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Naturopath Establishes Practice on the Key Peninsula

Carrie Phillips, a licensed naturopathic doctor, saw her first patient at Blue Spark Health in late December on the KP. Soon after her opening, the pandemic hit, with a slowdown in calls and visits, … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 10/1/20

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Maia Espinoza speaks at a rally to fully reopen schools Aug. 13 across from the construction site of Elementary No. 9 on Harbor Hill Drive in Gig Harbor.

County Mandates Virtual School; Most Parents Want In-Person Teaching

UPDATE: The Peninsula School District announced Sept. 4 that in-person classroom instruction will begin Sept. 21 for K-1 students with remote learning options available. It has since been delayed to Sept. 28. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 8/27/20

Blooming Foxglove catches light along the forest edge.

Toxic Plants in the Garden and Beyond

The list of plants that can harm you, your child or your pet is enough to strike terror into any heart. Hemlock was famously used to execute Socrates. Deadly nightshade, mistaken for edible berries, … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 7/30/20

Brynn Rydell Featured in Virtual Art Studio Tour

“It went systemic. It took my whole mind, body and soul. Nothing could interfere with the concentration of it.” That is how Brynn Rydell described her first experience making glass … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 7/30/20

Census Deadline Extended to Oct. 31

The 2020 U.S. Census survey started in March and the response rate from the Key Peninsula is significantly lower than it is in the rest of the Tacoma census area. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 7/30/20

Superintendent Art Jarvis celebrates the seniors during the drive-through graduation cap and gown distribution at PHS May 11.

Peninsula Hawks Scholarship Fund Awards More than $300,000

Much was celebrated May 20 when 166 Peninsula High School graduating seniors, 62 from the Key Peninsula, were awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships from the Peninsula Hawks Scholarship Fund. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 7/29/20

Key Pen Produce Express Brings Fresh Food to Key Peninsula

Thanks to the dedication of a Key Peninsula couple, a simple post on a few Facebook pages has brought more than 25 tons of produce to Key Peninsula homes and food banks. And more is likely on the way. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/26/20

Crabbing South of Narrows Bridge Closed for Third Year

Although Gov. Jay Inslee has lifted fishing restrictions in the state due to COVID-19 concerns, crabbing in South Puget Sound will likely remain closed to all crab harvesting for the third year in a row. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/26/20

Construction Begins at Evergreen Elementary School

A small but excited group gathered June 5 as Peninsula School District Superintendent Art Jarvis, Principal Hugh Maxwell and the five school board members put feet to shovels to break ground for the new Evergreen Elementary School. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/26/20

Angel Guild Faces Challenges

Angelic volunteers reopen the Angel Guild Thrift Shop in Phase 2. Photo: Caleb Galbreath, KP News Pandemic and unexpected expenses present problems to local institution … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 6/26/20

Continuous Learning at Minter Creek Elementary Takes Form

Students, teachers, staff and parents had to team up to face an unprecedented challenge. Students and teachers entered a new learning world when schools closed suddenly … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/29/20

KPMS Teacher’s ‘Voices of the Holocaust’ Curriculum Adopted by Other Districts

Amidst a pandemic, a teacher and her students strive to learn about humanity.Vicky Schauer, eighth- grade English and Language Arts teacher at Key Peninsula Middle School, is passionate about her final unit, Voices of the Holocaust. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/29/20

A Gardener’s Guide to Slugs

Using science to limit slug damage. Slugs are different things to different people: a gardener’s nightmare, a forest worker breaking down decomposing forest vegetation, … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/29/20

Peninsula School District Adapts to Closure

Teachers and staff keeping students connected, fed and learning in a changed world. Sheri Ahlheim was teaching her sixth period math class at Peninsula High School March … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/1/20

Virtual Town Hall Informs the Community on COVID-19 Plans

At least 70 people attended a virtual COVID-19 Key Peninsula Town Hall meeting April 2 to hear … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/1/20

Peninsula School District Signs New WAN Provider

PSD is one of several potential partners with the county to install fiber optic cable througout the district. Peninsula School District recently signed a new contract … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/1/20

Local Master Gardener Wants You to Love Gardening

The novel coronavirus is inspiring more people to grow their own fresh veggies this spring. Square foot … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 5/1/20

Coronavirus Devastates Geoduck Industry

A drop in demand due to closure of the Chinese market adds to the downturn for Washington shellfish growers due to trade war tariffs. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/27/20

Temporary Safe Housing Expands for Local Teens

Two homes located on the Key Peninsula exist to help where help is needed, but recent intakes are rapidly changing with more homeless teens from greater … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/27/20

Longbranch Couple Restores a Forest

Martha and Steven Konicek never planned to own a tree farm. But in 2017 their neighbor clear-cut 40 acres and considered selling a nearby 40-acre parcel, land more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/27/20