Debris removal closes Hurricane Ridge Road

Hurricane Ridge Road is closed to visitors, including cyclists, through Aug. 17 to help facilitate the removal of debris from the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge burn site.

The debris removal, which started Aug. 15, was necessary to allow for the investigation into the fire to continue, Olympic National Park officials said.

Wilderness permit holders for the Obstruction Point area will still be permitted to enter. The astronomy programs scheduled for 10:15 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 17, will continue to be offered. Program attendees should not enter past Heart of the Hills Entrance Station before 9:30 p.m., and they must leave Hurricane Ridge by midnight.

Clallam Transit will not be operating the Hurricane Ridge shuttle during this closure.

Guild thrift shop sets opening

The Sequim Dungeness Hospital Guild Thrift Shop, 204 W. Bell St., will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-20.

Customers can expect plenty of changes inside and out. The shop features vintage items this month including jewelry, clothing and housewares.

Donations are welcomed and appreciated from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and when the shop is open for business. The guild is welcoming new members, too.

Law increases income limits for taxes

The Clallam County’s Assessor’s Office is alerting the public of new income limits that affect taxes for senior citizens and people with disabilities in Clallam County.

Passed the legislature and signed by the governor, Substitute House Bill 1355 increases the income limits for tax relief for senior citizens and disabled persons effective for 2024 taxes.

The bill increased the limits for each county, based on median income in each county, recognizing the inequality between cost-of-living differences in counties across the state, county officials said.

This means the threshold for qualifying for the tax exemption is 70 percent of the county median, or $46,000 for 2024 taxes. The threshold for the tax deferral is 75 percent of the county median, or $49,239 for 2024 taxes.

The Clallam County Assessor’s encourages anyone who thinks they may qualify under the new limits to contact the office at 360-417-2505 between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

For more information, see tinyurl.com/SEQtaxlimits.

‘End of Life Ready’ event set at library

Volunteers from End of Life Washington will present “End of Life Ready” from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.

The free program is designed to provide resources for planning ahead and reducing anxiety for one of life’s major transitions. In the first half, participants will learn about advance directives, including new dementia directives; choosing a healthcare agent; and the Physician’s Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.

The second section of the presentation will cover Washington’s Death with Dignity Act and other end of life options, such as Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). A question-and-answer period will follow each section.

No registration is necessary. For more information, call 206-854-4302.

ONP trails reopen

Officials with Olympic National Park announced last week that the Switchback and Sunrise Ridge trails have reopened, 10 days after a cougar attacked a child. The Lake Angeles/Heather Park Loop remains closed.

Clallam County Transit will be resuming their stops at the Switchback Trailhead.

Access to the Lake Angeles and Heather Park areas are closed to the public until further notice.

‘Wear and Share’ at Sequim event

A “Wear & Share” event for the whole family will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 815 W. Washington St. Lightly used clothing, shoes and accessories will be available for free. Attendees are asked to bring their own shopping bags to gather the items for babies, children, youth, men and women.

Those who would like to donate items that are clean, free of tears or stains and lightly worn, may bring them to the church from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, and 9 a.m.-noon on Friday, Aug. 25. Of particular need are clothes for school age children and youth. Those who donate are encouraged to stay to help sort and fold their donated items with women from the Relief Society, who have organized this annual event for more than 10 years.

For more information, email Sharon Ryan at RyanSharon49@gmail.com.

Local office open to help veterans

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office in the Worksource building, 810 W. Brackett Road, is open 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. every Wednesday to serve veterans who are needing help with claims or other information.

Services are free and veterans do not have to be members of DAV to receive assistance.

The office is by walk-in; no appointment is necessary. Masks are optional.

For more information, call 360-775-6482.