In 2024 the Bainbridge Island Police Department responded to 181 car accidents.
Shannon Hays, the city’s communications coordinator, said 25 collisions were on High School Road and 84 on Highway 305. Of that
total, seven occurred at or near the intersection of the two roads.
In 2023, 810 people died on Washington roads, the stateTrafficSafetyCommission website says. In Kitsap County, 22 fatalities were reported, including two on BI.
“The most important thing we want the public
groups, and democracy permeatedmanysentiments.
As voices rang out around the world calling for truth, justice and an end to the Trumpadministration,Bainbridge Island’s grassroots organizing community grew some deeper roots.
Over 1,000 people attended the Hands Off! rally on BI April 5 as part of a globaldemonstrationagainst recentactionsbyTrumpand associate Elon Musk.
Early estimates show about 1 million people participated in the protest, including thousands in all 50 states, as well as Berlin, Paris and London. Themes includedresistancetooligarchy, fascism, justice and protection for marginalized
On BI, many attendees’ signs called for reform — some specific, like the restoration of Social Security Administration staff, and some general, like the need forcompassionandcourage in U.S. society. Other signs condemned the actions of Trump’sandMusk’sDepartment of Governmental Efficiency, citing the stock market-shattering tariffs enacted April 2, rollbacks to environmental regulations and executive orders targetingthetransgendercommunity and immigrants.
“What has been going on with the Musk administration has been incredibly concerning. And I didn’t say that by accident,” nurse
to know about preventing accidents and promoting road safety is to always stay focusedandalert.Payattention to your surroundings, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and avoid distractions inside the vehicle— such as using cell phones, adjusting the radio, eating orengaginginconversations that take your focus off the
road,” police chief Joe Clark wrote in an email.
A public records request shows that two collisions occurred in March: one on Highway 305 and one on Agate Pass Bridge. In a March 3 incident, two vehicles sideswiped each other on Highway 305. On March 10, a three-car, low-speed collision occurred on Agate
Pass Bridge.
AWashingtonStatePatrol representative said troopers responded to 104 calls at Eagle Harbor last year, including three collisions.
In 2023, COBI adopted a resolution that lowered speed limits to 20 mph with a few exceptions, including Highway 305. A WSP representative
wrotethatacommonreason for collisions includes speeding and not allowing enough following distance.
“Obeying traffic laws is essential for everyone’s safety. Speed limits, stop signs and right-of-way rules exist for a reason—to keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe,” Clark wrote.
Claire Richards said. She and husband Ryan coordinated the local Hands Off! march and are members of communityorganizinggroup Indivisible Bainbridge.
“We’re seeing a rise in fascism, and this government is authoritarian. That is why we became involved; it is within our power as a community, and our voices are more powerful together. It’s the only avenue that we seetoprotectourdemocracy and to protect our community,” Claire Richards said.
A construction project in South Seattlemayhelpshapetheentrance toBainbridgeIslandforgenerations — though no one’s picked a color yet.
BIcityleaders,staffandcommitteememberstouredaLowIncome Housing Institute job site in Rainier Valley April 1 to learn about the developers’ design philosophy, quality of construction and how their work will translate to the upcoming project at the corner of WinslowWayandHighway305.
BecausetheBIprojectissituated at the gateway to business district, it sets the tone for the rest of the island — which is why the council has decided to weigh its design very carefully, deputy mayor Jon Quitslund said. “Considering our project’s prominent location, and also the limitations imposed by the one-acre site, we have to insist on
imaginative and attractive design,” hesaid. The power of aesthetics is important, LIHI senior design manager Eric Blank said. All
of the organization’s new projects are designed to reflect their context. For example, spring green accents in the Marion West apartment/food bank building in the
University District were inspired by the stained-glass windows of an adjacent library, and the Tony Lee building in Lake City in northeast Seattle has a dark gray and yellow exteriorthatfitswiththecardealerships nearby.
“We like our buildings to be somewhatvibrant,andtolookmore like market-rate than the plain gray boxesthatsomepeopleexpectfrom affordable housing,” Blank said at a post-tour panel. “When we do go bold with our colors, we use paint, not pre-finished materials, so if the colorsseemdatedorout-of-fashion in a few years, we can simply paint over it. This allows us to be a little moreboldwithourcolorchoices.”
MicheleWang,principalarchitect at Runberg who will be working on the BI project, added that not all of LIHI’sbuildingsarebright.Manyare moremutednaturalcolors,liketheir historicorpre-existingproperties.
By Mark Storer Bainbridge Island Review
Wine industry data for the past couple of years has shown a downturn.
A restless economy, a younger generation more interested in pre-made and canned cocktails and rising pricesofgrapeshaveallbeen blamed.
Washington state, home to 1,100 wineries, has bucked that trend some. A large portion of the state’s wineries use the direct-toconsumer model of selling wine because they produce less than 5,000 cases a year.
In Kitsap County, most of the wineries make less than 3,000 cases a year, but most are also selling what they make.
From Bainbridge Island to Olalla, Kitsap winemakers are welcoming new customersbothyoungerandolderas well as tourists and most are eithergrowingoratleaststaying fairly even.
“My sales are only slightly down, maybe five percent from last year,” said Mike Lempriere, owner and winemaker of Perennial Vintners on BI. “But that’s nothing to worry about in general.”
Lempriere said that many of the wineries on BI have a “built-in” customer base, where customers are either club members or come in regularly. “When COVID hit, most of us got a huge bump in direct-to-consumer sales,” he said. “But that fell back to normal fairly quickly.”
He is one of just 18 winemakers who not only make wine in Puget Sound, but grow grapes here as well, making what are known as “cool climate” wines. Those types of grapes hail originally from places like Alsace,
Germany, France or Austria and include wines like Siegrebbe, Melon d’ Bourgogne and Zweigelt, among others.
“My winery and Bainbridge Vineyards are pretty special because we actually grow grapes here, so from that standpoint people who have an interest in cool climate grapes, we’re their go-to,” Lempriere said.
Mary Ellen Houston, owner of Olalla Vineyard and Winery, grows 3 acres of grapes there, but also gets grapes from Eastern Washington. “I’m a numbers gal, and my numbers are up from last year,” Houston said. “Every year, they continue to improve and part of that is that I’m nestled perfectly betweenGigHarborandPort Orchard.”
Houston said that she believes the biggest drivers to her winery are social media and word of mouth, along with the road signs on Highway 16.
“Asasmallbusiness,Idon’t have a lot of money to invest intomarketing,”shesaid.“So I use whatever free advertising I can.”
Houston said that her clientele has changed quite a bit as she sees a lot more younger people coming to her winery, which bucks another trend in the industry. “When we first opened, ourcustomerswerebetween 40 and 65, and they still are, but we’re also seeing a lot of 20-and30-somethingscome inwitheitherweddingparties or just groups of friends.”
Houston said she also creates a number of events that include arts, crafts, various food and wine pairings, andinvitespeopletocomein andspendtimeatthewinery.
“If you have a fun event,
that’s how you sell wine,” she said. “This state is a unicorn in some ways. We’re outliers and people here like their wine, or mead or beer or whatever, and that tells me that they’re making it part of a healthy work-life balance.”
Both wineries self-distributetheirwines,whichcanbe found in stores like Harbor Greens, Olalla Bay Market, Bay Hay and Feed on BI, Marina Market in Poulsbo and others.
OLALLA VINEYARD AND WINERY COURTESY PHOTO Mary Ellen Houston, owner of Olalla Vineyard and Winery.
Theater performance
Island Theatre’s productionof“TheHalf-LifeofMarie Curie” at the Bainbridge PublicLibrarywillbeApril19 at7p.m.andApril20at3p.m.
The play is about the close friendshipofMarieCurieand fellowphysicistHerthaAyrton at a time when Curie’s affair withamarriedmalephysicist is threatening to destroy her career. It’s an exploration of friendship,physics,feminism, fate, heartbreak, honesty and bravery,anewsreleasestates. Volunteer award
Serve Washington selected Pascal Shuback of Bainridge Prepares as a recipient of the 2025 state Volunteer Service Awards for thePeninsula/CoastalRegion of Washington.
The Peninsula/Coastal Region includes Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Kitsap counties. The purpose of these awards is to honor the many acts of kindness that individuals, families, service groups and organizations perform in communities across the state of Washington, per a news release.
Shuback is being recognized for his service helping the Bainbridge Island communitypreparefornatural disasters by collaborating with neighborhoods, organizations and local governments,pertherelease.Among hisaccomplishmentsin2024, Schuback helped build a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center on BI and set up networking security andcommunicationssystem for the Bainbridge Island RummageSale,whichhelped raise more than $800,000 for local nonprofits.
BRAVA awards
Applications are now open for the BRAVA awards, which honor four contemporary artists, craftspeople or
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND BRIEFS
makers who exemplify excellence, technical mastery and a lasting impact on the community.
BainbridgeIslandMuseum of Arts Recognizes AchievementintheVisualArtsinfour categories: Emerging Artist, Native American and First Nationls Artist, Children’s Book Illustrator and Artist’s Books Award. Each winner receives $15,000. Go to www. biartmuseum.org for details. Rowing fundraiser
Bainbridge Island Rowing ishostingaSwingDanceApril 21 at 7 p.m. to raise funds for student scholarships. The dance will be at the Stan Pocock Rowing Center at 281 Brien Drive SE. The first 30 minutes is a beginner dance lesson. No partner required. The lesson is followed by social dancing to recorded music. Suggested donationforadultsis$20,and $10 for students. For details go to bainbridgerowing.org/ community-events/
Haiku winners
The winners of Plum’s annual hakui competition were recently announced. First place was awarded to Brad Bennett for “falling seed husks one more cardinal before dusk.” Second place was awarded to Marci
Williams for “first snow blanket of silence covers broken words.” And third place was awarded to Patrick Gallagher for “autumn stroll the sudden chill of a passing cloud.”
Each year, the competition is open to all. Winners are chosen by Angela Terry, board member of Seattlebased Haiku Northwest. All 70+ haikus are now displayed over the Plum deck. The haikus will be up for the month of April, which is National Poetry Month.
Preschool program
The Island School recently announced the opening of its new Outdoor Preschool Program this fall, offering young learners the opportunitytoexplore,learnandgrow in nature.
Located on Day Road NE, the program is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and emphasizes hands-on, playbased learning in an outdoor environment, a news release states. To accommodate diverse family needs, the
programoffersflexibleenrollment options with two-, three- and five-day classes.
Class hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gototheislandschool.org/ garden-preschool for details.
Weed Warriors
Weed Warriors will be yanking out ivy April 27 from 1-3 p.m at Bloedel Reserve. Volunteers are welcome as early as 10 a.m. to participate in Earth Day. Parking will be at a 7571 NE West Port Madison Road. Parking will be limited, so consider BI Ride. You may reserve pick-up and drop-off by calling 844-424-743. Visit sustainablebainbridge.org/programs/weedwarriors/ to register for the ivy pull.
Water meeting
The Bainbridge Conservation Coalition’s Water Resource Committee will meet April 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center, 370 Brien Drive SE.
BI hydrogeologists will discuss aquifers and the Groundwater Management Plan.
New band director
The Hometown Band, composed of musicians from Kitsap County, recently announced Mike Jauregui as its new director.
The band will open its spring concert series with a performance at Silverdale Lutheran Church April 25 from 7-9 p.m. Subsequent performances will take place April 26, from 3-4:30 p.m. at North Point Church in Poulsbo, and May 2 at 7 p.m. at Kingston’s Village Green Community Center. The concerts are free.
“What drew me to this wonderful group is their dedication to musical excellence and their strong sense of community,” Jauregui said. The band’s rich history
and commitment to bringing joy through music resonate deeply with me.”
Cancer treatment
SkinCure Oncology, a provider for Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy,anadvancednonsurgical treatment for common skin cancer, announced April 2 its availability in Kitsap County. Frontier Dermatology in Poulsbo is the first medical practice in the county to offer the GentleCure™ treatment, per a news release. ImageGuided SRT is the only treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal and squamous cell carcinoma) that uses ultrasound imaging to help clinicians direct low-level x-rays to targeted areas of the skin, killing cancer cells. A study published in the journal Oncology and Therapy showed that Image-Guided SRT produces a 99.3 percent cure rate for early-stage nonmelanoma.
Dr. William Delgado of Frontier Dermatology noted, “More than 2,500 individuals inKitsapCountyareexpected tobediagnosedwithnonmelanoma skin cancer this year alone.”
Suquamish cleanup
The Suquamish Community Advisory Council will hold its annual Spring Cleanup April 26. Participants are asked to meet at 9 a.m. at the SuquamishUnitedChurchofChrist, 18732DivisionAve.NE.Youth are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
Sexual assault awareness
Rebuilding Hope, the sexualassaultresourcecenter serving Pierce and Kitsap counties, is hosting Pints for Hope at Silver City Brewery in Bremerton April 14 from 4-8 p.m.
$1 from every pint sold will be donated to Rebuilding Hope.
At Bainbridge SeniorLiving, agingis celebrated, not confined by outdatedstereotypes.Thisvibrant senior community embracesthephilosophy that there’s no expirationdate onadventure, creativity andpursuingwhat youlove.Residentshere areredefiningwhat itmeans to age gracefully, provingthat thepursuitofgoalsandinterestsis timeless
“We hearitallthetime – questionslike,‘Aren’tyou a little tooold forthat?’ saysCarrieChavez, communityrelations director at Bainbridge SeniorLiving “Butwhy putlimitations onpeoplebasedonage?Here,we honorwhopeopleare andencouragethem to keepdoingwhat theylove, whether it’s learningsomethingnewor continuing a lifelongpassion.
TakeDick Culp,for example.A key contributor to the woodworkingshop atTheBarn–a sharedartsandcrafts space– Dicklightsupwhentalkingabouthisprojects “I’ll keepgoing toTheBarn aslongas I can,”hesays.“I’ve already
gotideas for my next piece!”
Or AnneHolman,who rediscoveredherlovefor watercolorpaintingduring arecent outdoorphoto session. Laughingwithstaffmembers Carrieand Evelyn, Anne reminiscedaboutpaintingsceniclandscapesfromher travels.“With watercolor,”shemused,“there’s nogoingback –youjustmoveforward withwhat’s onthepaper.It’skind oflikelife.”
Thedailylife ofBainbridge SeniorLiving residentsis anythingbutordinary.Whetherit’s baking cookieswith friendslike Beverly atWyattHouse,cyclingthrough Seattle, publishing a book at age90,orjoining groupoutingslike bowling,eachdayisanopportunitytocelebrateindividuality andpassion.
“There’s thisstereotypethat seniorsjustsitaround playingbingo,” Chaveznotes “Sure, bingoisfun – butwhy stopthere? We haveresidentswhoare still working still traveling, andstillthrivingin ways that inspire everyone aroundthem.”
Forthe team at Bainbridge SeniorLiving active living isaboutmore thanphysical exercise – it’s aboutstaying mentallyengaged, socially connected, andjoyfullycurious Residentscanjoingardeningclubs meditationsessions orsimplyspendtimedoingwhat theylove most, whether that’s painting,volunteering, orsharingtheirstories withothers
“It’s so rewarding to seeour residentslight upwhen they’re doingwhat theylove,”Chavezsays. “During arecent photo shoot, one residenttearedup,feelingtrulyseen and valued forwhat shestill contributes to the world.That’s what it’s allabout – honoringindividuality and celebratingthe livesour residentshave built.”
Bainbridge SeniorLivinginviteseveryone torethink agingstereotypesand celebrate theendlesspossibilities of growingolder.Their communitiesare livingproofthat stayingactive,connected, andpassionate isthekey toa fulfillinglifeat any age
Q: I know it’s illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a car, so why is a limo allowed to have a bar?
A: Before I answer your question, I have one of my own: Why would we craft a law that makes it illegal to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle (assuming it’s not the driver that’s holding it, of course)? Prior to 1983, Washington didn’t have an open container law, but as Bob Dylan sang two decades earlier, the times, they were a-changin’.
In 1980, approximately 28,000 people were killed in alcoholinvolved crashes. One of those
Did you know that every year in the United States, enough steel is buried in the form of caskets to build another Golden Gate Bridge? Or that every year enough wood to build four million homes is used to build caskets that are then buried in the ground where they slowly decompose? How about the fact that the embalming fluid used in traditional burials each year could fill 40 swimming pools?
people was Cari Lightner, a 13-year-old girl who was walking to a church carnival when she was killed by a repeat offender, just out of jail from a 4th DUI arrest. In that year, Cari’s mother, Candace, founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The work of MADD and other grassroots organizations brought needed attention to impaired driving, and the early 80s were a turning point in our cultural attitudes toward DUI. Many states began implementing stricter laws to prevent impaired driving, and that included open container laws. The goal of open container laws is to reduce driver access to alcohol, and they work. States with open container laws have a lower proportion of alcohol-involved fatal
to making the Earth livable and exploring outer space back when such things were thought to be important rather than left-wing exercises in waste and fraud).
crashes compared to states without open container laws. In a 15-year stretch starting in 1982, more than 1,700 impaireddriving laws passed nationwide. The laws and our changing attitudes made a difference. In the last 10 years, we’ve averaged just over 11,000 alcohol-related traffic fatalities, even as we’ve more than doubled the number of miles driven since 1982. That’s still far too many deaths, but significant progress compared to the early 80s.
Returning to your question, Washington’s open container law prohibits drinking “any alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle when the vehicle is upon a highway,” possessing an alcoholic beverage if the container has been opened (even if you’ve put the cap/cork/lid back on), and keeping an opened
was young and immature. Now that I am older, happily married, and more mature my plans have changed; now I would like to be cremated and have my ashes thrown on Penelope Cruz. For me, that’s about as close to personal growth as I get.
alcoholic beverage within the occupant area of a vehicle. But the law has exceptions. If you’ve hired a limousine from a licensed company, and it’s operated by a properly licensed driver as part of their employment, the open container law doesn’t apply. And for good reason, I believe; if a group of people want to combine drinking and travel, hiring a professional driver is their safest bet. It’s not limited to limousines. You could charter a bus and serve alcohol, so long as it’s just your group on board and you have a professional driver. Buying an old school bus and driving your friends around would not meet the requirements of the exception. While a chartered vehicle is alright, it’s not legal to drink alcohol on public transportation. That’s
urns on mantels and bookshelves. Some disappear into people’s attics or garages. I understand a surprisingly high percentage of cremains are simply never picked up from the mortuary from whence they were created.
not so much to stop impaired driving as it is to prevent passenger problems. The best-case scenario is a happy drunk woman rallying everyone on the double-decker bus to sing a raucous version of “You are my Sunshine” as they cruise down the strip. But this isn’t Las Vegas, and you can easily imagine a lot of worse outcomes for impaired passengers and the adjacent riders. Passing open container laws was one of many steps in our path toward eliminating impaired driving. Several states, including Washington, are midway through their next step: reducing the per se limit for blood alcohol from .08 to .05. That’s already the standard in nearly 100 countries. Utah did it in 2018. If it passes, Senate Bill 5067 would make Washington the second state with a .05 per se limit. Doug Dahl is with the Traffic Safety Commission and writes a weekly column for this newspaper.
disposing of my remains, assuming Ms. Cruz continues to ignore my many letters seeking her permission to be the target for my ashes, is to have my cremains divided equally among my wife and kids to do with as they see fit, with a bit of them spread on the garden in our yard and a another bit dropped into the rising tide at Pritchard Park.
The Berkeley Planning Journal reported on this back in 2012. Their report concluded that the money we spend on traditional burials in this country could fund the Environmental Protection Agency twice over – in fact, it could almost fund NASA. (For you youngsters out there, “EPA” and “NASA” are now-defunct federal government agencies dedicated
Like many, we imagined spending our retired years in relative peace and stability. We moved to Washington state four years ago to be close to our children and grandchildren on Bainbridge Island, but because of unpredictable rent increases in our 55-plus community, we’re not sure how much longer we’ll be able to stay in our home.
I ran across this information in a wonderful article by Robert Moor in Outside’s online magazine called To Be Reborn as a Tree in which the author discusses some of the recent innovations in the ancient task of returning our ashes to ashes and our dust to dust, including forest cemeteries and human composting.
Moor’s article got me thinking about my own death management plans. For many years, my plan was to have my body cremated and my ashes thrown on Lonnie Anderson, who at the time was one of the stars of a sitcom called WKRP in Cincinnati. Of course, I wasn’t married at the time and
The average apartment rent statewide across all bedroom types was $1,823. A 10% increase translates to $182 hike in monthly rent. Wages aren’t going up by 10%, and those of us on fixed incomes depend on social security that only goes up around 2%. How are we supposed to keep up with increases like that?
According to a 2024 report by the National Low Income Housing Alliance, the average wage for renters in Washington is $28.95 an hour,
but one would need to make $39.40 an hour in the Bremerton-Silverdale area to afford a two-bedroom home and cover utilities. Here in the 23rd legislative district, according to a 2023 American Community Survey, nearly 20,000 - one-third of us - are renter households. More than half of us are “cost burdened,” meaning rent takes up more than 30% of our household income.
The average age in our community is 85. These folks can’t just go out and get another job to try to keep up with rent increases that are far outpacing the annual cost of living adjustment to our social security benefits. We’ve seen at least 10 neighbors have no choice but to leave. The way things are going we could all be homeless in another six months.
Large rent increases aren’t just an annoying trend, they cause displacement and even
Cremation is certainly a less pricey alternative to a traditional burial involving a preserved body and a casket in an actual cemetery. Traditional burials run $20,000 or more while a professional cremation typically costs closer to $2,000. I don’t know if there is a black market of amateur cremators who might be persuaded to burn a body for even less money, but let’s hope not.
Where the ashes of cremated bodies (called ‘cremains’ in the trade) end up is not well documented. Some are spread in wild landscapes or tossed off the back of boats, which is romantic and memorable but, for the most part, illegal. Some are kept in fancy
Cremation is more Earthfriendly than traditional burials, but it too has its drawbacks. Cremains may be laced with heavy metals such as mercury from dental fillings or thermometers and tainted fish inadvertently left in the decedent’s pockets. Cremains are also high in salt and very alkaline and, therefore, aren’t conducive to supporting plant life.
I’m still on the fence about human composting. While ecologically sound, for me, it still invokes images of every schlocky horror movie I’ve ever seen where a body is dumped in a tank or a pond to disintegrate and decompose and yet manages to come back to life to torment its tormentor.
My current thinking on
On the other hand, I’ve heard from more than one medical professional that a body as unique as mine really ought to be left to science – presumably as part of a study to understand how a person who considers Corn Nuts and potato chips to be part of the vegetable family could live as long as I have. In preparation for that eventuality, I’ve been sticking my head into the freezer for a few minutes every day in order to prepare my brain for being cryogenically preserved. Further proof that there is no off position on the genius switch.
Tom Tyner of Bainbridge Island writes a weekly humor column for this newspaper.
homelessness, especially threatening seniors, working families with children, and disabled people who can’t easily pick up and find a new place to live that they can afford. Rent gouging is affecting everyone. Businesses and essential services like our schools, hospitals and fire departments can’t retain and recruit staff because they can’t afford to live near their work.
A survey conducted by EMC Research from Jan. 26 to Feb 2 of registered voters in Washington state found 72% support a policy that would prohibit excessive rent increases, require more notice before increasing rent, and limit move-in and late fees. The survey found support across partisan lines, age, income, geography and other demographics.
That kind of widespread agreement on policy to address complex social and economic problems is
Great article
To the editor: I’d like to compliment Joshua Kornfeld on his delightful article celebratingCathyDeLorey’s50-year teaching career. While she certainly provided some juicy tidbits, several of my book club friends and fellow teachers commented that it was one of the best articles we have read in the Review…and all of us are 30-plusyear residents.
rare indeed. But it’s not surprising when you consider that sevenin-10 say they have been unable to rent near where they work due to rents being too high, 70% say they have had a rent increase that significantly impacted their financial situation, and almost two-thirds say they have had to move because the rent got too high. The rent stabilization measure will protect both residential tenants and manufactured homeowners who must rent the lot our home sits on. It sets a limit of 7% per year for rent increases and provides renters six months notice of rent increases over 3%.
Opponents with a vested interest in protecting their unrestricted ability to increase rents say stabilizing rent will cause a decline in housing supply, but there is literally no empirical evidence to support that claim. The measure
We appreciate your honoring of her long and successful career. Teaching is not easy, and she was born to do it!
Susan Knell Suquamish
Photo misleading
To the editor: In your April 4 article about the Bainbridge Island School District cutting band programs, The Review madethejournalisticdecisiontorun aphotooftwoyoungpeopleplaying the cello. I’d like to point out a few important errors: Those students are not part of BISD. In the 31 years I’ve lived here, there has never been an orchestra program. Band—and until a few years ago, choir—have been the only school-based music options available. The photo you used originally ran in The Review last year for a feature on Kids in Concert, a free after-school music program I help lead.
KICexistspreciselybecausepublic school arts programs keep getting cut, leaving access to music education to only the wealthiest families.
that passed the state House and is on its way to the Senate includes a 10-year exemption for new buildings and exemptions for owneroccupied small dwellings, and only applies to current tenancies, meaning landlords can still set the rent at whatever they want for new tenants.
Before moving to Washington, I was a state legislator in Utah. I know how critical affordable housing is to the wellbeing and economy of local communities.
That’s why I was glad to see strong support in the Washington legislature for tackling this problem with a common-sense solution. If the Senate fails to pass this bill, rent gouging will continue unabated, padding the profits of landlords and at the expense of some of the most-vulnerable people in our communities. This is not a future problem. It’s a three-alarm fire, and relief is needed today.
Sara Eubank, a former Utah state legislator, lives in Bremerton.
The district’s decision to eliminate band is deeply disappointing—but yourchoicetoillustratethestorywith amisleadingphotodoesadisservice toboththeissueandtheyoungmusicians actually affected by it. Kirsten Branson-Meyer Bainbridge
Thank you
To the editor: Your work, career and you are heard, seen, felt and valued. You didn’t take down Nixon. Your wins are bigger. You uplifted people. When we share stories we often don’t know their impact on others. I’m just one example. Your stories in the Kingston Community News causedmetosubscribetotheNorth KitsapHeraldandlearnaboutlocals whocareaboutourcommunityand try to make a difference. Thank you for being you, Steve (retiringeditorPowell).Iamgrateful for your impact on me. I’m excited for Tyler Shuey to continue your legacy and make his own mark on the world.
Neil Diercks Kingston
BI Planning Commission discuss affordable housing solutions
By Joshua Kornfeld Bainbridge Island Review
The Bainbridge Island Planning Commission reviewed a presentation March 27 regarding housing options allocation, and members expressed different viewpoints on how to accomplish affordable housing to the community.
The Comprehensive Plan has identified the need for housing for an additional
11,000 people, per the city. Alternative 1, “no action,” would accommodate 1,334 people in Winslow; Alternative 2 would accommodate 6,397 people in Winslow; and Alternative 3 would accommodate 5,412 people.
Multi-unit homes are more efficient, which allows for more density than single-family homes, per city documents. “I do believe that there
is an ethical imperative to strive for as much affordable housing on the island as possible. And I think just saying we can’t meet or just saying those numbers are not applicable feels like it’s kind of like, well, I guess we don’t really have a reason to do it,” Commissioner Criss Garcia said.
Commissioner Ariel Birtley said she likes the idea of using a bookends approach to set core density
requirements. “That’s kind of more my vision: painting out what our city looks like in the future and how it meets all of the residents’ needs in terms of parks, transportation and walkability. All of those things are part of that. I think if we step away from the base requirements and look more at these different housing types, it allows us more latitude to paint this picture,” she said.
City Councilmember and council liaison Jon Quitslund described the scope of the housing needs. “We are obligated to plan for and accommodate housing for the full spectrum of economic participants in the community. That’s a very big commitment. It’s an ethical commitment, and it is a strategic commitment for the betterment of this community,” he said. The commission also
learned Winslow’s sewer capacity is sufficient through 2025. Upgrade planning will be required when the plant reaches 85% capacity. The first planned upgrade, slated for completion in 2026, will provide sufficient capacity for 10 to 15 years. The second proposed upgrade, slated to start in 2036, will provide capacity through 2050, depending on growth, Garcia said.
Spartronics dove deep to attain its top competitive performance in eight years.
The Bainbridge High School FIRST Robotics team placed34thoutof50teamsin thePacificNorthwestDistrict Championship in Cheney April 5. Washington and Oregon, the PNW District, plan to send its top 22 teams andtheir125-poundrobotsto Houston, TX, where they will compete against about 600 teams from districts across the country April 16. “Our students put their heart into this season, and it shows. From building EPHYRA(therobot’sname)to refining our strategy at every
match,they’vedemonstrated true resilience, creativity and teamwork,”Spartronicscoach Austin Smith said.
Each year, FIRST Robotics introduces a game or challenge that is themed around real applications for robots in science and engineering fields. This year, the theme is ocean exploration, and the gameiscalled“REEFSCAPE.”
During the competition, robots score coral, harvest
algae and attach to a barge to “return to the surface,” competing to collect the most points in two minutes and 30 seconds. There’s a 15-second portion in which the robot is autonomous, but the other 135 seconds are driver-controlled. Student FIRST robotics teams design, program and steer their robots with guidance from coaches and professional mentors.
In keeping with BHS’ Greek warrior mascot, the Spartronics robot EPHYRA is named after the water nymph, a daughter of the ocean and sea titans, but the word also refers to the larval stage of jellyfish. The acronym stands for “Elevated PacificHealerYieldingRoutes Autonomously.”
“EPHYRA is optimized for coral collection and scoring while maintaining algae
displacement capabilities,” theteamwroteonitswebsite. “Our autonomous routines enable fast, consistent scoring cycles with minimal human intervention, allowingourdriveteamtofocuson in-game strategy rather than basic maneuvering.”
This was the team’s top performance since 2017, whenSpartronicsplacedfirst at the Auburn Mountainview Competition.
Bainbridge Island Review
COURTESY PHOTOS
Lucky Beesley, left, and Will Sneath cheer on their teammates during the semifinals.
Public health message making a difference for those living with HIV
By Steven Powell Bainbridge Island Review
The “U=U” public health message is making a big difference in Kitsap County for people living with HIV.
It stands for “Undetectable = Untransmittable” and means patients who get effective treatment cannot sexually transmit the virus.
With proper medication, the virus can be undetectable in under six months. “It opens up social choices they never thought possible,” Ashley Duren told the Kitsap Public Health District board April 1. Also at the meeting, board members were told the state is losing $130 million in funding for the COVID pandemic, so therewillbecutsinKitsap programs related to that.
Regarding U=U, Duren said that information can reduce the stigma, shame and fear, which in turn encouragesaccesstocare.
She shared a “huge success story” of a man who was going through end-of-life planning because he had received notreatmentforamystery illness. Medical experts finally figured out he was in the late stages of AIDS. Butwithpropertreatment, he is a boat captain now and for two years has had no issues.
Duren said KPHD is workingwith184clients— menmakeup149,women 28 and seven are trans. Almosthalfareage60and older,andsomehavebeen clients for 25 years.
“We do it all” when it comes to supporting the
patients and linking them to services, she said, adding they help with wraparound services like food, transportation and housing.
Kelsey Stedman of KPHDgaveapresentation atthemeetingonSexually Transmitted Infections.
Stedman said while numbers have dropped for most STIs, syphilis has doubled in the state. It is prevalent in people who are homeless and use drugs. While it used to be found mostly in gay men cases are rising among women, and if left untreateditcanbepassed ontobabies.Miscarriages occur 50% of the time, but if treated before delivery there is a 90% positive outcome. “Testing is so important,” Stedman said, adding 50% of cases aren’t diagnosed until a year after infection.
Shesaidsmokingrather than injecting drugs has a positive effect on those numbers.
Cases of other types of STIs actually are on the decline and below the state average. She attributes that to providing sexual health counseling and treating people who are at higher risk.
HIV has been stable at about eight a year. There were 696 cases of chlamydia last year and 162 cases of gonorreha. Stedman said there are 90 conditions that have to be reported to public health—some immediately, some within 24 hours and others within three days.
Their goals are to provide education, make sure people are treated
and be a resource for medical providers.
If she could wave a magic wand, she’d like to seeareductioninbarriers to treatment and to end feelings of fear and being stigmatized.
KPHD administrator
Yolanda Fong told the boardaboutprogramsthat willtakeahitduetofederal cuts. Those include two clinicsamonthforCOVID vaccinations that were supposed to last through June. However, Peninsula Connect Services is still havingtheclinics,shesaid. Doses already received will be available, and folks will be directed to their primary care providers as other options.
She also said in a University of Wisconsin survey Kitsap ranks first in the state in community conditions for good health. She said while the data used in the survey was old, “It’s a great nod toKitsapforimprovingthe health of communities.”
KPHD health officer Dr. Gib Morrow was sick, but in a letter to the board he said that Kitsap has been abletoavoidcutsinpublic health, but that cannot be said for workers at the state and national levels.
Meanwhile, Kandice Atisme’-Bevins gave an update on KPHD’s Strategic Plan. She said it’s reviewed every seven to 10 years, while objectives are updated every three years and activities updated quarterly each year. “It constantly shifts to meet the needs of the community,” she said. She said last year they decided to “shoot for the
moon” with 322 activities, but only accomplished 159. So they decided on a “more realistic” 184 this year. They also want to focus on consistency of implementation and accountability. In general they want to improve communication and partnerships. As for their five objectives:
• Regarding communicable diseases, they had 30 activities last year, including one a quarterly meeting with St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale.
•As for chronic conditions, there were 19 activities, led by working with pregnant and parenting families.
•Regarding a healthy
environment, there were 12 activities, led by the technical advisory group on the onsite sewage law.
•As for public health infrastructure, there were 56 activities, led by updating the style guide.
•There were 52 activities under administrative services, led by the internal community assessment process.
By Molly Hetherwick Bainbridge Island Review
Chaotic weather can have unpredictable consequences, but some areas of Kitsap County may have a better bead on its effects going forward.
The National Weather Service, the federal meteorological group that tracks weather and safety advisories regarding inclementevents,hasreorganized its public forecast zones throughout Western Washington, the agency announced March 19.
Meteorologists have
established 13 new forecastzonesandadjustedthe boundaries of all but one of the 21 existing zones, creating 34 forecast areas from the Pacific Ocean to the Canadian border, south to Olequa, WA and east to Snoqualmie Pass.
The new zones reflect elevation, climatology, major transportation routes and population centers. The change will provide more specific weather warnings to communities susceptible
to dangerous impacts without having to alarm residents who may live nearby, but are out of harm’s way.
“Each county within the [area] features complex terrain and a wide array of localized weather effects.
The previous configuration could result in considerable over- or under-warning of communities due to their size and climatological diversity contained within each zone,” officials wrote.
“For instance, an entire zone may be alerted when only a small portion of the zone is expected to experience the weather hazard, or a decision is made not to issue an alert altogether for the same reason. These limitations can cause confusion when trying to relay hazardous weather messages to our partners and the public.”
But where most of the previous zones became more complex, Kitsap’s got simpler.
County residents once had three forecast zones to keep track of — one for the cities on Puget Sound, one for the towns on Hood
Canal, and one that put Kingston and Point No Point in the same zone as Warm Beach in Snohomish County. Now, there are two zones on the east and west sides of Highway 3 that stretch through the entirecounty,withthesplit following Highway 104 in North Kitsap and ending at Rose Point. Kitsap’s western forecast zone, which once spanned the entire Hood Canal and reached all the way to the end of Tolten Inlet, was also separated into three sections: North Hood Canal, South Hood Canal, andOlympiaandSouthern Puget Sound.
zoomed-in map of the new forecast zones for Kitsap County.
A zoomed-in map of the previous forecast zones for Kitsap County.
NWS COURTESY IMAGES
A diagram of the new forecast zones across Western Washington.
Protesters overwhelmed downtown sidewalks and ended up walking on the street in portions, and BI police temporarily blocked traffic at Madison and Winslow. The march culminated in eight speeches.
BI resident Rakesh Bharania was laid off from his cybersecurity role at federal agency USAID in February, following a recommendation from Musk’s DOGE that the
Housing
From Page A1
Last August, the City Council chose LIHI as its affordable housing developerforthecity-ownedlotat 625WinslowWay,theformer site of a police station. The newapartmentbuildingwill contribute to the city’s goal of building nearly 2,000 new units of housing through 2044, as required by the county in BI’s Comprehensive Plan, a document that demonstrates how places will accommodate growth over time.
Out of 1,977 countymandated units, at least 1,140 must be earmarked for households at income levelsbelowtheareamedian of about $159,000 due to the lack of affordable housing on BI. That’s where the city’s partnershipwithLIHIcomes in.
The affordable housing developer specializes in providing “sustainable, creative and innovative housing for low-income, homeless and formerly homeless people,” per the nonprofit’s website, but its portfolio includes a range of affordability. Many of its buildings target residents making at or slightly below the area median income, which varies depending on location.
Most newly constructed LIHI developments have modernfacades,indoorand outdoor common spaces, on-site services or businesses and access to transit. This will be the nonprofit’s third building in Kitsap County, after Frank Chopp Place in Bremerton and the Cedar Heights Apartments in Port Orchard.
Aesthetically, councilmembers are confident that Wang’s team will design the Winslow lot to reflect the character and context of BI, creating an “inviting, European-feeling” amenity for downtown, councilmembers and LIHI architects noted.
Preliminary drafts show that the development will include about 90 units, including four live-work spaces on the ground floor designed to attract small businesses, artisans or tradespeople. The building willbeabout45feettallwith two low rooftop terraces on the west side of the build
Trump administration cut 90% of foreign support.
“I wanted to speak on behalf of the millions of people around the world that American foreign aid helped. Earthquake victims in Myanmar or starving children in Burundi are never going to get the opportunity to tell their story here, and so I felt a deep moral obligation to speak on behalf of their lives, which are in such peril now that USAID has been demolished,” Bharania said. “Even now, with all the damage done, I believe that every death
from famine, disease or disaster we can avoid is still worth avoiding. Every bit of suffering America could prevent is still worth preventing.”
Michael Cox, a member of the city Climate Change Advisory Committee, agreed that the decimation of federal agencies will cause suffering, both overseas and in the U.S. He cautioned that the actions of Trump resemble those of the two dictators he lived under while working in Africa.
“I have seen many administrations come and
withpublicgreenspacesand a plaza. “Rooftop decks at lowerlevelsofabuildingfeel inviting because they soften the impact of the building’s height,” Wang explained.
Councilmember Leslie Schneider concurred; the inclusion of small businesses on the ground floor and social spaces would
help integrate the apartmenttothecommunity.“We do want pedestrian interactions, for a European-feeling”elementtothestructure, she said.
Mayor Ashley Mathews agreed. “Since I had seen their work before, I knew that the quality and finishings would be top- notch
go, but this is the first time I have felt the direction the country is going is wrong,” Cox said. “While I am in the last chapter of my life, my children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren have many years left on this planet, and we have the responsibility to make sure they have a planet that is worth fighting for.”
Claire Richards said the march has brought the BI community together.
“This is the silver lining to me, of the situation with the Trump regime: I think people are so angry and so upset that they’re willing
to come out of their houses and work with people, and I’m hopeful that we can change the slide from isolation towards more connectedness,” she said.
The community turnout was inspiring, but the work has only just begun, Ryan Richards added.
“If Trump tries to invade Greenland, which we all laugh about but could literally happen tomorrow, we are closer to having the capacity to shut the economy down and say, ‘No, this can’t this can’t happen,’” he said.
Parent Chastity Malatesta
said BI “showed up in love,” which spoke to the island’s commitment to unity.
“I feel really proud that the neighbors that I love are standing in solidarity, and being an African American woman on Bainbridge, I think it’s a testament to the fact that we can do better,” she said. “Right now a lot of people woke up newly oppressed and that for some of us were born into oppression. This is a time for us to come together… The only movements that have been successful are people’s movements that are built on love.”
and appear the same quality or better than market rate housing, but what blew me away yesterday was the knowledge of our community and overall passion for affordable housing of the LIHI, Runberg and Walsh teams who will be working with us. I left with the overallfeelingthatwehadpicked the perfect partners to see this vision through.”
The Winslow project falls under what developers call
“workforce housing,” meaning housing dedicated to residents making 60% of the area median income, or about $95,000 a year on BI as of 2023. A 2024 city survey found that 90% of BI’s first responders and essential staff live off-island and commute daily, as well as79%ofBainbridge’sworkers, including school staff and other employees. That’s the part of the project that most excites
Olivia Hall, a member of the city’s Race Equity Advisory Committee. “What’s really important to me is that one, it gets built, and two, that people — our workforce — canmoveinthere,sopeople can work on the island and live here at the same time,” said Hall. “It’s also important that the amenities or the services not only serve the residents, but they can have the possibility of serving the entire community.”
MOLLY HETHERWICK/KITSAP NEWS GROUP PHOTOS
BI city manager Blair King, Mayor Ashley Mathews and Councilmember Leslie Schneider listen to LIHI senior architect Eric Blank explain the design of a three-bedroom unit.
City leaders enjoy the rooftop terrace of George Fleming Place, an adjacent Rainier Valley LIHI building named after Washington’s first African American state senator and the University of Washington football star.
A wide view of LIHI’s new building, currently under construction.
Chicken thief: ‘Polly’ wanna crack her case
By Steven Powell Bainbridge Island Review
A 50-year-old Port Orchard man was in Kitsap County Superior Court March 31 after being charged as a “chicken thief.”
Hefacesamaximumof10 yearsinprisonanda$20,000 fine for burglary and a year and$5,000infinesforviolating a court order.
Kitsap deputies in court papers say they arrested the suspect a 9:16 a.m. March 29 in the 6700 block of SW Alpine Lake Road. The victim said the suspect just got out of jail and wanted to take her favorite chicken. A couplelivingwiththevictim heard the front door being kicked in and the suspect and victim yelling. The male witnesstookawoodenbaseball bat and stood in the way.Sothesuspectgrabbed “Polly” and ran down the driveway. The suspect was later arrested, but there was no more mention of the chicken.
Bail $1 million for teen facing child molestation
Bail was set at $1 million in Superior Court April 1 for a 19-year-old Bremerton man charged with two counts of child molestation. Hefacestwolifesentences and $100,000 in fines.
Court documents say Bremerton police arrested the teen at 9:20 a.m. March 31 in the 200 block of Elm Street. A detective was assigned the case Feb. 27 of a girl being sexually assaulted by the boyfriend ofthemother.Thecaseoriginated Dec. 26, 2023 in California when the victim was touched in private areas by the suspect. It happened twice again when they movedtoKitsapCounty.She
called him her dad but she did not feel safe with him. The mom stuck up for the boyfriend in California, as he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing. The suspect said he was just tickling her, but needs to be more careful.
Man with ax tries to burn building
A 32-year-old Bremerton man was in Superior Court April 1 facing two charges after trying to put a business on fire.
Bail was $252,000. Maximum penalty for seconddegree assault with a deadly weapon is 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. For reckless burning the max is a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Court records say Bremerton police responded to an assault call at 2:45 p.m. March 31 in the 200 block of Pacific Avenue. Witnesses saw a man light a bag and throw it at a business. The business owner tried to stop him, but was pushed away and then chased with an ax or hatchet. Officers chased the suspect on foot until he wrapped himself around a pole. Once his hands were freed, he’d wrap his legs around the pole. Finally, he was handcuffed.
Drug dealer worried about ‘unsavory people’
A41-year-old Snoqualmie man was in Superior Court March 31 charged with intent to deliver a controlled substance after being arrested on a warrant from last year. He said he wasn’t worriedaboutjail,just“unsavory people.”
Bailwas$100,000.Hefaces 10 years in prison and from $1,000 to $25,000 in fines, depending on the amount of drugs involved. Court papers show
Bremerton police arrested the suspect March 11, 2023 at 12:21 a.m. at Hefner and Yew streets. During a traffic stop, the officer noted several plastic and glass straws and torch lighters in his vehicle. He admitted to having fentanyl for personal use. He had 29 such pills, along with 5.6 grams of meth. He said he dropped off some fentanyl powder in Poulsbo earlier.Someonein PortOrchard gave him $10 to do it. He would not name the person because he’s not a “snitch.” He said, “It’s not that I’m worried about getting caught and going to jail for drug dealing, it’s the unsavorypeopleyouhaveto deal with.”
Uncle arrested for child molestation
A 32-year-old Port Orchard man was in Superior Court March 31 charged with first-degree child molestation after being arrested on a warrant from 2023.
Bail was $50,000. He faces life in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Court records show Kitsap deputies took a report Nov. 14, 2022 in Bremerton. A woman said her granddaughter when she was 3 in 2019 said she had been touched sexually, but she did not disclose a suspect to officers. In 2022, while playing with dolls, the girl said something similar. But this time she said it was her uncle. He said the only time he touched her was years before while changing her diaper. Later that year he was walking toward deputies aggressively with his hands behind his back. He refused to show his hands. He was told he would be tazed if he didn’t. Then he abruptly removed his arms from behind his back and yelled, “Shoot me.”
Son arrested for elder abuse
A 45-year-old Kingston man was in Superior Court March 31 charged with second-degree assault for elder abuse.
Court papers say Kitsap deputies arrested the suspect March 28 at 1:15 p.m. in the 27600 block of Woodside Road NE. A man went to St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale for chest pain. Medical personnel said he had multiple broken bones and bruises on his body. The man’s son has been his caretaker since the victim’s wife died last May. The son was arrested.
Dad arrested for filming girls in the shower
A 40-year-old Poulsbo man was in Superior Court April 4 charged with two counts of child molestation. He faces life in prison and a $50,000 fine on one count and 10 years and $20,000 in fines on the other.
Court documents show Kitsap deputies arrested the suspect April 3 at 11:02 p.m. on Clear Creek Road NW.
A CPS caseworker said a man had been watching his daughters take showers by using a surveillance camera near the bathroom. Both girls said he kissed them too long on their lips and touched their bottoms.
A former live-in nanny said he touched her inappropriately too, and she saw him film his daughter nude in the bathroom.
The daughters’ mother doesn’t live in the state, and two sons also live with him. The suspect had told a nanny cameras were in the house because his ex-wife made false claims regarding sexual improprieties.
Assault over missing helmet for motorcycle
A 33-year-old Bremerton man was in Superior Court March 31 arrested on a warrant from last July for second-degree assault.
Bail was $150,000. He faces 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Court documents say Bremerton police responded July 7, 2024 at 12:42 p.m. to the 3400 block of Spruce Avenue. The call said his neighbor had been beaten, and the suspects fled. The suspect wanted a motorcycle helmet, but the victim said he didn’t have it. The suspect punched him in the face and kicked him on the ground. The suspect apparently wanted the helmet to ride a stolen motorcycle. Witnesses described the suspect as trans with a masculine face but with noticeable breasts. The suspect left the scene, but was arrested recently.
Man charged for taking down fence at business
A 43-year-old Tahuya man was in Superior Court March 31 charged with firstdegree malicious mischief for taking down a fence at Walmart.
Bail was $50,000. Maximum sentence is 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Court documents say Port Orchard police arrested the man at 11:25 a.m. March 29 at the 3400 block of Bethel Road SE. The suspect had taken down four rolls of fence at Walmart and put them next to his truck. The man, wearing a green construction shirt, said he was completing a job for the company he works for, but he could not produce a work order. Walmart workers said it would cost up to $40,000 to fix the fencing.
Dad calls police after her phone was destroyed
A 33-year-old Bremerton man was in Superior Court March 31 charged with second-degree robbery. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Court documents say Kitsap deputiesFeb.27went to Shore Place NW. When her boyfriend returned after not communicating with her for a few days, she said he got violent. He took her parents’ tablet and pushed her to the ground. He took herEBTcardandcellphone, but threw the phone on the groundwhensheconfronted him. So she wasn’t able to call police until her dad showed up with a phone.
Trans person takes truck, misleads police
A 29-year-old Langley person was in Superior Court April 3 charged with two crimes. The person faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for motor vehicle theft and a year in jail and a $5,000 fine for making false statements to authorities.
Bail was $55,000.
Court records say BainbridgeIsland police made the arrest at 11 a.m. April 2 at Country Club Road and Olympic Drive. A man said hesawonavideothatarelative he hadn’t seen in 1 1/2 years stole his truck. The suspect was arrested attheBainbridgeferryterminal. She had a female name, butnowgoesbyamalename andusesthepronounsthey/ them. The suspect said they tookthetruckbutplannedto returnit,butitranoutofgas. Theyidentifiedthemselfasa biologicalmalewhoistransgender.TheyhadnoI.D.,but it ended up they were using somebody else’s name.
Bainbridge baseball sweeps Kingston in dominating fashion
By Luke Caputo Bainbridge Island Review
TheSpartansarecomingtogether in league play as Bainbridge’s baseball team beat Kingston in back-tobackgamesApril1-2byacombined 22-0.
Bainbridge won the first game 12-0 at Kingston and also the second game at home 10-0. The Spartans improved to 5-0 in Olympic League play, right on the heels of first-place North Kitsap, which is 6-0. The Buccanneers fell to 3-3 in league play.
“[With] our teamwork and team chemistry, I think we’re coming together in the league, and we’re smootherinourplay,”Spartanstarting pitcher Trey Thompson said.
In the second game, Thompson
By Luke Caputo
The Spartans’ young core could not help Bainbridge fastpitch get its first win of the season as they ran into an offensive powerhouse in Kingston, losing in blowout fashion at home 19-0 March 31.
Bainbridge currently has the youngest team in the Olympic League with six freshmen on the roster.
“I don’t think there’s another varsity team out there that has this many freshmen on their roster,” Bainbridge coach Jessica
made quick work of the first three Kingstonbatters,earningtwostrikeoutsandforcingagroundout.Kingston starting pitcher Chayton Walker struggled in the bottom of the first, giving up an RBI double from Will Rohrbacher and an RBI single from A.J. Larsen, giving the Spartans an early 2-0 lead.
Kingstonwasunabletogetitsfirst hitofthegameinthetopofthethird, with Thompson once again making quickworkoftheBuccaneerbatting lineup. Rohrbacher hit a single to right field, scoring Duncan Bos, making the score 5-0 for BHS.
KingstonchangedpitcherstoJoel Jones in the bottom of the fourth. Jones made quick work of Bainbridge, earning three outs on three batters.
Bossuccessfullystolesecondafter
Bratonia said. “I think everyone in our infield except for our pitcher and catcher were freshmen.”
Spartan starting pitcher Rollins Anderson struggled in the top of the first inning, letting up five runs via a double by Buccaneer center fielder Teegan Stanford, giving Kingston an early 2-0 lead. Shortstop Cadence Robles added to the first inning hit parade by getting a single, scoring another run for the Bucs. Kingston was able to more than double its lead by the end of the second inning, making the score of the game
getting on base in the bottom of the fifth with one out and was driven home by a Rohrbacher home run, pushingBainbridge’sleadto8-0.The homerunmarkedRohrbacher’sfirst in league and second on the year.
Kingston made another pitching change in the bottom of the sixth, swapping in pitcher Tristan Scott. However, it didn’t slow the Spartan bats, as McCrea Curfman managed to hit a double to deep left-center field, allowing catcher Tenzing Dikman to score and give the Spartans a nine-run lead.
“WejustlostonSaturdaytoSeattle Prep,”SpartancoachBradenFrench said. “It was probably one of our worst games, and just coming back and having one of the best games of the season, it just feels like we’ve really clicked and grown as a team.”
by the end of the inning. Meanwhile, Buc starting pitcher Summer Moore had confidence on the mound, only allowing two hits.
The pitching struggles continued for Bainbridge as well after Anderson let up an Aadie Goller double and three singles in the top of the fourth, allowing Kingston to grow its lead even more
The bottom of the fourth saw a quick Spartans halfinning, with Anderson, Lillian Jackson, and Audrey Leong all getting out by the hands of Moore through
a fly out, pop out, and ground out respectively. Anderson tallied 130 pitches by the halfway point of the fifth inning, allowing Bucs Ella Arlen, Kailey Kovara and Abi Waag all to get on base and load the bases. Neveah Sullivan hit a line drive to left field, driving in two runs. Stanford hit a single to center field, driving in Sullivan and increasing Kingston’s lead to 19-0. The Spartans continued to struggle getting hits, unable to turn up anything in the final half-inning of the game.
Bainbridge bests Bremerton in girls tennis
By Luke Caputo Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge continued its strong start to the girls tennis season against Bremerton April 4.
The Spartans (3-0, 3-0 Olympic League) beat the Knights (1-3, 1-3 OL)
By Luke Caputo
Andrew Jobes and Dane Byers led the way as the Bainbridge Spartans (2-0, 2-0 Olympic League) beat the Kingston Buccaneers (0-4, 0-2 OL) in golf 155-237 April 3 at White Horse Golf Club near Kingston.
Jobes and Byers have been neck-and-neck all season in terms of scoring averages, with Jobes shooting 1 under par and Byers keeping it close to par, shooting plustwo against the Bucs.
“Andrew and Dane have both shown great leadership as captains for this squad,” Bainbridge coach Dominic Lacie said. “They both are constantly leading by example and proving to our younger guys that having a strong work ethic and commitment to improving their golf game, can and will, absolutely pay off.”
Results:
First - Jobes, Bainbridge - 35
7-0 at Bainbridge High School.
The Spartans also beat the North Mason Bulldogs 6-1 April 3 and the Kingston Buccaneers 7-0 April 1 to kick off their season.
The Knights beat the Bucs 6-1 March 24, but fell to the Bulldogs 6-1 March 25.
“All girls played solid in this match with Bremerton,” Bainbridge coach Mary McCombs says in an email. “We’re looking forward to more matches after spring break—hoping for some dry weather, too.”
Singles
- Malia Lemieux beat Lucy Cao 6-2, 6-2
- Serena Hinshaw bested Kali Lin 6-2, 6-1
- Siri Smith blanked Akina Pritchard 6-0, 6-0
Second -Byers, Bainbridge- 38 Third - Samuel Patterson, Tom McFadden, Bainbridge - 41 Fifth - Samuel Hodus, Bainbridge - 42 Sixth - Henry Leigh, Bainbridge - 43
Seventh - Benjamin Decker, Joshua VanHuis, Kingston - 57
PSE intends to acquire the necessary easement rights over the abovereferenced properties through negotiation or, if necessary, through the use of its power of eminent domain (condemnation). Pursuant to RCW 8.25.290, PSE will hold a public meeting on April 23, 2025 at 5:30 pm to discuss the necessary easement acquisition and use of its condemnation authority. The meeting will be held at: IslandCenterHall 8395 Fletcher Bay Road NE Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 For further information please submit an inquiry to Bainbridge@pse.com or (360) 394-2676. bainbridge@pse.com BIR1011669 4/11/25,4/18/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In re the Estate of: MARY ELIZABETH BONNIER, Deceased.
NO. 25-4-00838-7 SEA
PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
The above Court has appointed me as Personal Representative of Decedent’s estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobateassets.
Date of First Publication of this Notice: April 4, 2025 /S/ Jamie Clausen, WSBA #31765 Counsel for Marla J. Vandewater, Personal Representative Phinney Estate Law 751 N 75th Street Seattle, Washington 98103 Tel. (206)459-1908 BIR1011268 4/4/25,4/11/25,4/18/25
TS No
WA07000312-24-1 TO No 240547294-WA-MSI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON CHAPTER 61.24 ET. SEQ.
Grantor: NICOLE DANYELE SIFFORD AND RALEIGH GENE ROSS SIFFORD IV, WIFE AND HUSBAND Current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust: CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC Original Trustee of the Deed of Trust: PACIFIC NORTHWEST TITLE OF KITSAP Current Trustee of the Deed of Trust: MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps Current Mortgage Servicer of the Deed of Trust: NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC Reference Number of the Deed of Trust: Instrument No. 202206090251 Parcel Number:
4764-002-003-0001 I.
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that on April 18, 2025, 10:00 AM, At the main entrance to the Kitsap Administration Building, 619 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, the undersigned Trustee, will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder, payable, in the form of cash, or cashier’s check or certified checks from federally or State chartered banks, at the time
of sale the following described real property, situated in the County of Kitsap, State of Washington, to-wit: LOT 3, BLOCK 2, FIRST ADDITION TO COLONIAL PARK, ACCORDING TO PLAT RECORDED IN VOLUME 10 OF PLATS, PAGE 46, IN KITSAP COUNTY, WASHINGTON. APN:
4764-002-003-0001 More commonly known as 3732 COLONIAL LN SE, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98366 which is subject to that certain Deed of Trust dated June 9, 2022, executed by NICOLE DANYELE SIFFORD AND RALEIGH GENE ROSS SIFFORD IV, WIFE AND HUSBAND as Trustor(s), to secure obligations in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for CROSS COUNTRY
MORTGAGE, LLC., Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, recorded June 9, 2022 as Instrument No. 202206090251 and the beneficial interest was assigned to CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC and recorded October 28, 2024 as Instrument Number 202410280050 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Kitsap County, Washington. II. No action commenced by CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, the current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust is now pending to seek satisfaction of the obligation in any Court by reason of the Borrowers’ or Grantors’ default on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust/Mortgage. III. The default(s) for which this foreclosure is made is/are as follows: FAILURE TO PAY WHEN DUE THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS WHICH ARE NOW IN ARREARS: DE-
LINQUENT PAYMENT
INFORMATION From October 1, 2022 To December 13, 2024 Number of Payments 27 Monthly Payment Total $80,672.70 LATE CHARGE INFORMATION October 1, 2022 December 13, 2024 $777.68
PROMISSORY NOTE IN-
FORMATION Note Dated: June 9, 2022 Note Amount $422,160.00 Interest Paid To: September 1, 2022 Next Due Date: October 1, 2022 Current Beneficiary: CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC Contact Phone No: 800-306-9027 Address: 8950 Cypress Waters Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019 IV. The sum owing on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust is: The principal sum of $421,255.26, together with interest as provided in the Note or other instrument secured, and such other costs and fees as are due under the Note or other instrument secured, and as are provided by statute. V. The above described real property will be sold to satisfy the expense of
sale and the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust as provided by statute. Said sale will be made without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances on April 18, 2025. The defaults referred to in Paragraph III must be cured by April 7, 2025, (11 days before the sale date) to cause a discontinuance of the sale. The sale will be discontinued and terminated if at any time before April 7, 2025 (11 days before the sale) the default as set forth in Paragraph III is cured and the Trustees’ fees and costs are paid. Payment must be in cash or with cashiers’ or certified checks from a State or federally chartered bank. The sale may be terminated any time after the April 7, 2025 (11 days before the sale date) and before the sale, by the Borrower or Grantor or the holder of any recorded junior lien or encumbrance by paying the entire principal and interest secured by the Deed of Trust, plus costs, fees and advances, if any, made pursuant to the terms of the obligation and/or Deed of Trust, and curing all other defaults. VI. A written Notice of Default was transmitted by the current Beneficiary, CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC or Trustee to the Borrower and Grantor at the following address(es): ADDRESS
RALEIGH GENE ROSS
SIFFORD IV 3732 COLONIAL LN SE, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98366
RALEIGH GENE ROSS SIFFORD IV 113 SMITH DR, BALLWIN,, MO 63011-3019 NICOLE
DANYELE SIFFORD 3732 COLONIAL LN SE, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98366 NICOLE DANYELE SIFFORD 113
SMITH DR, BALLWIN,, MO 63011-3019 by both first class and certified mail on November 14, 2024, proof of which is in the possession of the Trustee; and the Borrower and Grantor were personally served with said written Notice of Default or the written Notice of Default was posted in a conspicuous place November 13, 2024 on the real property described in Paragraph I above, and the Trustee has possession of proof of such service or posting. VII. The Trustee whose name and address are set forth below will provide in writing to anyone requesting it, a statement of all costs and fees due at any time prior to the sale. VIII. The effect of the sale will be to deprive the Grantor and all those who hold by, through or under the Grantor of all their interest in the above described property. IX. Anyone having any objections to this sale on any grounds whatsoever will be afforded an opportunity to be heard as to those objections if they bring a lawsuit to
Legal Notices restrain the sale pursuant to RCW 61.24.130. Failure to bring such a lawsuit may result in a waiver of any proper grounds for invalidating the Trustees’ Sale. X. Notice to Occupants or Tenants. The purchaser at the Trustee’s sale is entitled to possession of the property on the 20th day following the sale, as against the Grantor under the deed of trust (the owner) and anyone having an interest junior to the deed of trust, including occupants who are not tenants. After the 20th day following the sale the purchaser has the right to evict occupants who are not tenants by summary proceedings under chapter 59.12 RCW. For tenant-occupied property, the purchaser shall provide a tenant with written notice in accordance with RCW 61.24.060. Notice to Borrower(s) who received a letter under RCW 61.24.031: THIS NOTICE IS THE FINAL STEP BEFORE THE FORECLOSURE SALE OF YOUR HOME. Mediation MUST be requested between the time you receive the Notice of Default and no later than 90 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the Notice of Trustee Sale. If an amended Notice of Trustee Sale is recorded providing a 45-day notice of the sale, mediation must be requested no later than 25 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the amended Notice of Trustee Sale. DO NOT DELAY. CONTACT A HOUSING COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might eligible and it may help you save your home. See below for safe sources of help. SEEKING ASSISTANCE Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following: The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Housing Finance Commission: Telephone: (877) 894-4663 or (800) 606-4819 Website: www.wshfc.org The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: Telephone: (800) 569-4287 Website: www.hud.gov The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys: Telephone: (800) 606-4819 Website: www.homeownership.wa.gov Dated: December 16, 2024 MTC Financial
