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Dulcie Jean (Van Slyke) Schillinger, 93, died Dec. 7 at Saint Anthony Hospital. She was born the daughter of a pioneer and a farmer in Vaughn Sept. 27, 1928, just two years after electricity arrived … more

1/23/22

Norma Alice Meyer

Norma died peacefully at home near Wauna Jan. 5 at the age of 92. She was born May 22, 1929, in Tacoma to Alice and Norman Wilder, who owned and operated the Wilder Berry Farm in Puyallup and Tacoma … more

1/23/22

Linda Conner Smith

Linda Conner Smith Born in Dallas, Texas Oct. 9, 1941, Linda Conner Smith died peacefully attended by family Jan. 6. more

1/13/22

Lakebay Marina Sold; New Owners to Restore and Partner with State

After two years of negotiation and fundraising, the purchase of Lakebay Marina from owner Mark Scott closed Dec. 28 for $1.6 million in a joint effort by the Recreational Boating Association of … more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 1/1/22

Jan 2022 issue

12/30/21

County Homeless Point-In-Time Count Seeks Volunteers

Pierce County is seeking volunteers for its 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time Count Jan. 27 and 28. According to the county, the PIT count provides data to review trends, plan programs and gather … more

Staff Report | 12/30/21

A bright sign of progress installed Dec. 14

Two Years and Still Waiting for 2 Margaritas

Almost nothing went according to plan for 2 Margaritas owners Ricardo Sahagun and Edgar Anaya, the cousins and business partners who purchased the former site of Lulu’s Homeport Restaurant and … more

Staff Report | 12/30/21

Jason Learned was named interim fire chief.

KPFD Rejects ILA with Morrow, Approves New Chief Search, Puts Interim Chief Wolverton on Leave

The Key Peninsula Fire District board of fire commissioners unexpectedly voted to put Assistant Fire Chief Hal Wolverton on paid administrative leave during its biweekly meeting Dec. … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 12/30/21

KPFD now owns the Olson estate home, part of the pasture behind it, and the former O’Callahan’s property on the corner but building new facilities there will take years, and perhaps a public vote.

KPFD Buys Second Key Center Real Estate Parcel

The Key Peninsula Fire District closed on its second piece of Key Center real estate Dec. 15, agreeing to pay $1.2 million for the property known historically as the Olson estate: the residence … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 12/30/21

Historic Vaughn Library Hall Damaged by Car Crash

The 1893 Vaughn Library Hall located at the corner of Hall and Van Slyke Road NW sustained substantial damage the night of Nov. 30 when a car smashed into a corner of the building. The driver fled, … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 12/30/21

Don Olson was one of the first volunteer firefighters when District 16 was organized in 1952 and served until the 1970s. He was the volunteer chief from 1955-57.

The Blue House on the Highway

Key Center can be a busy place, and unless one is an old-timer or paying close attention it’s easy to miss the blue house on the west side of the road, on a slope between Sunnycrest Nursery and … more

Joseph Pentheroudakis, KP News | 12/30/21

Fear of Missing Out

Mark Zuckerberg was in first grade when a business school professor coined the expression “fear of missing out” 30 years ago. The researcher noticed how people struggle to choose when … more

Dan Clouse | 12/30/21

Being Diversity

First, I’d like to let everyone know that I am only exercising my First Amendment rights here. I am not discussing this subject from a scholarly perspective but as a civic-minded parent with a … more

Rion Tisino | 12/30/21

Learning Prejudice

At the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle there is a student leadership board for students from all over Washington who learn about the Holocaust and related issues, such as genocide, … more

Grace Nesbit | 12/30/21

My 2022 New Year's Resolutions

I, Carolyn Wiley, being of questionably sound mind, resolve to make no New Year’s Resolutions — not this year, next year or ever again. If I don’t have the time or energy to make the change … more

Carolyn Wiley | 12/30/21

Remembering Afghanistan

Some of my teenaged relatives enlisted after 9/11. One became a Marine and deployed to Afghanistan. He did convoy duty or was behind the wire, on base. When he came home, he had nothing but … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 12/30/21

Rotary Club Dedicates Peace Pole at Evergreen Elementary

“May Peace Prevail on Earth” was the message celebrating the installation of Peace Poles at Evergreen Elementary School Dec. 10. The phrase is posted on the monument in eight different … more

Carolyn Wiley, KP News | 12/30/21

2020 Census Shows Growth on the KP

As the population of the Key Peninsula has grown, so have complaints of terrible traffic and new construction. But the rate of increase over the last 10 years is comparable to that of the country, … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 12/30/21

KP Property Crime Update

There is a strong feeling among residents that property crime rates are rising on the Key Peninsula and that law enforcement appears to be unwilling or unable to apprehend and detain suspects. … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 12/30/21

Getting ready to hike 10 miles out to Dungeness Spit to earn the Hiking Merit Badge

Local Scouts Welcome New Leadership and Rechartered Cubs

After nearly two years of challenges brought on by the pandemic, including the loss of a local program for younger Scouts, Scout Troop 220 and Cub Scout Pack 222 are back together again, meeting weekly at the Key Peninsula Civic Center … more

Krisa Bruemmer, KP News | 12/30/21