The staff of the Patriot and Reporter wish you the best in 2016. Here’s a look back at some of the top stories of 2015:
Luther James Wiggins-Stoudermire, Kassidy Miranda Clark and Jenna M. Farley, from left.
JANUARY
Community mourns teens lost in fatal car crash: BREMERTON – Volunteers at Olympic High School prepared 600 candles for an evening vigil for three students killed in a car accident early in the morning of Jan. 11. OHS students Luther Stoudermire, an 18-year-old senior, Kassidy Clark, a 16-year-old junior, and Jenna Farley, a 14-year-old freshman, died in the crash. The driver, Marcus Allen McKay, 17, of Bremerton, and the three other teenagers had just left a party in Seabeck when the crash occurred. The four were traveling northbound in a 1996 Toyota Corolla near the 6600 block of Seabeck–Holly Road NW when they came to a slight turn in the road. McKay lost control of the vehicle when he came out of the curve. The three passengers were declared deceased at the scene of the crash. McKay survived the crash.
Small plane crashes into Hood Canal near Seabeck: SEABECK – A small red-and-white airplane crashed south of Seabeck Jan. 26 in Hood Canal. The plane was spinning as it fell and may have had parts break off in flight. It sank quickly according to a man who said he witnessed the plane fall. A driver’s license was found at the crash site and next of kin were notified. The pilot, Robert Alexander Jr., 65, from Fox Island, was flying alone in his Van’s RV-7 airplane.
USS Nimitz arrives in Bremerton for repair: BREMERTON – The USS Nimitz changed its home port from Naval Base Everett to Naval Base Kitsap to undergo routine maintenance.
Silverdale’s future discussed: SILVERDALE – Imagining what Silverdale might look like in the year 2035 was on the minds of around 120 area citizens who met to ponder issues such as commercial and residential zoning, transportation and maximum building height. Those issues will be described in a sub-area plan which is part of the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan, which is a long-term county-wide plan for the future. The goal of the comprehensive plan included working with Kitsap’s cities to concentrate growth in urban areas where the services such as water and sewer exist, and to maintain rural character.
Workers build the new Buffalo Wild Wings.
FEBRUARY
Buffalo Wild Wings opens: SILVERDALE — Workers put the finishing touches on the new Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant at Kitsap Mall to they prepared for the store’s official opening on Feb. 9.
Bucklin Hill Bridge closed: SILVERDALE – The bridge was closed Feb. 9-13 for installation of power poles to prepare for the new bridge construction project.
CKFR 50-cent EMS levy: CENTRAL KITSAP – The Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 9 to ask voters to continue to support an emergency medical services levy. The levy would pay for emergency medical services such as personnel costs, training, equipment, structures and vehicles needed for providing emergency care.
CK Class of 2021 may be first to need 24 credits to graduate, up from 22: SILVERDALE – Central Kitsap high school students in the class of 2021 will likely be the first to be required to earn 24 credits to graduate – up from the current requirement of 22 credits. The changes are meant to help students be more “career and college-ready” by the time they leave high school by having them take more science, art and language credits.
Harrison and Regence reach agreement: BREMERTON – Harrison Medical Center and Regence BlueShield on Feb. 13 announced an agreement on a new contract providing Regence members access to all local health care services at Harrison Medical Center and Harrison HealthPartners at in-network rates. The two had been without a contract since August 22, 2014.
Teen sentenced to 45-108 weeks for fatal crash: BREMERTON – Around 90 people packed the Kitsap juvenile courtroom on Feb. 19 as Marcus A. McKay, the 17-year-old driver in a Jan. 11 OHS crash, was sentenced to 145-108 weeks in juvenile detention. “I wish I could bring them back,” McKay told the court.
Seabeck roundabout: SEABECK – A roundabout was announced to be built at the intersection of Seabeck Highway NW and NW Holly Road. It would replace a T intersection.
A vigil for Heather Kelso.
MARCH
KCSO looking for killer of mom, toddler: CENTRAL KITSAP – Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were following up on numerous leads and were working to identify a suspect who shot and killed Kaden Lum, 2, and Heather Kelso, 29, at the Kariotis Mobile Home Park on March 28. Vigils were held to honor the two.
OHS, UW basketball legend Welp dies: SILVERDALE – Former Olympic High School and University of Washington basketball legend Christian Welp died at the age of 51.
USS Ranger leaves for Texas: BREMERTON – The USS Ranger left Bremerton March 5 for its final voyage to Brownsville, Texas, where it will be scrapped.
City Council rejects agreement with KRCC: BREMERTON – The Bremerton City Council voted unanimously to reject the Interlocal Agreement of Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council. The council wanted to push the KRCC to adopt a more balanced voting structure.
Linda Joyce dies: BREMERTON — Linda Joyce, who fought to help survivors of domestic violence, died of cancer March 22. “She was a fighter for what she believed in to the end of her life,” said friend Vivi-Ann Parnell.
OC among top 10 community colleges in nation: POULSBO — Olympic College was chosen by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation when it comes to student success.
The Silverdale Community Center.
APRIL
Wolfe calls for action on Community Center: SILVERDALE – Central Kitsap Commissioner Ed Wolfe said the Billie Eder Community Center’s closure was “imminent.” Several groups including the Central Stage Theatre of Central Kitsap had used the center as a base for their activities. But due to a water-damaged roof, portions of the 16,000-square-foot building have been closed off since late 2014. It would cost $700,000 to repair the 1958 building.
Jo:a sushi restaurant opens: SILVERDALE – Lovers of sushi, sashimi, ramen and other Japanese foods have a new dining option as the Japanese restaurant “Jo:a” prepared for its grand opening at the end of April.
200 run in Bremerton Marathon: BREMERTON – Almost 200 competed in either the marathon or half marathon, ranging in age from 13-71.
Razor blade traps found on Naval Base Kitsap: BREMERTON — Police at Naval Base Kitsap investigated the discovery of razor blades apparently staged as traps aboard vessels at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Seven razor blade “traps” have been found. First, in January 2015, for which evidence was discarded as it was thought to be an isolated incident, and then six in April.
Bigfoot conference gets weird: BREMERTON — Bigfoot’s real. They’ve seen it. According to researchers at the Bigfoot Habituation Research Conference April 24-26 at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Bremerton, Bigfoot has cloaking capability and can travel through interdimensional portals. The conference was attended by over 100 people and featured over a dozen speakers, including Bob Gimlin of the famous Patterson-Gimlin Film. The 1967 film supposedly shows Bigfoot walking in Bluff Creek, California.
Port of Bremerton hosts Taiwan officials: BREMERTON – Bremerton port commissioners hosted a delegation of nine officials from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, for a discussion of economic development opportunities April 30 at Bremerton National Airport. The Taiwanese delegates are interested in finding an alternative to Seattle and Tacoma, which are becoming increasingly expensive and congested.
Former President Jimmy Carter is piped aboard during his arrival at the change of command ceremony for USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) at Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor. Carter’s previous visits to the ship included its christening and commissioning.
MAY
Carter visits Kitsap for submarine ceremony: SILVERDALE – Former President Jimmy Carter visited the Kitsap Peninsula May 29 to attend a change of command ceremony for the submarine named in his honor – the USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) at Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor. During the ceremony, Cmdr. Melvin Smith relieved Cmdr. Brian Elkowitz as commanding officer of the Seawolf-class attack submarine at Deterrent Park at the base. “What makes me so proud is to have been the only submariner to have served as commander in chief and also to have a submarine named after me,” Carter said. “Of all the honors I have ever received, I’ve never had anything of greater honor than the chance to be the namesake of USS Jimmy Carter.”
KRCC rejects Bremerton voting structure changes: BREMERTON — The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council rejected Bremerton’s proposed voting structure changes seven votes to four May 5.
NBK is a ‘growth industry,’ Zwolfer says: CENTRAL KITSAP – In an era of shrinking military budgets, Naval Base Kitsap is a growth area. That’s what Capt. Thomas Zwolfer, commanding officer for NBK, told attendees at a Bremerton Chamber of Commerce meeting May 19. “You can see that Naval Base Kitsap has been growing over the last 10 years. And we have the largest military construction project going on in the Navy right now – that’s the EHW-2 (Explosives Handling Wharf 2) pier that’s being built up in Bangor,” Zwolfer said.
Community center to close permanently in August: SILVERDALE – Due to a water-damaged roof, the high cost of repairs and liability concerns, it was announced the Silverdale Community Center would be permanently closed in August.
Bremerton withdraws from KRCC: BREMERTON — The Bremerton City Council voted unanimously to withdraw from the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council May 20. City Council president Greg Wheeler sent a letter to the KRCC May 22 informing them of the Bremerton’s withdrawal.
New Victoria’s Secret store celebrates opening: SILVERDALE – More than a dozen people gathered outside the entrance of Victoria’s Secret at Kitsap Mall early May 30 to celebrate the store’s grand re-opening and the opening of its new PINK store.
A man uses a garden hose to spray water on a huge fire.
JUNE
Manette fire displaces 16: BREMERTON — An errant cigarette butt appeared to have caused a 3-alarm fire at Edgewood Villa Apartments in Manette that left 16 people without a home June 22. There were no injuries after the fire rampaged through the top floor of two apartment units. Huge orange flames tore a hole in the center of Building F. A manager on site grabbed a garden hose and pointed it at the fire. Firefighters with Bremerton Fire Department and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue had it mostly under control by 4:30 p.m.
Ground broken for Silverdale Elementary renovation: SILVERDALE – A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 17 at Silverdale Elementary to officially mark the beginning of work to renovate the school. The project involved renovating school buildings and for critical safety, computer and technology infrastructure repairs and replacements.
Bucklin Hill Bridge was closed for construction work this summer.
JULY
Bucklin Hill Bridge closed: SILVERDALE – The Bucklin Hill Bridge was closed early morning July 1 so workers could begin the process of replacing two existing culverts with a 240-foot bridge span across the Clear Creek estuary.
Transit board OKs bus site near hospital: SILVERDALE – The Kitsap Transit board gave their approval to move forward with a plan to build a Silverdale bus transfer station on a 2-acre plot of forested land to the south of the Harrison Medical Center in Silverdale.
CKFR to ask voters for $13.9M for staff, gear: SILVERDALE – The CKFR board of commissioners unanimously approved of two resolutions that would ask voters to approve of funding a $7.2 million maintenance and operations levy and a $6.7 million bond to upgrade apparatus and fire equipment for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue.
Dick’s Sporting Goods to open at Kitsap Mall next summer: SILVERDALE – Dick’s Sporting Goods store said it would open a store at Kitsap Mall in the summer of 2016. Clothing store H&M announced it would open a store in November and Potbelly Sandwich Shop planned to open in the food court. Mexican food restaurant Qdoba announced it would open in November.
Bremerton exploring annexation: BREMERTON — The City of Bremerton commissioned BERK Consulting to study annexing areas adjacent to Bremerton. The study looked at four urban growth areas: Navy Yard City, Rocky Point, West Hills and Gorst. In 2014, it’s estimated the areas had a combined population of 4,900, along with 630 jobs. If adopted, annexation could begin as early as 2016.
New Silverdale Starbucks features drive-thru, beer, wine: SILVERDALE – After 15 years, the Starbucks coffee shop on Mickelberry Road closed their doors for the last time on July 26. Two days later, however, store manager Heather Peterson Higgins opened the doors to a brand new Starbucks drive-thru “reserve” store on the corner of Silverdale Way and Bucklin Hill Road.
Firefighters respond to the Motel 6 explosion.
AUGUST
Gas leak causes Motel 6 to explode: BREMERTON – An acrid smell of smoke filled the air near Motel 6 in Bremerton as firefighters and other emergency personnel dealt with an explosion that partially destroyed the building around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 18. The acting hotel manager, Tonya Hinds, evacuated the building after being informed of the gas leak shortly before 8 p.m. Hinds said she stepped outside the motel and could hear the leak about 50 yards away. “The smell was so intense I knew this was very big,” Hinds said. “I called 911 immediately.” “I wanted to make sure all my guests were out,” she said. About 10 minutes after the rooms were emptied, the east end of the motel exploded, Hinds said. One employee from Cascade Natural Gas was critically injured with second- and third-degree burns and flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Hinds said the motel had 75-80 guests in 42 occupied rooms, and the blast destroyed about one-quarter of the building. After the explosion, hundreds of people lined the streets near the motel to watch firefighters deal with the night time destruction. Among them was Domico Hutson, who was visiting at a residence along Charleston Avenue. He said the whole house shook. “I thought it was a bomb or something,” Hutson said.
Warning for Dyes Inlet issued after sewage leaks: SILVERDALE – Two sewage spills at the Bucklin Hill Bridge construction project released a total of around 56,000 gallons of sewage into Dyes Inlet, leading the Kitsap Public Health District to issue a no-contact advisory for Dyes Inlet and the Port of Washington Narrows. A July 30 spill released 40,000 gallons when the bridge project contractor, Granite Construction, inadvertently hit the sewer main, creating a two-inch hole. On Aug. 4, a second spill of about 16,000 gallons occurred when a mechanical rubber plug installed in the sewer force main failed.
Markle assumes command of PSNS and IMF: BREMERTON – Capt. Howard B. Markle relieved Capt. Stephen F. Williamson during a Change of Command ceremony Aug. 7, becoming the 49th commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
Councilman Mike Sullivan dies: BREMERTON — Bremerton City Councilman Mike Sullivan passed away Aug. 6 at age 65. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Suspect in double homicide arrested: CENTRAL KITSAP – Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office detectives said investigating the murder of Heather Kelso and Kaden Lum was like putting the many pieces of a puzzle together. They were trying to use all those bits and pieces to – as Lt. Det. Earl Smith put it – “paint a picture.” The picture KSCO painted was released Aug. 20 in the form of a nine-page certificate of probable cause. The document shows details of suspect Geraldo “Jerry” Castro DeJesus, 30, of Port Orchard, whom KSCO alleges committed the murders. Detectives found a case for a 9mm gun and one magazine in the apartment DeJesus was staying at. There was no gun in the case, but the case did contain a “test fire” round. An ammunition box that was missing ten rounds was also found. The WSP crime lab later found that “the test fire round (from Geraldo’s pistol box) was fired from the same pistol as all shell casings recovered from the homicide scene” – positive identification of the weapon. DeJesus pled not guilty Aug. 21.
Man stepped on gas meter prior to Motel 6 explosion: BREMERTON – Police aren’t entirely sure, but they released details Aug. 26 that backs-up an earlier theory as to why the Bremerton Motel 6 erupted into a fireball Aug. 18. The rumor that spread across the Internet immediately following the blast was that someone was seen climbing down the side of the building from a third-story window, and that the climber might have inadvertently broken a gas line. According to Bremerton Police, that theory has some weight to it: A man admitted that he stepped on the gas meter to assist his step-daughter out of the second floor window at the motel following a family argument.
Student athletes might be able to waive PE credits: CENTRAL KITSAP – Central Kitsap School District board members considered changing district policy to allow athletes involved in Washington Interscholastic Activities Association-approved sports and activities to waive two half-credit PE classes, up to one full credit equivalent. Students could then use the freed-up time to take other classes.
Joe Kennedy stands after praying at a Bremerton High School football game.
SEPTEMBER
Post-game prayers at center of controversy: BREMERTON — An assistant football coach at Bremerton High School was under investigation for leading post-game prayers at the 50-yard line. Joe Kennedy, who served 20 years in the Marine Corps, has led the prayers for almost a decade. On Sept. 11, Kennedy said on his Facebook page that someone told him he could be fired for doing so. The resulting controversy made national headlines, including a nearly 5-minute long segment on Fox News. The Bremerton School District investigated whether Kennedy violated district policy. In particular, the district is concerned with District Board Policy 2340, which states “School staff shall neither encourage nor discourage a student from engaging in non-disruptive oral or silent prayer or any other form of devotional activity.”
Potbelly Sandwich Shop opens at Kitsap Mall: SILVERDALE – Potbelly Sandwich Shop opened at Kitsap Mall Sept. 7 with a soft-open, and the store had its grand opening the following day, Sept. 8.
Kitsap Humane Society founder passes at age 101: SILVERDALE – Almeda (Harris) Wilson, who was responsible for saving the lives of thousands of animals by establishing Kitsap Humane Society in the early 1960s, passed away at age 101 on Sept. 5.
Zombies invade area for filming: BREMERTON – The USS Turner Joy closed its doors to the public for one day so a film crew for Syfy’s “Z Nation” could shoot a handful of scenes aboard the ship. Actor Keith Allan, who plays Murphy on the show, was aboard the ship for filming.
The Trails at Silverdale opened in October.
OCTOBER
First stores at The Trails open for business: SILVERDALE — Constructions workers busily painted buildings, walked on rooftops and drove heavy machinery as a few shoppers walked nearby at the new Trails at Silverdale shopping center along Greaves Way Oct. 20. Shopper Brielle Foley said she was “stoked” about the mall. Foley and two friends were checking out the new Ulta Cosmetics store, which earlier had a soft opening. A grand opening for Ulta was Oct. 23. “I think it looks really nice,” said Shaelynn Dalton, who was with Foley. The center is owned by CenterCal Properties. Other stores including HomeGoods, MOD Pizza, Chipotle, Total Wine & More, Pacific Dental Care, Gap, Select Comfort, Blazing Onion and others will open later.
Teen arrested for animal cruelty: BREMERTON – A teenager was arrested for torturing a cat after setting it on fire just before midnight Oct 4. After releasing a security camera video showing the person allegedly responsible, police received a tip and interviewed and arrested a 16-year-old male, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile.
Coach to resume post-game prayer: BREMERTON — Bremerton High School football coach Joe Kennedy announced Oct. 14 that he would resume prayer at the 50-yard line after games. Kennedy was expected to be accompanied to a press conference at Seattle Center by Hiram Sasser, deputy legal counsel for the Liberty Institute, a Texas-based nonprofit devoted to religious freedom. Kennedy was ordered by the Bremerton School District to stop offering a personal prayer after football games or face possible termination. At the press conference, Kennedy announced he planned to pray after the Bremerton High School homecoming game, vs. Centralia, on Oct. 16. Kennedy began leading the post-game prayers with players at the 50-yard line in 2008. He did so until last month, when someone told him he’d be fired if he continued. The story made national headlines, with cries of impingement of religious freedom. The district responded Sept. 17 with a letter to Kennedy instructing him to cease the prayers.
Centralia team joins Bremerton coach in prayer: BREMERTON — Immediately following the Bremerton Knights 21-29 loss to the Centralia High School Tigers Oct. 16, Bremerton assistant football coach Joe Kennedy bowed down on the 50-yard line to pray. It was a controversial decision for him. Praying while on duty violated school policy, and he faced the possibility of being fired from his coaching job as a result. He had intended to pray alone, and had timed his prayer at a point when he knew the Knights team members would be off to sing a post-game fight song, he said. But dozens of boys with the Centralia football team and other supporters joined him on the field. “I’m sitting there and I’m praying out there on the 50 and, you know, I got my eyes closed and I feel all these people around me,” Kennedy said after the game. “I’m like, ‘I hope those aren’t kids.'” he said. Kennedy said he had no idea that members of the Centralia team were going to join him.
More stores open at The Trails: SILVERDALE — Throngs of curious Kitsap residents packed the newly opened Trails at Silverdale shopping center during its opening weekend “harvest festival” Oct. 25. Three stores were open that day – Ulta Beauty, an AT&T store and HomeGoods. The rest of the store fronts were still at various stages of construction.
Satanists plan invocation at football game: BREMERTON – In protest of the football prayer issue, the Satanic Temple of Seattle announced it would have a Satanic Invocation at a Bremerton High School football game. A BHS student asked the Satanists to come to a game. The Satanists said the football games were an “open forum” for religious expression.
Voters show strong support for CK Fire levy, bond: SILVERDALE – Early election results showed strong support for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue’s $7.2 million maintenance and operations levy and for the $6.7 million bond to upgrade apparatus. Voters favored the bond 63.4 percent to 36.6 percent. Voters favored the levy 61.1 percent to 38.9 percent opposed.
Satanists’ presence riles up crowd at football game: BREMERTON — As a flock of black-robed Seattle Satanists walked toward Bremerton Memorial Stadium at the football game Oct. 29, hordes of students pressed up against a chain link fence to watch them, cell phones in hand. Some of the students praised Jesus aloud. A few yelled their support for the dark, solemn Satanists. The fence — along with a phalanx of Bremerton Police officers — kept the two groups about 20 feet from one another.
A rendering of what a new CKHS could look like.
NOVEMBER
$220 million sought for major CK schools upgrade: SILVERDALE – Central Kitsap voters will be asked in February, 2016, to approve $220 million in funding to build a new CK high school and new CK middle school, and to make a host of other district-wide building improvements. The plan, called “Long Range Facility Plan Phase II,” would keep the total CKSD tax rate level at $5.21 per $1,000 assessed value.
Drowsy driving cited as likely cause of fatal crash: BREMERTON — One man was killed in a high-speed, nighttime, five-vehicle crash at the intersection of Kitsap Way and National Avenue Nov. 6. Gian King, 18, a passenger in the car that was struck, passed away Sunday, Nov. 8, at Harborview Medical Center. According to the Bremerton Police Department, a sleepy driver was likely the cause of the crash.
Possible homicide in Bremerton: BREMERTON — An 87-year-old man was found deceased at his Lebo Boulevard townhouse Nov. 7. The Bremerton Police Department was treating the incident as a likely homicide and said there were “clear indications of foul play and violence.” Police identified the victim as Floyd Zumwalt.
Seabeck Highway roundabout completed ahead of schedule: SEABECK — A new roundabout at the Seabeck Highway NW and NW Holly Road intersection was completed ahead of schedule and within the budget. The roundabout is part of a larger road improvement project located on Seabeck Highway between Calamity Lane NW and NW Gross Road. The project focuses on increasing safety for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Qdoba restaurant opens at Kitsap Mall: SILVERDALE – Qdoba, a Mexican fast-food restaurant, had its grand opening at the Kitsap Mall Nov. 13.
Bremerton hospital could be demolished: SILVERDALE — Harrison Medical Center provided a preview of what its expanded Silverdale campus might look like, and also indicated its plans for a downtown Bremerton campus. Harrison’s Jim Alvarez said the current Bremerton hospital building could be demolished as part of the plan.
Haselwood Auto Group to acquire Parr Auto Group: BREMERTON – Haselwood Auto Group announced it will acquire Parr Auto Group by the end of the year, expanding Haselwood from from five dealerships to seven. After the transaction closes, the former Parr dealerships will be known as West Hills Ford Mazda and Haselwood Volkswagen Hyundai.
CK sixth graders to move to middle schools: CENTRAL KITSAP — All CK School District sixth-grade students will move to middle schools for the 2016-2017 school year. The space that becomes available by moving sixth graders to middle schools allows CKSD to accept state funding for reducing K-3 class sizes.
Purchase of land for new Silverdale library finalized: SILVERDALE — A future new library for Silverdale was one step closer to reality after the Kitsap Regional Library board of trustees voted to finalize the purchase of the selected 1.3-acre site on the corner of Blaine Avenue and Bucklin Hill in Silverdale.
Breaking ground on the new OC building project.
DECEMBER
College breaks ground on $46 million arts and tech building: BREMERTON — With golden shovels — and one excavator — digging ceremoniously into a big pile of dirt, construction of Olympic College’s new College Instruction Center officially started. The center will be a 70,000-square-foot facility for the art, music, theater, physical therapy and some nursing programs, as well as some simulation labs for nursing and high-tech, active-learning classrooms on the Bremerton OC campus. Budgeted at $46.5 million, it is the largest-funded project in state community and technical college history. It will also include a 276-seat theater to provide a venue for campus and community events like the Olympic Jazz Festival and youth symphony programs.
Coach files complaint over football prayer: BREMERTON — Joe Kennedy, suspended assistant varsity football coach and head junior varsity football coach of Bremerton High School, filed a charge of religious discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the Bremerton School District.
21-year-old booked on suspicion of killing grandfather: BREMERTON — A 21-year-old suspect in an early morning homicide investigation was booked into the Kitsap County Jail on a charge of murder in the first degree. Bail was set at $2 million. The man, William Bradley Jackson III, 21, called 911 around 1:58 a.m. Dec. 15 to report that he had been drinking and had killed his grandfather, Hurene Bradley Jackson, 90, about an hour earlier.
Blazing Onion opens at The Trails: SILVERDALE – Blazing Onion, a fast-casual gourmet burger joint, opened at The Trails shopping center on Dec. 20. The restaurant features gourmet burgers and a whiskey bar.
Clothing store H&M opens at Kitsap Mall: SILVERDALE – A DJ played thumpingly loud pop music during the opening of clothing store H&M at Kitsap Mall Dec. 17. Hundreds of customers swarmed through racks of clothing on display during the store’s grand opening. Customers walked into the store, cheered on by clapping employees. The 23,000-square-foot store employs 30 people.
