*In world news: Ukraine drones hit a Russian oil refinery, Russia fires back, targeting neighborhood gas stations. War in Iran intensifies as the US issues a ‘worldwide cautionary security advisory’ for citizens abroad. Plus record-setting wildfires in France & Canada… And Oregon. And the worst-natural-disaster-on-record wildfires in Spokane with one fire believed caused by arson… plus thousands get explosive diarrhea from contaminated lettuce… Meanwhile in Kitsap:
A VOLUNTEER-BUILT LITTLE FOOD PANTRY, installed earlier this spring at Bremerton Foodline as a community outreach project aiming to expand food assistance beyond the food bank’s business hours, was destroyed over the Fourth of July weekend. In response, the local chapter of the Ruff Ryders motorcycle club showed up to build, install and stock a new free pantry. That nearly-20-year-old local club is known for its presence in community outreach, fundraising and volunteerism. Like many motorcycle clubs, they’ve raised money for local charities and donated time for causes. They’ve also worked with the annual nonprofit DocLuvTheKids Day: a free, family-focused event providing free backpacks, hair cuts, shoes and other back to school stuff for kids. This year’s DocLuvTheKids Day is from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 22 at Lions Park, Bremerton. More at docluvthekids.org and on the socials @kitsapruffryders
ALSO BIG NEWS IN BREMERTON… A new fast food chain restaurant recently built near Lowe’s at Fuson Road and Highway 303 announced its grand opening date: Aug 11. More on the socials @Chick-fil-A Bremerton
MEANWHILE IN GORST: The SR3 Gorst Area Planning & Environmental Linkages Study is coming to a close. The survey began in summer 2024 to identify potential environmental, community and economic impact in advance of a pending state transportation project aiming to alleviate the Gorst area’s notorius and dangerous traffic bottleneck. At this point, the study has determined three potential alternatives, announced last month as a community open house. One option would widen State Route 3 to three lanes in each direction. The other two options call for bridges. Either a full-bypass three-lane bridge, or a partial bypass two-lane bridge, spanning Sinclair Inlet from an area called Windy Point on the Bremerton side to a connection with Highway 16 on the Port Orchard side. A final draft of the PEL study report is expected in late 2026 and will include a 30-day public comment period. The state department of transportation plans to finalize the study in spring 2027 and move to propose those alternatives to the National Envrionmental Protection Agency review process. Cue the old man: “They’ve been talking about that for years!” More about the full study & next steps at wsdot.wa.gov. Send questions/comments to SR3GorstArea@wsdot.wa.gov
IN OTHER GETTING TO & FROM Bremerton news, Kitsap Transit announced the upcoming end of temporarily added sailings on its Bremerton Fast Ferry route. State funding for those sailings runs out at the end of August. Cuts include seven total weekday crossings including: four sailings between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. and three between 6:20 and 10 p.m. After the final day Aug. 31, the last a.m. fast ferry to Seattle will be at 8:05 a.m., the last fast ferry back will be at 7:40 p.m., on weekdays. Saturday service will continue through the end of the summer season, ending Sept. 26. Affected sailing times and more in the fast ferry schedules at kitsaptransit.org
AND IN THE INTEREST OF KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON: The Kitsap Public Utilities District is putting a measure to voters in the upcoming November general election that would enable the district to explore options for becoming an electrical utility provider for its customers. The measure is in response to backlash over Puget Sound Energy rates which have doubled since 2020 and climbed 45% over the last two years. PSE reportedly thinks the decision is rash. The PUD contends the measure only provides the ability to explore the option, not a requirement to excercise it. Meanwhile… A group looking to build a motorsports park in Bremerton has been approved to seek millions of dollars for construction. And… a local coalition of bike poloists, roller skaters and pedal bike enthusiasts are exploring options to build a “pump track” with the city of Bremerton Parks Dept. And… Also… Plus… We might be the only ones on the planet who didn’t watch Seattle’s viral raccoon internet video, but we did see the Jimothy painting by PNW muralist Henry, which he auctioned for thousands of dollars and gave all the money to the Ballard Food Bank. <3smokestack
