Port Orchard Independent, December 09, 2011

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Community

Sports

Where in South Kitsap?

Wolves feel good as league play starts

Page A12

Page A10

INDEPENDENT PORT ORCHARD

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011 ■ Vol. 120, No. 27 ■ www.portorchardindependent.com ■ 50¢

TOWN TURNS OUT FOR JINGLE BELL RUN

Recount affirms win for Matthes

Inaugural event draws huge crowd By BRETT CIHON

5-vote margin unchanged; ousted mayor rips dirty campaign tactics

Staff writer

By TIM KELLY Editor

The second count of ballots matched the first in Port Orchard’s mayoral election, confirming that Tim Matthes won by five votes — 2,442 to 2,437 — over Mayor Lary Coppola. The Kitsap County Auditor’s Office released the results Tim Matthes Tuesday of a hand recount that was required because the difference in the election was less than one-fourth of one percent. Coppola, the incumbent who was seeking re-election to a second term as mayor, released a statement shortly after the recount affirmed the outcome.

Kids, adults and elves dance on Bay Street before the start of the Jingle Bell Run/Walk. More photos on Page 9A and online at portorchard independent.com. Tim Kelly/Staff photo

A huge success. That’s what organizer Sheila Cline calls the inaugural 5K Jingle Bell Run/Walk in Port Orchard. And for those who saw the throngs of Santa hats, candy-cane stockings and elf costumes massed on Bay Street near City Hall before the race last Saturday, it might be hard to argue with her. “Seeing everyone at the line was the point where I realized, ‘wow, there are a lot of people here,’” Cline said. “It was a great moment, standing there.” Along with the 1,150 runners — three times more than originally Sheila Cline expected — signed up before last weekend, Cline and other organizers dealt with a large number of individuals wanting to sign up on the day of the race. As many as 400 people tried to sign up Saturday, she said, making for a welcome though stressful addition to the field. “By race time we still had people in line to register,” said Vanessa Follis, a Jingle Bell Run/Walk volunteer. “We had to tell them to run and register after the race.” Registration fees for the 5K run/walk and team fundraising benefitted the Arthritis Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting the prevention, control and research for a cure of arthritis.

SEE RECOUNT, A7

Index Opinion Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Thinking Allowed Calendar Obituaries

A6 A6 A9 A10-11 A7 A8 A13

SEE JINGLE BELL RUN, A9

4A Narrows may survive by adding Yelm By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Staff writer

It appears the Class 4A Narrows League has received its lifeline. Based on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s preliminary enrollment numbers,

which were released Tuesday, Yelm High School has a dozen students more than the 1,304 cutoff for 4A. Schools in the top 16 to 17 percent enrollment in the state, such as South Kitsap, are classified 4A. There also is the option to “opt up” to classifications

with larger enrollments. “We’re in the process of doublechecking all of our numbers and making sure they’re completely accurate,” Yelm athletic director Thad Nelson said, adding that his school will follow the recommendation of current 4A

South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890

Narrows teams on whether to stay in that league or join the 4A South Puget Sound League. “I imagine they’ll stay really close to where they’re at.” The Independent first reported in SEE NARROWS LEAGUE, A5


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