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County Connections

County Connections

(Airdate: June 12, 2026) GAS! This week on County Connections, Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour and Jim Burke talk about an urgent issue that was discussed in a tabletop exercise this week where members on EJFR, Sheriffs Dept. PT police, County DEM, PUD, and others including Heidi worked on the problem of rising fuel costs and dwindling supplies that are having a negative effect on all these departments and should be of concern to all county residents. As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed – and even if it reopens to shipping tomorrow – the ripple effect of a 20% reduction in crude oil and reductions of other resources could be felt everywhere for months to come. Also, All-County Preparedness Day in Jefferson County takes place on Saturday, June 27, 2026. This free, family-friendly event is held at Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum, WA from 10am to 4pm.

County Connections

(Airdate: May 29, 2026) For KPTZ’s small town BIG SOUND fundraiser, co-hosts Commissioner Greg Brotherton and Jim Burke have a spirited discussion about fireworks and the issues they pose, fire danger in the county this summer generally, the new bridge in the south county which allows for greater passage of chum salmon. And Greg responds to a listener question about the future of North Beach County Park.

County Connections

(Airdate: May 22, 2026) This week on County Connections, co-hosts Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour and Jim Burke welcome three guests from businesses at Chimacum Corner. Andrew Byers from Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Simon Walter-Hansen from Chimacum Café, and Nicole Witham from Chimacum Corner Farmstand. They relate what each business does and their current septic systems and “septage’ outflows, and the possibility of hooking up that area to the Port Hadlock sewer system which is just one and a half miles from Chimacum Corner. There could be potential environmental benefits as well as greater capacity for customers at all three businesses. This would have the added benefit of helping the businesses to grow and thrive.

County Connections

(Airdate: May 15, 2026) This week on County Connections, County Administrator Josh Peters is co-host with Jim Burke. They welcome CDC Director Jeremy Williammee, Cynthia Koan (Dist. 1) and Andrew Schwartz, (Dist. 3) (Chair, and Vice chair of The Planning Commission, respectively). The discussion centers on the State-mandated 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Includes 2 listener comments. For more info on the update, visit here.

County Connections

(Airdate: May 8, 2026) Commissioner Greg Brotherton and KPTZ’s Jim Burke talk with Shawn Frederick, Central Services Director for Jefferson County about Capital projects meetings and agenda, as well as the county A.I. policy which is being finalized and will be presented to the full commission on Monday, May 18. See https://co.jefferson.wa.us/ Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Meeting May 18, 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

County Connections

(Airdate: May 1, 2026) JIm Burke and Commissioner Greg Brotherton speak with two members – board members of the JeffCo chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health. Director Val Phiminster joined NAMI 15 years ago, and President of the Board, Patrick Johnson joined NAMI 30 years ago. They both spoke about the advocacy and services that NAMI provides as well as removing stigma which can be a barrier to seeking help.
Learn more at: https://namijeffcowa.org/.
DIAL 9-1-1 IF YOU ARE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Seek help: call 988
Mental healthline Salish Regional 24 HR Hotline: 1-888-910-0416
Discovery Behavioral Health (360) 385-0321 online: www.iamhurting.org.

County Connections

(Airdate: April 24, 2026) Commissioner Greg Brotherton joins co-host Jim Burke, remotely, from the PRTPO retreat. Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) is responsible for ensuring on-going coordinated transportation planning amongst its members and identifying long-range issues or opportunities affecting the region. Guests include: From Kitsap Transit: Amna Parson, PRTPO Coordinator, and Edward Coviello, PRTPO Coordinator — Lead Planing Agency & Title VI Coordinator. Also joining in the convo: Thera Black, of 3P Transportation Services, and Marianna Hanefeld with Washington State Dept. of Transportation More info: https://www.prtpo.com/

County Connections

(Airdate: April 17, 2026) Commissioner Greg Brotherton joins co-host Jim Burke, remotely, from the PRTPO retreat. Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) is responsible for ensuring on-going coordinated transportation planning amongst its members and identifying long-range issues or opportunities affecting the region. Guests include: From Kitsap Transit: Amna Parson, PRTPO Coordinator, and Edward Coviello, PRTPO Coordinator — Lead Planing Agency & Title VI Coordinator. Also joining in the convo: Thera Black, of 3P Transportation Services, and Marianna Hanefeld, with Washington State Dept. of Transportation More info at: https://www.prtpo.com/.

County Connections

(Airdate: April 10, 2026) Co-hosts Jim Burke and County Commissoner Heidi Eisenhour welcome Jeremy Williammee, Director of Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD). They talk about the latest iteration of The Comprehensive Plan which is a twenty-year plan required by state law, and is updated every ten years. Learn more: https://co.jefferson.wa.us/1708/2025-Periodic-Update

County Connections

(Airdate: April 3, 2026) Co-hosts Jim Burke and Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette welcome Jessica Lowe, Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Team Director. The CAC, a collaborative effort between the county and Jefferson YMCA. is dedicated to ‘Trauma focused’ care of children who have suffered abuse. The CAC is located at the former home of KPTZ at Mountain View Commons. Learn more here: https://www.olympicpeninsulaymca.org/child-advocacy