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Ballots will be mailed Oct. 20. Drop boxes will open Oct. 20 and close Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7.

Election Update: Former KPFD Chief Announces Write-in Candidacy for Fire Commission

Retired Key Peninsula Assistant Fire Chief Hal Wolverton registered with the Pierce County Auditor’s office as a write-in candidate Oct. 5 for fire commission position No. 3, opposing incumbent … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 10/10/23

Oct 2023 edition

9/27/23

Write-in Candidate for Fire Commissioner

After squandering hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars, I was disappointed to see Commissioner Shawn Jensen running unopposed for re-election. Jensen, along with Stan Moffett and the rest of the … more

9/27/23

Regarding ‘A Story of Shocking Function — Derek Kilmer Works to Fix Congress’ (August 2023)

For Dr. Sara Thompson regarding her article: Marvelous. It has stuck with me since I first read it in early August. Paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 were an actual epiphany in the concept of “shocking … more

9/27/23

My AI Is Smarter Than Your AI

I recently attended a high-profile tech conference where artificial intelligence was the talk of the week. After listening to the hype and the promises, and the long-term visions from heavily funded … more

April Godwin | 9/27/23

The Osprey of Herron Island

On May 10, 2016, then Herron Island ferry captain John Farris posted a photo on the islanders’ group on Facebook with a laconic caption, as was his style, even though the announcement could … more

Joseph Pentheroudakis | 9/27/23

Heart Like a Wheel

It was 1979 or ’80. My dad informed me I would accompany him to a business dinner. I put on my three-piece suit, like his, and he drove us in his 1968 Volvo P1800 bone-white coupe with red leather … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/27/23

EV Power to the People

In his June column, Richard Gelinas talked about energy production (“No Nukes: Carbon-free Electricity.”) He touched briefly on the benefits of solar power. He also mentioned his desire … more

Mark Michel | 9/27/23

Sad Phoenix

Graphic notes on local life more

José Alaniz | 9/27/23

Out & About October 2023

9/27/23

Planning for Key Center Path Gets Health Department Funding

Preliminary planning is underway for a roadside path to connect Key Center and the Red Barn Youth Center at the corner of the Key Peninsula Highway and 84th Street NW, a distance of about 500 yards. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 9/27/23

The KP Civic Center was filled to capacity with donated clothing.

Food Backpacks 4 Kids Clothing Giveaway Benefits Hundreds of Families

Hundreds of families descended on the Key Peninsula Civic Center Aug. 25 to 27 to find clothes for the coming school year. At no cost. more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 9/27/23

How to Live to 100 Years Old and Enjoy It All the Way

Happy birthday wishes arrived by letter from President Joe and First Lady Jill Biden, as well as from Gov. Jay Inslee and his wife Trudi, with their congratulations. Generations of family and … more

Ed Johnson and Lisa Bryan, KP News | 9/27/23

KPFD Volunteer Jerry Marsh on the scene.

KP Fire Department Volunteer Marks 50 Years

The Key Peninsula Volunteer Firefighters Association and Fire District 16 honored its longest-serving member at the Sept. 12 commission meeting, commending Jerry Marsh for 50 years of service … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/27/23

Betty Boyd (left) and Mar Hoey seated together at a recent gathering of the Burley Lagoon history group.

Two Wauna Women Reach a Landmark: 100 Years of Age

Within six months of each other two women with deep Wauna connections will reach a rare milestone. Marcelle “Mar” Hoey and Betty Boyd will celebrate their 100th birthdays — Hoey in … more

Sara Thompson, KP News | 9/27/23

Station 45 at 12310 Wright Bliss Road NW.

KPFD Assistant Chief and Family Rent Wright-Bliss Fire Station

Key Peninsula Fire District 16 Assistant Chief Chris Beswick moved into Station 45 near the northwest corner of State Route 302 and Wright Bliss Road NW with his wife and daughter Aug. 1 … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/27/23

Explore the Hidden Wonders Around Us

Dusk, late summer. A deer works the edge of the pasture. A lonely frog, peeping, is answered by a cricket. As the light slips, a bat skitters in and out of the shrinking circle I can see. more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 9/27/23

The gray whale was spotted in Mayo Cove days before its death.

Darkness and Light — The Life and Death of a Whale

The bones look like driftwood from a distance, half-submerged at the high tide line. Binoculars reveal them to be ancient stone artifacts. Or so it seems. This whale carcass is hard to believe. … more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 9/27/23

An Episode in Local Garden History from the Everlasting Age of Aquarius

Who said we have no sense of history around here? I mean, we love to retell the old stories of anarchists, contraception pioneers, free love, and —gasp — nude bathing in Home Colony … more

Dan Clouse | 9/27/23

PHS Swim Coach Athena Petterson after warm-up discussion.

New PHS Swim Coach Finding the Right Recipe for Success

When you are as busy as new Peninsula High School girls and boys swim coach Athena Petterson, your day job and night job start to blur together. When her team isn’t winning meets, … more

Eddie Macsalka, KP News | 9/27/23