Ted Kenney

Ted Kenney is a third-generation Gig Harbor Peninsula resident who grew up in Rosedale and attended Gig Harbor High School the year it opened. He has worked as a news reporter, software marketer and restaurant owner. He loves reading, especially Raymond Chandler novels and good non-fiction.

New granite pavers honoring Gig Harbor’s fishing fleet are meant to stand the test of time

Jan 30, 2025

“Written in stone” means something is permanent, indelible. Gig Harbor commercial fishermen hope they’ve captured that characteristic in new granite paver stones installed this winter at a plaza in Ancich Waterfront Park to honor the city’s fishing fleet. Each glossy 2-foot-square stone is engraved with the name of two Gig Harbor fishing boats — from

Ancich Dock project hits raw nerve: Is Gig Harbor a fishing town or yacht haven?

Jan 22, 2025

A proposal to rebuild the historic Ancich Dock would remove creosote-soaked pilings and provide more light for marine habitat. But neighbors have concerns about whether it provides enough parking and whether the new marina would infringe on the future Commercial Fishing Homeport.

Rush applies to build triplexes in Purdy ahead of zoning change

Dec 23, 2024

The company has filed an application for 30 triplexes near Peninsula High and Purdy Elementary, under current zoning regulations.

Updated Pierce County Comp Plan will affect Purdy, parks, zoning, STRs and more

Dec 10, 2024

Capping more than two years of intensive public process, the Pierce County Council last week passed an update to the Pierce County Comprehensive Plan. The broad-scoped document directs growth and development in unincorporated areas of the county over the next 20 years. The updated plan now awaits County Executive Bruce Dammeier’s signature. Under Washington’s Growth

Hearing examiner approves permits for proposed Burley Lagoon geoduck farm

Nov 27, 2024

The conditional use permit for Taylor Shellfish’s proposed geoduck farm in Burley Lagoon now goes before the state Department of Ecology for review.

School district buys 20 acres in Purdy, forestalling Rush Companies’ 130-home development

Nov 25, 2024

The Peninsula School District closed on its purchase of 20.42 acres of land in Purdy on Friday, Nov. 22. The district paid Gig Harbor-based Rush Companies $6.24 million for eight parcels, most of them directly across 62nd Avenue from Peninsula High School. The district reiterated its earlier statement that it will hold the land for

Rush-owned property near Peninsula High could be sold to school district … or, it could become 130 homes

Nov 11, 2024

Two plans unfolding in Purdy promise to help shape the unincorporated community’s future. Rush Companies is working to build a new subdivision of 130 homes, packed tightly on land bordering busy 144th Street. The developer has already spent thousands of dollars on permitting fees and applied with the city of Gig Harbor to extend sewer

County planners switch views on Purdy, now recommending a more urban future

Oct 30, 2024

“Shock” is the term one lawmaker representing Gig Harbor used to describe her response to the Pierce County Planning & Public Works Department’s recent flip-flop on the future of Purdy, the unincorporated community just outside Gig Harbor’s northern border. Early this year, county planners recommended stripping Purdy and some other unincorporated areas next to Gig

A filling station in the forest? Developers propose bringing gas, retail and more to the heart of Swede Hill

Oct 17, 2024

Leaving Highway 16 at Burnham Drive and turning left onto Sehmel Drive has always meant a quick shift into rural mode. As drivers navigate the winding two-lane road through Swede Hill and North Rosedale, over hills and alongside woods and scattered residences, there’s nary a place to shop or fill the gas tank before arriving

After failed acquisition, undeveloped Eagles Ridge parcel still on PenMet’s’s radar screen

Oct 02, 2024

The Eagles Ridge property is 114 acres of forested property with waterfront access. Only a fraction of it is developable.