Wednesday
Gonzaga playing big
Rain forecast through at least Thursday A9
Small school earns nation’s basketball respect B1
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS March 13, 2013 | 75¢
Port Townsend-Jefferson County’s Daily Newspaper
Blue Heron athletics assured After a year without team sports, the booster club last spring raised the $60,000 necessary to finance the program for the current school year. At the time, the school district estimated that a program would cost $85,000. It committed to allocating the first $25,000 each year toward that cause, with the booster club raising the remainder.
Benefit raises enough to keep program going
Costly football helmets
BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — An auction and dinner that raised $51,000 in support of middle school sports has assured that the program will continue through the 20132014 school year at Blue Heron Middle School. About 300 people attended Saturday’s Team Port Townsend benefit, featuring Seattle Seahawks assistant offensive line coach Pat Ruel, at the Port Townsend Elks Club, according to Bob Carter, president of the Port Townsend Red- Ruel skin Booster Club. The fundraiser brought in money through ticket sales, auctions and direct contributions, Carter said, adding that the response was inspiring.
‘An incredible job’ “The town has determined that sports is important, and they are doing an incredible
Carter said this year is on track to cost perhaps only $60,000 — which means that up to $25,000 could be left over and possibly be put toward other expenses, such as football helmets that cost $250 each. The $51,000 raised Saturday means the program is in great shape, he said. Said Blue Heron Principal Diane Lashinsky: “This was a wonderful event. It was great to see people come together for something we value.” Carter said the program already has made a positive impact on the school, since the seventh-grade football team ended the season with a 7-1 record. “We had 125 kids try out this year,” Carter said. “That’s 125 kids who had nothing to do last year. CHARLIE BERMANT/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS “And it brought up their grades because Jacob Massie, in blue, and Tanner Minnihan, both eighth-graders at Port there are requirements if they want to play Townsend’s Blue Heron Middle School, take part in wrestling practice at sports.” the school Tuesday. Donations can be sent to the Redskin Booster Club, P.O. Box 1219, Port Townsend, Team Port Townsend, an arm of the WA 98368. job in supporting the programs,” he said. The money will support football, basket- booster club, was organized after the Port ________ ball, baseball, track, cross-country, soccer, Townsend School District discontinued Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be volleyball and wrestling at Blue Heron team sports for the seventh and eighth reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@ peninsuladailynews.com. Middle. grades in 2011 because of a tight budget.
New Centrum director: Let’s draw more people BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — According to its new executive director, there is no place like Centrum anywhere else in the world. “What impresses me the most about the programs here is the integrity of what we do,” Rob Birman said after 10 days on the job at the multidisciplinary nonprofit arts organization based at Fort Worden
“We also want to deepen our relationship with the city and build more partnerships.” ROB BIRMAN Centrum executive director State Park. “Whether it’s the writers’ workshop or the folk or the jazz or the fiddle tunes, what Centrum offers is unique any-
where in America,” he said. “There is no other place where we offer so many niche art forms in one place.” Birman, 45, who was chief executive officer of the Louisville Orchestra in Kentucky, takes over for John MacElwee, who resigned in November. He is making about $100,000 a year, Centrum Board Chairwoman Cindy McBride said. TURN TO CENTRUM/A6
CHARLIE BERMANT/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Centrum’s new executive director, Rob Birman, right, meets with Peter McCracken, Fiddle Tunes’ program director.
Panel to explore Forks woman killed in hit-run Commons lease Teenager turns himself in, remains in jail
Forks High School, was a student at Peninsula College in 2012 and has a young daughter. Family members declined comment Tuesday afternoon; however, tribute messages to LaGambina mounted on social media websites.
BY ARWYN RICE
BY CHARLIE BERMANT
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT TOWNSEND — The City Council and School Board will form a joint committee to explore the terms of a new lease for Mountain View Commons, they decided this week. The lease of the former Mountain View School campus, which the city pays $68,178 a year to the Port Townsend School District to use, expires in 2014. A quorum of each of the entities discussed the future of the agreement at a joint meeting Monday night. City Manager David Timmons said several repairs needed on the public facility at 1925 Blaine St., specifically to the heating and ventilation systems, have been postponed because of a lack of money. The city is researching two grants from the state departments of Ecology and Commerce to replace the heating systems, but it does not qualify for the grants under the condition of the existing lease, Timmons said. TURN
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FORKS — A 19-year-old Forks man allegedly struck a young mother with his pickup truck, carrying her for about 80 feet before driving off, authorities said Tuesday. Garrid James Larson, who called police and surrendered to officers at his home after the accident, is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 1 p.m. today in the Clallam County Courthouse in Port Angeles. Larson remained in Clallam County jail late Tuesday for investigation of felony hit-and-run. The State Patrol reported that Aamanda Louise LaGambina, 25, also of Forks, was hit by Larson’s 2000 red Toyota pickup about 8:45 p.m. Monday while walking on Calawah Way near Leppell Road.
Brother’s tribute
LaGambina
Larson
According to troopers, Larson was driving eastbound on Calawah Way, and LaGambina was walking westbound toward town. The truck carried her down the road before she fell off, investigators said. LaGambina was pronounced dead at Forks Community Hospital. LaGambina, a 2005 graduate of
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Tyeson LaGambina, her brother, wrote on her Facebook page: “I’m lost without you already, sis. I cannot live life the same without you. “Big sister, you have always been my role model. I have always looked up to you and wanted to be just like you. “God, I miss you sooo much already, sis. I honestly do not know what I am going to do without you.” Friend Amber Hull wrote: “I will treasure the memories we had forever and always! You are going to be a beautiful angel, Amanda!”
BUSINESS CLASSIFIED COMICS COMMENTARY/LETTERS DEAR ABBY DEATHS HOROSCOPE MOVIES NATION/WORLD
B4 B6 B5 A10 B5 A8 B5 B10 A3
PENINSULA POLL PUZZLES/GAMES SPORTS WEATHER
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