News

Gig Harbor Now reporters chase down news that affects community residents, providing facts with context and perspective.

Just 86 votes separated 2nd from 3rd in council primary

Aug 16, 2022 | By:

Paula Lonergan and Robyn Denson are the general election candidates for the Pierce County Council District 7 seat representing the Gig Harbor area. That is the result that was expected after the first batch of votes was counted on the night of the primary election, Aug. 3. The race for second place in the primary

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Fire damages Olalla Bay Market & Landing

Aug 16, 2022 | By:

A landmark Olalla market, nearing its reopening after a year of renovation, burned early Tuesday morning. South Kitsap Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to what became a two-alarm fire at Olalla Bay Market and Landing at 2:17 a.m. It was deemed under control at 3 a.m., and all units cleared by 4:50 a.m., according

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New turf field ready for use at Sehmel Homestead Park

Aug 15, 2022 | By:

The new turf soccer field at Sehmel Homestead Park will be dedicated in a ceremony Friday afternoon.  But the $948,000 surface already has hosted its first major event. The Harbor Soccer Club’s Tyee Cup, which included 150 youth teams, was contested in part on Sehmel’s new carpet.  Installation was mostly complete last week, ahead of

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Brian Wickens named new principal at Harbor Ridge

Aug 15, 2022 | By:

Brian Wickens is the new principal at Harbor Ridge Middle School, Peninsula School District announced last week. Wickens replaces Mike Benoit, who previously was announced as the new principal at Peninsula High School. Wickens has been an assistant principal at Harbor Ridge since 2004. Before that, he taught in Tacoma middle schools for 18 years

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Some uneasy about changes to city advisory board procedures

Aug 12, 2022 | By:

Changes to procedures for the city of Gig Harbor’s advisory boards and commissions are drawing criticism from a city council member and some volunteers who serve on those advisory panels.  The changes involve how members of the advisory boards are selected and how they communicate with one another and with the city council. Previously, a

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Gig Harbor Police Blotter: Suspect caught when his car won’t start

Aug 12, 2022 | By:

Editor’s note: The Police Blotter is written based on information in Gig Harbor Police reports. A broken-down car foiled a shoplifter attempting to get away with more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from stores on Borgen Boulevard. An employee called Gig Harbor police to a shoe store on Borgen Boulevard on the afternoon of Aug. 4 to report that

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Carving honoring area’s original inhabitants installed

Aug 11, 2022 | By:

Interrupted briefly by thunder and lightning, Gig Harbor’s newest artwork was installed Wednesday at the water’s edge in Austin Park at txʷaalqəł Estuary. The carved cedar figure, called “Our Fisherman, Our Guardian,” depicts a Native American holding a large salmon, flanked by a canoe on each side. It stands 15-feet tall and looks out over

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Man shot while trying to break into Gig Harbor home identified

Aug 11, 2022 | By:

The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Jeffrey Alma as the man shot and killed while trying to break into a neighbor’s house late last month. The office identified Alma, a 36-year-old Gig Harbor resident, on Wednesday, Aug. 10. The incident occurred July 29. A statement from the office said Alma died from a gunshot

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Crime report: Thefts up significantly in Gig Harbor

Aug 11, 2022 | By:

Police Chief Kelly Busey told the Gig Harbor City Council on Monday that theft is Gig Harbor’s biggest criminal issue. The city’s top law enforcement officer presented his 2021 crime report at Monday’s meeting. He said retail theft was up about 11% in 2021, and vehicle theft rose a whopping 70%. Drugs are also a

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Fish passage project to temporarily shift traffic on Highway 16

Aug 10, 2022 | By:

Work will begin soon on a 3-year effort to replace 44-year-old pipes that carry Purdy Creek under Highway 16. A third culvert will be replaced under the Highway 302 Spur in Purdy. And a complete closure of Highway 302 for the Little Minter Creek culvert project begins Thursday.

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