Local News | Key Peninsula News

Key Center Loses a Business, Venue and Meeting Place

After celebrating its 10th anniversary Oct. 8, Blend Wine Shop will close its doors permanently Oct. 30. “Even as we were recovering and revenues were slowly starting to return … more

Staff Report | 9/29/21

The peaceful community of Home was upset by erratic disturbances.

Local Man Arrested After Tensions Erupt in Home Neighborhood

Michael Kotas, 46, of Lakebay was arrested July 22 for second-degree assault on a Home community resident. A hearing Aug. 8 to determine whether Kotas is competent to stand trial was continued to Sept. 27 and he was ordered held in Pierce County Jail. more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/1/21

Crews installing Peninsul School District’s new fiber optic cable marked everything “Not Copper” to prevent theft.

The Big Push for Broadband Equality on the KP

The Pierce County Council unanimously approved an appropriation of $15 million from the county’s 2020-2021 biennial budget to support partnerships, seed money and matching funds for grants to provide or improve broadband services in underserved areas of Pierce County. more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 9/1/21

Fire Commissioners Stan Moffett and Frank Grubaugh meet with the Chief.

Voters Approve 6-Year Fire Levy Lid Lift

A six-year Key Peninsula fire levy lid lift was approved in the Aug. 3 primary election vote by 62% to 38%, or 2,696 yes to 1,631 no votes in a typical 22% off-year summer voter turnout. The vote … more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/1/21

Two Fatal Accidents

Two Key Peninsula residents died in separate accidents in July. Pedestrian Colby Jake Pederson, 32, was hit and killed by a car July 28 on Wright Bliss Road NW just north of 109th St. Ct. NW at … more

Staff Report | 9/1/21

Rate of newly diagnosed confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents April through August 16.

Fire Department Covid Vaccination Rate Exceeds Key Peninsula, County and State; Braces for Mandated Shots

Most Key Peninsula Fire District 16 personnel have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Fire Chief Dustin Morrow. more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 9/1/21

Shabadrang (Christin) Khalsa aka Bam Bam shows off her skills.

Skate Night Ready to Roll Under New Management

Skate Night returns to the Key Peninsula Civic Center Sept. 10 with roller skate rental and concessions available from 6 to 9 p.m. There is a new Skate Night management team on board eager to get the program back up and running. more

Krisa Bruemmer, KP News | 9/1/21

More Than a Food Bank, GHP FISH Breaks Ground on New Digs

After decades of cramming food and clothing into rented spaces splitting at the seams, FISH broke ground on its own new facility at a private ceremony July 13. more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 8/28/21

School District Explores Options for KGHP-FM

Kris Hagel, executive director of digital learning for Peninsula School District, commissioned an appraisal and educational assessment in July of KGHP-FM to consider its options as a school district and a radio station owner. more

Lisa Bryan, KP News | 8/28/21

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

Mussels on a raft in Carr Inlet couldn’t survive the heat.

High Temperatures and Low Tide Take a Toll

Record high temperatures and minus tides spelled disaster for shellfish and other intertidal sea life in Puget Sound in June. more

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

Built in 1936, the Purdy Bridge is graded as “poor condition” by WSDOT. Concrete pier deterioration seen here at low tide is slated for repair this summer.

Detours Ahead for Eight-Day Closure of SR-302: Updated

Multiple improvements over an 8-mile stretch of State Route 302 stretching from Elgin Clifton Road to Purdy, delayed by Covid restrictions in 2020, are back on track for completion by year’s … more

Staff Report | 8/28/21

County and Coalition Embrace ‘No Wrong Door’ Approach to Ending Homelessness

An RV and two custom truck trailers set up shop in the parking lot of the Key Peninsula Civic Center. It was the KP’s first visit from the New Hope Mobile Resources Response Team, a collective effort to bring services to people experiencing homelessness on the peninsula. more

Chris Rurik, KP News | 8/28/21

Two Local Teens Die in Separate Accidents

Two teenagers died on the Key Peninsula June 28 just a few hours and a few miles apart in unrelated accidents. Will Huck of Port Orchard, 17, drowned in Horseshoe Lake at approximately 3:15 … more

Staff Report | 7/28/21

Honoring the First Residents

A new historical plaque in honor of the Native People of Filucy Bay was unveiled at the Longbranch Marina in a dedication ceremony May 26. Well-known archeologist and anthropologist Lynn Larson, a … more

Staff Report | 7/1/21

State Funds Next Steps in Restoration of Whiteman Cove

Washington State Legislators appropriated $900,000 in the 2022-23 state capital budget for the Department of Natural Resources to advance plans for removal of barriers to fish passage at Whiteman Cove. more

Lisa Bryan, 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

KP Lags Behind County, State Covid Vaccination Rates

Vaccinations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have recently slowed all over the U.S., including in Washington state and on the Key Peninsula, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health. more

Ted Olinger, KP News | 6/30/21

‘Earthonauts’ Land on Purdy Spit

In recognition of World Ocean Day, five Key Peninsula Middle School students organized and hosted a community beach cleanup on the Purdy Spit June 12. more

Carolyn Wiley, KP News | 6/30/21