Asphalt repairs continue
High School Way will receive asphalt repairs Aug. 3-4 as part of the city’s annual project.
Winslow streets were worked on this week.
People should expect some traffic delays and detours where the work is happening, a city news release says.
Each year, the city invests an average of $500,000 in asphalt repair work. Regular maintenance keeps roads from reaching the point where they need costly reconstruction.
In coming years, the city will need to consider the funding source as the previous one – vehicle license fees levied by the city’s Transportation Benefit District – is likely to be eliminated as a result of a voter-approved initiative.
Kitsap Transit to start collecting fares Saturday
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced a $13.5 million grant awarded to Kitsap Transit as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
KT will use the grant funds to support operating, administrative and preventive maintenance expenses for its bus and passenger services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant supports fast ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton, Seattle and Kingston, and local ferry service between Annapolis, Port Orchard and Bremerton.
“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who continue to depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
“We know many of our nation’s public transportation systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting our transit industry partners in battling COVID-19,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “These federal funds will support operating assistance to transit agencies of all sizes providing essential travel and supporting transit workers across the country who are unable to work because of the public health emergency.”
In addition to the CARES Act funding, FTA issued a Safety Advisory that prompts transit agencies to develop and implement policies and procedures regarding face coverings and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, physical separation, and hand hygiene consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance. CARES Act funding can be used to cover 100 percent of these costs, according to DOT.
Kitsap Transit temporarily stopped collecting fares March 23 to minimize interaction at the farebox and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Since then Kitsap Transit has taken steps to protect the health of its passengers and employees, including mandatory face coverings, daily disinfection of the fleet and restricting passenger loads. Transparent physical barriers between the operator’s area and the entry door were installed on buses in July, enabling fare collection to resume.
Capacity on buses is still 25 to 30 percent, depending on the vehicle. On certain routes, Kitsap Transit operates additional buses to address potential overcrowding. Passenger loads are capped at 22 passengers.
Capacity on ferries is still 46 passengers on each sailing; the fast-ferry reservation system remains suspended. Health care workers and first responders must arrive at least 10 minutes before a scheduled sailing to be eligible for priority boarding. For health care workers, only official medical-facility ID badges will be accepted.
Volunteers sought at COVID-19 site
Volunteers are needed to staff Kitsap County Quarantine and Isolation site for people who’ve been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, and lack safe alternatives for housing.
The site is open to those who are medically stable and have been referred by a health care professional or public health official.
The site is maintained and managed by county Department of Emergency Management, providing a place for homeless people or those who want to protect other household members from infection.
Volunteers fill shifts around the clock, providing basic needs to guests. Tasks include delivery of food along with health checks, checking in and checking out individuals and daily reporting to managers.
Volunteers are provided training on all appropriate personal protective equipment, as well as on steps to minimize exposure. There is on-site security, personal space and access to wi-fi; volunteers work in teams, and site managers support volunteers.
Go to bit.ly/KitsapQIVolunteerInfo for more information or email volunteer@kitsapem.org. Go to https://bit.ly/KCEmergencyWorker to complete an application.
Artist show coming up
In light of COVID-19, Mesolini Glass Studio is the only Bainbridge Island Working Studio participating in the 2020 Summer Show & Sale Aug. 7-9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Mesolini artists Gregg Mesmer and Diane Bonciolini will be the only artists there to keep the number of visitors within the state’s suggested count. Other artists will have literature, contact information and work available for purchase.
The show will have Mesolini’s glass work displayed in a gallery- like setting in their expansive, colorful and lush garden area. The displays inside their studio will allow for social distancing.
Artists on display will include indoor lighting by Jerry Davis and Mesolini; Living Landscapes, Asha Kent’s exterior Luminaries and Bill Wentworth’s exterior stainless steel, copper & Core10 yard sculptures. The whimsical stone sculptures by Ethan Currie and finely crafted woodcarvings by Frank Anderson, NW Wood Sculptor, round out the venue.
Youth choir camp online
The Bainbridge Youth Choir is offering four levels of choral camps in August for singers ages 4 and older.
For safety reasons due to Covid-19, campers will meet online using Zoom.
Singers will learn new songs and techniques in the classes led by Angie Godfrey.
For details go to bainbridgeyouthchoir.org.
Check for invasive bugs
Throughout August, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources are asking the public to take 10 minutes to check trees in their communities for invasive insects.
Invasive species are non-native organisms that include plants, animals and diseases. When introduced to a new environment, they do not have natural predators or diseases to keep their growth in check. Once established, they may damage the economy, environment, recreation and sometimes human health.
State officials urge the public to be especially aware of four invasive insects.
Longhorned Beetle: While it is not known to be established in Washington today, it has been found multiple times in the past. A swift response stopped the spread and potentially millions of dollars in damages.
Emerald Ash Borer: This small, wood-boring beetle attacks and kills ash trees. While not yet known to be in Washington, it is spreading westward from the eastern United States.
Spotted Lanternfly: This piercing, sucking insect feeds on sap from a variety of trees including apples, cherries, grapes, plums and walnut, and also on hops. While not yet found in Washington, the lanternfly has been intercepted in California as a hitchhiker on goods coming from the eastern United States where it is established.
Asian Giant Hornet: This hornet has been found in Whatcom County and kills honey bees. Though not typically aggressive to humans, it will attack anything that threatens its colony, which usually nest in the ground. It can sting multiple times and has powerful venom that can inflict serious injury, or in some cases, death.
Officials ask the public to take a photo if they think they have spotted an invasive insect and email it to invasivespecies.wa.gov.
Former B.I. swimmer honored
Sam Chapman of Bainbridge Island has been named honorable mention to the Scholar All-American team by The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America
Chapman, a mechanical engineering major, is a cadet athlete with the Coast Guard in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He achieved a GPA of 3.50 and achieved a “B” time standard or competed at an NCAA Regional or Zone Diving qualifier.
