Two people were taken to nearby hospitals after a crash on Highway 16 in Port Orchard that blocked the highway Monday afternoon for several hours initially hit another car traveling east and then struck the median barrier The truck rolled over just before the Sedgwick Road exit stopped near the exit on the right shoulder according to WSP Trooper Katherine Weatherwax though an investigation is still ongoing and indicated charges for the driver may be possible Dirt and rocks spilled across the highway in both directions The trailer was moved out of the way about an hour after the 3 p.m crash to allow traffic to begin moving again Drivers initially were diverted at the Tremont Street exit to leave the highway and avoid the closure to the eastbound lane troopers were allowing some vehicles to pass on the shoulder to ease the congestion that backed up past Gorst and into Port Orchard on Highway 166 as drivers attempted to navigate around the closure The dump truck reportedly struck a jersey barrier, which have been in place while WSDOT completes a culvert replacement project with a new bridge to improve fish passage on Blackjack Creek Work on the eastbound span is complete and the westbound span is anticipated to finish later this year and many Kitsap candidates have already submitted their names for the numerous local seats… One of Washington’s largest skill-building centers saw a massive funding increase this legislative session Melissa Super-Greene has been selected as the next principal of South Kitsap High School The Best Restaurants for Weddings in Seattle The Best Bars in Seattle The Best New Restaurants in the Seattle Area, May 2025 The westernmost spur of Washington State is home to a number of ambitious The most common meal on Western Washington’s remote Olympic Peninsula may well be backpackers’ camping rations but travelers who look in the right places find some fantastic restaurants nevertheless Port Townsend — the peninsula’s top destination for the camping-averse — is chock full of cute waterfront restaurants and food stands but also boasts an exceptional pasta destination the neighboring towns of Sequim and Port Angeles are the best places to find a good meal while exploring the surrounding wilds Below are some of the best bets along the northern edge of the peninsula (Note: This map is something of a work in progress; we’re working to expand it to include more towns.) As Route 112 meanders along the northwest edge of the peninsula Joyce’s Blackberry Cafe is a welcome oasis delivering on its name with blackberry barbecue sauce The truly hungry can take on the massive Sasquatch burger This cafe near Lake Crescent stands out as a good alternative to the overpriced tourist fare available inside the national park Granny’s serves classic diner food — biscuits and gravy Barhop epitomizes the best of Port Angeles’s no-nonsense character warehouse-like space along the waterfront it bakes up delectable handmade pizzas on sourdough crust That and a solid selection of craft beer are all it takes to make a local favorite A post shared by Barhop Brewing (@barhop_brewing) This Port Angeles institution was transformed into a pilgrimage site for Twilight fans after Bella and the vampire guy dined here on their first date and other Italian classics are prepared with finesse and served in a pleasant casual dining room that does in fact make a good date-night destination Smoked brisket and pork are the star attractions here the roasted vegetable options are smokey good too.) The dining room is splashed with color and accented with devil masks and concert posters The Olympic Peninsula’s longest-established restaurant located halfway between Sequim and Port Angeles in a roadside cabin filled with antique-mall bric-a-brac is shrine to old-fashioned small-town hospitality There’s an emphasis on seafood — the oyster stew and cioppino are specialties — but diners can also get meaty classics like bacon-wrapped filet mignon For a taste of the sea, this straightforward oyster bar is the place to go in Sequim. Along with the changing selection of oysters, it serves steamed mussels and clams, clam chowder, and, during the season, Dungeness crab. For a decadent evening, start by slurping some bivalves here and then head next door to Tedesco’s for dinner A post shared by Salty Girls Seafood Co. (@saltygirlssequimseafoodco) Sequim’s Alder Wood Bistro pairs a warm small-town atmosphere with a genuinely inventive menu The kitchen makes full use of its wood-fired oven to roast clams this spot serves up some of the finest food on the peninsula A post shared by Alder Wood Bistro (@alderwoodbistro) Nourish is a rustic idyll that feels at once traditional and trendy gluten-free ingredients form a seasonal menu that includes salads (Reservations are strongly recommended.) Whenever you come part of the pleasure here is strolling around the gardens before or after a meal The ever-changing menu board outside this waterfront diner features scrambles and other breakfast items — but whatever you order you’ll want a freshly baked blueberry muffin on the side Use the money you save to grab an empanada for the road Tucked away in the shipyard southwest of downtown, Sea J’s is locally famous for one thing: crispy tender fish and chips (though the burgers and milkshakes are popular too) there’s no place in Port Townsend quite like it Unlike the more casual waterfront joints in Port Townsend you’ll need to book ahead at this highly regarded restaurant Chef Deborah Taylor previously worked at Eleven Madison Park Consider starters like oysters fried or on the half shell and the rich chicken liver mousse with red onion jam made in-house with several types that might range from pappardelle to bucatini to gnocchi Does the idea of a Seattle dog — cream cheese and all — have you preemptively reaching for the Lactaid like the Tokyo Dog (which comes with seaweed and the Chiang Mai Dog (they make their own northern Thailand–style sausage here) this spot has been Port Townsend institution making exceptionally tasty from-scratch frozen confections and the good news is they’ve dedicated themselves to maintaining high standards Some flavors are aimed at a grownup palate (think ginger or cardamom) friendly place that makes kids’ eyes light up from a block away New East Port Orchard Elementary School principal Paul Hulbert might have followed that traditional path without one administrative request Subject: Music at the elementary level and assistant to the choir director at SKHS What inspired you to get into teaching?: "Every teacher I had growing up I wanted to be exactly like my third-grade and fourth-grade teacher My piano teacher Marcia Christian was the loveliest person I knew I wanted to teach Spanish when I had Anna Keene at the high school When Debi Emans directed me in my first musical But when I had Mike Allen at the high school for Highlighters and Choir I knew that it was what I was most passionate about He consistently showed what work ethic and what aspiring toward excellence can do I didn’t think I was the most talented kid in the room but I would be the one working the hardest and having a blast I wanted to teach kids how rich and fulfilling the arts can make your life and that anyone can become involved in this awesome community." Name a rewarding moment from your career: "Last summer I got an email from a family friend that I hadn’t seen since I was a toddler She told me that she had attended a musical at the Rose Theater in Portland and that a fabulous young actor had thanked me in the program for encouraging him to become involved in musical theater drove down to Portland and cried and cheered as I watched my former third-grade student perform incredibly on stage What's your biggest challenge: "Our students have a lot of needs Some days I will have a lesson prepared to teach rhythms and I will find out that I have students that need something completely different One student needs someone to listen to a silly story because no one else would Another will need to talk about something heartbreaking that is going on in their life and yet another needs to be shown they are valued Add that to the fact that my kiddos range from 5 years old to 12 You have to come into school with a calm head take a deep breath and try your best to give kids what they need most." "I wish …:”: "I wish parents and the community could see the way music engages kids The way it can lift their spirits and get them through the rest of the day The way it can teach them to connect to one another in a healthy way The way it can teach understanding and empathy The skills it teaches them that connect to every other curriculum and can prepare them for real life situations where you have to go in with your head held high and give it your all So many think that it is an extra-curricular activity and don’t see that value that it contributes to growing lives Arla Shephard Bull / Special to Kitsap Sun  East Port Orchard Elementary School third-grade teacher William Johnson was presented the STAR 101.5 Elementary Teacher of the Week award on April 9 The most significant snow of a wintery first week of February arrived overnight again closing schools and knocking power out to homes around Kitsap Totals around the county ranged from three inches in Bremerton to four inches in Port Orchard and Poulsbo North Mason and South Kitsap school districts announced that classes are called off Thursday while Bainbridge schools are on a two-hour delayed start Crosspoint Academy in Bremerton also canceled all classes and Olympic College campuses are on a two-hour delay The Kitsap County Courthouse and county offices are closed after initially announcing a two-hour delayed start as well as all county garbage and recycling facilities All Naval Base Kitsap installations are essential person only today And the Trigger Gate at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor is closed due to icy conditions in Bremerton are also closed due to accumulated snow and poor road conditions Puget Sound Energy is reporting scattered power outages around the county including the neighborhoods just north of the Bangor base and more than 4,000 homes on the east side of Port Orchard out to Manchester Southbound lanes of Highway 16 was closed early Thursday according to WSDOT Trooper Katherine Weatherwax Drivers are using Bay Street as an alternate Weatherwax added in a social media post: "Also if you can stay home please do there are cars everywhere in ditches." The city of Port Orchard issued a list of city streets that were closed overnight due to snow and ice The include Cline Avenue from Kitsap Street to Division Street; Sidney Avenue from Bay Street to Division Street; Dekalb Street from Bay Street to Cline Street Morton Street from Mitchell Avenue to Farragut; SE Hortsman Road from Tufts Avenue to Orlando Street; Tracy Avenue from Chester to Lawrence; and Stockton Street from Tracy to Farragut The current National Weather Service forecast does not call for show showers to continue and is forecasting dry and but cold weather in the days to come Severe weather shelters in Kitsap will remain open on Thursday night for residents to get out of the cold other than in Kingston where the hours are 6:30 p.m This story will be updated as new information is announced Veteran third-grade teacher Cindy Dilley noticed a transformation in one of her East Port Orchard Elementary students this winter after the class’s annual “To the Library” field trip “She’s excited about reading and reading more deeply and for better meaning and understanding,” said Dilley and it’s motivated her to find out what else is out there She has ownership of that library card and she can go and pick out books.” This is the eighth year that Dilley’s class has participated in the Kitsap Regional Library’s third-grade rite of passage Her students tour the Port Orchard location learn about library services and how to access them if their parents have signed the application a third-grade teacher at Sidney Glen Elementary who has been taking her class on the field trip for a decade it’s the first time they’ve been to the public library It’s the first time they realize all the opportunities the library offers.” Kids take home a paperback book to keep from the field trip and Neighbors said that’s exciting for her students all they want to do is read their new books she also hears students talk about taking their families to the library “I think anything that encourages our friends to read and be excited about books is positive,” she said Port Orchard Branch Manager Kathleen Wilson agrees “I feel so strongly and passionately about this program I think maybe it’s the most important thing we do here having this connection with these emerging readers.” Wilson was the youth librarian in Port Orchard when the program debuted in 2006 with one class from Burley Glenwood Elementary The next year it expanded to all 10 South Kitsap elementary schools and now schools from every Kitsap County district participate the Kiwanis Club has supported the program since its inception local Friends of the Library groups and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe have contributed Third grade is the perfect age for the library field trip because it’s an educational turning point — students transition from learning to read to reading to learn And research shows that students who are not reading at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school or fail to graduate on time librarian and Youth Services Manager for the library said one of the most important things the program accomplishes is establishing a link between kids and their local libraries and librarians “We are creating relationships that are deep and lasting I did the program seven years ago in Port Orchard I see the kids at their third-grade visit and I go back five years later and see them in middle school and they remembered it and could talk about it That’s the amazing impact it has,” she said “We see kids feeling comfortable accessing the library and feeling comfortable talking to librarians about their education needs They see us as a partner in their learning.” 60 third-graders from Silver Ridge Elementary appeared very comfortable at Kitsap Regional Library’s Silverdale location where they had the run of the place before it opened to the public for the day I found it,” rang out as they toured the library during a scavenger hunt you guys are so excited,” said Youth Services Librarian Greta Bergquist Students listened to a story called “Penguin Problems,” found out about the latest “Star Wars” character encyclopedia When each child received a red drawstring backpack with a “Magic Tree House” book tucked inside which turned to “wows” as kids learned they got to keep the books “Most of you have library cards in there,” said Bergquist “But you don’t get to check out books today We want you to come back with your grown-ups.” It was Silver Ridge’s first time participating in the “To the Library” field trip but teacher Deborah Vaughn said it would not be their last It got kids excited about the library,” she said “Anytime we have a chance to build a community of readers Several third-graders left their own assessments in colorful marker on a white paper mural that wrapped around the circulation desk: “I love this library and Jangle,” wrote Lily S In place of the word “love,” she drew a heart PORT ORCHARD — QFC will close its Port Orchard store in late August a company spokesman confirmed Wednesday.  Zach Stratton with QFC said the lease on the store's South Park Village space was expiring at the end of the year.  "After evaluating all of our options we have made the difficult decision to close," Stratton said in an email.  The more than 30 employees at the Port Orchard QFC have the option of transferring to other QFC or Fred Meyer locations (both brands are part of grocery giant Kroger) There are Fred Meyer stores in Port Orchard, East Bremerton and in Gig Harbor where Kroger also is testing a new grocery store brand called Main and Vine.  UFCW spokesman Tom Geiger said the union will seek written confirmation that employees who transfer will retain seniority The Port Orchard QFC (short for Quality Food Centers) is the last of its kind in Kitsap. A QFC on Kitsap Way in West Bremerton closed in 2014.  QFC bought the former South Park Village Thriftway store in 1997 along with a Thriftway in Bremerton and a Stock Market Foods in Port Orchard County property records indicate the South Park Village shopping center is owned by a Bothell company A Kroger fact sheet listed 119 QFC and Fred Meyer stores in Washington at the end of 2016.  BREMERTON — Changes are coming to Bremerton School District's free breakfast program The district has been serving breakfast free at all elementary schools for all students K-5 students who meet federal school nutrition program guidelines for free and reduced-cost lunch will continue to get breakfast for free A large majority of elementary students who regularly eat breakfast at school do meet income guidelines MORE: South Kitsap school board hears options for future bond, levy Students who meet income guidelines will continue to get free breakfast and lunch regardless of whether they qualify for free or reduced-cost meals The district had been subsidizing the cost to feed breakfast to students whose meals are not covered by federal and state subsidies under the U.S Department of Agriculture's School Meal programs Discontinuation of the policy is not related to larger budget considerations Bremerton School District is once again participating in the Summer Food Program that offers free meals to anyone 18 years or younger No ID is required and there are no forms to fill out MORE: Mentors help pave the way for first-generation college-bound students The summer meal program is funded by the USDA and administered by the state's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Participating school districts and other sponsors must show at least 50 percent of families in the area to be served (a school's service area boundary for example) meet income eligibility for federal meal subsidies Census data is used to establish a sponsor's eligibility Bremerton's summer meal program is the largest in Kitsap County, with meals served from June 18 through August 10 at selected schools, apartment complexes and other locations. Breakfast, lunch and (in limited locations) snacks are served. For a complete schedule, visit bremertonschools.org and search for "child nutrition summer food program."  South Kitsap has two summer lunch sites. Lunch will be served from June 25 through Aug. 17 at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at East Port Orchard Elementary School, and sack lunch will be available from July 11 through Aug. 15 at noon at Port Orchard's waterfront gazebo. For information, visit skschools.org North Kitsap and Bainbridge Island school districts do not meet summer meal program participation guidelines summer meal sites are open to all children and youth 18 and younger regardless of whether they live in the district where the site is located 2018: This story has been updated: Central Kitsap is not hosting summer meals in 2018 the franchisor and operator of fitness centers famous for its "Judgement Free Zone" workout environment will open a new location on Lund Avenue near Subway and Walmart in Port Orchard The company confirmed the expansion with The Kitsap Sun in a written statement and said construction of Planet Fitness Port Orchard is underway in the Bethel Place Shopping Center at 1948 SE Lund Avenue Planet Fitness Port Orchard is expected to open in late December The 16,000-square-foot space will provide cardio machines and strength equipment fully equipped locker rooms with lockers and showers Planet Fitness entered Kitsap County in 2017 since it took over the operation of the former Fitness Evolution on Wheaton Way in East Bremerton The Port Orchard location will be the second Planet Fitness on the Kitsap Peninsula "We are thrilled to invest in the Port Orchard facility and bring our Judgement Free Zone to the community," Justin Drummond one of the largest franchise divisions of Planet Fitness "We are confident our non-intimidating fitness experience will be appreciated by all fitness levels in the community." Partnering with Sound West Group, the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties opened its new Marina Square Express YMCA on Washington Avenue in late October which developed the Marina Square complex on Bremerton's waterfront which includes residential areas and a market said the agreement with the YMCA is a five-year lease at the site The gym facility is available to Marina Square tenants as well as other residents who work or live near downtown and a reciprocal agreement allows YMCA Express members to also use the organization's Bremerton Family YMCA facility on Homer Jones Drive in Manette Pilates chain coming to BainbridgeClub Pilates, the largest Pilates brand and studio network worldwide with 1000 studies across the globe, will expand to Bainbridge Island in Spring 2025 according to the company's announcement on Oct The new location will be near Safeway at 275 High School Road NE Kevin Christopher LackmanKitsap SunKevin Christopher LackmanShoreline 1985 and passed away suddenly on February 8 and graduated from Olympic High School in Bremerton in 2003 He went on to obtain his degree in Business Management and Marketing from Washington State University in 2007 where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity Kevin was recruited into the automobile industry by Ethos Group He was placed at the Bob Hall Auto Group in Yakima from Finance Manager to General Sales Manager over his nearly 7 years there He briefly worked for Rikess Group as a Dealer Performance Consultant which took him across the country to various dealerships before returning to work directly for Ethos Group as an Account Representative While Kevin was a shining star in all of his professional roles he came into his own in his most recent position Kevin had a heart for helping people reach their goals and grow within their careers or having a simple conversation to help someone grow Kevin sadly leaves his mother Kathleen Lackman as well as a whole network of extended family and friends He was preceded in death by his father Edwin Lackman Kevin touched everyone with his gregarious spirit Kevin was known to be the life of the party The people that Kevin touched throughout his life are numerous We hope that his spirit will live on through his actions and people will remember him by embodying a little bit of his selflessness in their daily lives A memorial service will be held at Sylvan Way Baptist Church on March 10th A celebration of his life will take place at the Kitsap Conference Center Donations can be made in the name of Kevin Lackman to Washington State University’s Carson College of Business Scholarship Fund at https://foundation.wsu.edu/give/ or the Yakima Humane Society Spay and Neuter Assistance Fund at http://www.yakimahumane.org/donate/donate-funds/ BREMERTON — Thousands of customers around West Sound noticed a flickering of lights Tuesday afternoon a tree went down in the wrong place — in this case a critical power line that spans Port Orchard and Bremerton.  "The East Port Orchard to South Bremerton line went down which initiated our switches to find a relay to get power back," said Jarrett Tomalin a spokesperson for Puget Sound Energy. "During this relay there was a momentary outage that lasted around two minutes." Residents from Jefferson to Mason counties reported flickering lights.  "The lights flickering is typically from our relays during switch operation to get the correct circuit to maintain power to customers," Tomalin added A tornado described as at least 600 yards wide swept across Bethel Avenue in Port Orchard at 2 p.m It damaged commercial buildings in its path and reportedly took the roof off a nearby home The Hood Canal Bridge is closed to all vehicle traffic… Continue reading A motorcycle rider died after he collided with the truck… Continue reading There will be no field carrier landing practice operations for… Continue reading The city of Sequim will begin to replace a water… Continue reading The United Way of Clallam County honored eight at its… Continue reading © 2025, Peninsula Daily News + Sound Publishing, Inc. + Black Press Media The Viewmont East and Heritage apartments provide more than 130 units of affordable housing to Port Orchard residents.  The apartment complexes have operated under subsidies by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, ensuring affordable places to live for low-income tenants in a region that's seen skyrocketing housing prices.  which manages around 900 units of affordable housing across the county is now exiting the HUD subsidies for Viewmont and Heritage — a move its leaders say will increase rent coming in while protecting the current residents.  the apartments will still provide affordable housing operated by the housing authority But rental rates will be higher for new tenants said Housing Kitsap executive director Stuart Grogran.  Current residents will receive Section 8 vouchers: tenant-based subsidies that bring down rent to affordable levels for low-income households.  That will allow those residents to continue living at Viewmont and Heritage paying the same low rental rates tenants can choose to move to another place with their Section 8 voucher in hand.  “The nice thing about making this change is that it doesn't negatively affect the tenants,” he said the change is part of the organization's plans to bring in more money through rent increases and reduced overhead costs Its leaders say the efforts will help the financially struggling housing authority regain financial stability and its long-term sustainability.  Grogan sees the switch to Section 8 tenant-based vouchers as a win on multiple fronts: “Saving a little bit money reducing our overhead expenses and with no impact to the tenants.. After informing residents about the change last year Housing Kitsap won’t move out of the HUD property-based subsidy until spring in part to give residents time to apply for Section 8 vouchers Housing Kitsap’s co-director of property management said housing authority staff has been trying to gauge tenants’ future plans but the organization doesn’t know how many people will end up staying or moving.  “We’d love for everyone to stay,” he said “We wanted to make sure it was clear to them you have the option to go wherever you want with this voucher or you could stay.”   executive director of the Tacoma Housing Authority said a benefit of Section 8 vouchers is the opportunity for tenants to choose where their lives especially in a tight housing market.  Mirra says the switch to vouchers could be a smart move “You're not disadvantaging any of the current tenants and you're giving them the option to move into the rental market,” he said emphasizing that each housing authority makes decisions based on its own local market factors.  The Tacoma Housing Authority has switched from a project-based subsidy linked to a property over the Section 8 vouchers — like Housing Kitsap — and vice versa executive director of the Bremerton Housing Authority said there needs to be “very careful analysis” when moving out of a long-term project-based subsidy like the ones in place at Viewmont and Heritage.  “The preservation of deeply affordable housing is a very high priority for the community so the decision to leave a long-term contract on a property should be deeply examined to ensure that it's the right decision for the community for the housing authority and the residents,” Wiest said “I just hope (Housing Kitsap) are doing their due diligence on all those fronts.” reducing the organization’s debt and fully implementing its software conversion project Housing Kitsap is also raising rents across its 17 properties modest increases that will be phased in over several years The housing authority hasn’t increased rent in several years.  “We’re not changing the affordability We’re not changing the overall portfolio.  We’re just moving up the rents to match the regulatory limits and we’re doing it over time to help people adjust to the increases,” Grogan said.  The increases vary across properties and among residents Higher rent would also only affect residents renewing their lease and new tenants “The 17 properties are getting the increase but not all of the residents are going to see that increase,” he said.  “Our properties were still well below what is in the area several residents said they were still unclear about the details of what was happening.  has lived in the apartment complex for three years She said residents were told those who stayed at the apartments could pay the same amount or they could choose to leave.  I’m happy with this apartment,” she said “there aren’t any apartments that are available in Port Orchard.” also said they’re planning on staying.  “They’ve always been very good to us,” Andrea Arrowsmith Though there’s been some confusion about the change Grogan said he expects most people will end up staying with their voucher.  “It’s our intention and our commitment to ensure that no one is left behind and doesn’t get the voucher,’ he said.  PORT ORCHARD — The four Carter boys have had to grow up quickly these past few months was diagnosed about four years ago with metastatic breast cancer that spread to her brain Rebekah faced her condition with courage and unshakable faith Elijah 10, the eldest of Rebekah's boys would set his alarm to wake his brothers Levi 7, making sure they all were ready for school were fully aware that their mom was gravely ill Dad Jason has been holding up the world making sure the boys' basic needs were met and supporting them as their mother's prognosis grew dim 14 at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton the Carter family was chosen as beneficiaries of this year's Hometown Holiday Benefit an annual bazaar and fundraiser for local families in need One family is selected each year from nominations submitted by the community More than $29,000 has been distributed since the benefit began in 2013 "I just felt there was a huge need to support this family," said Kim Lefler Elijah's teacher at East Port Orchard Elementary School The boys are amazing students and kind and just so sweet and caring and loving he's always trying to look out for others This year's Hometown Holiday Benefit will take place from 9 a.m There will be holiday crafts and goodies from more than 50 vendors Funds for the family will be raised in part from a suggested $2 donation collected at the door ($1 with a non-perishable food item for South Kitsap Helpline) with half the proceeds going to the family and a silent auction with 100% of proceeds going to the Carters Meet the Carter familyShortly before Rebekah's death Jason and the Carter boys spoke with the Kitsap Sun about the family's ordeal They met in church and dated for a while in middle school reconnecting in their 20s through MySpace Jason is a finish carpenter with Tim Ryan Construction Rebekah worked at the University of Washington taking care of laboratory animals until she became a mom and stayed home with her growing brood of boys The fact the boys all have biblical names is a reflection of the family's faith "We were just drawn to these names," Jason said it was nice to maybe in a sense honor our Lord by naming our children after some of the strongest characters in the Bible." the Carters have always enjoyed the outdoors "One of our main things was going to the beach We always loved going to Anderson Point," Jason said We never really had the funds to go on any crazy vacations The boys down to the youngest are polite and engaging Jason says he and Rebekah often have gotten comments about how well-behaved they are "I think it's a mixture of a lot of love and consistent discipline," he said We just want the best for each other and the children They're just following those footsteps and it's been a blessing to watch." Leaning on their faithRebekah had a breast scan before she became pregnant with Gabe She had no family history of breast cancer having none of the risk factors that might have raised red flags She was told it was probably a calcium deposit "We believe she was misdiagnosed," Jason said After she gave birth to Gabe in May 2015 "She thought she had mastitis," Jason said Rebekah wasn't immediately eligible for Jason's insurance but Tim Ryan made benefits available to her early for which Jason is grateful She went back in and was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer "It had already spread throughout her body," Jason said Having to give up breastfeeding Gabe when she started chemotherapy was a big disappointment "That was really rough on her," Jason said "She really enjoyed bonding with her babies like that." Rebekah kept up with her job as a mother to the best of her ability she attended a special assembly in which Elijah had a big role Jason had been the one bringing the kids to Spooky STEM Night and attending conferences I know it's helped us get through it with sanity and peace just knowing that there is a plan for our lives and we may not understand it and we may not understand what is going on but we have hope." Benefit help appreciatedJason has recently had to take time off from work so the family's finances are especially tight and Rebekah's MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group have provided meals and assistance with bills East Port Orchard Elementary also plans to help with meals and counseling for the children said the family appreciates the help they've received and the funds being offered through the Hometown Holiday Benefit "If she doesn't pull through and we have costs of .. I don't know what it's going to take for burial We're a paycheck to paycheck family," he said Find more about the Hometown Holiday Benefit on Facebook; vendors contact hometownholidaybenefit@gmail.com Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions Search autocomplete is currently not responding the Olympic Discovery Trail will undergo maintenance and repairs 2025: Work will take place on the Olympic Discovery Trail Earth Day (April 22) is a time to celebrate the beauty of our environment and consider how we can protect it for future generations lasting impacts comes from the choices we make each day The City of Port Angeles is pleased to announce the early completion of the Road Improvement Project at Lincoln Park The road leading into and around the park has been resurfaced providing park visitors with smoother access .. Notice is hereby given that the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will hold a hybrid Special Meeting on Thursday 2025 starting at 10:00 am in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 321 East 5th Street in Port Angeles Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Port Angeles will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday  The meeting will be conducted as a hybrid meeting 2025: Work will take place on the Olympic Discovery Trail 2025The City of Port Angeles is pleased to announce the early completion of the Road Improvement Project at Lincoln Park The City of Port Angeles Park Host Program is returning to Erickson Playfield for its second year This program offers individuals a unique opportunity to enhance the park experience for visitors while enjoying all that Erickson Playfield and the surroun.. customers can use the City’s online reservation system to book three popular rental facilities:   The Port Angeles City Council has passed a new ordinance that will apply utility base rate fees to vacant residential and commercial properties within the City’s service area This change ensures that the costs of maintaining and operating essen.. is adjusting to the recent closure of the Ardagh Glass Plant in Seattle the City is temporarily pausing its household glass recycling program beginning Octobe.. A reminder to travelers who use US 101 in Port Angeles: a portion of the road will close beginning Monday US 101 between Tumwater Truck Route (State Route 117) and South Pine Cutoff Road will close for 80 days A signed detou... Application InformationApplicant: Lincoln Park BMX Association Proposal: Propose to have up to 3 mobile and itinerant vendors located on the property during events. Location: 1521 W Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles&nbsp...Read on... Application InformationApplicant: Port of Port AngelesProposal: The Intermodal Harbor Transfer Facility (IHTF) in Port Angeles, WA, supports the regional timber trade by handling wood fiber transport and storage. The Port is upgrading the facilit...Read on... Application InformationApplicant: City of Port Angeles Proposal: Updating PAMC 15.12 "Flood Damage Prevention," to meet state & federal requirements.Location: CitywideZone: All zonesPublic Notice:&nbsp...Read on... Phone: 360-457-0411Email UsMore contact info > BREMERTON — Kids at Armin Jahr Elementary were eager to try on their new winter coats and climb aboard a big yellow firetruck on Tuesday The Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund sponsored its seventh year of giving coats to kids, bringing 410 new coats to children at three elementary schools in Kitsap County as part of Operation Warm Schools chosen this year were Armin Jahr and Crownhill elementary schools in Bremerton and East Port Orchard Elementary The coats are purchased from Operation Warm an organization that gives new coats to kids across the United States.  Every kid in the classes chosen gets a coat so some children don’t feel left out or singled out The schools are chosen by the rate of students who receive free or reduced lunch deputy fire marshal at the Bremerton Fire Department Teachers in that school help decide which classes have the greatest need children are sized during class so the firefighters know how many coats of each size are needed while Baker ratchets up their anticipation “Who’s ready to see a firetruck today?” Baker asks “Me!” a class of kindergartners scream in unison The coats go to students ranging in age from kindergarten to fourth grade and firefighters help them into the coat and make sure it zips They instruct the kids to raise their arms making sure it fits and the kids can move around The firefighters high-five the smiling kids after they have their new coat on then the kids scamper off to get a tour of the fire truck Off-duty firefighters hand out the coats and pose for a photo with the kids in their fluffy new coats “We believe that putting warm coats on kids helps them with their self-esteem it helps them get through these long cold winters when maybe some of these kids wouldn’t have a jacket otherwise,” Baker said “It gives them that confidence so they can go outside and play and have a warm jacket so they can be kids.” The impact of the coats goes beyond just seeing the smile on kids’ faces that day vice president of the Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund and a captain at Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue “When we run emergency calls into these districts and we see kids wearing these coats or we see them on the coat hangers in their room, it’s a big deal We know these coats are being used,” he said said she likes the coat she got and bets everyone else likes theirs “I think it’s really nice they’re giving us coats for free,” she said “It’s really cool meeting the firefighters.” and the Bremerton Fire Department are spending three days this week passing coats out to kids “I think it’s such a good opportunity for the students to see firefighters as community helpers “Some kids are a little apprehensive but seeing them in this kind of light really gives them that positive opportunity.” Baker said it’s a “warm and fuzzy” moment when he sees a kid get a coat who genuinely needs one. It’s also fun to see how excited the kids get when they climb aboard a firetruck The Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund is made up of firefighters in various Kitsap fire departments and raises money for charitable causes like Operation Warm and expenses for firefighters hurt or killed in the line of duty It gathers donations from members and local Rotary organizations and hosts a fundraiser on St This story has been updated to correct Daniel Baker's position and agency 1919 to Rasmus Petersen and Christina Nyberg in Edmonton  Edna was an devout believer in conservation and was co-creator of Ruby Creek Preserve and has protected it with a conservation easement into perpetuity with the Greater Peninsula Conservancy Sanya Martinez and Stephanie Everitt; four great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren  She is also survived by four siblings: Irene Strand and Richard Silvernale of Port Orchard and Betty-Ann Wick and Rosalee Sibley of Spokane magnetic personality and wisdom will be missed by all who have encountered her  Memorials may be made in Edna’s name to Franciscan Hospice It's normal for high school athletes to feel the anticipation and nervousness before the first day of practice For new South Kitsap track and field coach Ed Santos I've done this before.' But I think it was just more anticipation who has been working for the school district for 34 years as a teacher is getting back to what he loves to do best Santos stepped down as South Kitsap's athletic director in 2016 after spending 11 years in the position He returned to teaching physical education and became an assistant coach for the cross country team After former track and field head coach Paul Zimmer resigned following the 2016 season Santos was more than eager to fill the spot “It wasn't necessarily a goal to come back” to teach and coach “As I got longer and longer into the athletic director career I thought if there was an opportunity to do that again And with my wife (Becky) working long hours and my sons (Ethan and Isaac) in college Santos has always been attracted to the sport and willing to teach and reach athletes “I absolutely love the sport of track,” he said “Everyone has a skillset that they love to do And I got into teaching to work with kids and I got into coaching to do the same thing and to share my passion of cross country and track.” Santos ran both track and cross country at Washington High School in Tacoma Tacoma Community College and Whitworth University good student and distance runner,” he said with a laugh Santos quickly found a job teaching elementary physical education at East Port Orchard Elementary He became a track and field assistant at the high school coaching the pole vaulters and the sprinters under Kitsap Sports Hall of Famer Lloyd Pugh he took over as the head coach for cross country and would spent 18 years on the job the boys and girls cross country teams combined to make 29 state appearances and finish in the top-10 at state 27 times South Kitsap's girls won a state title in 1997 Santos said he is glad to have a decade's worth of administrative knowledge in his back pocket.“It's a hard job,” he said of being the athletic director “But it was an invaluable experience with the understanding of how everything works That helped me become more well-rounded as an individual It'll help me be a better coach.”South Kitsap girls track and field coach LaRae Madison is glad Santos returned to coaching It's his first love and it shows when he comes out on the field."The track junkie has returned “I really feel like I've come home again." South Kitsap: The University of Pennsylvania commit is aiming for a fourth straight title in the discus Olympic: The senior placed in the top eight in four state events last spring and should be a major point producer again Kingston: Senior hurdler is back to compete for another state medal Bremerton: Sprinter medaled in the 200 last season as a sophomore North Kitsap: Senior set a personal record in the high jump at state last year and placed second Central Kitsap: Junior distance runner coming off successful cross country season in the fall North Kitsap: Senior is a threat to medal at state in all three jumping events PORT ORCHARD — It started with a 75-cent nightlight Officer Bill Schaibly was patrolling the neighborhood off Olney Avenue on Aug he got out of his car to chat with the neighbors was I supposed to have a permit?'" said homeowner Mary O'Connor had asked if they could have a sale at their grandparents' house to raise money for back-to-school clothing we haven't been able to buy the girls' school clothes like we used to," O'Connor said Clancy O'Connor, a Navy veteran, was heading home from the shipyard on Nov. 19, 2015, when a woman, high on meth, struck his motorcycle with her car Clancy suffered compound fractures in his right leg among multiple other fractures and internal organ injuries Damage to his optic nerve resulted in blindness used to take the girls camping and sent them to church camp every summer Now their generosity is curbed by the limited income that comes with a life-changing disability More: Judge rejects plea deal, sentences woman to 8 years "I'm so grateful for everything they do for us," said Hannah We decided we would see how much money we could get having gotten the quick back story on the girls' garage sale surveyed the goods and picked up a nightlight tagged at 75 cents "I was in shock that he would do something like that," Hannah said And he came back about an hour later and gave my mom an envelope and said No questions asked.' And it had $100 in it Schaibly and Clancy O'Connor have formed a fast friendship The girls and Mary O'Connor showed their gratitude stopping by the station with a couple of trays of cupcakes "I was so touched," Clancy O'Connor said of the officers' gift Living in that Navy world for all those years And there it might have ended if Mary hadn't shared the story on Facebook where some of Mary's family are in law enforcement or emergency services "The reason why I put that post out there is so our police officers can be recognized for what they do in our community," she said we really need to embrace these men and women." Schaibly was hoping to keep a low profile.  "Law enforcement officers do stuff like this every day Schaibly as a child was on the receiving end of random generosity He gets emotional recalling the Thanksgiving a church group showed up with a basket of food "I try to tell people to get to know the people around you because you don't know the struggle they're going through." said the garage sale gift was just the latest in a river of generosity that has flowed since her father's accident Friends from the shipyard and Home Depot orchestrated a remodel of their home to make it more wheelchair-accessible Yet to come is an elevator that will accommodate Clancy's wheelchair Mandy also gives a shout-out to East Port Orchard Elementary School which the girls attended the year of the accident The staff there offered support and tangible help to the whole family and people are still helping us out when they can." The woman who caused the collision is serving an eight-year prison sentence We just go on with our lives and we deal with it day by day," said Mary who with help from Mandy and the girls provides total care for her husband of 35 years Clancy hopes his story can raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving "There's a reason why I got left here," he said 69Kitsap SunDeLores (DJ) MagnesonPort Orchard She was born at home in East Port Orchard to Betty (Gallegos) Widman and Macario Gallegos on April 21 She graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1967 Magneson and lived in Bremerton for 30 years where she raised sons Ray W She graduated from Olympic College with an Early Childhood Education Certificate and worked at Teddy Bear Inn in Bremerton She opened a day care in her home and enjoyed caring for many children She opened her heart and home to many loved ones in times of need She moved back to Port Orchard in 2004 to take care of her mother and lived at the homestead that she grew up on for the remainder of her life painter and had a passion for arts and crafts She was active in the youth group at the Port Orchard Church of Christ where she shared her event organizing and decorating talents Her faith in Jesus and her family were the focus of her life Jules Viger and Desaray  Jones; granddaughters Soren and Nigel Hawkins; and great-grandchildren Janaya and Lindsey Magneson.Services will be held at the Port Orchard Church of Christ Editor's note: As the year comes to a close we asked a few reporters to look ahead at what's coming in 2025 Here's Conor Wilson's forecast for major health care projects planned in Kitsap County Multiple new health care facilities are slated to open in Kitsap County next year bringing more options for emergent care and aiming to reduce dependence on the county’s lone emergency department Atop the list is a long-planned expansion at St The hospital expects to open a 74-bed tower in “late 2025,” President Chad Melton told the Kitsap Sun this month “Our new tower and increased bed count will help us increase overall capacity to meet patient needs and help ease some of the burden in our emergency department,” he wrote in an email Completing the tower would mark the end of a long transition for Kitsap’s only civilian hospital began relocating staff from the hospital’s longtime home in Bremerton to a new $540 million Silverdale campus in December 2020 The move was the initial step in a two-phased transition plan but the planned expansion – giving them 336 total beds – would provide a surplus until roughly the mid-2030s VMFH also expects to finish construction on two hybrid emergency room/urgent care facilities that they say will vastly improve care throughout Kitsap County The two facilities – one along Kitsap Way in Bremerton and another at the company’s Port Orchard campus on South Kitsap Boulevard – are the result of a partnership with Intuitive Health Patients arriving at either facility will be examined and triaged into emergent or urgent care VMFH says that will reduce confusion for patients about where to go during an emergency and get them appropriate care at reduced costs “The hybrid ED/urgent care model is one great example of how we can improve our patient experience getting patients to the right level of care while also reducing costs and alleviating some strain on our hospitals,”  VMFH CEO Ketul J Patel said in a statement earlier this year announcing the Port Orchard facility expects to open a “neighborhood” emergency department in East Bremerton next year Company Media Relations Manager Scott Thompson said this month the facility at 5900 State Highway 303 NE at the highway's intersection with Fuson Lane SMMC currently runs the only ER in Kitsap County The planned 10,500 square-foot ER broke ground last June on a vacant lot just north of Lowe’s hardware store four observation rooms and on-site radiology including X-rays It will operate under the license of Tacoma General Hospital and be staffed by certified emergency physicians Medical respite center downtownPeninsula Community Health Services plans to open a 22-bed medical respite center on Sixth Street in Bremerton The facility is expected to open near the end of 2025 at the former Kitsap Rescue Mission building near the Salvation Army The center would provide temporary shelter for up to 30 days to people discharged from the hospital that are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity Individuals using this center generally cannot recover from an injury or illness while living unsheltered but are also not ill enough to remain in the hospital PCHS CEO Jennifer Kreidler-Moss said they also plan to go to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners in January with a proposal for a temporary 8-bed respite center run out of the juvenile detention center The interim site would remain in place until Sixth Street center opens reporting for the Kitsap Sun and Gig Harbor Now through a program managed by Washington State University PORT ORCHARD – Swimming at Long Lake is temporarily closed because of high E Kitsap Public Health District issued an advisory on Thursday warning people to avoid contact with the water at Long Lake County Park until further notice coli is caused by elevated levels of fecal matter in the water which can be spurred by things like wildlife stormwater drainage and high numbers of people in the lake If ingested it can cause health problems including vomiting and diarrhea.  coli is a geometric mean value (GMV) of 126 MPN/100 mL and samples taken at Long Lake on Wednesday indicated a GMV of 218 MPN/100 mL Kitsap Lake is still closed for swimming after a July 24 advisory for E where levels were found to be 476 MPN/100 mL All lakes in the county are currently under an advisory for swimmer’s itch an allergic reaction to parasites in the water lake swimmers should apply waterproof sunscreen before entering the water and shower or towel-dry immediately after getting out of the water Advisories for all swimming beaches can be found here: https://kitsappublichealth.org/environment/water_advisories.php  This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page PORT ORCHARD — Tina Overley Holmes holds a broken umbrella bedecked with angels Standing on a neighbor's lawn in the driving rain Overley Holmes points out a nest of sticks camouflaged in a towering fir tree and a bald eagle tending two babies She whistles again and another eagle appears atop a neighboring fir tree Overley Holmes has followed the saga of this eagle family since 2011 new life and cruel death captured in vivid detail through a high--definition webcam her husband set up in the couple's home on a hilltop above the nest "These eagles taught me so much about persistence "Their daily routines and their commitment to one another." The real-time story of the majestic birds she calls "Mr. E and Mrs. E" has captivated a legion of online fans through her Facebook group, "The Creator's Creations Captured," which she updates often during breeding season with photos and videos A brief post she put up wondering if she was oversharing brought a near-viral flood of replies "Please keep posting!" "I love to see eagle pictures Keep them coming!" The post made clear that hundreds of people are following the eagles from near and far Bald eagles have made a dramatic recovery in Washington state and across the nation over the last 30 years due to a variety of conservation efforts notably the federal ban on the pesticide DDT the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife notes The iconic bird was removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007 and from the state's list in 2017 Wildlife officials still recommend giving eagles wide berth and enjoying them from a distance Overley Holmes first encountered her neighborhood's eagles in 2010 when she spotted a pair in the tree behind her home Overley Holmes was forced into early retirement in 2009 due to an on-the-job neck injury She had surgery in 2011 and a long road to recovery she noticed the pair in a distant tree that would become their home a computer technician, installed the webcam in anticipation of the spring breeding season The Holmeses were rewarded that year to witness the hatching of the eaglet they called "Eggie." Overley Holmes was taken with the care the eagle parents show for their young .. one on the nest while the other hunts and watches out for predators She's even seen the adults building "baby gates" of sticks to keep the eaglets safe Overley Holmes is mesmerized by the webcam and often loses track of time while watching the eagles' daily activities "It has really shown me so much of God's amazing grace watching these eagles love each other take care of each other and feed the young," she said "What people can learn from these animals has taught me so much and healed so much inside of me that I doubted It's crazy to think nature takes care of itself this well Why don't we take care of ourselves this well?" They expect she will find a mate of her own in the next year or two and begin breeding That's how I knew something was wrong," Overley Holmes said with tears often returning to the same nest year after year The eaglet born in 2016 died a couple of days after hatching Overley Holmes watched the adults remove the remains from the nest the hugest juvenile I've ever seen," Overley Holmes said Overley Holmes has captured stunning photos of the eagles with her Nikkon "pray and click." Photos of her feathered friends she prays the Rosary and says a prayer for the eagles “What it has done is brought home the reality of nature So many times we’re closed to what’s around us,” Overley Holmes said My faith was increased watching them.” leaves talk of religion out of her eagle-cam posts The fact that two eaglets hatched this year is a bounty she’s happy to share There are so many people who don’t get to see what I see,” she said “I open the window for people to see what I see.” The grocery chain's store in the Port Orchard Bethel Junction shopping center was closed and cleaned out last week. Haggen shuttered its stores in East Bremerton and Silverdale at the end of November I haven't heard exactly when the Port Orchard location shut down Unlike the Bremerton and Silverdale Haggens the Port Orchard store already has a new owner in place Albertsons LLC. bought the location in a bankruptcy auction last month and plans to return it to the Safeway brand A timeline for the reopening has not been announced The three Kitsap County stores were among 146 Haggen acquired from Albertsons and Safeway early this year as the two mega-grocers completed a merger The East Bremerton and Silverdale stores were previously operated by Albertsons Haggen's bold expansion ultimately flopped The company filed for bankruptcy reorganization in September and held auctions to begin selling off assets The Bellingham Herald reports Haggen will try to sell the remainder of its stores including its original Whatcom County locations Haggen was in business in Kitsap for less than 9 months: Ballew guided the Wolves to 1995 fastpitch championship and North Kitsap Vikings all competed in a track and field meet at Kingston High… The Bainbridge Spartans boys soccer team showed out on Senior Night cruising past Kingston 12-0 May 2 at home while… The Bainbridge Spartans girls’ tennis team remains undefeated and atop the Olympic League standings following a narrow 4-3 home victory… The wrong-way driver was pronounced dead at the scene after his car collided with a pickup three miles east of Port Orchard on State Highway 16 about 10 p.m Already have an account? 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