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Hi Kitsap County, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Free ferry Wi‑Fi pilot, USS Nimitz retirement, Alice in Wonderland immersive theatre, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
First connectivity upgrade in years: Washington State Ferries will test free Wi‑Fi this summer on the Bremerton route aboard the M/V Chimacum and at the terminal, with expansion hinging on funding and lawmakers’ approval — get details on the pilot.
Carrier fleet in transition: USS Nimitz has returned to Bremerton, ending its Navy career. Ford class carriers take the lead, though delays to USS John F. Kennedy could leave a short term capability gap — get all the details.
Community voices shape decisions: ‘No action’ remains possible for Banner Forest as Kitsap County rethinks tree thinning. Work was paused in September 2025 and a one to two year planning process is ahead — see the timeline and next steps.
What drivers should expect: Safety upgrades at Highway 305 and High School Road on Bainbridge continue. Feb. 11 open house has passed, and northbound travel gets priority through early March, completion late spring — see what’s planned and when.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
From online sales to community: The Bisque, a new pottery studio on Bay Street in Port Orchard, held its grand opening on Jan. 24. Local artist Teri Erasmus now offers six-week wheel and hand building classes, plus workshops, day passes, memberships, private lessons, and weekly kids classes. Read the full story.
Assessing tech’s environmental footprint: WWU on the Peninsulas students will present their findings on the environmental impacts of large data centers on March 9 at Olympic College’s Poulsbo campus and online. The class examined three potential Pacific Northwest sites. Final presentations will coincide with their final evaluations. Get all the details.
Seasonal plates, poured: Whether it’s a weeknight date or a friend catch-up, Amelia Wynn Winery Bistro serves farm-to-table menus with Washington-grown, island-made wines. Expect seasonal dishes that taste of place, plus a cozy room where a quick stop easily becomes a lingering evening.
Kitchen gear glow-up: If your spatula’s flipped its last pancake, explore Culinary Viking for sharp knives, sturdy cookware, clever gadgets, and occasional demos or classes that kick dinner out of a rut. A quick browse can revive weeknights and restore your kitchen mojo.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🛍 The Found Market @ Kitsap County Fairgrounds And Events Center | Friday (2/27) at 3:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap that wobbly side table, this two-day Kitsap Fairgrounds market packs 80-plus vendors of vintage finds, MCM gems, handmade, food trucks, coffee, and live tunes. Rain or shine, bring cash, picker instincts, and kids, who are free.
🎷 Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival @ The Brass Kraken Pub | Friday (2/27) at 5:00 PM – Nothing cures winter blahs like live blues and jazz on the Poulsbo waterfront. PB&J Fest brings top-shelf acts and Nick Vigarino’s gritty guitar to a beautiful, cozy setting, so be a responsible Scandinavian, and grab tickets early before your Viking neighbors clean them out.
🥪 PB&J Festival 2026 @ The Brass Kraken Pub | Saturday (2/28) at 4:00 PM – Ready to trade errands for noise? Lady A is back at the PB&J Festival with the full band, serving blues, soul, and gospel that make your hands clap, feet misbehave, and hips remember, plus a sneak peek at new tunes. Grab tickets, thank yourself later.
🔨 2026 Foundation Auction and Gala @ Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside | Saturday (2/28) at 4:30 PM – Time to dust off the blazer and pretend we know our paddle from our Pinot at the Foundation Auction and Gala. Dive into auctions, raffles, games, and networking, then schmooze like pros, all while investing in the future of our industry.
🎂 Art’s Birthday Bash @ The Charleston | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – The Charleston is throwing Art a birthday bash with GERBIL TURDS, NEVER SHUT UP, MAXIMUM COUNTY, and CITIZEN Z. Expect loud guitars, nostalgic chaos, and the good kind of tinnitus. Ten bucks gets you in, all ages welcome, and the bar is pouring, with ID.
🎷 Stevie & The Blue Flames feat. Ruby Dee @ Poulsbo First Lutheran Church | Saturday (2/28) at 9:30 PM – Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Festival brings the real-deal stuff when Stevie & The Blue Flames, featuring Ruby Dee, hit the LTD Presents stage at Poulsbo First Lutheran. Expect award-winning harp, searing guitar, and a danceable set that might turn pews into a juke joint.
🎭 Alice In Wonderland: Immersive Theatre @ Enoch City Arts | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 PM – Step off the sidewalk and tumble into an immersive Alice in Wonderland theatre experience, where you wander through curious rooms, trade banter with oddballs, and sip something stronger than tea. It is playful, clever, and just weird enough to feel like a proper night out.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Kitsap County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 49°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 58%
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 49, with temperatures falling to around 47 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 51%
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
This house is wild
This light-filled 4-bed with built-in office and a bonus loft shines with a luxe kitchen, Wolf range, Sub-Zero fridge, and a walk-in pantry. The great room opens to a private yard by Plantswoman Design, with a covered patio on the greenbelt. Highlights include a spa-like primary suite, a butler’s pantry, a heat pump with A/C, and an epoxy 2-car garage.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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