Sequim Gazette

A 70-year-old Jefferson County woman is in custody after she allegedly stole an expensive table from Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County’s Sequim Habitat Boutique’s front window. Kristin Estelle Harlan was booked in Clallam County jail on Friday at 5:22 p.m. on a felony charge of theft in the second degree, according to the Clallam County inmate roster. Sarah Ketchum, the store’s director, said in an interview that an employee was in the front of the store at 154 W.

Port Scandalous falls to Walla Walla in home bout Published 1:30 am Friday, July 17, 2026 Port Scandalous Roller Derby team hosted the Walla Walla Sweets on July 11 at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. Walla Walla won with a final score of 175-115. Port Scandalous hosts its next bout on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St. Find tickets at portscandalousrollerderby.com.

Richard J. Carroll December 31, 1928 – June 4, 2026 Richard peacefully left this world on June 4th, 2026 to join his wife of 73 years and to be with his Savior Jesus. In fact his last movement minutes before passing was to use all his strength to point to the ceiling while looking upward as if he was seeing his Lord and saying he was on his way, even though he didn’t even have the energy to speak in those last moments.

The race to succeed retiring eight-term state Rep. Steve Tharinger brought four of the five candidates to a Port Angeles Business Association forum last week. Appearing were Democrats Bradley Callaway and Mark Hodgson, both of Port Angeles, Democrat Kaylee Kuehn of Sequim and Marcia Kelbon of Quilcene, an independent who ran as a Republican for state Senate in 2024. Patrick DePoe, a Neah Bay Democrat, was unable to attend the event. The primary election is Aug. 4.

Mary Field, our friend and colleague. Mary was a very private person but once she let you in, you realized she was a many-layered woman with a subtle wit that would have you thinking and then laughing so hard you might just pee your pants. Mary had an impressive work ethic, driving daily from Port Townsend to Sequim for 26 years to work at the Gazette, rarely missing a day.

Whether they’re spouses, siblings, or generations of grandparents to grandchildren, at the core of each lavender farm is family. At Nelson’s Duckpond and Lavender Farm, 73 Humble Hill Road, co-owner Amy Lundstrom said her family has been on the property off Hooker Road for 50 years and part of the Sequim Lavender Festival since its inception 30 years ago. “My parents loved it here. I love it here. Hopefully I can be here forever,” she said.

After four years battling cancer, the family of David Herbelin, former executive director of Olympic Theatre Arts, confirmed he died on July 1. Herbelin, 51, stepped down from leading the nonprofit in mid-February to spend more time with family as he received his fourth round of treatment for colorectal cancer that he said had spread through his body. He was diagnosed in spring of 2022 shortly after being hired in September 2021 to lead the community nonprofit.

Countless selfies taken and lavender bundles sold, lavender’s allure remains as popular as ever. Sequim Lavender Weekend is back July 17-19 with the Sequim Lavender Festival and local farms celebrating 30 years of U-pick lavender, live music, food and more. The first festival was held on Aug. 2, 1997 and has grown to three days and 15-plus farms open this weekend.

The Sequim City Band, in partnership with the Association of Concert Bands (ACB), will host the inaugural Olympic Peninsula Brass & Winds Festival on Friday and Saturday, July 24–25, marking the first event of its kind on the Olympic Peninsula. The free public festival will feature outstanding community wind ensembles from Washington and Northern California, showcasing musicians from some of the region’s best community bands. Participating ensembles were selected through an audition process.

When Paul Balkan stepped onto the summit of Alaska’s Denali on June 5 in minus 45 degrees with windchill, he was standing at the highest point in North America — 20,310 feet above sea level. It marked the Iron Man competitor’s greatest athletic achievement, and the culmination of a dream that traced back to his roots growing up in Sequim.