Thursday
Safety on the Ridge
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Avalanche awareness focus of Saturday talk B1
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS February 4 4,, 2016 | 75¢
Port Angeles-Sequim-West End
PA council closes with gavel bang
Diving for cover
Meeting shut down for ‘uncivil’ public comment BY PAUL GOTTLIEB PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd reached her tipping point this week when a City Council meeting speaker compared four pro-fluoridation council members — including herself — to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Kidd, standing in for pneumonia-stricken Mayor Patrick Downie, abruptly adjourned Tuesday’s meeting during the second public comment session — it was the last item on the agenda — after repeatedly banging her
gavel and asking for order. But in an extraordinary turn, the gathering continued without her. After the meeting was adjourned, Councilman Lee Whetham encouraged comments, taking charge of the session as he stood behind the dais with other anti-fluoridation council members Sissi Bruch and Michael Merideth. The 30-minute session turned into an anti-fluoridation/antiKidd rally in council chambers packed with between 50 and 60 protesters. TURN
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A Sikorsky MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter from the U.S. Navy Search and Rescue Team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island approaches the helipad at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles on Wednesday, prompting trauma department director Charles Bundy, left, to dive for cover as Blaine Zechenelly of Clallam County Fire District No 3, center, kneels into the wind and OMC security supervisor David Rudzinski averts his eyes. The visit was part of training for the hospital staff to familiarize themselves with the capabilities of the Navy search and rescue team and the helicopter’s abilities for medical evacuations.
PAUL GOTTLIEB/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Port Angeles Deputy Mayor Cherie Kidd, right, before walking out of the City Council chambers Tuesday after adjourning a council meeting, saying anti-fluoridation protesters had gotten out of hand, while Councilman Lee Whetham, left, and two others stayed until commenters finished speaking.
PT boy cleared of bus assault BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — A 13-year-old boy was acquitted of three first-degree rape charges when the judge ruled there was no evidence to corroborate the 7-year-old girl’s statement that he had assaulted her. “There were no physical findings to support the allegations,” Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Keith Harper said during a one-hour statement Monday. “Kids don’t mean to lie, but they tell stories and can make stuff up.” The non-jury trial took place last Thursday and Friday, Jan. 28-29. Harper ruled Monday. The Peninsula Daily News does not identify juveniles accused
Your Peninsula
of crimes. The Chimacum Middle School student was charged in July after the girl said he assaulted her on a school bus in incidents between Feb. 14 and March 3, 2015. The alleged assault was reported after the girl was taken to a physician by her aunt, who serves as her guardian, after the girl disclosed what had happened to her, Haas has said. As required by state law, the physician reported the incident to law enforcement officials, in this case the county Sheriff’s Office. The boy was then expelled from school and has not yet returned, according to Chimacum Schools Superintendent Rick Thompson. TURN
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Peninsula counties accepting text-to-9-1-1 those in domestic violence situa“People can use text to contact tions who are not able to speak us in those cases.” A text to 9-1-1 in an area can seek help via text message. In Clallam County, PenCom where the service is not available director Steve Romberg said the will result in an immediate service will be available in any bounce-back. As of Monday, anyone with a areas where the four major carriers — AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and smartphone that includes a text plan can type “911” in the address BY CHARLIE BERMANT T-Mobile — offer service. PENINSULA DAILY NEWS “There are some places that field and text the details of the incident directly to call centers in PORT HADLOCK — Those in don’t get good cell service where Jefferson and Clallam counties. distress can now alert emergency voice calls can be difficult,” RomTURN TO TEXT/A4 services across the North Olym- berg said. pic Peninsula by sending a text message instead of phoning. Call centers prefer voice calls so they can acquire more information, but the added service will benefit many, said emergency dispatch center directors. “This is very important for people who are hard of hearing or have speech difficulties, or those who aren’t in the position to speak clearly,” said Karl Hatton, director of Jefferson County’s JeffCom 911. “We’d prefer they call,” he added. “When someone texts us, we won’t get accurate location information and we can’t hear background noises or judge the CHARLIE BERMANT/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS stress level in their voices.” People with hearing disabili- JeffCom 911 director Karl Hatton, left, briefs ties won’t need a special device to communications officer Terry Taylor on the newly communicate, Hatton said, and installed text-to-9-1-1 feature.
Like phone call, messages go to dispatchers
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