Sequim Gazette

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Volunteer royalty mom Lynn Horton rehearses with the Sequim Irrigation Festival’s royalty candidates for their upcoming show. Candidates include, from left, Tilly Woods, Brayden Baritelle, Caroline Caudle, and Emma Rhodes.

Teens Brayden Baritelle, Caroline Caudle, Emma Rhodes, and Tilly Woods seek seats on the Sequim Irrigation Festival’s royalty court at the 2026 Royalty Ambassador Scholarship Pageant at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Sequim High School Auditorium.
www.sequimgazette.com/life/royalty...

Jamestown Tribe plans to move Blyn dental clinic to Sequim - Sequim Gazette Project would nearly double number of appointments for children, adults

Leaders with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe say once their planned Jamestown Salish Seasons psychiatric evaluation and treatment clinic is completed tentatively this summer, construction will move on to start the tribe’s new dental clinic once permitting is done.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/jamesto...

Shipley Center holds groundbreaking inside new facility - Sequim Gazette Plans remain in place to open by year’s end

Leaders with Shipley Center, Sequim’s senior center, gathered for possibly the first indoor groundbreaking ceremony in Sequim last week inside its forthcoming new facility at 651 W. Washington St.

www.sequimgazette.com/news/shipley...

Sequim Free Clinic set to celebrate 25th year - Sequim Gazette Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

This year, the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic — also known as the Sequim Free Clinic — will mark 25 years of providing free healthcare services to those who are uninsured and under-insured.

www.sequimgazette.com/news/sequim-...

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Bernie Riding-Hood (Trinity Myers) encounters a group of annoying squirrels, played by Amara Buggy, Gretel Maberry, Rain Nelson, and Sasha Larson in “It’s Not About the Hood: Bernie’s Tale.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ The cast of “It’s Not About the Hood: Bernie’s Tale” rehearse a number at Olympic Theatre Arts’ Gathering Hall. The show is set to run Feb. 6-22.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Sheriff Grimm (Tara Dupont) attempts to recruit Gretel and Hansel (Jeanne Klockers and Richard Stephens) as Nana Riding Hood (Rebecca Maberry) disapproves of Grimm’s actions.

For Olympic Theatre Arts’ first production of the year, cast and crew invite you to be an active participant in “It’s Not About the Hood: Bernie’s Tale.”

Shows take place at OTA’s Gathering Hall, 414 N. Sequim Ave., from Feb. 6-22.

www.sequimgazette.com/life/a-fairy...

Temporary Library closes for move to remodeled Sequim branch - Sequim Gazette Reopening date still to be announced as holds remain available

Library patrons stocked up for the final full day of the Sequim Temporary Library location on Jan. 31.
Staff anticipate moving materials and operations back into the Sequim Branch Library at 630 N. Sequim Ave. through this month.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/tempora...

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Ruby Moxley-Horgan weaves through Bremerton’s defense on Jan. 28 in Sequim. She scored multiple touchdowns in the win, including an opening score that was the length of the field.

Sequim’s first girls high school flag football team is heading for the postseason after finishing the season as Olympic League co-champions with Klahowya.
Districts are set toplay Friday-Saturday, Jan. 30-31 in Bremerton.
www.sequimgazette.com/sports/flag-...
#flagfootball #football

Ian Houghton, a former Sequim-Shiso City exchange student, speaks to Shiso City representatives on Jan. 24 from the Sequim Civic Center during a virtual exchange meet-up. It was the first planned student meeting since 2019 for the Sequim-Shiso City Sister City Association.

Shiso City’s mascot Shii-tan shows her skills playing with a ball and cup during a virtual meeting of sister cities Sequim and Shiso City, Japan. The two cities mailed traditional games and sweets to each other to share during the meeting on Jan. 24 and 25, depending on the time zone. Sequim students will tentatively go to Shiso City in 2027, and Shiso City students and representatives to Sequim in 2028.

Five current Sequim students watch a presentation from Shiso City students about their area’s events, culture, and geography on Jan. 24 in Sequim. Local students will tentatively go to Shiso City, Japan in 2027 and their students will come to Sequim in 2028.

The first student exchange – this time online – brought sister cities together once again last weekend after a six-plus year hiatus for the Sequim-Shiso City Sister City Association’s student exchange program.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/friends...

#Japan #Sequim

On the watch for Squatch | Sequim Gazette Sequim man’s YouTube channel chronicles adventures searching for mysterious creatures

Kristapher Edgecombe of Sequim likes to don his “Sasquatch gear” and search for the elusive creature in the Olympic National Forest and other areas for his YouTube channel Xpedition_Edge youtube.com/channel/UCJzVsznciZVGnzF8KmimGnQ

Story: sequimgazette.com/life/on-the-watch-for-squatch/

Railroad Bridge’s truss to be replaced due to wood deterioration | Sequim Gazette New steel structure to reflect current design, improve safety, tribe reports

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe announced on Jan. 16 its intentions to replace the Railroad Bridge’s historic truss next to the Dungeness River Nature Center at 1943 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim. www.sequimgazette.com/news/railroa...

Photo by Emily Matthiessen Five Acre School student Norah Armstrong shares an original poem with her schoolmates and an audience of supportive adults at the school’s annual poetry festival on Dec. 19.

Photo by Emily Matthiessen Oliver Zizzo reads an original poem at the Five Acre School’s Poetry Festival on Dec. 19, in front of a room filled with peers and supportive adults.

On the last day before winter break, the young poets of Five Acre School welcomed loved ones to their poetry festival.
It has been a winter tradition at the independent, nonprofit school since 2013.
www.sequimgazette.com/life/poetry-...

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash An intricate window and frame was delivered on Dec. 22 that will lead to construction on the Sequim Library’s east wall to be completed.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash North Olympic Library System staff report that construction funds for the renovation and expansion of the Sequim Library will mostly come from timber revenue via state forest trust lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash North Olympic Library System staff report that construction funds for the renovation and expansion of the Sequim Library will mostly come from timber revenue via state forest trust lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Leaders with the North Olympic Library System announced that the renovated and expanded Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., is close to opening and that it has been paid for without local property taxes with $9.1 million from timber revenue.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/nols-re...

Sequim experienced its share of milestones, tragedies and traditions in 2025 in a news-filled year.
Here’s a recap of some of Sequim’s top stories through the year, month by month: www.sequimgazette.com/news/2025-se...

Sequim Gazette photo by Monica Berkseth/ John and Darla Campbell of Sequim wish everyone a merry Christmas, as do their canine companions who are dressed in holiday attire: Daisy, Kodiak and Sir Dudley Do Right.

John and Darla Campbell of Sequim wish everyone a merry Christmas, as do their canine companions who are dressed in holiday attire: Daisy, Kodiak and Sir Dudley Do Right.
Sequim Gazette photo by Monica Berkseth

More scenes from the season: www.sequimgazette.com/.../scenes-f...

#Christmas #dogs

School board agrees to architect contract for SHS/CTE buildings | Sequim Gazette Projects approved by state’s Public Review Committee

An approximate $5.2 million contract with Mahlum, an architecture firm from Seattle, for design services for Sequim High School and the CTE (Ramponi Center for Technical Excellence) building was approved by Sequim School District’s board of directors last week.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/school-...

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ In OTA’s “Santa Claus conquers the Martians,” Kimar (Colby Thomas), right, speaks with the wise Martian Chochem (Liam Patterson), center, as Hargo (Greg Bova) listens to the advice that they must abduct Santa Claus to help Mars’ children.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Martians, from left, Colby Thomas as Kimar, Nick Bell as Dropo, Greg Bova as Hargo, and Ginny Holladay as Voldar brace to land at the North Pole where they plan to kidnap Santa in “Santa Claus conquers the Martians.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ News reporter Andy Anderson (Greg Bova) interviews Santa (Joel Swenning) in the North Pole as elves Finky (Arwen Osborne), Winky (Rayna Buggy), and Stinky (Rain Nelson) make toys

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Actors and directors prepare the last scene in “Santa Claus conquers the Martians” at a recent rehearsal.

Olympic Theatre Arts’ actors turn to Martians to help Sequim get in the holiday spirit this December with the 1964 B-movie adaptation of “Santa Claus conquers the Martians.”

It plays weekends through Dec. 21.

Story: www.sequimgazette.com/life/space-i...

Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash Third grader Thea Thomas, center, is all smiles with classmates and her sister Essie at the start of Helen Haller Elementary’s Turkey Trot fundraiser on Nov. 27.

Greywolf Elementary first graders ready at the start line to begin the Turkey Trot inside the school’s gymnasium.

Third graders Everly Catelli and Stella Tweten zip by during the Turkey Trot.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ First grader Kade Eastburn smiles after passing underneath a dinosaur tail during Greywolf Elementary’s Turkey Trot.

Sequim Elementary PTA’s volunteers announced that the group’s annual Turkey Trot exceeded its goal to help purchase books for students to read over summer break, help with PTA-led teacher appreciation events, and more.
See more photos/info: www.sequimgazette.com/.../ptas-tur...

Sequim High School added its first officially sanctioned sport in 24 years – girls flag football.
Practices are set to begin Nov. 17 for any high school girl interested as it will be a no-cut sport this year.
Sequim’s last sanctioned sport was girls bowling. www.sequimgazette.com/sports/girls...

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Michael Smith, Shipley Center’s executive director, points to future amenities in its new space at 651 W. Washington St. He’s standing atop future multi-use courts that can host indoor pickleball, basketball, volleyball and ping pong.

Image by Roy Hellwig of Tormod Hellwig/ Shipley Center’s proposed floor plan will come in at about 29,000-square-feet compared to its current 11,000-square-feet building.

Image courtesy of Shipley Center The lobby of Shipley Center will feature a dance hall to the left in this sketch with a reception area straight ahead.

Leaders with Shipley Center, Sequim’s senior center, hope to move into the former JCPenney by the end of 2026.
“We’re very optimistic, and getting more excited by the day as we approach getting the building permit,” said Executive Director Michael Smith.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/shipley...

Sequim Gazette photo by Jacques Star Isaac Edgecomb, left, a 15-year-old sophomore at Sequim High School, and his sister, 18-year-old Arrow Edgecomb, a senior, prepare sack lunches for distribution at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club and other locations throughout Sequim. The teens are paid employees of the summer food program and had to apply and interview for the positions. This was Isaac’s second summer with the program, and Arrow’s fourth.

With help from teens in Sequim and Port Angeles, the Boys & Girls Clubs served thousands of meals this summer to children.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/with-he...

For the third year, locals are invited to bring out or rediscover their inner child at The Olympic Peninsula Toy and Collectibles Show this weekend from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 in the Guy Cole Event Center.
The event is free to attend.
www.sequimgazette.com/life/sequim-...

Council enacts moratorium on Master-Planned Overlay applications | Sequim Gazette Decision was to review city code, not single out Westbay, attorney says

The City of Sequim is taking a six-month pause on processing all Master-Planned Overlay applications, such as Westbay, a proposed 600-lot development on West Sequim Bay Road.
www.sequimgazette.com/news/council...

After receiving their diplomas, Sequim High School’s Class of 2025 stands and moves their tassels to the left side of their caps to signify they’ve graduated.

Jozie Mills shows her diploma with enthusiasm at Sequim High School’s graduation on June 6.

Asher Bascue and Nekadius Scouller sport fun shades while listening to staff speaker Bill McFarlen at graduation.

Kansas Jackson happily accepts her diploma from Sequim School Board director Patrice Johnston.

Sequim High School graduates celebrated completion of their senior year on June 6 with a commencement ceremony before hundreds of family and friends.
Read a recap, and see more photos here: www.sequimgazette.com/news/excitem...

New Dungeness Nursery celebrates 10 years | Sequim Gazette Cockburn family and their employees are firmly planted in local landscaping industry

New Dungeness Nursery is celebrating its 10th anniversary, but as father and son Doug and Stew Cockburn (pronounced Coburn) tell it, that decade is just one marker in a long history of their professional relationship with plants. www.sequimgazette.com/business/new...

Skylar Krzyworz stands outside Walmart on March 7th when she hit the milestone of selling her 25,000th box of Girl Scout cookies. “Girl Scouts has been something that I never realized was going to have such a big impact on me,” she said. “And then after being in it for 13 years, I don’t know what I would do without it in my life.” Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

As a kindergartener, Skylar Krzyworz sold 118 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and the next year her total jumped up to 1,003 boxes sold. Photo courtesy of Heidi Krzyworz

Skylar Krzyworz of Sequim recently reached the milestone of selling her 25,000th box of Girl Scout cookies.
www.sequimgazette.com/life/sequim-...

#girlscouts #Sequim

Eighth grader Annalise Castelletti, on left, reads “Archie the Daredevil Penguin” to kindergarteners Jesse Maas and Ivory Lyckman at Greywolf Elementary for Sequim’s Read Across America event on March 7.

Damien Enges, left, and Alyx Smith share a laugh while reading an “Arthur” book at Greywolf Elementary for Read Across America Day in Sequim.

Sophomore Stanley Baker, left, reads Dr. Seuss books with third graders Jethro Welch and Beckett Thomas during Sequim’s Read Across America Day.

Otis Karabotsos, an eighth grader in center, shares a laugh with second graders Sophia Maguire and Eli Medina while reading about Captain Underpants during Sequim’s Read Across America event. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Students continued another chapter in Sequim’s Read Across America Day tradition last week.
Upper grades from Sequim Middle and High Schools traveled to the elementary schools on March 7 to read classics, graphic novels, nonfiction and more.
More pictures: www.sequimgazette.com/life/student...