The Key Peninsula welcomes fall with a blend of harvest traditions and forward momentum. From cider pressing and playground planning to new programs for students and seniors, October has long brought turning points along with its turning leaves. These stories from past October editions of the Key Peninsula News (and its predecessor, the Key Peninsula Newsletter) capture a community balancing growth with a sense of grounding. The KP has been curious, compassionate, and unafraid to try something new every now and then.
Take a deeper dive into all these stories, and explore every back issue dating all the way to October 1975 on the searchable archives at www.keypennews.org/eeditions.
Burley Lagoon’s Rotten-Egg Mystery Traced to Algae Bloom – A foul, sulfur-like stench wafting over the Purdy Spit in late summer 2020 sparked concern of another clam die-off like the one in Rocky Bay the year before. But experts said the culprit wasn’t clams — it was algae. A massive bloom in Burley Lagoon, likely fueled by high nutrient levels and low oxygen, decayed and released the unmistakable smell of rotten eggs. While some clams were stressed, there was no widespread die-off. Marine scientists pointed to stormwater runoff and septic issues as possible causes and suggested more shellfish and stronger tides might help keep the system in balance.
Fire Department Launches Program for Frequent 911 Callers – Armed with new grant funding, the Key Peninsula fire department began reaching out to residents who regularly dialed 911 — some more than a dozen times a year — to offer early, personalized support before emergencies happen. The idea was to prevent calls by addressing underlying needs like mobility aids, home safety, or connection to social services. About two dozen people made over 200 calls in 2019 alone, many due to housing or environmental challenges.
AVID Program Offers Hope — and a Path to College – Key Peninsula Middle School piloted a powerful new academic program aimed at helping underperforming but capable students become college-ready. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) launched as an elective for eighth graders, with plans to follow them through high school if successful. The program struck an emotional chord with KPMS staff after visiting Jason Lee Middle School in Tacoma, where one student presenter — whose parents were both incarcerated — told Principal Jeri Goebel, “If you don’t get AVID, you don’t love your kids.”
Senior Housing Vision Moves Forward in Key Center – The Mustard Seed Project took a big step toward building the Key Peninsula’s first senior housing development. Plans included 10 independent-living cottages, three assisted-living homes, and a central commons with a café and meeting space — all designed to help residents age in place, close to friends and familiar surroundings. The nonprofit, long known for its senior transportation and resource services, identified housing as a top need back in 2007.
Gateway Park Playground Plans Begin to Take Shape – With a $500,000 state grant secured, Key Pen Parks kicked off public planning for the long-anticipated Gateway Park playground. At an August meeting, committee members sifted through vendor catalogs and dreamed big — slides, swings, and creative play concepts filled the room. Meanwhile, early groundwork also began at Key Central Forest, where a tree-clearing partnership with the state created the first rough access road into the 480-acre site, an early step toward future trails and public use.
“Litter on a Stick”: Residents Push Back on Roadside Sign Clutter – Key Peninsula drivers are fed up with the growing blight of roadside signs — garage sales, tree trimming, cheap insurance — all tacked to utility poles and wedged into rights-of-way along the once-scenic KP Highway. While the state’s 1971 Scenic Vistas Act prohibits such signage, the Department of Transportation only removes them when someone complains — and often, the signs reappear overnight.
KP Car Wash Raises Money for Katrina Relief – Moved by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, local resident Mindy Hand and her daughter, Hillary, organized a grassroots car wash in the KC Corral parking lot, raising $1,300 in two weekends. Every penny went to the American Red Cross, and thanks to a company match from CenturyTel, the total doubled to $2,600.
PenLight Co. Throws Itself a Power Party – To celebrate 80 years of lighting up the Key Peninsula, Peninsula Light Co. hosted an open house showcasing its evolution from rural dream to major utility. Founded in 1925 by local pioneers with more vision than voltage, the member-owned co-op now serves 28,000 homes and businesses across 112 square miles.
KPCS Drama Boils Over – The Key Peninsula Community Services board parted ways with Executive Director Luke Snyder after a rocky 90-day stint — though whether he quit or was fired remains in dispute. Snyder claimed he resigned over inaction on financial audits and broader mismanagement, while the board said he was terminated for poor performance. Allegations of missing funds and community confusion over whether the center might shut down prompted a pause in promised county funding. Officials investigated but found no immediate red flags.
Pub Grub & Irish Love: O’Callahan’s Brings New Life to Old Saloon – Greg Calahan took over the former Key Center Saloon, rebranding it O’Callahan’s Pub and Grill with plans to blend classic KP charm and Irish pub energy. Renovations included a separate pull-tab room, plans for a beer garden, and future family-friendly dining. Calahan, an aerospace consultant turned tavern owner, brings experience from Tacoma and a love for pubs from travels across the country.
A Taste of the Season – The Key Peninsula welcomed families, farmers, and fall enthusiasts to Ciderfest 2000. The annual event featured hands-on apple pressing, a rummage sale, flu shots, local crafts, and plenty of pumpkins. Attendees were invited to bring their own apples and containers to “squeeze your own” cider, free of charge, one gallon at a time.
Letter to the Editor Criticizes Narrows Bridge Plan – A San Francisco resident has stirred debate over Washington’s Narrows Bridge expansion, with the writer calling the project “a mistake” and criticizing local complaints about traffic delays. The writer, who frequently visits family in Gig Harbor, described 20-minute waits as trivial, suggesting that local frustration stems from an unrealistic expectation of ease. “You’ve got it easy,” the letter states, adding that Bay Area commutes can stretch to two hours or more. Local officials and residents were quick to note the unique challenges of the Key Peninsula and surrounding areas, where bridge congestion affects school commutes, emergency services, and regional growth.
$134K Road Fix Targets KPN Intersections – A long-awaited intersection upgrade is underway at Hall Road, South Vaughn Road, Wright-Bliss Road, and Olson Road in Key Peninsula North. Pierce County awarded a $134,000 contract to ACE Paving Co., with work starting in early September 1995 and expected to wrap by December. The project includes road widening, lighting, new traffic lanes, and drainage improvements. Though access will remain open, some delays are expected.
Sunnycrest Blooms with Grand Opening Bash – Sunnycrest Nursery & Floral marked the grand opening of its new location at the corner of Highway 302 and KP Highway. The new shop aims to be a full-service destination for gardeners and seasonal decorators alike.
New Radio Station for Peninsula Schools – Superintendent Tom Hilst announced a program to build and operate a radio station serving the Gig Harbor and Peninsula areas. The goal is for the station to be fully operational by spring 1987. The station will serve as a training ground for students at both high schools in the fields of broadcast journalism, broadcast entertainment, and the handling of news and public affairs. It’s anticipated that the station will operate 36 hours per week, during the middle of the day.
A Taste of Regional History – Remember these? Some local eateries mentioned and advertising in this issue: Friendly Fran’s and Ugly Dan’s Deli & Grocery, Home Port Restaurant & Lounge, Pearl’s By The Sea, Blundell’s Longbranch Chowder House, The Floatation Device in Purdy, John’s Breakfast, Burgers and Pies, Harbor Inn, and Station Break II in Gig Harbor, and Belfair restaurants Divino’s Restaurant, China Palace, and Maxie’s Red Barn Restaurant.
First Issue in the Digital Archives – First called the Key Peninsula Civic Center Newsletter, this is the first issue available of Key Peninsula News electronic editions. Advertising costs $3 for a business card size and $6 for a double card size.
Classes Starting at the KPCC – Classes in 2025 aren’t what they used to be. In 1975, the KPCC hosted Tole-painting, woodcarving, belly-dancing, canning, broom-making, China painting, and dog obedience classes.
Reverse Oregon Trail – Ralph William Welch from Grapeview joined the KP Historical Society to talk about how, in 1963, he retraced his grandparents’ migration to the area from Missouri nearly a century ago, except he did it backwards, going from the Pacific Northwest to Missouri.
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