Suspicious death
A body was found after a brush fire was extinguished in Bremerton July 12.
Bremerton police Sgt. Beau Ayers said July 14 that an autopsy was done the previous day, and officials are waiting for the toxicology report.
“It’s looking more like an accident than anything else,” he said, but added it’s still being considered “suspicious” because it’s not normal for someone to die in a tent. He did add that drug items were found in the remains of the fire.
At around 3:47 a.m., Bremerton police and fire departments responded to the blaze at the intersection of Cogean Avenue and Sheldon Boulevard.
Police and the fire marshal will determine what started the fire and/or how the victim died, a BPD news release says. The identity of the victim will be confirmed by the medical examiner’s office, which will make next-of-kin notifications.
Police ask if anyone has information about the incident please call 360-473-5228.
Victims ID’d
The Kitsap County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified victims in two fatal motorcycle accidents.
Jason Martel, 49, of Silverdale died July 7 on Highway 3 and Airport Road.
Jorge Alcantar-Lopez, 35, of Gig Harbor died July 9 at the 12000 block of Olalla Valley Road.
Dr. Lindsey Harle did the autopsies and ruled both died due to multi-system chest trauma.
Cougar killed
A 185-pound male cougar was shot and killed recently in North Kitsap by a Department of Fish and Wildlife official due to it killing 17 livestock over a three-month span.
WDFW tried setting traps, ran tracking hounds twice and utilized a drone twice, but those efforts failed.
“Unfortunately killing livestock is a learned behavior with cougars,” DFW Sgt. Kenneth Balazs said. “Many times, people ask why we can’t just tranquilize a cougar and relocate it. Unfortunately, this only removes the depredation behavior from one area to become a problem in another.”
Balazs said 17 animals were killed by the cougar between April 1 and July 10, including nine goats, seven sheep and one alpaca.
The cougar was killed near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor with a rifle by Balazs.
Adkins concert
Legendary country music artist Trace Adkins will perform at 5 p.m. Aug. 27 at the 100th anniversary of the Kitsap Fair and Stampede in Bremerton.
Tickets range from $35 for general admission standing-room-only to $150 for a section near the front of the stage for the “Somewhere in America Tour” and are available at kitsapfair.strideevents.
Joel Gibson is the opening act.
On Aug. 26, tribute bands Heart by Heart and Queen Nation, along with Spike and the Impalers, will perform. Tickets also start at $35 at kitsapfair.org.
Burn ban
The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is implementing a Stage 2 burn ban beginning July 12.
All outdoor burning, including recreational fire, is prohibited. The ban includes recreational fires in the open – like those on beaches or bonfire locations; improved firepits in yards, parks or camping areas;and backyard or other outdoor fireplaces.
Burning permits are suspended. Also banned is the use of charcoal or charcoal briquettes unless the use involves a barbecue or other appliances specific for the purpose and occurs over a non-combustible surface like concrete.
Fire marshal David Lynam said he expects the ban to continue until fall.
Therapy dog
Chadwick could not cut it as a seeing-eye dog — he could not resist a treat if one fell on the floor.
So Guide Dogs for the Blind allowed South Kitsap Fire and Rescue firefighter-paramedic Stephen Gutschow to adopt and train him to be a therapy dog.
Chadwick, a 1 1/2-year-old yellow lab, is already on the job. Over the next year, SKFR will evaluate the impact Chadwick has on the overall well-being and mental health of its firefighters. If successful, more furry Peer Support team members could be added.
New manager
Carl Borg has been named the new program manager of Kitsap County’s Department of Human Services Housing and Homelessness Division.
Borg has over 30 years of management experience with nonprofits like Boy Scouts; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; and the Tacoma Musical Playhouse, a county news release states. The last 15 years, he worked for United Way of Kitsap County, serving as president and chief executive officer for the past seven years. In partnership with the Kitsap Community Foundation, he was instrumental in creating Kitsap Strong and the Kitsap Great Give.
Open storm drains
Kitsap County Public Works is responding to a rash of vandalized storm drain grates in the South Kitsap area.
Open storm drains that are missing their grates are a serious public safety hazard, and create additional costs and time for crews who must replace grates that have been dropped into the storm drain.
If you have information about vandalism of storm drains, call the sheriff’s office at 360-337-7101.
