Local News | Key Peninsula News

Knitting to Take Center Stage at Longbranch Fiber Art Show

Lace knitter Peter Rowe was selected to be the featured artist for the 2022 Longbranch Fiber Art Show on October 1. more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 8/31/22

Groceries bagged by volunteers ready for curbside delivery.

Food Banks Meet the Need in Tough Times

As grocery store prices keep rising, so does the demand for assistance from local food banks and pantries. more

Eddie Macsalka, KP News | 8/31/22

Traffic fatalities by year in Pierce County.

A Little More Traffic Causes Lots More Accidents

Traffic volume on the Key Peninsula has increased at a relatively low rate in recent years despite appearances more

Staff Report | 8/31/22

Traffic Woes on SR-302, with More to Come

The Washington State Department of Transportation began work to replace two culverts at the end of July under State Route 302 on Little Minter Creek … more

Staff Report | 8/31/22

Executive Assistant Christina Bosch’s last day at work is August 13.

KPFD Fixture Christina Bosch Moves On

She served six fire chiefs and even more fire commissioners through good times and bad for the KP fire district — and herself — helping to build an accounting system and plan budgets … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 7/27/22

Council Candidate Josh Harris Not Charged in Self-Defense Shooting

Pierce County Council candidate Josh Harris (R) will not be charged with any crimes after he shot a man in Tacoma May 30, according to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Harris … more

Staff Report | 7/27/22

The Virginia V sweeps into Longbranch Marina July 16.

Cheers to 100 Years: Longbranch Improvement Club Celebrates

From its small, humble beginnings in 1921 to more than 200 members today, the Longbranch Improvement Club is celebrating 100 years of supporting the Key Peninsula community — albeit a year … more

Eddie Macsalka, KP News | 7/27/22

KP Gardens: A Community That Grows Together, Blooms Together

Longbranch is ready to welcome a new community garden. What began as piece of land riddled with blackberry bushes, shrubs and trash has been developed into a budding garden for the community to … more

Lauren Trench, KP News | 7/27/22

What stroll through the vineyard is complete without wine?

Two Fox Winery Open for Business in Home

The former Trillium Creek Winery in Home has new owners. Tedra and Kyle Hett grew up in Kansas and moved to Tacoma in 2014. They met in the eighth grade and have been together for more than half … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 7/27/22

Roundabout Ahead for Rural KP Highway at Lackey Road

Following countless near misses, fender benders and more serious collisions, the Pierce County Department of Planning and Public Works recently announced its plan to develop a roundabout design to … more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 7/27/22

Gavin Hendrickson, 16, feels for wheels.

Local Youth Does Local Good

Many people around the world picked up a hobby while in pandemic lockdown; anything from home improvement projects to a sudden interest in knitting. But future Peninsula High School junior Gavin … more

Grace Nesbit, KP News | 7/27/22

Emergency medical response density map January to July 2022.

KP Fire Department Confronts Budget and Real Estate Issues

Two months into his tenure, KP Fire Chief Nick Swinhart told Key Peninsula News the biggest challenges his department faces include balancing the budget and developing a capital facilities plan to … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 7/27/22

Dan Wehmeier and John Jaggi at the pole they installed at Gateway Park in 2018.

The Show Must Go On

The 33rd Annual Key Peninsula Logging Show & Festival has seen its share of change and growth since it began in 1985. The longest running annual community event on the KP will take place this … more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 6/29/22

Some first-time mountain bikers from Red Barn Youth Center on 360 Trails last fall.

Summer at the Red Barn Just Got More Fun

At the end of the school year, the big question for parents is: “How will my kid spend the summer?” The Red Barn Youth Center’s summer program may have an … more

Carolyn Wiley, KP News | 6/29/22

Sara Thompson thanks Rotary Club members June 17 for their donations to her favorite nonprofits.

Local Leader Wins Rotary Star Award for Years of KP Volunteering

The collective Rotary Clubs of Gig Harbor conferred the Rotary Star Award on Sara Thompson during a ceremony May 20 at Canterwood Golf and Country Club in Gig Harbor. more

Staff Report | 6/29/22

Better Cement Can Save Us

Thin sheets of carbon, one atom thick, called graphene dramatically improve the strength of cement and concrete. A pinch or two of graphene can also improve the properties of other materials — … more

Richard Gelinas | 6/29/22

In 2020, Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson told KP News other states look to Washington as a leader in safely voting by mail or drop box.

Voters Head to Polls Aug. 2 for Primary Elections

Key Peninsula will help choose candidates for two federal, one state, three legislative district and two county positions in the primary elections Aug. 2, in addition to judicial offices and local … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 6/29/22

The boatside view of Lakebay Marina without any docks.

A New Day for Lakebay Marina

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz visited Lakebay Marina June 4 in part to celebrate the partnership to save the iconic facility and to see for herself what the Department of … more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 6/29/22

Pierce County Council District 7 Election

District 7 is a unique and diverse district that includes urban University Place, Gig Harbor and the rural Key Peninsula and its many miles of shoreline. As is true for all council districts, Key … more

6/29/22

Local Man is Saving Animals in Ukraine

Approximately 5 million people had fled Ukraine and another 8 million were internally displaced as of May 15 after their country was invaded by the Russian Federation Feb. 24. Many who ran tried to … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 6/2/22