KINGSTON — A very dapper-looking group of Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary members officially took on the role of serving the community.
About eight months ago, the Herald spoke up on an issue that it quickly took heat for. This paper came out against Fred Hill Materials’ Pit-To-Pier project in July because it felt, despite promises to the contrary, the local company could never give the total assurance that an environmental disaster would not occur there.
POULSBO — A new partnership over the Jewel Box Gallery has two local groups declaring that they’ve found a work of art in one another.
KINGSTON — Greg Platz sure called it — it was the largest Town Hall meeting in Kingston’s history.
In the wake of the National Alliance’s pro-Aryan literature that littered neighborhoods in Poulsbo earlier this month with “Black History,” it’s nice to know that a few of our residents also decided to speak up about their rights — with peers and through some good-natured competition.
POULSBO — Though neither of the Vikings’ basketball teams made the post-season this year, both teams grew tremendously, discovering down the stretch their keys to success on the hardwood.
KINGSTON — In a meet that came down to the final three matches on the day, the Poulsbo Panthers wrestling team was able to put forth the extra effort needed to secure the victory over cross-North end rivals, Kingston, by a count of 55-34 Thursday.
KEYPORT — Though the Naval Undersea Museum at Keyport contains historical artifacts like torpedoes and diving suits, it may soon be known nationally for its offerings of a much more scientific nature.
SUQUAMISH — The Kaya’s Girls Mentoring Group is reviving Suquamish’s Native New Year Celebration with hopes that its attendees take part recognizing the changing of the seasons and learn more about the Suquamish culture as well.
POULSBO — Approaching changes of department heads have created an opportunity for the City of Poulsbo to change things up in a couple of its departments.
KINGSTON & SUQUAMISH — For Robert Gumbs, a student at Lakewood, Washington’s Alternatives for Individuals school, the choice to leave his public high school was both one he wanted — and needed.
KINGSTON — Debi and Courtland Goetz want to make sure their guests feel relaxed and at peace when they come to visit and revitalized when they depart. A dose of fresh fruit juice, the Goetzes agree, helps accomplish this goal.
KINGSTON — About six months from now, the North Kitsap School District will begin construction of its $37.9 million high school off West Kingston Road.
HANSVILLE — Two unique pieces of property, one with a long history as a popular fishing area, are up for sale and Kitsap County is hoping to set its hook into the opportunity to purchase them for recreational uses.
POULSBO — The Poulsbo Chamber will mark its 50th birthday this year and it will do so with a new leader who has a decidedly home town feel.
POULSBO — A downed boiler cost North Kitsap Pool users more than a month’s time of swimming as the water temperature dove well below 60 degrees.
By JOSH FARLEY
Staff Writer
KINGSTON — The draft supplemental environmental impact statement (DSEIS) for Kingston’s high school was placed under the microscope Monday, but only a handful of North Kitsap residents cared to speak up on what they saw.
The new EIS was created after the school’s preferred site alternative was chosen and Kane Environmental had finished work examining the former Nike missile site. The three previous alternatives, “The School on the Hill, Option 1,” “The School on the Hill, Option 2,” and “The School to the North,” were examined in the first EIS.
“This was more of a hybrid of the first three alternatives and that’s why we needed the supplemental EIS,” said Cascade Design Collaborative Representative Kas Kinkead. Kinkead’s company coordinated the master plan for the school.
The purpose of the Environmental Impact Statement is to provide a planning tool, identify environmental impacts and possibly mitigate impacts. The statement’s lead consultant was Huckell/Weinman Associates.
Few public comments were made at the meeting, with only about 25 people — including district administrators — in attendance.
Stu and Mary Anderson, who own property to the south of the high school site, voiced their concerns over the environmental impacts that the proposed secondary school would have on the area.
“If this was a project of a private landowner or developer, everyone would be jumping up and down now,” Mary Anderson said. She cited the fact the district plans to remove about 22 acres of conifer forest on the property as well as clear a total of about 1.3 million-square feet for development.
Referring to a potential trail that children of the school might use to Stillwater’s, Anderson said, “We hope you would use the schools as an example of how not to take care of the environment.”
Stu Anderson was most curious about the buffer that would be placed between his property and the high school site. Kinkead informed Anderson that a buffer was to be established and that it was likely the Andersons would not be able to see the high school from their property.
There is a wetland on the southwest corner of the property, Kinkead confirmed, but she said even with the new discovery, they still managed to “satisfy field requirements.”
Kinkead also mentioned the entry road to the school would be widened to add a walkway and bike lane and that the county would decide whether a traffic light would be needed off West Kingston Road into the school.
Anderson asked if there would be bleachers on the southwest athletic fields and Kinkead told her that if there were, they would only be temporary.
Access to Spectrum Community School during construction was also an issue. Kinkead said that heavy construction work would occur mostly in the summer, when students were not in school.
Supt. Eugene Medina added that the district is attempting to find an alternative entrance to the Spectrum school during construction work.
The date for public comment on the high school site ends March 8. Anyone interested in commenting on the high school site should contact NKSD Director of Capital Programs Robin Shoemaker, at (360) 394-2641 or by e-mail at rshoemaker@nksd.wednet.edu. Comments can be made in person, as well as written.
All information will be compiled into a final EIS, to be released later this year.
Kingston oughta be hopping this Thursday, and its annual hoop shoot is still many months away.
POULSBO — Streams that were once entombed in concrete and hidden below the ground will soon be flowing freely on the Fish Park property.
KINGSTON — Look no further — Feb. 26 will be the night that has “all the answers.” At least as far as the Little City by the Sea is concerned.
