South Kitsap briefs
Published 1:30 am Friday, March 3, 2023
Power outage
If you were without internet for six hours Feb. 18 you likely have a 44-year-old Belfair man to blame.
The man was in Kitsap County Superior Court Feb. 21 charged with first-degree malicious mischief. Bail was set at $90,000. If convicted, maximum sentence is 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
On Feb. 18 at about 2 p.m. a county officer was dispatched to a possible stolen vehicle at Puget Sound Energy property near Solid Lane in Bremerton. The reporting party was repairing fiber optic lines due to an internet outage that day. It disrupted internet for emergency services, the Navy base, cell phone towers and residences north of Gorst.
The man’s vehicle was stuck in the mud. When the officer approached, he saw the man had attempted to melt down some wire. The officer in the report says he knows that drug addicts and wire thieves burn off the sheathing so they can sell the wire at a scrap yard.
The man said he did not cut the fiber optic wire. But the officer arrested him. After getting a search warrant, the officer found a battery-operated Sawzall and other items that could be used to commit such a crime. He also found an earlier receipt from a scrap metal business.
The PSE worker said damage was likely around $50,000. He said suspects in cases like this cut into the line then leave it once they determine there is no copper.
Man hit twice
A 33-year-old man has died after being struck by two cars just before midnight Feb. 23.
Officials from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office say the man was walking eastbound in the 7400 block of SE Mile Hill Drive, just south of Manchester.
The man was hit first by a vehicle driven by a 52-year-old around 11:46 p.m. After she stopped, officials say the man was struck again by a 55-year-old male driver.
KCSO evaluated both drivers on-site and did not detect any signs of impaired driving. The investigation is ongoing.
Apartment complex
A ribbon cutting for the Haven Apartments took place recently in Port Orchard.
Located in the Ruby Creek Neighborhood, Haven is a 216-unit garden-style apartment community comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The park-like setting links green spaces with walking trails, fields, play areas, benches and covered picnic areas. Haven’s central lawn features 8,000 square feet of open space.
The project represents a partnership between the city and Tarragon LLC. Tarragon constructed a $2.4 million public sewer lift station, over $400,000 in public road improvements to Sidney Road SW, and agreed to dedicate land along Ruby Creek for future use as a city park.
City leaders envision a thriving walkable neighborhood with convenient access to goods, services, schools and jobs. Several other projects are planned in the area including a Kitsap Transit park and ride, mixed-use building, environmental enhancement, a regional park and additional housing.
