OLYMPIA — Like all Republican legislators in the 2005-06 biennium, Rep. Bev Woods (R-Kingston) is having to face the fact that on virtually every issue, she is an underdog.
In a state legislature dominated by Democrats, who have a 55-43 advantage in the house — a 26-23 margin in the senate and occupy the governor’s mansion — passing GOP-backed legislation is a rarity. But Woods, a second term representative, has found solace in two areas: finding compromise with the Democrats on many issues and showing to her constituency that an alternative exists to the current majority.

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PORT GAMBLE — It could almost be like the Little House on the Prairie television show, except without the horse-drawn wagons, calico dresses and five-mile walks to the schoolhouse.
But the Merchants Association of Port Gamble is going to try and take advantage of the town’s country setting by hosting its first annual Old Fashion Spring Fair Day from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19.

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TACOMA — North Kitsap Coach Aaron Nations was a junior at Marysville High in 1988, making a state run as a player. And most of his own squad today was in diapers — if they had even been born yet.

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KINGSTON — The ‘70s clothing fad of hiphuggers and corduroy blazers has been making a comeback lately, but thankfully, the popular pink and turquoise bathroom tile colors from the same era have not.
However, if you have a bathroom with that decor or any other scheme that is not to your liking, Custom Bathtub and Tile Reglazers can fix it.

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POULSBO — Three weeks after the North Kitsap Babe Ruth organization had its maintenance four-wheeler forcibly stolen, the league is still searching for answers.
Though the organization, which uses several fields at Snider Park along the Poulsbo stretch of Highway 3, is insured, its coverage does not include theft. And that leaves NKBR without an efficient way to maintain its ball park.

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OLYMPIA — As wide-eyed Breidablik fourth graders sat patiently in the capitol’s reception room, state Senator Phil Rockefeller gave them a crucial piece of advice when it comes to representative government.
“Democracy,” he began, “only works if you participate.”

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SUQUAMISH — Pirates, swashbucklers and wenches of all sorts invaded the Kiana Lodge last Friday night.
But there was no pillaging or plundering going on. In fact, if anything, they were giving back.

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KINGSTON — Those who make scrumptious cookies and scones in their homes to sell at farmers’ markets are going to have to find a new place to prepare their products after May 2.

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HANSVILLE — The only access road to the very northern tip of Kitsap County seems pretty harmless, with minimal congestion and the occasional intersection, driveway or farm turnoff.
But residents who use Hansville Road on a daily basis are concerned about what is becoming of the old country road that is now a 55 mph, two-lane highway with no turn lanes.

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OLYMPIA — Though she is only half-way through her first biennium, chances are that even Sherry Appleton’s most fierce political adversaries across the aisle aren’t viewing her as a naive freshman legislator.

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POULSBO — Local newcomers: Believe it or not, the bulkhead in Waterfront Park was a vertical wall of stone 40 years ago.
Long-time residents: Believe it or not, it may soon be again.

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POULSBO — Weeks of discussion and debate over how the North Kitsap High School instructional schedule should look next year will come to fruition next week as North Kitsap’s school board will meet Thursday to decide its fate.

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POULSBO — Last year, the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce found its new executive director just down the road.
While his replacement may have a little farther to come to take the position, he said his heart was definitely in Little Norway all along.

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POULSBO — Port of Poulsbo Commissioners hope to have a new port manager on board by early April. And that new person will serve the state entity in a completely new capacity, commissioners also agreed recently.

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Guard — Derrick Webb, South Kitsap — The 6-foot-2-inch senior has slid into the senior leadership role with ease and leads Wolves in scoring 15 points a game while hitting 60 percent from the field and averaging six boards a contest.

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TACOMA — The white board in North Kitsap’s Mount Tahoma High School locker room Wednesday spelled out succinctly the fate of the boys’ basketball team.
“Win, we move on,” it said. “Lose, season’s over.”
Thankfully for the Viking faithful, North (17-8) chose the former, taking home a 64-56 win versus Bellarmine Prep to keep its post-season alive and can seal a state appearance — the first for NK since 1988 — with a win in its next two games.

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PORT GAMBLE — There will not be any construction taking place in the old mill site for the Hood Canal Bridge anytime soon.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced Wednesday it has identified three potential sites for construction of the new pontoons for the east-half of the bridge — none of which are Port Gamble.

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It’s a hot day. You’re in your car heading from Suquamish to a Little League game at Snider Park and the kids are all chanting (between rounds of “are we there yet?”), “I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream.” After five of the longest minutes of your life, you concede. Thankfully, there’s a Dairy Queen on the way and conveniently located on State Route 305 to boot.

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POULSBO — In her mind’s eye, Barb Mitchusson can still see Ed Shields’ fleet of fishing boats steaming out of Poulsbo port.
And it’s memories like that she wants to see passed on to the next generation of Little Norway.

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POULSBO — A series of easels set up in the fire station community room Tuesday night told the story of the State Route 305 upgrade plans.
And while the drawings were a boon to some, others had questions about dramatic changes they will bring for Poulsbo’s highway.

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