Rhody Fest calls for volunteers

Volunteers are needed to support the 89th Rhody Festival on Saturday, May 18. The festival committee is seeking 50 volunteers for a variety of activities, including: judges (bands or entries such as car clubs, floats, etc.), traffic monitors for intersections, banner carriers, pre-parade staging coordinators, and float check-in team.

Volunteer shifts are available on Friday, May 17, from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers can sign up for one or more shifts by emailing rhodyfest@gmail.com.

PTHS sports honor wall fundraiser

A Port Townsend High School senior has exceeded her fundraising goal to update the track and field and cross-country record boards. Fiona Fraser, who began the effort as part of her senior project, is teaming with The Station Signs company in Port Hadlock to create metal boards with the updated records.

“The T&F board has not been updated in decades and is somewhat dilapidated,” Fraser wrote on the Go Fund Me page. “The cross-country board was created in 2015, and is missing top results since then. I am hoping to raise enough money to cover the cost of this project and if there are any donations above and beyond that cost, I will have them deposited into the Track and Field team account for future equipment purchases.” She initially sought $1,000 according to the fundraiser page. The total is  expected to hit $1,465 by press time. www.gofundme.com/f/help-fiona-update-pthss-athletic-history

Kilmer named Fiscal Hero

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) has been named a Fiscal Hero of the 118th Congress by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB).

Fiscal Heroes are awarded each Congress to recognize policymakers working to improve the nation’s fiscal situation and fix the budget process. This year’s list included 59 current and two former members of Congress.

According to the CRFB, Fiscal Heroes have distinguished themselves by pushing their party leaders to make debt a priority, leading bipartisan efforts to work through policy options to fix the debt and the budget process, taking responsible votes, participating in fiscally focused events, using their town hall meetings to engage and educate constituents, delivering floor speeches to raise awareness about the issue, advocating to keep tough choices on the table, and introducing legislation to improve the budget process and the nation’s fiscal position.  The information was provided through a press release.

“As Congress works to get a handle on America’s long-term fiscal challenges, it’s important that policymakers continue to prioritize efficiency, transparency, and strive for a government that not only meets today’s needs but secures the economic well-being of future generations,” said Rep. Kilmer, who added he was “deeply honored” to be on the list. “Every dollar saved through commonsense reform is a dollar that can be invested back into the priorities that matter most to the American people.” 

USCG Cutter back in port

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active and crew returned home to the Olympic Peninsula on May 3 after completing a 54-day multi-mission patrol, as detailed in a press release.

The mission was in support of a Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S) counternarcotics patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. They also saved the life a sailor adrift after what the sailor said was a confrontation with a pod of whales.

During the patrol, Active’s Port Angeles-based crew interdicted 3,858 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $50.8 million in a coordinated effort involving both airborne and surface units, resulting in a safe and successful interdiction. Active’s crew also disrupted two other smuggling events while serving as the sole U.S. surface asset for 28 days in the region in support of JIATF-S counter-narcotics campaign. Specialized law enforcement members from the Coast Guard’s Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team and the Maritime Security and Response Team – West deployed aboard to support their mission and augment Active’s crew.

The cutter patrolled over 12,000 nautical miles during the deployment. Included in the mission was Active’s 200 nautical mile diversion at high speed on April 12 to conduct a search and rescue operation involving a disabled sailboat. The sailor reported his sailboat was hit by a pod of whales. The vessel, which was about 300 nautical miles northeast of the Galapagos Islands, was embarked on the Active and brought back to shore.

Active is a 57-year-old medium endurance cutter nicknamed  ‘The Li’l Tough Guy,’ according to the release. Cmdr. Adam Disque, Active’s commanding officer, said the crew embodied the nickname on the mission. “The cases we encountered on this patrol were particularly difficult, and the crew fought through obstacles at every turn, working extremely hard to accomplish this mission.” Active patrols from the northernmost part of the contiguous United States to the equator. It regularly patrols international waters off southern Mexico and Central America to combat transnational organized crime in the Western Hemisphere, specifically the smuggling of narcotics.

Training exercises at the base

Naval Magazine Indian Island has a security training exercise scheduled for May 13-16, according to a release.

Training activities will occur in Port Townsend Bay, between the installation’s small boat pier and the ammunition loading pier’s security barrier, and on the surrounding base.

Exercises will be conducted by harbor security boats on the water, engaging in high-speed maneuvers. In addition, vehicles with lights and sirens will be visible at the main gate.

Announcements will be broadcasted from the base’s loudspeaker notification system.

Residents living in the communities surrounding Indian Island and installation personnel might notice increased noise levels and activities associated with training activities.