Kingston • Eglon • Hansville • Indianola • Little Boston • Port Gamble
COMMUNITY NEWS KingstonCommunityNews.com
Vol. 31 No. 4 • April
2014
12 years later: Kingston man cleared of charges By RICHARD WALKER
STAFF WRITER
KINGSTON — A Kingston man has been cleared of attempted kidnapping charges dating back to July 8, 2002 in Quilcene. The Jefferson County Superior Court first dismissed without prejudice the charge against
Roland Russell Peters less than two months after he was arrested. “Without prejudice” means the accused may be charged later pending an investigation. Twelve years later, on Feb. 28, Jefferson County Superior Court Judge Keith Harper dismissed the charge “with prejudice,” the
equivalent to a finding of “not guilty.” Peters filed a request with Washington State Patrol for the charge to be expunged from his record. Peters was charged in 2002 with three counts Roland Peters
of attempted kidnapping after he tried to intervene on behalf of two girls he alleged were being emotionally, verbally and physically abused by their stepfather. Peters, who at the time was a family friend and the
stepfather’s part-time caregiver, reported the stepfather to Child Protective Services. Peters said the stepfather and stepfather’s family retaliated by accusing him of trying to kidnap one of the girls and her two friends. See Peters, Page 2
New features, permit at Dragonfly Farms Kingston Express
could be transferred
By KIPP ROBERTSON
EDITOR
KINGSTON — The Kingston Express, once the backup vessel for the north end’s passenger ferry service to Seattle, has become more of a decoration. The 105-foot, single-hull ferry bobs up and down at the passenger ferry landing, which is now unused. However, the Express may soon have a new purpose and identity. The Port of Kingston is waiting for confirmation or denial from the Federal Transit Administration to transfer the passenger ferry to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. As of March 25, there was no official word from New
Orleans or the FTA. “We’re waiting for confirmation from receiving entities,” Kingston Port Manager David Malone said. Phone calls to New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and the FTA were not returned by deadline March 26. The process has “lots of documents,” all of which need to be approved, Malone said. The decision mostly falls on the other end. “There is potential for it to not happen,” Malone said. “We have not heard any indication …” Because there are so many I’s to dot and T’s to cross, the process is long. But the interest is there. See Express, Page 3
From left, Dragonfly Farms Nursery owner Heidi Kaster leads a garden tour March 20. The farm in Hansville has reopened as a wholesale and is now permitted for hosting events. Melinda Weer / Staff photo By RICHARD WALKER
Staff Writer
H
ANSVILLE — At first glance, not much seems different about Dragonfly Farms Nursery. On any day, you might catch up to plant maven Heidi Kaster — the nursery’s owner — as she’s loading plants for a landscaping job, or taking a landscaping client on a walk through the gardens, or leading a tour of visiting garden club members, or checking in Dave Dewire while he’s grafting
conifers. Whew. Oh, and if you’re carrying something that casts a light reflection, like cell phone or keys, you’ll have to stop and play with Skeeter, one of the farm’s dogs. “It’s never a slow day,” Kaster said. But there is a lot that is new to Dragonfly Farms Nursery. One, the nursery’s code scuffles with the county have been resolved, resulting in a conditional use permit for many of the uses on
her property. (Read the permit at www.kitsapgov.com/dcd/lu_env/ he/decisions/CY2013/he-rd131114-023.pdf). Dragonfly Farms can operate as a wholesale and retail nursery. It can host up to eight events per month — themed festivals, classes, workshops, tours, wreathmaking parties, fundraising activities, and a farmers market for the sale of local fruits and vegetables. Events are limited to 50 people. Dewire, a bonsai artist and See Dragonfly, Page 7
inside Moments from the Stan Purser Pow Wow — Page 15
The Kingston Express may be transferred to Louisiana if the transfer is approved by the Federal Transit Administration. Kipp Robertson / Staff photo
Miller Bay grandmother warns of scam after losing $1,400 — Page 3
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