Kingston port commissioners heard more than a dozen resident comments at Monday night’s meeting, the majority calling for the commission not to give up on the SoundRunner passenger ferry after only a few months. While many said they understood money is tight, the service is desired and needs more time to be evaluated after the ORCA card is available for riders. Manager Meisha Rouser announced her resignation over ‘lack of support’
Kitsap Bank has one year to find a developer for the proposed Valhalla Village condominium project off of North Viking Avenue, or lose the project completely. The Poulsbo City Council voted 5-2 on Wednesday to approve a one-time, one-year extension of the site plan, which was first given council approval in 2006.
The cemetery that time forgot: Quietly, without fanfare, Poulsbo’s city cemetery turned 100 in August. More than 1,500 of the city’s early families and others are buried in the area’s first community cemetery.
With the help of some federal funding, the SoundRunner ferry system may be offering ORCA cards by November. The Port of Kingston commission will be meeting Monday to formally accept the SoundRunner into the ORCA system, as an affiliate of Kitsap Transit. General manager Meisha Rouser said SoundRunner will be using some of the $764,000 in federal funding they received in August to pay for the $67,590 in software equipment, participation fee and shared costs with Kitsap Transit.
In August, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Kitsap County reached an agreement to work together on the Point No Point boat launch redevelopment — but the project’s completion is still years away. State officials are currently awaiting approval for two permits from the county, shoreline and conditional use permits, but are also waiting for the next round of grant applications to begin.
Andrew Westphal went on his first bird walk with his dad at age 3. The Westphals lived in Hawaii then, observing exotic island birds. A few years later, the family moved to Washington state and Andrew began to identify birds by their sound. At 10, he led his first birding hike through Kitsap forests with the local Audubon programs.
The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe is expanding a few of its law enforcement programs after receiving more than $1 million from a federal Justice Department grant. The grants go to strengthen tribal law enforcement; for S’Klallam, adult court services and domestic violence were key areas in need of assistance.
While there are dozens of parks and miles of hiking and biking trails in North Kitsap, it’s a guessing game as to where they connect. One organization is leading the effort to create a series of connected trails — in neighborhoods, along shorelines, school routes and existing regional trails — to “connect our community.”
Jayla Moon was already acting the part of Lil S’Klallam Princess last week — helping hand out prizes to the baby contestants and keeping the audience entertained — even before she was crowned. Jayla followed in her mother Mandi’s footsteps, who was the first S’Klallam Princess 22 years ago. “It helps remind them of their culture,” said Mandi, waiting in the audience for this year’s Royal Pageant to begin Sept. 9.
If in the last 28 years you haven’t seen the detailed exhibit, “Eyes of Chief Seattle,” at the Suquamish Museum, this week is your last chance. In anticipation of the tribe’s new museum, to be completed in spring 2012, the Suquamish Museum is closing its popular, long-running exhibit following a free open house this Thursday, from 2-7 p.m.
The Poulsbo City Council unanimously approved a moratorium on medical marijuana collective gardens Wednesday, in the midst of unclear laws and jurisdiction. The moratorium closes a loophole allowing medicinal cannabis in city limits. The council previously approved a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in March; that moratorium expires in mid-September.
Every day this month, a resident of North Kitsap can win big on a genuine treasure hunt. Such as Joanne Toizumi of Poulsbo, who found a silver dragonfly necklace last week after hearing of Dahlquist’s Fine Jewelry’s anniversary contest. “I love dragonflies, so that’s why it made my day,” Toizumi said. “It was just really fun … Nobody in town has done anything like this.”
