HERALD NORTH K ITSAP
FUND UPDATE ... Lions/Raab Bellringer Fund nears $20K mark — page A2
Friday, January 2, 2015 | Vol. 114, No. 1 | WWW.NORTHKITSAPHERALD.COM | 50¢
Infraction recommended in July 4 fatality NKF&R fire engine and Yamaha scooter By KIPP ROBERTSON
krobertson@northktisapherald.com
KINGSTON — A Kitsap County Sheriff’s investigator found the driver of a North Kitsap Fire &
Rescue fire engine “failed to give right of way” to the driver of a Yamaha scooter who was killed July 4, and is recommending the driver of the engine be cited for failure to “keep right except when passing, etc.” The 303-page investigation report was turned over to the
Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office in late October. A charging decision had not been made as of Dec. 23. The fire engine was approximately 3.6 feet in the oncoming lane — northbound Miller Bay Road — when Jason Foster’s 2007 Yamaha YP400 scooter crashed
into the front left of the engine, according to the investigation report. The fire engine was waiting to turn left onto West Kingston Road at the intersection when the crash occurred, according to the investigation report. Foster, 48, of Kingston, was declared dead at the scene.
Looking back on
2014
Live, from City Hall, it’s Ed Stern A look at Poulsbo City Council funnyman’s top quips of 2014
2015 FORECASTS
More homes, businesses, parks in 2015 Poulsbo mayor foresees continued economic growth For the North Kitsap Herald
roxley@northktisapherald.com
See STERN, Page A13
See FATALITY, Page A6
By BECKY ERICKSON
By RICHARD D. OXLEY
POULSBO — Poulsbo City Councilman Ed Stern is known not just as a city rep and a proponent of economic development, he’s known to get in a joke or quip in here or there. His comedic stylings were evident throughout 2014. Here are a few notable quips from 2014. March 19 As council members, including Gary Nystul, comment on recently-planted daffodils around Poulsbo and how pretty they look, Stern points to Councilman Nystul, who is wearing a yellow shirt. Stern: “I appreciate Councilman Nystul’s remarks, and I further appreciate him dressing as a daffodil tonight.” March 26 A man at an Economic Development Committee meeting
At the time of the crash, the traffic signal was a flashing yellow turn arrow and the fire engine was required to yield, according to the investigation report. Foster had a solid yellow light; a vehicle can legally enter an intersection on a solid yellow light, even if the
Top: North Kitsap High School students paid tribute Oct. 28 to the shooting victims at MarysvillePilchuck High School. Above: an image of Jenise Paulette Wright adorns a candle at the Aug. 8 vigil. The six-year-old girl was found murdered five days after she was reported missing. Top: Kipp Robertson / North Kitsap Herald. Above: Kevan Moore / Bremerton Patriot
H
ere’s a look at the top 10 stories of 2014, as selected by the staff of the North Kitsap Herald. NO. 1: 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL MURDERED The body of Jenise Paulette Wright, 6, of East Bremerton was found on Aug. 7 in a forest behind the Steele Creek Mobile Home Park, where she lived.
Jenise was reported missing Aug. 3 and several law enforcement agencies participated in an area-wide search for her. Neighbors agreed to participate in DNA tests in order to narrow down the list of possible suspects. Gabriel Gaeta, a teen neighbor and friend of the family, was arrested Aug. 9 and charged with murder after authorities said his DNA
and other evidence linked him to the crime scene. NO. 2: KITSAP COUNTY BUYS P.G. SHORELINE FROM POPE RESOURCES Kitsap County acquired 535 acres of forestland and 1.5 miles of shoreline on Port Gamble Bay from Pope Resources on Feb. 12. Of all North Kitsap land placed for sale by Pope Resources, the See TOP 10, Page A8
POULSBO — As mayor and as a long-time Poulsbo resident, I love this time of year. It’s a chance to look back and count INSIDE my blessings, and look ■ Economic ahead at what forecast by the new year Marc Abshire, might bring. education As I look forecast by Beth ahead, I can Worthington. say with certainty that I — Pages A4-5 am optimistic. Cautiously optimistic — that’s the fiscal conservative in me — but optimistic nonetheless. The pundits, experts, and data all tell us that American business has solidly recovered from the recession. To be sure, some businesses didn’t make it; but others emerged from the ashes and are stronger than ever. Overall, our local businesses are in good shape. And that has a trickleSee CITY, Page A13
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