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People of the Key Peninsula love their orchards, as evidenced by the apple trees growing everywhere. Historically, most apples on the Key Peninsula were grown for private use. Tim Kezele grew up … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 9/29/21

How Covid Relief Money Helped KP Residents

COVID-19 affected the Key Peninsula in many ways: residents lost jobs and coped with isolation, illness and death. Some organizations had to close their doors. Others worked in new ways to meet increased demands. more

Ted Olinger and Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/28/21

Algal toxins were responsible for summer shellfish catastrophe.

Cause of 2019 Rocky Bay Clam Die-Off Identified

The cause of the Rocky Bay clam die-off in July 2019 has been identified. Beaches across Puget Sound were affected by similar events in both 2018 and 2019. Yessotoxins, produced by the algae species … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/28/21

Art Walk in Key Center to Feature Local Plein Air Group

On a given Friday in recent months a crew of enthusiastic painters gathered at Whiteman Cove, between Joemma State Park and Camp Colman. The number may fluctuate depending on other commitments and … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/28/21

The Drought Garden

Drought is the natural summer state on the Key Peninsula. The Pacific Northwest has a Mediterranean climate, with most rain falling in the winter when plants don’t necessarily need it, and dry … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/28/21

All About Fuchsias

There is something about fuchsias, especially the upright hardy varieties. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/30/21

The commission has created a “get-to-know-us” video at https://youtu.be/2-PVS8Q0Os0

Redistricting Commission Reaches Out to the Public

If “unprecedented” described much of 2020, it also describes the opportunity for public input this year as Washington State redraws its legislative boundaries. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/30/21

Oyster Restoration and Algae Blooms Under Study at Penrose State Park

Pierce County, the University of Washington Tacoma, Harbor WildWatch, Coastal Conservation Association and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are all working together at Penrose State … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/30/21

Battalion Chief Chuck West Retires

After nearly 40 years with the Key Peninsula Fire Department, Battalion Chief Chuck West is retiring. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/26/21

Inside the new Evergreen Elementary building as it undergoes the final stages of construction.

Evergreen School Nears Completion

This fall, thanks to the passage of the 2019 capital bond, a state-of-the-art Evergreen will open its doors to students. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/26/21

Berries on the KP

It’s summertime and berry season is upon us. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/26/21

Appeals Court Upends State Shellfish Farming

For environmentalists, the decision represented a victory. For shellfish farmers, it spelled potential disaster. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 4/28/21

Dr. Mimi Chau wraps up her day in Key Center.

The KP Grows Up to Have Its First Pediatrician

Dr. Van (Mimi) Chau began working as pediatrician in January at the Key Center Medical Center where her colleague, Dr. William Roes, said she is the first pediatrician ever to practice on the KP. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 4/28/21

All About Tomatoes

Tomatoes. For some, the memory of the first bite of a garden-grown vine-ripened tomato ranks right up there with a first kiss. Or the birth of a child. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 4/28/21

Peninsula School District Selects New Superintendent

The Peninsula School District board of directors unanimously voted to hire Krestin Bahr as superintendent during a live-streamed special meeting March 19. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/31/21

All PSD Schools Open to In-Person Teaching

A year after its abrupt closure, Peninsula School District schools are now open to all students who want to attend in-person classes. Peninsula, Gig Harbor and Henderson Bay high schools, the last to open, welcomed students in mid-March. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/31/21

Perennially Yours

For many a practical Key Peninsula gardener, this is the time to focus on the vegetable garden —planting seeds, nurturing starts — but this is also a time when the more fanciful aspects … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/31/21

Bressette with his pride and joy 1974 VW camper van named “Rosemarie.”

Ed Bressette: Renaissance Man

Ed Bressette wants to make his little corner of the world a better place. That desire made him a lifelong learner. It led him to a career at the YMCA. It is why he’s fascinated by alternative … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/31/21

More Students Return to PSD Classrooms

Planning for the return of students to classrooms has been complicated. Logistics for transportation, meals, recess and passing from one class to another had to be taken into account. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 2/24/21

Margo Macdonald: Artist, Teacher, Mentor

A passion for art, a love of water and a capacity for nurturing that comes with being the eldest of five children — these are a few of the things that have shaped the arc of Vaughn resident Margo Macdonald’s life. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 2/24/21