The Key Peninsula has a way of closing out the year with determination, creativity, and community spirit. From toll debates and park plans to courtroom reckonings and pandemic pivots, December headlines over the decades show a region balancing progress with persistence. Explore these stories and more in back issues of the Key Peninsula News (and its predecessor, the Key Peninsula Newsletter) dating to October 1975 at www. keypennews.org/eeditions.
December 2020 – Five Years Ago
Big Overhaul Ahead for KP Middle School — The Peninsula School District moved into final planning for a major remodel of Key Peninsula Middle School, funded by the 2019 Capital Projects Bond. The redesign called for eight new classrooms, expanded common areas, and seismic and roofing upgrades. Work was expected to begin in spring 2021, timed with the opening of the new Pioneer and Evergreen Elementary campuses. The district said the investment would modernize the building and better support growing enrollment while keeping KPMS’s role as a cornerstone of the community.
School Reopening Plans Stay on Shaky Ground — School district leaders wrestled with how to bring students back to class as COVID-19 cases surged across Pierce County. Superintendent Art Jarvis and the school board debated balancing safety with the need for in-person learning, as shifting guidance from the county health department kept plans in flux. Things are so fluid and so dynamic,” Jarvis said. “We have never done this before, and neither has anyone else. We are trying to be nimble.”
Justice Served in Lakebay Cases — William Grisso of Lakebay was sentenced to 31 years in prison for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend, bringing an end to a case that shocked the community. Judge Elizabeth Martin ordered the term to be served “flat,” without credit for good behavior. In a separate case, Russell Beery was charged with threatening to set off a bomb at Lakebay Marina and firing a shotgun during the incident. Declared competent to stand trial after evaluation at Western State Hospital, Beery’s case was set for early 2016.
Dispensaries Find a Home on the KP — Marijuana dispensaries officially took root on the Key Peninsula as new state regulations reshaped local zoning and enforcement. KP Healing Center, which opened in 2013, became the area’s oldest licensed shop, serving both medical and recreational users. Council Member Derek Young supported the move, saying residents deserved local access under voter-approved laws. With tight rules on proximity to schools and parks, only a handful of locations qualified, marking a new era for KP commerce.
Toll Talk Turns Tense on the KP — Washington State Department of Transportation officials met with residents at Evergreen Elementary to discuss the new toll collection system for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, set to begin in 2007. Key Pen commuters voiced concerns over costs, estimated at $800 a year for daily bridge users. Questions ranged from how electronic payments would work to whether cash or card options should be offered.
Community Weighs Future of 360 Park — Residents gathered in October to discuss plans for the 360-acre property set to transfer from the Department of Natural Resources to Key Pen Parks. About a dozen community members and park commissioners attended the first planning session to outline goals, priorities, and meeting schedules. Parks Director Scott Gallacher encouraged more public input, noting that hearing dates were still being set, and community voices would help shape the park’s future.
Home Prices Climb as KP Market Heats Up — Real estate activity surged on the Key Peninsula in 2000, with 254 homes sold at an average price of $144,466 — up from the previous year’s $134,000. Brokers credited a strong Puget Sound economy and an influx of buyers seeking vacation or retirement properties. The South Sound was emerging as a lower-cost alternative to the San Juans, and more people were working remotely, making life on the KP increasingly attractive.
Santa Maps His Route Across the Key — Each December, Santa trades his sleigh for a fire engine, winding through Key Peninsula neighborhoods to spread holiday cheer. Maps published in the Key Peninsula News helped families plan where to wave as sirens and lights announced his arrival. From Home to Longbranch and up to Minter, the annual Santa Run brought neighbors together curbside for cocoa, carols, and a quick visit from St. Nick himself. It’s a KP tradition that still lights up the dark winter nights.
BYOB for NYE — The Twilight Dance Club hosted a New Year’s Eve Ball at the Key Peninsula Civic Center, where attendees listened to the Country Playboys until 1:30 a.m. Price was $30 per couple and included a buffet, hats, and noisemakers. As for celebration libations, it was a bring your own booze type of party.
KP Fire Department Earns State Honors — The Key Peninsula Fire Department took home the second-place trophy for Excellence in the Class A Division at the Washington Fire Commissioners Association’s annual conference. Competing against larger and wealthier districts statewide, KPFD was recognized for outstanding service and operations. The honor marked a proud moment for the department and the volunteers who helped build its reputation for excellence.
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