What a year it has been! Central Kitsap was not without its share of ups and downs in this year of financial toil, but despite the economic slump, CK’s residents held strong and showed what it really means to be a community. From various food drives for the needy to exciting new projects for the betterment of all, it was about people coming together. In looking toward the new year, it only felt right to take a peek at the people and events that made 2008. Here’s our month-by-month look at the most memorable stories in the CK Reporter in the past year:

January

Kitsap County secured a $1 million grant to help with the construction of a Silverdale YMCA, planned as the centerpiece for the proposed Central Kitsap Community Campus. The grant was courtesy of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Management Implementation Grant Program.

After 35 years as the only head park ranger at Seabeck’s Scenic Beach State Park, Mike James officially announced his spring retirement. During his time at Scenic Beach, the park grew from 31 acres to an 88-acre state park complete with a campground and breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains.

February

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue firefighters rescued two 9-year-old girls from frozen Lake Symington in Seabeck. The girls ventured onto an island on the lake and were stranded 75 feet from shore. One of the girls fell through the ice and became soaked up to her waist. The two yelled for help until a nearby homeowner called 911.

Voters gave the Port of Tracyton the green light to annex about 1,500 homes. Nearly 61 percent of Tracyton residents approved the measure, which provided the port with a greater tax base to construct future projects including a proposed waterfront boardwalk and improvements to the boat launch.

March

Former Seabeck resident Kimberly Ann Forder was sentenced to 27 months in prison for the 2002 death of her adopted son, 8-year-old Christopher Michael Forder, who died of pneumonia. She pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. She had already served 18 months at the time of her sentencing.

The Central Kitsap School District opened up its previously closed-session Task Force Resource (TFR) committee meetings amid pressure from the state attorney general’s office. Washington State Assistant Attorney General Timothy Ford’s contact with the district was sparked by an e-mail from a Seabeck resident concerned the district was in violation of the state’s Open Public Meetings Act.

April

The Kitsap County Health District adopted Health Ordinance 2008-01, the first update of on-site sewage sanitation regulations in more than a decade. The new regulation had the ability to affect homeowners trying to sell their property after Sept. 1 as a requirement was set in place to have those homeowners undergo an inspection and assessment of their system by the health district.

Kitsap County prosecutors dismissed a voyeurism charge against Scott Fuchs, the former manager of NW Golf Range, accused of videotaping people in the establishment’s restrooms. A Kitsap County Superior Court judge ruled the Bremerton Police detectives’ search warrant for marijuana did not show grounds for searching the cameras and surveillance equipment.

May

East Bremerton’s five-and-dime shop, Six Star, closed after 21 yearsin business. The store’s Port Orchard and Poulsbo locations remained open, but a “company reorganization” led to the closing of the East Bremerton Six Star.

Central Kitsap High School Principal John Cervinsky got the send-off of send-offs as the school’s band members surprised him with a full-fledged parade in the middle of his neighborhood.

“I got fooled — that doesn’t happen very often,” Cervinsky said as the band played in front of his house.

Cervinsky transferred to a new position within the school district.

June

The Central Kitsap Reporter was not spared in a year marked by change. The paper debuted its new tabloid-style look, featuring more color and an easier-to-read format. The CK Reporter also transitioned to a once-a-week publication.

Marcus Slaughter, a 16-year-old Olympic High School student, died after the car he was riding in was involved in a rollover collision in the 7000 block of Old Military Road. Counseling services were provided for Olympic students and staff following the news of the fatal crash.

July

A 45-year-old Seattle woman’s right leg was cut off by a boat propeller near the Tracyton boat launch. The woman and her 48-year-old husband, who were visiting family in Tracyton, were loading items into their 20-foot Sea Ray when the woman slipped and fell back into the water. Her right leg got caught in the turning propeller and the blades severed her leg below the knee.

The Kitsap Humane Society was faced with a “cat-a-palooza” this summer as the shelter saw an increase in its number of homeless felines. The humane society waived the $125 adoption fee in an effort to find homes for the cats rather than have to turn to euthanasia.

August

YWCA of Kitsap County celebrated 60 years with a special celebration featuring the organization’s only surviving founding member Lillian Walker, 94.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” she said, holding back tears.

Construction on the Illahee Road washout finally began after months of delay due to permits. The section of road was washed out by the December 2007 storm. The road reopened in October.

September

The USS Kitty Hawk pulled into Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for the last time, ending a 47-year career for the aircraft carrier. The ship is scheduled to be decommissioned in late January.

Wendell Sinn Jr., of Newman Lake, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for the November 2007 dragging death of 20-year-old Jerid Sturman-Camyn, of Seabeck, at an Eastern Washington campsite. Sinn Jr., 45, entered an Alford plea, which meant he did not admit guilt, but believed he would be found guilty if he went to trial for the death of Sturman-Camyn, a 2005 Klahowya Secondary School grad.

October

The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners revised the county lodging tax policy, which changed the way organizations receive funding for tourism-related activities and promotion. The new policy allows 75 percent of lodging tax funds to go to organizations that promote tourism within Kitsap County and 25 percent to organizations that attract arts to the county. Money is no longer earmarked for certain organizations.

In an effort to deal with large outstanding debts and budget shortfalls, the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority (KCCHA) cut staff and discontinued community resources used by families facing foreclosures. KCCHA Executive Director Norm McLoughlin resigned a week before the announcements were made to the public.

November

The general election was in favor of local incumbent Democrats who swept the board with landslide victories.

“So far it has been disappointing, disappointing and frustrating,” Kitsap County Republican Chairman Jack Hamilton said election night.

A 13-year-old Ridgetop Junior High School girl was caught sending nude cell phone photos of herself to two 14-year-old male students, prompting school officials to call local authorities.

No arrests were made. A report was forwarded to the prosecutors office for review of charges.

December

Lowe’s officially opened its 102,000-square-foot store just in time for the holidays. The do-it-yourself retailer features 32,000 products under one roof and often partners with community organizations. Valerie Edmonds, the Silverdale store manager, presented a check for $1,000 to the local chapter of the American Red Cross at the grand opening.

Longtime Port of Silverdale Commissioner Harry Knapp died Dec. 1 at the age of 77. He was instrumental in the development of Silverdale Waterfront Park as well as varied improvements to the port and its amenities.

Knapp could usually be spotted traveling the streets of Old Town Silverdale in his green pickup truck, keeping a watchful eye on the happenings in the area.