Nominations are being accepted for the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” program, which recognizes outstanding young business leaders on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Forty individuals will be recognized in the class of 2012 for the contributions they have made within their fields.

To be eligible, all of the following requirements must be met. read more »

Amina Kocer-Bowman, the 9-year-old girl who was critically injured in an accidental shooting in her third-grade classroom, will be the civilian grand marshal for the annual Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday in Bremerton.

The girl, who was released from the hospital April 3, will ride with her family on a car in the parade, Bremerton Chamber of Commerce executive director Mike Strube confirmed.

Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent said that what the youngster has gone through in her ongoing recovery from the shooting is “almost like being a veteran.” read more »

A Pierce County state legislator, Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Lakewood, recently announced his candidacy for State Auditor and will be holding community conversations in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Silverdale and Poulsbo on Wednesday, May 16.

Kelley will be discussing his views on the Auditor’s Office and how to hold government accountable to the citizens. He will be at the following locations: read more »

An article by the Washington State Transportation Commission

OLYMPIA — Those interested in toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge will have one more opportunity to voice their opinions during a final hearing May 21 in Gig Harbor.

The Washington State Transportation Commission will hold the final rate hearing starting at 6 p.m. at Gig Harbor City Hall, 3510 Grandview St., and will take action immediately afterward to adopt new toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. read more »

The Washington State Republican Party has announced that conservative columnist Michelle Malkin will be the featured speaker at the state convention’s banquet on May 31 in Tacoma.

Tickets are on sale for the convention banquet through the state Republican Party’s website.

The Republican state convention will run May 30-June 2 at the convention center in Tacoma.

A newly streamlined government plan to reward homeowners who diligently pay their underwater mortgages is proving a bonanza for banks, which by one estimate may pocket $12 billion in extra revenue by refinancing loans.

The revisions to the Obama administration’s 3-year-old Home Affordable Refinance Program have yielded mixed results for homeowners, analysts and mortgage professionals say.

Some responsible homeowners are indeed getting lower-interest loans despite owing far more than their homes are worth. But others have loans that don’t qualify, or must jump through hoops the plan was supposed to eliminate, such as on-site appraisals and extensive paperwork. read more »

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has named state Rep. Jan Angel, R-Port Orchard, as recipient of its Guardian of Small Business award for her voting record in support of small businesses in Washington.

According to NFIB/Washington State Director Patrick Connor, Angel has a 100 percent positive score for small businesses. The score is based on 10 votes taken in the state House of Representatives during the 2011-12 legislative sessions.

In a letter to Angel, Connor wrote, “This award is our way of thanking you for the hard work you’ve done on the issues that help preserve and protect free enterprise in our state. NFIB members and I appreciate your steadfast support, voting with small business 100 percent of the time during the 62nd Legislature.” read more »

In 1942, the completion of Grand Coulee Dam was hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Seventy years later, most of us aren’t aware of what that dam or the others on the Columbia River continue to do for us.

To commemorate Grand Coulee’s completion, the Bonneville Power Administration commissioned legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie to write songs praising the dam that harnessed the mighty Columbia River.

Guthrie toured the region from the Bonneville Dam to Grand Coulee, and within a month he had written 26 songs, the most famous of which is “Roll On Columbia.” read more »

Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (C.A.S.H.) will offer two free business boot camp and orientations this summer for business start-up classes in Kitsap and Mason County.

Program director Stuart Walton and Bill Hoke will give a breakfast presentation about C.A.S.H. for the North Mason business community from 7-8 a.m. May 14 at the Belfair QFC meeting room above the bakery. Business support and involvement is needed for this entrepreneurial development program that has been operating in Washington state for 18 years. read more »