New K-9 team
Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office deputy Aaron Baker and K-9 Odin certified as a Generalist K-9 team in Washington are now ready to help with tracking, building searches, area searches, evidence searches and protection work.
Odin is a 2-year-old German Shepherd who was rescued as a puppy from a family in Alabama by a Special Forces soldier who later sold the dog to Tarheel K-9 in North Carolina upon his military deployment. Odin was selected by the KCSO in September after an extensive testing process.
Odin’s acquisition was helped in large part by support from the Peninsula Dog fanciers, AKC Unite and the Sandy Hill Foundation. Since September, Baker and Odin have been training full-time to prepare for the state certification standards.
Police academy
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer you can apply for the Bainbridge Island Police Department’s Community Police Academy.
It’s not career training, but it is a way to find out more about the police department. The academy covers traffic enforcement, patrol and criminal law, the use of force, de-escalation and investigations.
It’s been a while since there has been one due to the pandemic. This academy will start March 8 and run for 11 weeks on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. Class is limited to 20 students.
Submit an application by Feb. 24. Go to bainbridgewa.gov.
Heart to Heart
The Heart cover band Heart to Heart will perform at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino for what else — Valentine’s Day.
The cover band, which will perform Feb. 11, features founding Heart bassist Steve Fossen and original Heart drummer Michael DeRosier. Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
They perform such classics as Magic Man, Dreamboat Annie, Barracuda, Straight On, and Dog & Butterfly.
Treehouse concert
Kathryn Claire returns to the Treehouse Cafe on Bainbridge Island with her trio to celebrate the new ownership, new music and a new EP.
The concert will be Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. For details go to kathrynclairemusic.com.
With her violin and voice at the center of her music, Claire weaves together stories and melodies rooted in her classical and traditional musical background while infusing each song and composition with an energy and electricity that is palpable.
She will be joined by Don Henson on piano and percussion and Sid Ditson on violin/viola. Both have been recording, performing and touring with Claire for years and recorded on her full-length album “Eastern Bound for Glory,” released in February 2020. After a two-year hiatus, the trio reunited in December for shows in the Northwest and released a corresponding EP titled “Winter Songs.”
Classic car found
A 1930 Model A Ford Huckster was stolen from a garage in the 14000 block of Norbut Lane SE in Poulsbo between 10 p.m. Jan. 14 and 6 a.m. Jan. 15. Also stolen was a 14-foot Blue Duro boat and trailer.
It was recovered during the early morning of Jan. 20 through an anonymous tip that led Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies to the vehicle. It was found on Virginia Road Point near Highway 308 in Poulsbo.
The owner was able to get assistance towing the Model A to his home. The boat and trailer have not been found. No arrests have been made and an investigation into the thefts is ongoing.
16-time felon
A 16-time convicted felon from Poulsbo was back in Kitsap County Superior Court Jan. 17.
Court papers say he was charged with two counts of theft of a firearm and unlawful possession. As a felon, he cannot have guns. Maximum penalty is 25 years in prison and $50,000 in fines. The guns were stolen at about 4 p.m. Dec. 14, 2022, in the 4000 block of Wheaton Way at the Cash America in Bremerton. Security video shows the guns were stolen from a vehicle, while the owner was in the business.
Video shows the suspect putting the AR-style 9 mm pistol and .308 rifle inside a Jaguar, which ended up to be also stolen. Court documents say the suspect had just pawned some items using false identification. That person was later contacted and said his wallet was lost or stolen back in March. The car was discovered Dec. 15. Inside was a large collection of shaved vehicle keys often used as auto theft tools. The stolen guns were found in the trunk.
Ferry service
Two weeks into State Ferries Edmonds/Kingston route trial of pre-pandemic two-boat service levels, it unexpectedly lost one of the vessels.
A propeller on Puyallup was bent after it hit something underwater, likely a log. Repairs were expected to take a week or two. With no spare boat to fill in, the latest Service Restoration Plan shows the Edmonds/Kingston route at 92 percent reliability.
Once the run reaches 95 percent reliability for a three-week period, it will be announced as fully restored.
PIO hired
A former broadcast journalist for KIRO 7 News in Seattle has been hired by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office as its first full-time civilian public information officer.
Kevin McCarty was introduced via social media Jan. 18. Most recently serving as the PIO for the state Gambling Commission, McCarty is best known for his work at KIRO, where he spent 22 years — 16 as the Pierce County bureau chief, covering news stories in the surrounding counties including Kitsap.
McCarty’s work has led to multiple awards, including an Emmy for coverage of the Amtrak derailment in DuPont in 2017.
He also holds certificates from the FBI Law Enforcement Education Development Association for Master Public Information Officer and Media and Public Relations.
Sheriff John Gese said, “I am extremely pleased to have someone of Kevin’s caliber and experience join our KCSO team and excited to see the impact that it will help to further develop our communications and outreach efforts.”
New legislators
Rep. Travis Couture was recently sworn in as a new state legislator in Olympia for the 35th District, which includes Kitsap County.
He will serve on four House committees in the scheduled 105-day session: Appropriations, Capital Budget, Environment and Energy, and Human Services, Youth and Early Learning.
The defense contractor at Naval Submarine Base Kitsap is the assistant ranking member in that final committee. “As the father of four I understand the unique challenges parents face with education, child care, the high cost of living and more,” he said.
For more call 360-786-7902, email travis.couture@leg.wa.gov or go to TravisCouture.houserepublicans.wa.gov.
Rep. Spencer Hutchins of the 26th District also was sworn in. He will serve as assistant ranking member of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, and also the Housing and Transportation committees. He’s a former Gig Harbor city councilman.
He can be reached at 360-786-7964 or email spencer.hutchins@leg.wa.gov.
BI singer returns
Rae Isla, who grew up on Bainbridge Island, and her band will perform Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 in Seattle at the Crocodile’s Here-After venue.
It’s been more than a decade since they ventured off BI, first to study at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, then establish a career as an indie singer-songwriter-performer in New York.
She relocated to Seattle after a year in Mexico City, where she recorded her as-yet-unnamed second album.
“I worked tirelessly in 2022 to build a global community around my music online, mostly on Twitter, by utilizing the tools of Web3 and NFTs,” she said. “I’m now able to work full time on my music project, and it feels like a decade of hard work is finally paying off.”
Meet Deets
Councilmember Joe Deets is having open office hours Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at CUPS Espresso on 123 Bjune Drive SE in Winslow. Everyone is welcome to meet with him to talk about city business.
