Christina T Henry

Christina T Henry is a freelance journalist reporting on local news from the Kitsap Peninsula and beyond. Chris lives in Port Orchard and formerly wrote for the Kitsap Sun. Her beats have included education, local government and that quirky and capricious grab-bag we call community news. She enjoys our beautiful PNW trails, open water swimming and cycling.

Meet Peninsula schools’ two new armed safety and security officers

Aug 02, 2023

Peninsula School District has hired two new armed safety and security officers. Unlike school resource officers, they are employees of the district. SROs are law enforcement officers contracted by the district in coordination with a local police or sheriff’s department, typically with a cost-sharing arrangement. “PSD has not employed any SROs since the pandemic,” said

Peninsula School District tells students to put away their cell phones

Jul 31, 2023

Heads up, students. When you get back to school on Sept. 5, plan to tuck that cell phone away, take those air buds out of your ears and stash your headphones. Peninsula School District has enacted a ban on cell phone use at school except during lunch. All social media apps will be blocked on

‘Operation Doors’ at Discovery Elementary has begun, addressing school safety concerns

Jul 13, 2023

Peninsula School District intends to install interior doors on the open-concept school by the first day of classes on Sept. 5.

Homeless students lose resources during summer break. Who’s filling the gap?

Jul 10, 2023

When summer break comes, the connection with schools is disrupted, leaving homeless students potentially adrift, but the district and other organizations help with such things as food and transportation.

Captain SeaHawk obliterates graduating seniors’ lunch debt at Peninsula High

Jun 26, 2023

Captain SeaHawk strikes again. In his quest to aid graduating seniors at Peninsula High School, Wallace Watts of Gig Harbor — known as Captain SeaHawk for his over-the-top fan persona — raised more than $3,000 earlier this month to obliterate lunch debt for the Class of 2023. Seniors must pay all fines and fees to

Grads take sentimental journey to their old elementary schools

Jun 16, 2023

Soon-to-be graduates from Peninsula High School gathered Wednesday in their green caps and gowns, peering around the front entryway of Minter Creek Elementary School. “Everything looks so small,” one in the group remarked. Moments later, the students would take a victory lap around the school where most of them spent their formative years. It’s a

“The Old Church” on Crescent Valley has a new owner

May 30, 2023

“The Old Church” on Crescent Valley Drive has sold. The property, with a history dating back to 1908, went on the market in early fall for a listing price of $175,000. The quaint, 1,250-square-foot building on a 4,000-square-foot lot garnered lots of interest but no takers. Until now. It sold for $160,000. The sale closed

Gig Harbor High students put their passion into action … and earn college credit

May 22, 2023

Gideon Eilers and his late grandfather used to listen to the Beach Boys before his death in 2020 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. “He grew up listening to the them, and it not only gave him comfort at that time, it would help him remember things,” said Eilers, a senior at Gig Harbor High School

Gig Harbor student helped pass bill to aid military families

May 17, 2023

Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed into law a bill recognizing school districts that show commitment to military students and their families. House Bill 1346 creates a Purple Star designation for districts that demonstrate support for students whose lives and education are often disrupted by family deployments. Peninsula School District Superintendent Krestin Bahr and school

Students learning mental health first aid

May 08, 2023

Editor’s note: This story deals with mental health issues, including suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, text HOME to 741741, the Crisis Text Line, or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. When someone is having a heart attack, most people know to call 911 and start CPR. But what