The Jefferson County Beacon (Page 2)

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Soundcheck Sunday: Movement and Poetry

The last day of Soundcheck created spaces for everyone to be their best artist selves.

From Art Catalyst to Legacy Maker: Five Awards Presented in Soundcheck Kickoff

Artists of all types honored at this year's Port Townsend Arts Awards.

On wood benches in the City Council Chamber.

The Little Bookshop That Could: How Port Townsend’s Volunteers Are Writing a Love Story to Their Library

The Friends Bookshop reopened on March 2, 2026.

Two people with gloves and masks in front of bins of citrus, blueberries an apples

The Jefferson County Food Bank Association Emerges Stronger From Bumpy Transition

The food bank is serving more community members than ever before while supporting local food producers.

Front of the Jefferson County Courthouse, A large red brick building with a stone entrance and a clock tower on the right side.

Assault, Burglary and Theft—and Ongoing Recovery

This week, our justice beat is old enough that we are able to start following cases through the legal system.

A tall brown wooden door that says "Council" in gold and black in the center.

City Council: Police Annual Report and Emergency Repair Success

The Port Townsend Police Department gives their Annual Report and more in the March 2, 2026 Port Townsend City Council meeting.

A collage, at the center is a woman on a throne with a blue textured border and an orange circle bordering the picture of the woman.

Feral Feelings: That “Witchy” Feeling

A Pagan curious reader writes with questions about nurturing their inner witch and how to bridge the divide between personal traditions and family inherited beliefs.

Welcome to Soundcheck!

The Beacon's Youth Reporting Lab, Arts Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz and Editor Nhatt Nichols bring you the best of Soundcheck as it happens

Petition Threatens to Stall Port Townsend’s Housing Progress, Though Plan Remains in Effect for Now

Critics say appeal aimed at blocking density could worsen the housing crisis, as the city confirms zoning changes remain active during review.

The site plan for the Evans Vista Development

Port Townsend Council Charts Course for Mixed-Income at Evans Vista

Council directs staff to prioritize economic diversity in development solicitation, and seeks community amenities.

Quilcene Community Center, a single story brown shingle building with evergreen trees in the background

Competing for Community Centers

North Hood Canal Chamber Challenges OlyCAP's Longtime Hold on Jefferson County Centers.

A room with fuchsia lighting, chairs and one person sitting in a chair in the foreground on the right

Improv Helps With Uncertain Times at Rec Center

Olympic Improv brings a sense of community fun and good mental health to all.

Front of the Jefferson County Courthouse, a large red brick building with a clock tower on the right side.

Jefferson County Superior Court

Superior Court: Community Service, Assault, and Child Abuse

Court cases and trial updates for the week.

Port Townsend City Council

City Council February 17, 2026: Utilities, Roads, and Evans Vista

City planning department floats idea to lessen utility costs for urban farms and adopts 2026 Local Road Safety Plan.

GOAT

The Goat, the Panther and the Basketball Player

If you need an high-energy underdog story for the whole family, this film’s got your GOAT.

Salish Current

Contagious cancer poses possible threat to Salish Sea clams

Researchers monitor rare transmissible cancers spreading through two local species.

A photo of the Silver Shoals, a sailboat, on fire floating in Port Townsend bay

Glen Cove

Sailboat Explosion in Port Townsend Results in Hospitalization of Two Individuals and Rescue of Dog

A sailboat explosion in Glen Cove led to two individuals being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center with severe burn injuries.

A large fir tree at Camas Prairie Golf Course

Camas Prairie Park

Port Townsend Moves to Preserve Tree That Bears Witness to a Lynching

Historic landmark designation process begins for a Douglas Fir where a Chemakum man, Kia-a-han, was hanged in the 19th century.

Affordable housing

Jefferson County Affordable Housing Project Gets Major Boost with Nearly $2.5 Million in Grants

State and federal funding will support Habitat for Humanity's ambitious Mason Street Neighborhood development.

Quimper Grange

Quimper Grange Goes to its Roots With Fundraiser for Flood-Affected Farms

Event at Quimper Grange raises funds to help Skagit Farmers.

Jefferson County Prosecutors

Prosecutor’s Office and Therapeutic Courts Worry About Long-Term Impacts of Health Care Cuts

With medical and therapeutic support, individuals are finding ways to break the cycle of crime and create new lives.

Hawthorn berries with the centered picture being a magnifying glass, magnifying Hawthorn berries

Chlorophyll Corner

Chlorophyll Corner: A Moment for Grief with Hawthorn

Chlorophyll Corner is a monthly column exploring the cultural, ecological, and medicinal relationships between people and plants. Grounded in ethnobotany and the One Health model, it examines how traditional plant knowledge supports our access to land-based healing across diverse communities.

Dove House

Dove House Faces Federal Grant Funding Challenges

News by Angela Downs The only Crime Victim Service Center in Jefferson County, WA, Dove House Advocacy Services, is facing funding loss from grant changes and lack of criminal fee collections. Dove House provides shelter and trauma informed services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other types of

Jefferson County District Court

District Court Successes in the LEAD program, DV and Custody

Alternatives to traditional justice system models prove a valuable tool to help people get back on their feet and stay out of jail.

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