The Key Peninsula has always met this time of year with resourcefulness. From levy campaigns and school security upgrades to fire crews debuting new lifesaving tools, it’s a season that often brought decisions that shaped daily life. But it was also a time for fun — holiday prep, BBQ dinners at Oliver’s Smokehouse, and Reno Night at the civic center. These snapshots from past Novembers in the Key Peninsula News (and its predecessor, the Key Peninsula Newsletter) remind us of a community balancing progress with tradition. You can explore every back issue dating to October 1975 in our searchable archives at www.keypennews.org/eeditions.
November 2020 – Five Years Ago
COVID Spike Shuts Classrooms Again — Plans to bring more Peninsula School District students back to campus in November collapsed when county health officials ordered schools to halt in-person learning. The district had just welcomed kindergarten and first graders in September, with second graders set to follow, when daily case counts hit record highs. Superintendent Art Jarvis praised early successes but said the health department’s countywide mandate left no room for exceptions. The last day of classes before another return to remote learning was Nov. 2, 2020.
Lakebay Marina Deal Sinks in Negotiations — Hopes to save the historic Lakebay Marina collapsed when owner Mark Scott doubled the asking price to more than $3 million, derailing a planned $1.24 million sale to the Recreational Boaters Association of Washington. The nonprofit had lined up state and county support, including $350,000 in public funding, but couldn’t meet Scott’s steep counteroffer. With the deal expired, DNR notified Scott his lease would not be renewed, ordering him to surrender the property by September 2021.
Grant Turns Vandalism into Victory — After vandals caused $21,000 in damage to Volunteer Field, Key Pen Parks turned the setback into a win by landing a $250,000 state grant to install new LED lighting. The Youth Athletic Facilities grant will fund upgrades on all three fields in a $500,000 project backed by insurance, PenLight Co., and community partners. “For our little organization out here on the Key Peninsula to get this grant — well, our people just sort of hit it out of the ballpark,” said Executive Director Scott Gallacher.
Pot Politics Hit the Peninsula — By 2015, Washington’s legalization of recreational marijuana was clashing with local bans. While dispensaries popped up statewide, Pierce County and Gig Harbor barred sales within their borders. County Council Member Derek Young pushed for an ordinance to allow limited retail and cultivation on the Key Peninsula, saying voters had already spoken and prohibition caused more harm than use itself. Without approval, KP would remain without dispensaries despite I-502’s passage.
Schools Tighten Security with Entry Cards — All Peninsula School District elementary schools added electronic entry-control systems to boost safety. Teachers and staff used key cards, while parents and visitors had to be buzzed in by office staff. The $7,000-per-school upgrades were funded by levy dollars after a districtwide safety assessment. Middle schools were next on the list, with high schools still under review.
KP Middle School Reaches for the Stars — Key Peninsula Middle School became one of just two NASA Explorer schools in Washington, earning praise from visiting Gov. Christine Gregoire, state superintendent Terry Bergeson, and even letters from Sen. Maria Cantwell and NASA’s top administrator. The three-year partnership brought astronauts to KPMS, sent students and teachers to NASA research centers, and funded new science equipment. At a packed assembly, Gregoire urged students to “dream” and go as far as possible, while NASA officials called the school a model for the nation.
KP Fire Gear Finds New Life in Guatemala — Key Peninsula Fire Department turned over a retired ambulance and fire engine to firefighters from Guatemala, where volunteer crews depend on donated equipment to serve 14 million citizens.
Dial-a-Ride Shuttle Hits the Road — Pierce Transit launched the new Key Peninsula dial-a-ride service recently, connecting Key Center and the Purdy Park & Ride. Riders could reserve trips one to five days in advance, get picked up at designated stops along the route, and transfer to buses in Purdy. The vans ran weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The service gave KP residents their first direct link to the wider Pierce Transit system.
KP Fire Department Earns National Recognition — The Key Peninsula Fire Department received a national award for “10 Years of Outstanding and Dedicated Service to Fire Safety Education.” Chief Gary Franz accepted the plaque from the National Fire Safety Council, noting the department’s ongoing work distributing safety booklets, posters, and films to prevent fires, burns, and needless deaths.
Oliver’s Smokehouse Serves It Up — “South Sound’s Best BBQ” once came from Oliver’s Smokehouse Grill on Key Peninsula Highway in Key Center, where a Cajun Sausage BBQ dinner went for $7.95 and a sausage-and-rib combo for $8.95. The restaurant welcomed takeout orders and tempted diners with the call to “Come and Get It!”
KPFD Adds ‘Jaws of Life’ — The KPFD introduced the Holmatro Rescue Tool, better known as the “Jaws of Life,” thanks to donations raised at the firefighters’ Fourth of July fundraiser and support from local groups. The hydraulic cutter and spreader gave crews the ability to reach victims trapped in wrecked vehicles far faster than before, reducing rescue time by up to a third. With the new tool, KP no longer had to call Gig Harbor for backup in serious crashes, a big leap forward for local emergency response.
Reno Night Rolls the Dice — The Key Peninsula Civic Center went full casino with its annual Reno Night fundraiser. From 4 p.m. to midnight, the KPCC offered blackjack, dice, bingo, and more, along with a hearty dinner so nobody had to cook. Ads promised “Big Game Night” and urged locals to “splurge a little” for a chance to win big.
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