Restrictions have come a month early this year. The Elwha is a good foot below the low 13 year mean. We just are not getting enough snow and aren't keeping it long enough. We are in a D2 severe drought, with worsening conditions expected.

While voluntary, you need to start restricting your water use. Stop watering your lawn, stop washing your car (go to a car wash instead), ex.

The city offers programs for many water saving devices from rain barrels rebates to free low flow faucets attachments.

Also, I encourage some public shame for businesses and organizations with green grass. It's a luxury which puts our region at risk, and is completely unnecessary as our cool weather grasses evolved to go dormant in the hot summers.

Hi there! My workplace is looking to relocate me to Port Angeles, so I’d like to see what the locals think of the area! I have only visited PA once before when I was passing through, and it’s been a couple of years.

Also, any recommendations for safe areas of town to look at renting? It seems as though most rental options are in Sequim, but I’d like to stay closer to town if possible. I also have a cat, so that is a bit of a minimizing factor…

Thank you!

🩺Is UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE your litmus test?
🔔Don't forget to vote in the August 4th Primary!

Learn more about the candidates at:

Patrick Depoe (LD 24): https://www.depoeforwashington.com/

Nemo Callaway (LD 24): https://noroly.chapters.dsausa.org/endorsements/ld24/

Kaylee Kuehn (LD 24): https://votekayleekuehn.com/

Learn more about us at r/WholeWashington

I saw that there used to be pick up games at Erickson field M-Sa at 10:00am. Doesn’t seem to be a thing anymore.

I’d like to play, I played JV tennis in high school 40 years ago, just getting back into it now.

Anyone up to hit a couple of days a week?

Does anyone have pictures of the old volleyball court at Hollywood Beach?

Second question, would you play beach volleyball if a court returned to Hollywood Beach?

I am on the committee for Joyce Daze Wild BlackBerry Festival and we are in serious need of volunteers! Joyce Daze is on Saturday August 1st, and there are a variety of jobs to do!

Every volunteer gets a free slice of pie!

Please find our Facebook page or connect with me here for more information! Thank you!

Feeling the need for some introspection? Curious about which path to take in life? Never had your cards read and just looking for fun experience? Well look no further!!! I’m an experienced and intuitive tarot reader with tons of charisma and a great sense of humour. Tarot cards are a great self diagnostic tool. The rich imagery and what it brings to mind for you can tell you a great deal about yourself and help guide you through big and small decisions; no magic, just intuition and creativity! DM me for details. :)

We are in the market for a house and noticed quite a few (at least 4) for sale within a few blocks of each other (1311-1633 E 5th Street). Anyone know any scuttlebutt?

We have some less-than informed candidates for political office suggesting changes that sound like common sense but don't take into consideration the complex challenges that our justice system is facing.

Per the county prosecutor, the crimes being prioritized right now are DUI and domestic violence because crimes in these categories are statistically most likely to result in death.

It's easy to say that we should arrest people who are engaging in public property damage or drug use, but in America all citizens are afforded certain rights including the right to an attorney, and in the case where people cannot afford an attorney they are granted a public defender. If there are not enough public defenders the courts are forced to either unconstitutionally hold someone in jail or dismiss the case.

This results in the "catch and release" situation that is frustrating so many voters. But the alternative is terrifying: imagine the courts being able to hold you indefinitely without trial, without representation. Imagine judges being solely responsible for determining your fate with or without a court proceeding.

We are struggling under unfunded mandates from the state level: but I would rather see our local law enforcement maintain our rights than trample them because it's easier to ignore them.

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Prosecuting attorney discusses challenges

Published 1:30 am Friday, May 15, 2026

By Emily Hanson Peninsula Daily News

PORT ANGELES — Changes to state law have made prosecuting crimes more complex, Clallam County’s prosecuting attorney said.

Mark Nichols spoke about the changes as well as state crime lab backlogs during the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday at the Red Lion hotel.

Changes to state law include indigent defense, otherwise known as public defense.

“If someone can’t afford defense, it’s provided by Clallam Public Defenders,” said Nichols, who is running unopposed for a fourth four-year term this fall.

In 2024, the state bar association’s Board of Governors adopted revised indigent defense caseload standards which apply to cities and counties. Then, on June 9, 2025, the state Supreme Court adopted new indigent defense standards which apply to attorneys.

Those new standards create a maximum number of cases a defense attorney can be assigned in a year.

“Practically speaking, they have created an affordability crisis because the state didn’t provide funding,” Nichols said.

The cap on caseloads has caused a need for increased funding and resources to provide indigent defense and also is contributing to a criminal justice system imbalance, since the caseload cap does not apply to prosecuting attorneys.

What is going to happen is that public defenders are going to be required to handle fewer cases than prosecutors but for the same pay, Nichols said.

“Local governments may need to hire more public defenders, which has a cost,” he said. “There’s already a shortage of attorneys in Washington state. A demand is going to come to exist. If we can’t staff the county with enough attorneys, something is going to have to give.”

The most likely result will be that judges will dismiss cases because there is no public defender available for the case, Nichols said.

“Imagine if you’re a victim of a crime. If charges aren’t filed, that’s not going to sit well with you, nor should it,” Nichols said.

Bail reform efforts proposed by various defense organizations are now pending before the state Supreme Court. If those reforms are adopted, they will change the current standard of assigning bail amounts based on “likely failure to appear” to “high likelihood of willful flight from prosecution.”

“If the rule goes through, I would need to argue that a defendant’s failure to appear in the past was a ‘willful flight from prosecution,’” Nichols said.

He gave examples of reasons people miss court dates, including car accidents, lack of transportation, medical emergencies, scheduling conflicts or they just forgot to appear. Proving excuses such as those and others to be “willful flights” from prosecution isn’t possible.

Another bail reform effort is to enact a cap of $200 on bond and warrant amounts for most misdemeanor offenses, excluding domestic violence, DUI and attempts to commit a Class C felony.

The Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys has provided comments on the pending change stating that the cap of $200 on bail — which would become a 10 percent bond, or $20 — is insufficient to ensure the appearance of a person who willfully flees from prosecution.

The higher burden to prove bail is warranted likely will result in seeing more people out on bail in a “catch and release” cycle, Nichols said.

In addition, exceptions to the bail cap overlook some crimes that pose a danger to public safety such as the attempted luring of a minor or attempted child molestation in the third degree.

Another challenge for pressing charges is a backlog at the state crime lab for testing blood samples provided for DUI and drug cases. Right now, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has 36 pending toxicology tests while the Port Angeles Police Department has 40, the Sequim Police Department has nine and Washington State Patrol has 109.

“Until we get results back, we’re not charging,” Nichols said.

The backlog and delay on test results is anywhere from 10 to 20 months, he said.

“Practically speaking, we’re exonerating the person to wait until blood test results come back,” Nichols said. “Justice is delayed and also a public safety challenge is created.”

The backlog for drug analysis tests is shorter, but it can still take about a month to get results back.

The state Legislature has passed a law allowing cities and counties to use private labs for samples — something they’ve always been able to do — but didn’t provide an appropriation for the use of private labs, which can sometimes charge up to $10,000 per case. With government entities watching their money, that’s not a feasible solution, Nichols said.

“It’s going to take about a decade to get out of this testing backlog,” he said.

Another barrier for pressing charges is that Washington is not a grand jury state so any prosecutor can press charges by signing an indictment and filing it. While the defendant has an assumption of innocence within the court system, those indictments are public record and a person’s life can be ruined even if they are eventually found to be innocent in court.

“We have an ethical obligation before pressing charges and statutory standards to meet,” Nichols said.

For more information, go to clallamcountywa.gov/463/Prosecuting-Attorneys-Office.

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Hello! I’m not sure if this is allowed but I’m really struggling finding someone on Google. My Fiancé and I are having a private wedding ceremony just the 2 of us in Olympic Park and afterwards we are wanting to find a private chef for a several course meal cooked and served at our Airbnb. If anyone has any recommendations I’d be very appreciative! I live in Ohio so I do not know the area well but we would be closest to Port Angeles in terms of cities.

Thank you!!!!

So my wife has been doing some late spring cleaning, and we’ve realized we have way too many puzzles! 😂

We were wondering if there are any other couples or puzzle lovers out there who might be interested in swapping. Instead of doing the same puzzles over and over, maybe we could trade a few for a couple of months and then swap them back.

It seems like a fun way to keep things fresh without everyone having to buy new puzzles all the time. If anyone is interested, let me know! If you are really interested DM me we can talk more.

Hello everyone! I just moved here all the way from Alabama and I’m loving it so far. I just had a few questions about life here and what I can come to expect. I’m still a bit of a tourist myself, but I just bought a house here and I would love a locals guide so to speak! It’s a lot of questions, so don’t feel like you have to have all the answers. Even if you only have input for one of the things I mention that would be super helpful.

_____

What places are just for tourists and are over priced, and what are more local gems? And what are some things about the town I should know as someone not just new to PA but also Washington?

I’m an early riser (I’m talking 5am) Besides hiking and talking walks, there really doesn’t seem like there is anything to do here before 9/10am, especially during the week. Do yall have any recommendations for good cheap breakfast places that are open during the weekdays or stores that have early hours? I think I’ve just been spoiled by southern 24/7 Waffle House, but something that opens even just at 6 on a Wednesday would be really nice.

In the same vein, what good dinner options are there here? I got here before summer hours and noticed so many food shops closed at 6pm? That’s insane to me to close right at dinner time. 😅 I know with summer tourists now the hours have changed a bit, but after summer I would like to be able to have a few good dinner spots.

I know downtown/first and front street are tourist traps with high prices… but I adore Atomic bagels and Cloudy donuts. It’s just almost all of the shops on the strip are open at such weird hours, or only on the weekends. I do go to the farmers market every Saturday (it’s crazy it starts so late here. I’m used to them starting at 6/7)

And I knew PA is a small town so I wouldn’t have all my conveniences that I’m used to, but I’m already a little annoyed that Home Depot is 30 minutes away. I know that is just something I’m going to have to suck up and get used to though. But as someone who is big into DIY and has quite a bit of home projects in mind, are there any other Home Depot like local stores? So I don’t have to drive an hour if I need wood, or trim or quarter round?

Also, what are the best things that sequim has that PA doesn’t? (so I can make the most of my trips to sequim)

Please help out a city girl like me get her feet under her here and learn how things work.

A pair wing foil surfers took full advantage of a brisk breeze, skimming across Port Angeles Harbor Saturday afternoon.

GLBr = Gas Leaf Blower racket. I can't find anything saying Port Angeles is immune to this scourge on quality of life, just hoping it might be self-limiting by luck. Neighborhoods that always look manicured can be the worst for near daily lower-octave mosquito buzzing.

Not looking to argue with people defending the practice, just gathering evidence for a potential 100-mile move. Please give general cross-streets (optional) because neighorhoods can vary a lot.

https://reddit.com/link/1uzl2a1/video/98sv60j0twdh1/player

Partner and I are driving down from Bellingham for a couple nights’ stay somewhere around Port Townsend or Poulsbo. What would you do with your 2-3 days? Looking for activity/nature recs, but also food and drink recs. Basically map out what you wouldn’t miss on your next visit. Thanks!

Hi, I'm looking for Washington's apples and currant berries to bring home to my family down south

Any good spots to watch World Cup finals Sunday ?

I have never minded the music or noise, but it doesn't even seem like they're out there. I'm two blocks away and they're just blasting rain-themed music. Like yeah, okay, we get it, super funny, but can we please give it a rest and actually enjoy the rain noises? It only thunders here like twice a year.

Hey yall. I’m an audio engineer in PA. While the majority of my career has been working on audiobooks and podcasts, I’ve also done plenty of mixing/mastering and port production audio for video.

I want a new project and I’d love to work with people in our community.

I’m always down to talk shop too, so please feel free if you just want to chat or have an audio question.

Let’s make something!

Hi! I’m visiting Washington for ONP where I plan to propose!
Location: hurricane ridge
At sunset on the 31st of July

Would appreciate any help in finding someone that is willing to tale photos! Or help me find where I can find a photographer!

Feel free to message me! Would need help in coming up with a vision and style as well!

PORT ANGELES — A new hotel brand inspired by America’s national parks is making Port Angeles its very first location.

Bamboo Hotels has purchased the vacant property at First and Washington and plans to build an 86-room flagship hotel. Company leaders say they’re evaluating whether construction can move quickly enough for an opening by the end of next summer.

The four-story hotel would feature guest rooms on the lower levels, with a rooftop lobby, bar, fitness studio and outdoor wellness terrace that includes a sauna, hot tub, cold plunge and yoga pavilion overlooking the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Company CEO Nick Curcio told Newsradio KONP Port Angeles stood out from dozens of communities considered for Bamboo’s first hotel.

“Yeah, we looked all across the country, literally, of where to put this first flagship property we looked at. Flagstaff, Arizona, Moab, Utah, Sedona, Arizona, and we couldn’t find a town that we were more excited about than Port Angeles. It’s a town with incredible soul, a really vibrant, creative community, a culinary community, a great summer events program, some of the best views in the nation, and of course the access to Olympic National Park.”

Curcio says the hotel will combine Nordic and Japanese-inspired design with affordable rates. He says they hope to make it a gathering place for both visitors and local residents.

https://www.myclallamcounty.com/2026/07/15/bamboo-hotels-picks-port-angeles-for-flagship/