Top educator

Lizz Finn has been named Kiwanis “Educator of the Year” for Bainbridge Island.

Finn was an Odyssey Middle School teacher and BI school district employee for 16 years, but she recently retired.

STO pole

A welcome pole will be installed on the Sound to Olympics trail.

The pole was made by Suquamish artist Randi Purser and represents Chief Seattle’s father. The $65,000 project is supported by a $10,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island and $20,000 from the city of BI.

The chamber of commerce news release says the pole encourages appreciation of tribal art and heritage. The BI Parks and Trails Foundation commissioned the pole.

Man drowns

A 50-year-old man died July 1 after officials say he drowned after his kayak overturned while he was crabbing in Seabeck.

A Marine Unit from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the scene after the kayak flipped, and the man became entangled in a rope attached to a crab pot. Police say he was attempting to put a life jacket on but was hampered when it too was caught in the rope.

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue was also called to the scene. The man was pulled from the water. He died at the scene.

KCSO issued a reminder to the public that a life jacket or personal flotation device should be worn when on the water in smaller personal crafts and vessels. “Life jackets must be onboard and easily accessible for each person aboard larger boats,” officials said.

Correction

Olivia Hall was misquoted in a story last week. It should have read: “That it won’t just be, ‘Here’s the toolkit. Good luck.’”