Ferry galley

Galley service has finally resumed on some Washington State Ferries after stopping for years due to COVID-19 concerns.

Drinks are available, and WSF hopes to be able to staff galleys fleetwide in the next few weeks.

Also, WSF is working with Seattle Maritime Academy to fast-track some employees to help with its shortage. In less than a year, graduates can start at more than $60 an hour in marine engineering technology.

Fatal fire

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s office concluded that the fire in Poulsbo at 28826 Falkner that claimed the life of Ariel Nieman on March 19 was an accident.

Investigators believe the fire originated in the front SW corner of the attached garage and quickly spread throughout the building, including the area where Nieman was sleeping.

The blaze was caused by poor electrical connections in a 240-volt circuit and extension cord supplying electric power to an air compressor. There were no smoke alarms or CO detectors in the building.

“This fire is a tragic incident that still happens way too often in our community,” Fire Marshal David Lynam said. “Smoke alarms don’t guarantee your survival in a fire – but your chances of making it out double with working smoke alarms.”

Fentanyl warning

The Kitsap County Coroner’s office was notified by the King County medical examiner last week of the following:

There is new evidence of fentanyl being sold in rock form in King County. If you or someone you know is using rock or powdered drugs (especially those who believe they are using crack or powder cocaine), be aware it could be fentanyl or contain fentanyl.

King County investigated 10 overdose deaths last week that involved fentanyl. History has shown that overdose substances in King County generally migrate to Kitsap County within a week, so this laced powder is likely already in circulation.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing addiction, please make every effort to get professional treatment as soon as possible. The only real prevention for a fatal overdose is to not ingest non-prescribed drugs.
• Get Narcan (Naloxone) and keep it available. You may need to use more than one dose.
• If you are using, never do it alone.
• If more than one person is using, do not use at the same time.
• If you witness someone exhibiting signs of an overdose, call 911.

Shots fired

A motor vehicle theft occurred last week and shots were fired, a nixle alert from the city of Poulsbo says.

Shots were fired by the homeowner in the area of Lincoln Road and Kevos Pond. No known injuries were reported. Weapons were secured by law enforcement.

More money for art

The City Council has approved increased funding for the fifth annual “Something New” public art program.

The “Something New” project was first approved in 2017, with three artworks installed annually since then downtown. In 2021, the program expanded to five sites, which will also be used this year. The program is managed by the Public Art Committee, with support from Arts and Humanities Bainbridge and city staff.

The increased pay for each artist goes from $1,000 to $2,000 for the year. The hope is to generate a broader and more diverse applicant pool. The total budget is $26,450, which includes program fees, administration costs and a digital marketing campaign.

The artwork is located on the south side of Winslow Way at Ericksen, two in Waterfront Park, at City Hall and at the terminus of Madison Avenue.

Drug take-back day

April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: the perfect time to clean out your medicine cabinet for spring cleaning.

Bring your unwanted or expired medications to the police station between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to dispose of them in a safe and environmentally responsible way.

The bi-annual event includes 72 collection sites statewide. The last event resulted in 9,380 pounds of medication in the state with over 100 pounds from Bainbridge Island.

Please don’t flush medications down the toilet. There is a drug drop bin at the BIPD station open year-round.

Trafton honored

Barb Trafton of the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation was named BI Environmentalist of the Year at the recent BI Environmental Conference.

Trafton has been a leader for parks and trails on the island since the 1990s, when she joined the effort to save land around Blakely Harbor from development that led to the creation of Blakely Harbor Park.

She was co-chair of the Pritchard Park design committee when that park was created beginning in 2004. While serving with the BI Land Trust, she ran the campaign to add the first “Olson Addition” to the Ted Olson Preserve. She was co-chair of the first successful levy lid lift for the BI Metro Park & Recreation District in 2008, and founded the Student Conservation Corps youth park stewardship program.

Trafton served as the BI Parks Foundation’s executive director for five years. She now serves as projects director, focusing on trails planning and development, park projects and stewardship.

The award is given annually at the conference. It honors the late Jerome and Elane Hellmuth, longtime island activists and founders of the former Association of Bainbridge Communities, a network of neighborhood groups dedicated to working on environmental issues.

Like to cheer?

Do you know someone who wants to be a future Bainbridge High School cheerleader or just have a week of fun?

Sign them up for Mini/Junior Cheer Camp where they will learn cheers and dance with the BHS cheerleaders. Participants will have the opportunity to perform at a BHS home football game.

All youngsters ages 4-14 are eligible. The camp will be from 9-11 a.m. Aug. 23-26 at the Commodore Gym. Cost is $110.

Sign up at www.familyid.com/family/dashboard

Birth

A boy, Isaias Erickson, 21 inches, 8.4 pounds, was born March 12 at 12:24 p.m. at Poulsbo True North Birth Center. Parents are Loren Erickson of Bainbridge Island and Derek Erickson of Burien.

Exhibit Change

For the first time since 2009, the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum has installed a new exhibit, Our Community: Past to Present, (OCPP) which opens Friday, May 6 in the historic 1908 schoolhouse.

OCPP illuminates diverse, beloved, and previously untold stories about Bainbridge Island and features 13 Island communities: African American, Business, Faith, Food, Filipino American, Forestry, Indipino, Japanese American, Pride, Maritime Transportation, Military, Pickleball and Suquamish. The exhibit combines historical content and hands-on learning activities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Opening day activities include; a blessing by the Bainbridge Island Bahá’ís Faith group at 10 a.m., a hand drum song honoring the Indipino and Filipino Ancestors at 1 p.m., and remarks by Bainbridge Island Historical Museum staff at 3:30 p.m. The museum will remain open to the public, free of charge, from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.