New park office
The Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District has relocated its administrative offices to a newly repurposed building at Strawberry Hill Park.
The new office is part of a larger expansion of the park, which received a $1.1 million grant from the BI Parks & Trails Foundation last April that funded acquisition of a nine-acre parcel owned by Comcast along High School Road. The lightly wooded property expands the park’s footprint, bringing its total size to 38 acres, which also includes acquisition of a 10-acre parcel in 2022 for the future bike park and an expanded dog park.
Customer service for the parks district will continue to be available at the BI Aquatic Center and BI Recreation Center. The move to the new office is part of the broader development plan for Strawberry Hill Park.
Seabold signage
Signs are expected to be installed soon to improve safety in the Seabold neighborhood of Bainbridge Island.
Residents reached out to city staff about concerns about traffic around Manzanita Road and Highway 305 regarding increased cut-through traffic.
The city’s Traffic Operations Committee evaluated the request. And based on its recommendation, city maintenance crews will be installing three-way stop signs at the Ralston and Komedal/Henderson intersection.
Fatal accident
A 33-year-old Port Orchard man died after his motorcycle collided with a truck in the 10400 block of Bethel-Burley Road SE Jan. 15.
Sheriff’s reports say at around 9:30 p.m. the motorcyclist was southbound when it collided with the pickup, whose driver was backing it out of a driveway. He died at the scene.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the victim after family is notified.
Library discussions
Beginning Feb. 2, the community is invited to learn about four foreign policy issues facing the United States, starting with American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads.
Others are: Feb. 9 – After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East; March 9 – The Future of NATO and European Security; and March 16 – India: Between China, the West and the Global South. A fifth program, International Cooperation on Climate Change, is also in the works.
The free discussions take place from 2- 3:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Public Library. Refreshments are provided.
Now in its 19th year, Great Decisions at the Library is part of a nationwide, nonpartisan program of the Foreign Policy Association intended to broaden public involvement in foreign affairs.
Go to BainbridgePublicLibrary.org for details.
Join a choir
Crescendo!, a local vocal group for adults and older teens, is starting up a new session Jan. 27.
There will be several performances this spring, ending with a public concert May 12 at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church on Bainbridge Island. Songs will include pop, jazz, standards and Broadway.
Rehearsals are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays at the Ovation Studio, 600 Ericksen Ave. Suite 103.
Cost is $99, though sponsors provide some scholarships. For details email crescendo@ovationmtb.com
Business deals
The BI Chamber of Commerce has a new business promotion for an exclusive members-only group: Bainbridge residents.
The “Love Local 98110” campaign aims to improve support for BI businesses by offering exclusive deals to customers who can show proof of residency.
The initiative will be for the month of February. Businesses that are interested in participating must register by Jan 24. It’s up to the business owners to decide what kind of deal to offer, and they may change the deal throughout the month.
Businesses must be members of the BI chamber or BI Downtown Association.
Stormy winter
Puget Sound Energy reports that four storms in November and December led to 706,907 total customer outages, 60% of its customers.
About 5,360 Bainbridge Island customers lost power during the “bomb cyclone.”
Five hospitals and 150 schools lost power. Almost 165 line crews and 70 tree crews were staffed, four times more than usual, with help from Canada, Idaho and Oregon.
EVs on the rise
Puget Sound Energy reports that electric vehicle registrations on Bainbridge Island have reached 2,000.
Statewide there was a 32% increase from 159,467 to 210,165. The average price nationwide is $48,424. The 22 battery-only models available in the state can travel an average of 266 miles.
BYS event
Bainbridge Youth Services will be hosting a free screening of Screenagers Elementary Edition Feb. 11 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Bainbridge Cinemas.
Screenagers films are resources for families and educators navigating the digital age and young children, a news release states. Admission and childcare are free, but seats are limited.
For details, go to tickettailor.com/events/bainbridgeyouthservices
BI police log
1-14: Warrant arrest, 8800 block Madison Avenue N.
1-15: Theft, 9800 block Manitou Beach Drive NE
1-15: Theft, 11000 block Meadowmeer Circle
1-15: Theft, 6400 block NE Agate Beach Lane
1-15: Suspicious incident, 5500 block NE Old Mill Road
1-15: Agency assist, 10400 block Bethel Burley Road SE
1-16: Domestic violence, 6600 block NE New Brooklyn Road
1-16: Suspicious incident, 6000 block Eagle Harbor Drive
1-16: Suspicious incident, 4500 block Tangleberry lane
1-18: Theft, 100 block Winslow Way E.