses on vibrational health and wellness.
There is a suggested donation of $15.
Bring water, a yoga mat, a blanket and pillows.
On Sunday, Weaver will speak at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday.
She will present the lesson “Spirit Driven Decision: Surrendering into Faith.”
Free child care is available during the service.
A time for silent meditation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
From noon to 2 p.m., Pat and Charles Mawson will present “The Healing Power of the Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls.”
There is a $10 suggested donation.
Everyone is welcome to attend all church activities.
Missionaries speak
PORT LUDLOW — Missionaries Tony and Patricia Salisbury will speak at Port Ludlow Community Church, 9534 Oak Bay Road, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
The Salisburys have worked most recently in Japan.
The public is invited to hear the Salisburys’ mission.
Before going into the mission field, the Salisburys ministered in two churches in Washington state.
After serving in Japan as independent missionaries for seven years, they joined the Assemblies of God World Missions in 1997.
Since then, they have been involved in church planting and various other ministries like Royal Rangers and Missionettes.
For more information, phone 360-437-0145.
Taize service set
SEQUIM — All are welcome to an ecumenical Taize service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave., at 7 p.m. Monday.
There will be a meditative, candlelit atmosphere that includes singing simple, repetitive songs during the hourlong service.
Taize will continue to be held the fourth Monday of each month.
Bible school slated
SEQUIM — “Spirit of Service, Creation Care” is the theme of a vacation Bible school at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 Blake Ave., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
There will be arts and crafts, singing, exploration of a Psalm each day and caring for God’s creation, which may involve local field trips.
Snacks will be provided.
The minimum age for the Bible school is 6 years old or entering first grade.
There is a registration fee of $5; scholarships are available.
For more information, phone the church at 360-683-5367 or email jan@sequimtumc.org.
