INDEPENDENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014 ✮ VOL. 123, NO. 48 ✮ WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM ✮ 50¢
Inside A4 A4 A5 A6 A7 A7 A8
Jesse Beals/Staff Photo
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Both sides report feeling harassed in rift over home business. By JUSTINE FREDERIKSEN
Staff Writer
shot in three of her home’s windows. Cronan, who lives on the 200 block of Flower Meadows Street in Port Orchard, said she believed the attack was part of an ongoing dispute with Keehn, whom she alleges has been running a hair salon out of her home without a business license and in defiance of a city “stop-work” order. Keehn, 30, said she filed for permission from the city of Port Orchard to operate a hair salon out of her home on the 2300 block of Flower Avenue soon after pur-
chasing it last spring. City Development Director James Weaver confirmed that Keehn received a conditional-use permit to operate a onechair hair salon out of her home, which he described as “pretty innocuous” and something that doesn’t typically reach “the level of intensive use,” as far as impacts on the neighborhood are concerned. However, since November of 2007, Cronan has filed multiple complaints with the city regarding traffic, noise and other
TIM MATTHES
CHARLOTTE GARRIDO
BRUCE DANIELSON
SEE SCHOOL, PAGE A2
activities she reported as stemming from Keehn’s attempts to operate a business out of her home. Weaver said following an April 11 hearing with the city’s Hearing Examiner, certain conditions were placed on Keehn’s permit to mitigate Cronan’s concerns before she would be allowed to operate her business. “(Keehn) has addressed all but one of those conditions, with the last being the letter from the (Kitsap County) Health Department,” Weaver said, explaining that Keehn’s current sewer facilities are
The City of Port Orchard will have a change in representation on the Kitsap Transit board. The council voted 3-1 to appoint Councilman Rob Putaansuu to the city’s seat that was held by Mayor Tim Matthes. The action occurred during the council’s work study session on Dec. 16.
SEE NEIGHBORS, PAGE A2
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
South Kitsap’s Source for News & Information Since 1890
during Tuesday night’s primary election, as the perceived front-runners came in third and were disqualified in their respective races. Republican Tim Matthes drew the most votes in the South Kitsap commissioner’s race, followed by Democrat Charlotte Garrido. Monty Mahan, who was the first to declare for the seat and earned the endorsement of local mayors, came in third (See related story, page A3).
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Staff Writer
The South Kitsap School District is a little closer to closing its $2.9 million deficit for the upcoming school year. Terri Patton, assistant superintendent for business and support services, said at Wednesday’s school board meeting that the district won’t replace five full-time custodians who left the district after the last school year. She said that will save the district $250,000. Patton said the deficit stems from unforeseen circumstances when the district presented its last levy to voters in 2004. She cited escalating teacher salaries
and pension rates along with inflation as issues. In addition to the money saved on custodians, Patton said the district will dip into its reserve fund for $1.72 million. She said that’s not all bad because the district saved more than it anticipated in its last fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31. Patton said they also will save through not filling other vacant positions in the district, and through cutting expenses on supplies. The board unanimously adopted the budget. Patton warned in previous meetings that the “hard decisions” likely won’t end
▼ Custodians won’t be replaced, $1.72 million will be taken from reserve fund.
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Hundreds expected to dive into chilly water
Council members asked to recuse themselves at meeting
SEE JUMP, A14
JEANETTE DALTON
OLALLA — Hundreds of people — of all ages — will plunge Jan. 1 off the bridge into the chilly waters of Olalla Bay during the annual Polar Bear Jump. The event is held at the Olalla Bridge across from Al’s Grocery located at 13965 Cresent Valley Road SE. This is the 31st year of the event. Hundreds of people are expected to turnout for the New Year’s Day tradition. The firing of a ceremonial cannon, floating on a
Staff report
SEE UPSETS, PAGE A2
Annual Olalla Polar Bear Jump is Jan. 1
Neighbor denies pellet gun shooting
Both Orchard Heights and Sidney Glen have been “School of Distinction” recipients multiple times in recent years. That distinction seemed in contrast with letters both elementary schools were required to produce when they landed on the federal “needs improvement” list based on the No Child Left Behind Act. But respective principals Nancy Pack and Jason Shdo cautioned that the latter was the result of Washington losing its waiver from implementing certain parts of the No Child Left Behind education law in April. In a letter to the state superintendent Randy Dorn, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said he would not renew the waiver because the state had failed to implement promised changes to how it evaluates teachers and principals. Washington was the first state to lose its waiver. When the waiver was revoked, Pack and Shdo said their schools were returned to the list based on their status before it was granted. NCLB has been up for renewal since 2007. President Obama granted waivers from NCLB requirements to several states beginning in 2012. NCLB, which was enacted in 2001, required continual improvement on standardized tests until 100 percent of
Senior Reporter
Several hundred people of all ages are expected to be part of the annual Ollala Polar Bear Jump on Jan 1.
Editor
A Section Editorial Robert Meadows Scene & Heard Sports Legal Notices Mary Colborn Obituaries
Inserts: Fred Meyer, RiteAid, Office Depot, Best Buy, Staples, Wal-Mart, Valassis
Printed with recycled paper and environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink.
Tensions between two Port Orchard neighbors that erupted after one attempted to open a home business last year led both women to head down to the Kitsap County Courthouse Monday and file restraining orders against each other. Shelia Cronan, 49, said she filed a restraining order against Amber Keehn after returning home from a camping trip Aug. 17 and discovering pellets had been
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
File Photo
Chris Chancellor / Staff Photo
2014: A memorable year for South Kitsap A12
Putaansuu re-appointed to KT board
celebrate New Year
PORT ORCHARD
BUSINESS: Haggen to acquire 146 stores from Albertsons and Safeway A23
SEE COUNCIL, A14
Sheriff’s career comes to a close A5
Two elementary schools fight negative stigma
Orchard Heights Elementary principal Nancy Pack stands next to the banners that display her school’s awards in recent years. Her school, along with Sidney Glen, have been recognized for making significant progress on standardized tests. Despite that, both schools are on the federal “needs improvement” list based on the No Child Left Behind Act.
SEE SCHOOLS, A14
KITSAP WEEK: Where to
Cody Wright from Milford, Utah, got a mouth full of mud and a zero score after falling off Strawberry Delight in the Saddle Bronc Riding competition Wednesday night at the Kitsap County Stampede. The fair runs through Sunday.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!!