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With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Randy C. Squance, 69, of Gig Harbor, who passed away March 12 at a family member’s home. more

3/26/23

Deborah Rae Burwell

Deborah Rae Burwell of Gig Harbor passed away peacefully with her loving husband by her side the morning of Feb. 10. She was 69 years old. more

3/26/23

Eye to eye with a male Anna's hummingbird.

Hummingbirds Take It to the Limit; A Gallery of Hair Ice

Q: What’s with the hummingbirds in January? Are they dive-bombing? I thought the high-pitch chirp was a squirrel, but those are hummingbirds? — Megan Schowalter, Longbranch more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 3/1/23

Mar 2023 issue

3/1/23

March 18 KP Community Roadside Litter Disposal — 1-Day Free Dumpster Access

The Key Peninsula Community Council, Key Pen It Clean, Safe Streets and Pierce County will team up to provide access to dumpsters free of charge for KP residents March 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to … more

Staff Report | 3/1/23

Penrose Point State Park Closed Until May for Septic Repairs

All day-use areas, trails, and camping at Penrose Point State Park have been closed since Jan. 15 for sewage system repairs and upgrades, according to the Washington State Parks and Recreation … more

Staff Report | 3/1/23

Minerva Scholarship Funds Education for Local Women: Deadline April 15

Created to overcome barriers so many women confront, the local Minerva Scholarship Fund has given $500,000 over 30 years to more than 200 Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula women to help complete their … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 3/1/23

Peninsula School District Renews One Levy and Passes a New One

Voters approved two Peninsula School District levies on the Feb. 14 ballot. At press time the Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy passed by 64.07% and the Safety, Security … more

Staff Report | 3/1/23

KPFD Terminates Calahan Property Lease

Key Peninsula Fire District 16 terminated the lease agreement for the commercial Calahan property (formerly O’Callahan’s, Buck’s and Reed’s) at the corner of KP Highway NW and … more

Staff Report | 3/1/23

PSD Superintendent to Speak at Citizen of the Year Award Ceremony

The keynote speaker at the 36th Annual Key Peninsula Citizen of the Year Award banquet scheduled for March 25 was to be long-time Lions Club member, all-around KP booster and raconteur Hugh McMillan, … more

Staff Report | 3/1/23

Third Grade Evergreen Cancer Fighter Tells It Like It Is

Sometime around Christmas 2021, Evergreen Elementary School second-grader Brayden VanderDoes lost his appetite. Then he began to vomit. Every day. In the coming weeks he lost his energy and … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 3/1/23

March 23 Property Tax Exemption Seminar at KP Community Services

County residents over age 61 or who are fully disabled and have a gross household income below $45,708 may qualify for the Pierce County Property Tax Exemption program. Newly elected county … more

Staff Report | 3/1/23

Caldier was elected to her fifth two-year term last fall with more than 56% of the vote.

Rep. Michelle Caldier Reveals Sight Impairment and Introduces Bill to Help Others

In early December 2016, Washington State Rep. Michelle Caldier (R-26th) was awakened by a crushing pain on the side of her head. She suddenly lost vision in her left eye from acute glaucoma, a … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/1/23

KP Food Markets Sold; Changes on the Way to KP Retail Scene

The Food Markets at Key Center and Lake Kathryn have been sold to a new owner, and Lake Kathryn may also be getting a new retail tenant. Don Stolz sold the two businesses to The Myers Group, a … more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 3/1/23

An accomplished grant writer, Wiley said “It’s fun to get money to do things you want to do.”

Carolyn Wiley: A Star is Recognized

Longtime KP booster Carolyn Wiley of Longbranch was honored with a Rotary Star Award Feb. 3 at the 11th annual dinner ceremony presented by the local Gig Harbor Rotary Clubs. Each Gig Harbor … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/1/23

Dogs Mia and China Cat have learned to sit. The goats? Not so much.

‘Be Goatful for What You Have’ — A Deadheads’ Lakebay Goat-Milk Farm

For most people on the Key Peninsula, Himalayan blackberry bushes are a minor nuisance. For Farrell and Laurie Timlake, they were a major problem … more

Eddie Macsalka, KP News | 3/1/23

Leiston, 14, is one of only 18 players in the country in his age group on the national select team.

KPMS Athlete Makes Name for Himself on the Soccer Field

Leiston Stoddard was recently named to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Select team … more

Eddie Macsalka, KP News | 3/1/23

The Laughing Voice of Doom

Late last fall I read that one of my favorite directors, Noah Baumbach, had written and directed a movie based on the novel “White Noise” by Don DeLillo from the 1980s. I read the book … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 3/1/23

This swarm of honeybees spotted in a tree near Home was safely recovered by experienced beekeepers last summer.

KP Beekeepers Keep Honeybees and the Art of Caring for Them Alive

On the Key Peninsula of old, you could hire a “beeliner” … more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 3/1/23

A lawn laced with clover is low maintenance and good for the bugs.

Save Your Lawn By Removing Your Grass and Helping the Bugs

This time of year, the morning sun enters the house at the perfect angle to shine light on how much dust and cobwebs have accumulated in the living room, signaling that spring is almost … more

Kamryn Minch | 3/1/23