
Local News for 9/16/25



For a compendium of upcoming featured programs, check KPTZ Spotlight for September 16-30. Many of our program hosts provide specifics about what’s planned for this half month. If you’re not already a Spotlight subscriber, you’re invited to join our Mailing List. See KPTZ’s current Weekly On-Air Schedule and Daily Program Schedule.

Jim Burke and co-host Commissioner Greg Brotherton welcome Viet Nam combat vet John Hamilton. John is the chair of the County Veteran’s Advisory Committee, and Service officer for The Veteran’s Assistance Fund. John, Greg, and Jim discuss “The Wall That Heals,” a 3/4 replica of the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial which is on display 24 hours a day from Thursday afternoon 9/11/25 through 2pm Sunday 9/14/25 at The Jefferson County Airport. They also discuss the Veteran’s Advisory Board and the Veteran’s assistance fund. Tuesdays from 9am to noon John is at the Port Townsend Community Center to assist veterans signing up for benefits. For info on The Wall That Heals go to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial website. For veterans services, go to this link.


(Airdate: September 10, 2025) Join Nan Evans as she talks with Lynda Mapes, longtime environmental reporter for The Seattle Times, about how culture, economics and science have fundamentally changed how we use the timber resources and perceive our relationship with forests. Much of the conversation is driven by Mapes’ most recent book, The Trees are Speaking: Dispaches from the Salmon Forest. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.


Each month KPTZ’s Chris Bricker joins co-hosts, Port of Port Townsend’s Director Eron Berg and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek to bring you news, updates and stories surrounding our vibrant maritime community. For years, Bernie Arthur, retired maritime tradesman, has had the vision of creating a memorial for those of our maritime community lost at sea. In August of this year, as he had done for decades, beloved fisherman Joel Kawahara set out from his hometown of Quilcene for the fishing grounds. After a few weeks, Joel’’s commercial fishing troller Karolee was found adrift, without Joel aboard. But even in his passing, Joel Kowahara has once again become the catalyst for a vision come true.. Now, Bernie Arthur’s dream of a mariner’s memorial has come closer to a reality. The proposed sight is at the entrance to the Point Hudson jetty’s Boardwalk. In Joel’s honor, we’ll reprise the interview we did with him in April of 2022.
