PATRIOT BREMERTON
KITSAP WEEK: Seeing unusual birds in your area? Here’s why
FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015 | Vol. 18, No. 15 | WWW.BREMERTONPATRIOT.COM | 50¢
IN THIS EDITION
Bremerton grads walk off into sunset
NEWS Former sailor hopes to donate kidney to wife
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OPINION Congrats to area graduates
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Peter O’Cain / staff photo
James Yzaguirre takes a photo of his son, Caleb, as he walks in line to receive his diploma at the Bremerton High School commencement ceremony on June 12.
OLYMPIA Lawmakers wrangle over budget
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BY PETER O’CAIN AND CHRIS TUCKER POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
KITSAP COUNTY — Flinging graduation caps and flowers into the air, the class of 2015 from area high schools
celebrated a significant milestone in their lives during commencement ceremonies this past week. Family members and friends filled all the seats at Bremerton Memorial Stadium and even overflowed onto the
grassy hill to watch 232 graduates walk. “The Class of 2015 is a force to be reckoned with, a family not to be messed with. A group of people who will uphold the Knight way as an example for future generations
to come,” said Jameelah Henzel, senior class secretary for Bremerton High School. Keynote speaker Chris Swanson, a career counselor at BHS, told graduates of four life lessons he’s learned: 1. Work ethic pays off.
2. Problem solving never goes out of style. 3. Relationships matter. 4. The greatest rewards are realized through giving back. “Know that the real inspiSEE GRADUATION, A9
Pot still a sticky Teachers rally for education subject for some BY PETER O’CAIN
POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
BY PETER O’CAIN POCAIN@SOUNDPUBLISHING.COM
MILITARY Stennis completes exercise
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BREMERTON — It’s been three years since Washington voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use, but employers are still adapting to changes. The Bremerton Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly luncheon at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club on June 16. James McCanna, a Kingston based employment attorney,
addressed chamber members on the issue of marijuana use by employees. While marijuana is legal in Washington for persons 21 and over, employers can still prohibit their employees from partaking, said McCanna. “Nothing has changed, and I emphasize yet, in employment law as it pertains to marijuana use by employees,” McCanna said. SEE MARIJUANA, A9
BREMERTON — Thousands of shipyard workers poured from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Facility June 11, many with backpacks strapped over their shoulders as they exited the gates. As they streamed onto Pacific Avenue, they passed half a dozen people in red shirts shouting about education and support for teachers. Many of the workers walked by with the same irreverence
Peter O’Cain / staff photo
Members of the Bremerton Education Association rally for support outside Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on June 11. as a senior on his or her last The people in red repreday of school, while others sented the Bremerton Educapolitely took a flyer or stopped to listen. SEE TEACHERS, A9
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