Jefferson County Superior Court
ICE Jurisdiction and Guardianship Cases Tackled in Superior Court
Superior court cases explore custody through two different lenses.
Jefferson County District Court
Court Congestion and Driving With Suspended Licenses
The Beacon is beginning our new Criminal Justice beat, where we will be breaking down aspects of the system along with reporting on the news.
Port Townsend City Council
City Council Approves Funding for Ferries and Furry Companions; Releases Statement on ICE
In a meeting full of community positives, the police statement acknowledging inability to prevent a potential ICE presence brought a change in temperature.
local news
Rufina Garay Brings Joy (and food) to Role as Port Townsend's New Poet Laureate
News by Angela Downs Rufina Garay was inaugurated as the 2026 Poet Laureate on January 5. She is Port Townsend's second Poet Laureate and will serve in the civic position for two years. She considers herself “a homegrown poet,” studying locally at Imprint Bookstore workshops with teaching writers
local news
City Welcomes New Year With New Mayor, New Programs and Infrastructure Improvements
News by Angela Downs The first City Council meeting of the year was light and hopeful, with the inauguration of Rufina Garay as the new Poet Laureate, the swearing-in of new police officers and Kamal Sharif being promoted to Deputy Chief of Police. Fred Obee took an oath to serve
local news
Port Townsend City Council Approves Comprehensive Plan, Aims to Tackle Housing Crisis With New Regulations
[caption id align="alignnone" width="2528"] City Council voted to accept alternative two to allow houses that currently do not have a livable third floor to utilize their attic space for residential use. Photo from city council packet [https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/caption] News by Angela
local news
The Crow’s Way: Sustainability Practice in Printing for More Than Just the Environment
[caption id align="alignnone" width="1793"] Owner Candace Mangold poses with Bright Tide Designs. Photo by Angela Downs [/caption] News by Angela Downs You’ve seen their work all around town and likely never known you were seeing them. From the Food Co-op to gift stores,
school news
Chimacum Tech Program Empowers Students with Hands-On Learning
[caption id align="alignnone" width="3024"] Photo by Daniel Evans [/caption] News by Angela Downs In room 109 at the Chimacum High School, students are quietly focused on an instructional welding video, but soon the students in the Chimacum Valley Tech - Construction Trades Program switch
local news
Port Townsend Residents Voice Concerns Over Housing Density Changes at City Council Comp Plan Meeting
News by Angela Downs City chambers were packed on November 24, with people standing along the walls, mostly in the 50+ age bracket, many of whom, according to their public comments, moved to Port Townsend after retirement. In the 30 minutes allotted for people to voice their opinions on the
Food
My Heart Is Good: Treaty Rights and Food Sovereignty for the S’Klallam Fishing Community
[caption id align="alignnone" width="1599"] Port Gamble S’Klallam elder and former tribal chair Ron Charles (Left) and anthropologist Josh Wisniewski. Photo courtesy of Empty Bowl Press [/caption] News by Angela Downs On Friday, November 14, at the Meeting House in Port Townsend, Empty Bowl
local news
Port Commission Approves Increased Docking Fees and Limits Cruise Ship Traffic Amid Community Concerns
[caption id align="alignnone" width="1179"] Union Warf. Photo courtesy of the Port of Port Townsend [/caption] News by Angela Downs After a proposed increase in cruise line traffic caused some public concern, the port commission voted, on November 12, to increase the fee for a
Environment
Port Explores Industrial Symbiosis for Sustainable Growth and Environmental Resilience
[caption id align="alignnone" width="2000"] Port Executive Director Eron Burg at a Danish industrial park with a significant microgrid which includes energy created from solar, wind, hydrogen and biogas. Photo courtesy of Eron Berg [/caption] News by Angela Downs The massive federal funding cuts have