HERALD NORTH K ITSAP
Friday, May 25, 2012 | Vol. 111, No. 21 | WWW.NORTHKITSAPHERALD.COM | 50¢
Fix coming to busy 305/ Suquamish
kitsapweek M a y 2 5 - 31, 2 012
Flip Over For KITSAP
Classifieds REAL ESTATE
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LIFE AND CULTURE
week’s
highlights
Honoring the fallen by helping the living
GARDEN QUESTION? ASK A MASTER Master Gardeners will be available at all Kitsap County farmers markets this summer to answer your questions about plants, pests, and sustainable gardening. You can learn about natural yard care by visiting the Master Gardeners information booth at the farmers market. They also will have information about building a rain garden. Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by the Washington State University Kitsap County Extension. Master Gardeners can provide tips and techniques on growing fruits and vegetables, and selecting the right plant for the right place. They offer advice about dealing with pests and other problems, and about using water efficiently. “Master Gardeners know a lot about fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants,” said Colleen Miko, Washington State University Extension’s horticulture educator. “They can help people decide on the right plants for their home, and provide advice on how to take care of them. If you have a gardening question, ask a master gardener. They will staff an information booth at all of Kitsap County’s farmers markets.” See page 4 for market times and locations.
KITSAP WEEK Vietnam War nurse helps veterans heal. ■ Memorial Day weekend events. ■
Vietnam War veteran Sarah Blum’s story. — Page 2
A section of the Bainbridge Island Review | Bremerton Patriot | Central Kitsap Reporter | North Kitsap Herald | Port Orchard Independent
Three Vikings meet a queen
$750K budgeted for planning
Merger: ‘Timing not right’
By RICHARD WALKER rwalker@northkitsapherald.com
Fire chiefs cite associated costs
SUQUAMISH — Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson knows gridlock, and not just the political kind. Before she was mayor, she was chief financial officer of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute and a commuter. During rush hour “it could take 45 minutes to get across the island,” she said. Since joining the City Council and then becoming mayor, she’s been involved with leaders from the state, county and Suquamish Tribe in trying to improve the flow of traffic and eliminate snags, particularly at the 305/ Suquamish Way intersection near the Agate Pass Bridge. Their work, and patience, are paying off. Some $750,000 included in the state transportation budget has been released for the planning of improvements at 305 and Suquamish Way. The funding was pushed by Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island. Reps. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, and Drew Hansen,
Miss Poulsbo Michaela Meeker visits with Viking reenactors May 18 in Viking Village during Viking Fest. While there, they draped a wolf pelt on her. Highlights of the annual celebration of Poulsbo’s Norwegian cultural ties: A two-hour parade with 84 entries, the first-ever Viking Paddle paddleboard race, and a record-breaking performance at the lutefisk-eating contest. For a photographic look at the 44th annual Viking Fest, see pages A8-9.
Plemmons, director of community health with Kitsap Public Health. “We really don’t know for sure, the suspicion is over time, immunity wanes,” she said. Plemmons said although health departments are looking into the
POULSBO — Although fire officials have hoped for many years to consolidate the two fire districts that serve North Kitsap, the two district’s fire chiefs say now is not the time. “We can’t do it today, the timing’s just not right,” said outgoing Poulsbo Fire Chief Dan Olson. However, he added, “doing nothing is not an option.” The chiefs presented their recommendation to the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue and Poulsbo Fire’s boards of commissioners Monday, based on the districts’ strained financial resources. As one consolidated district, the chiefs said the immediate benefits would be improved communication and cost savings by merging administrative positions. However, two
See TRAFFIC, Page A3
See COUGH, Page A2
See MERGER, Page A2
By MEGAN STEPHENSON mstephenson@northkitsapherald.com
Megan Stephenson / Herald
Immunity to vaccine may be growing By MEGAN STEPHENSON mstephenson@northkitsapherald.com
POULSBO — Kitsap County has not been immune to the whooping cough epidemic spreading through the state. Seventy-four percent of confirmed cases in the county are
people that were vaccinated against whooping cough. Health experts around the state are unclear why whooping cough has been spreading so rapidly since December, but an overall weakened immunity to the vaccine may be a factor, said Suzanne
S’Klallam art, has an upscale restaurant and two other casual dining choices, and an event center that can seat 760. And for the first time The Point is lining up national headliners: The Marshall Tucker Band (“Heard It In a Love Song,” “Can’t You See”) performs June 28, 8 p.m. to mid-
Smashmouth is on the entertainment lineup at the Point Casino Event Center. The new Point Casino is scheduled to open to the public May 31.
See THE POINT, Page A3
Smashmouth.com
The Point reemerging as entertainment venue and a showcase of S’Klallam art Opens to the public May 31 FREE APP Scan this code to receive local news on your mobile device
By RICHARD WALKER rwalker@northkitsapherald.com
LITTLE BOSTON – It says “casino” on the outside, but there’s a lot more to the new Point Casino on the inside. The new Point is a showcase of
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