Vandals target Navy duplexes
While awaiting demolition, the old Kingston Navy housing duplexes have become targets of massive vandalism. Broken windows and ripped out screens lay on the ground while most doors are unlocked or open.
“This is vandalism season and it is a huge problem,” said Chip Favre, director of Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation Department. “The parks are under attack every day. We are understaffed and vandals are better equipped to vandalize than we are to fight it.”
The 3.6-acre property, which was acquired from the U.S. Navy in 2006, is part of the future Kingston Village Green park.
The property borders the site of the proposed new Kingston Community Center.
The community center project has been submitted to Congress for appropriation funds through Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Jay Inslee.
Demolition of the housing complex is slated to occur this June and all the homes will be tented so lead-based paint and asbestos fibers won’t contaminate the air.
Kingston ferry terminal recycling efforts: All for show until now
Although recycling bins were installed onboard Washington State Ferries in 1991, mixed recycling efforts on behalf of the Kingston ferry terminal literally went to waste.
But no more.
Terry Bickel, Waste Management district manager for Kitsap County said weekly pickups of two six-yard containers at the Kingston terminal began in May – one for cardboard, which Kingston has had for several years and now, one for mixed recyclables.
Mixed recyclables include all clean fiber (papers), clean plastic (soda bottles), aluminum and tin cans. It does not include plastic bags or glass.
Currently, Hunting said WSF is also working on getting recycling pickups started at the Port Townsend and Bainbridge Island terminals.
Jonathan Ohldes, WSF environmental program manager, said there were multiple reasons why WSF took so long to follow through with completing the recycling process.
“The ferries initially tried to rollout recycling in the 1990s but the towns the terminals are in didn’t have services to meet the program so it was put on the back burner and out of focus,” Ohldes said, adding he is working single-handedly behind the environmental projects.
“We don’t have environmental staff to devote to this system,” he said. “I’ve been working it forward as I find time.”
Ohldes said he hopes to have recycling programs set by late spring and believes WSF is on track in achieving its goal.
“It’s not for lack of good intentions that the ferries aren’t as far along as some would like,” he said. “We could be more effective when we do get the resources we need. There is work to be done but there are limited resources for getting it done right now.”
Berg sentenced to 57 months for North Kitsap burglary charges
Poulsbo’s Christopher R. Berg, 23, and Michael D. J. McCarroll, 31, both pled guilty last month in Kitsap County Superior Court to their involvement in the North Kitsap burglaries last winter. The burglaries include breaking into more than 100 mailboxes and 50 homes, stealing cars, motorcycles, firearms, stereos and computer systems with a combined value estimated at upwards of $250,000.
On April 28, Berg was charged with trafficking stolen property, two counts of possession of stolen property, eluding police and residential burglary.
He was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
“He (Berg) didn’t argue for anything less,” said Chad Enright, prosecuting attorney who handled the case. “He basically said he wanted to take responsibility for what he had done. It surprised me and I think it surprised his attorney.”
Berg’s attorney, Steve Lewis, said it was clear Berg wanted to demonstrate the sincerity of his remorse.
“You know I was a little surprised. He could have asked anywhere between 43 and 57 months, but he chose the maximum,” Lewis said. “I think he felt it was insincere to ask for less. I think in asking for top end he was trying to communicate to the judge and the community he was remorseful.”
Because of the additional residential burglary charge, Berg is eligible for one-third off his prison sentence. This would make him eligible for release after serving 38 months.
McCarroll was charged with trafficking stolen property and possession of stolen property from the North Kitsap burglaries. He was also charged with an unrelated charge of trafficking stolen property in April from a Bainbridge Island residence he burglarized in August, Enright said.
McCarroll was sentenced to 70 months in prison.
Enright said he might be eligible for release on good behavior after serving half his sentence.
“But he does have quite a bit of history in terms of felonies,” he said, including unlawful posession of firearm 1997. “That might prevent him from receiving the max off his sentence.”
Washington State Department of Corrections will decide the potential for early release.
Now, everyone involved in the North Kitsap burlgaries has been identified and charged, except for Donald L. Pugh, 44, who officers continue searching for. Pugh is known to carry weapons and believed to be residing in the surrounding areas in Port Angeles.
