HERALD NORTH K ITSAP
INSIDE MLK celebrations planned — In this edition
Friday, January 8, 2016 | Vol. 115, No. 2 | NorthKitsapHerald.com | 50¢
Police chief: Policies are being examined But says it was up to sheriff’s office to call Washington State Patrol By PETE O’CAIN
pocain@northkitsapherald.com
POULSBO — Poulsbo officials say several police policies and procedures are being examined after a
Kitsap County Sheriff’s officer, found intoxicated in his vehicle at Regal Cinemas and later at home on Clear Creek Road, was not cited. The Poulsbo Police
Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund
Department has been the subject of criticism and media reports about its handling of the case. Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson thinks Poulsbo Police don’t warrant the criticism. “Did we do it all right? We tried the best we could,” Erickson said. “Could we
have done some things better? I think we’re going to look at policy to see. Did we do everything legal? Yes, I believe we did. But we always can improve.” Sgt. Jim Porter was found intoxicated in his car Oct. 16 at the Regal Cinemas parking lot by Poulsbo Police Officer Danielle
Branes. Because the keys were not in the ignition and he was parked safely off the roadway, Porter was allowed to remain in his vehicle, according to the police chief’s report. Branes offered Porter a ride home but he refused, according to the police chief’s report and body
Top 10 Stories of
2015
$25,235
Neighbors help neighbors through Lions/Raab fund By RICHARD WALKER
rwalker@northkitsapherald.com
POULSBO — Poulsbo area residents donated $25,235 to the Poulsbo Lions Raab Foundation Bellringer Fund this season. While that’s less than the $28,349 donated during the 2014-15 campaign, the funds See FUND, Page A6
IN THE HERALD
Top: Sonic’s first customers were Delayna Schneider of Poulsbo and her children, Nate and Eva. Above: The final cleanup of the Port Gamble mill site and nearshore began in July, the largest piling removal project in Puget Sound. Richard Walker and Michelle Beahm / Herald
H
ere are the top 10 stories of 2015, as selected by the staff of the Herald. NO. 1 “Port Gamble Bay cleanup begins in July / ‘Largest piling removal project in Puget
OPINION
Must restore trust. A4
Sound,’ ” May 29, page A1. NO. 2 “Poulsbo officer to be posted at local schools,” March 20, page A1. NO. 3 “Free all-day kindergarten,
CALENDAR
but no more half-day K,” Jan. 16, page A1. NO. 4 “A deadly Fourth of July weekend / Four fatal crashes,” July 10, page A1.
Plan your week. A10
cam video obtained by other media. Branes told Porter she wanted to make sure he didn’t drive. Porter was later found in his car in the driveway of his home on Clear Creek Road about three miles outside of Poulsbo by Officer Jennifer Corn, who’s known him for
Navy marks 125 years in Kitsap The Herald asked local experts for their views on what residents can expect in 2016. The series of forecasts, which began on Jan. 1, continues in this edition. By CAPT. THOMAS ZWOLFER, USN Naval Base Kitsap
This new year marks the 125th anniversary of the U.S. Navy’s arrival in Kitsap County. During JAN. 1 HERALD that time, the community ■ Poulsbo, Economy. has made JAN. 8 HERALD our nation’s uniformed ■ Higher education. personnel feel ■ Military. at home and JAN. 15 HERALD the military has been the ■ Human needs. area’s major ■ Tourism. economic engine. Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) is now the Navy’s third-largest installation, housing 70 tenant commands that together employ 15,000 military personnel, 17,000 civilian employees and more than 7,000 contractors, along with supporting 25,000 retirees. This coming year we’ll see some changes that will have significant benefit to the community and others that may not be visible to the public but will
See TOP 10, Page A7
SPORTS
See POLICE, Page A2
Vikes block ’Riders. A11
See NAVY, Page A3