|
|
|
|
COVER STORY
Kitsap students part of new PBS show
By Rodika Tollefson |
|
South Kitsap High School senior Kaylie Peterson wasn’t certain what career path to pursue after high school — until she became a teller at a Kitsap Credit Union branch. The branch, located right at the school, employs several students like Peterson, who spend part of their lunch break as tellers.
“I’m a spender; when I get my money, it’s gone,” Peterson says. “But I’m trying to change that… Having the branch in the school is convenient.”
Peterson, who now plans to pursue a career in banking, was one of several tellers interviewed in April by JA’s Biz Kid$, a television show that will air on PBS this fall. The show, made in partnership with Junior Achievement, is produced by the award-winning team who produced Bill Nye the Science Guy and is underwritten by America’s Credit Unions... (Full Article)
|
|
ENVIRONMENTAL
County announces Earth Day Award winners |
| Each year Kitsap County recognizes individuals, organizations, and business for their notable contributions to the environment in Kitsap County. This year’s Earth Day awards presentation took place April 23 at the Board of County Commissioners regular televised meeting. The winners are as follows... (Full Article) |
|
ENVIRONMENTAL
Kitsap County: Truly the color green
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| Kitsap County celebrated Earth Day weekend April 21 & 22 with a flurry of activities. From the parade on Bainbridge Island to Stillwaters Ecofest in Kingston to Evergreen Park in Bremerton to the annual Sinclair Inlet Cleanup, county residents turned out in appreciation and respect for the earth... (Full Article) |
|
Ethics in business — Part two
By Wendy Miles |
| Last time, we looked at some of the compelling reasons why ethics in business has become such a hot topic of discussion and analysis. Behaving ethically in business is an investment. The question is, “What do poor ethics cost... (Full Article) |
|
Harrison keeps promise, opens new
pediatric rehab clinic |
| Harrison Medical Center has kept its promise to 185 local families when it opened a new pediatric rehabilitation clinic on April 24. The clinic intends to fill a void these families found themselves facing when their children were left without critical physical, occupational, and speech therapy services after Puget Sound Therapy Services (PSTS) of Silverdale unexpectedly closed its doors March 20... (Full Article) |
|
Gig Harbor MultiCare to open in June
By Rodika Tollefson |
| The MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park will open doors on June 11, and will include comprehensive services ranging from urgent care and imaging to oncology and day surgery. The three-level building will house MultiCare services currently in other Gig Harbor locations, as well as bring expanded services... (Full Article) |
|
Revitalizing a city... one block at a time
By Kathleen Byrne-Barrantes |
| A Bremerton neighborhood environmental cleanup to remove tanks and surrounding soil has created a cavernous hole more than 15 feet deep and growing. The hole was being dug to remove soil where underground storage tanks (USTs) have leaked... (Full Article) |
|
WINNERS IN BUSINESS
Gig Harbor company is a leader
in smart device software
By Rodika Tollefson |
| With data security a growing concern in the world of modern technology, keeping smart devices safe from compromises is a priority for companies that use them to keep its workforce mobile. A growing Gig Harbor company has been recognized as a leader of hosted solutions for cross-platform mobile communications device management, serving customers all over the world... (Full Article) |
|
Nuts about new owners
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| It’s been a year of changes for Nuts About Hi-Fi, the custom car and home audio store that’s been a Silverdale landmark for nearly 20 years... (Full Article) |
|
Gig Harbor airport may end up in private hands
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Despite an interest by Pierce County to acquiinge the Tacoma Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor from the city of Tacoma, the facility may end up under private ownership. The city is in negotiations with two separate private parties to either lease the facility or to purchase the airport and adjacent properties outright... (Full Article) |
|
Surprise donation adds $1 million
to Olympic College endowment
Haselwoods’ legacy of generosity continues to grow at Olympic College |
| Last month Joanne Haselwood surprised the Olympic College Foundation’s board with a $1 million donation from her and her late husband, Chuck, one of the largest single donations the college has ever received... (Full Article) |
|
New business promotes recycling
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Consumers have been catching on to the new trend of buying remanufactured printer cartridges to save money — and a Gig Harbor couple hopes to cater to that increased demand... (Full Article) |
|
New Market Tax Credit program
now available in Port Orchard |
| The Port Orchard City Council recently approved a measure that will allow businesses developing, buying, or remodeling in Port Orchard to take advantage of a special federal tax incentive program that offers below-market loans. Banks or other organizations that invest in the businesses receive 39 percent tax credits over seven years... (Full Article) |
|
The Great Wealth Transfer
By Ray L. Unger |
| The greatest wealth transfer this country has experienced is just beginning and will continue over the next 10-25 years. Although great wealth was also generated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this was held by relatively few in the U.S. population. Today, there are more millionaires in the U.S. than at any time in history... (Full Article) |
|
Huff-Menees named new
King County elections director
By Lary Coppola |
| Bremerton resident and former Kitsap County Auditor Sherril Huff-Menees has been named as the new King County elections director. She will report directly to King County Executive Ron Sims, who made the announcement on April 19... (Full Article) |
|
|
Kitsap Lake Storage celebrates grand opening |
| After more than a year of planning and building on the hillside site between NAD Park and the Big Apple Diner on Kitsap Way, Kitsap Lake Storage at 6400 Kitsap Way celebrated its grand opening April 20. Mayor Cary Bozeman opened the event with a ribbon cutting... (Full Article) |
|
KCCHA, Norm Dicks Government
Center honored |
| The California Redevelopment Association Award of Excellence was recently presented to Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority’s (KCCHA) Norm Dicks Government Center, which has served as a catalyst for the city’s renewal. The award has never before gone to an organization outside California... (Full Article) |
|
HUMAN RESOURCES
Veterinarian and architect positions
dominate in ’07 |
| Job seekers looking for can’t-miss advice on a new career should consider becoming a veterinary technician, architect, hospital admitting clerk or surveying technician... (Full Article) |
|
HUMAN RESOURCES
Acceptable documentation for Form I-9 |
| The current Form I-9 was revised in 2005 to recognize the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to enforce regulations of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. If you are relying on the “Lists of Acceptable Documents” that appear on the current or any other version of the Form I-9 to determine which documents to accept as proof of identity and employment eligibility, you may want to reconsider that decision... (Full Article) |
|
HUMAN RESOURCES
Fewer Washington firms
offering health insurance |
| For the second year in a row, the number of Washington employers offering health insurance declined, according to the results of a 2006 benefits survey released by the state Employment Security Department... (Full Article) |
|
HUMAN RESOURCES
WSHRMA sponsoring conference
on Conducting lawful investigations |
| West Sound Human Resource Management Association (WSHRMA) is sponsoring a one-day conference designed for human resource professionals on conducting lawful investigations in the workplace... (Full Article) |
|
HUMAN RESOURCES
More employers providing AEDs
in the workplace |
| Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are small units that can restart a normal heart beat when someone has a heart attack. Many employers are now providing them in the workplace... (Full Article) |
|
|
Three join Art Anderson |
| Bremerton-based Art Anderson Associates recently added three new staffers, bolstering its ability to meet a growing workload for both marine and facilities projects. Joining the firm are Donald Walker, Brieann Shearer and Cody Fawver... (Full Article) |
|
West Sound Workforce holding professional
clothing drive to benefit YWCA |
| Clean out your closets and help aspiring women and men who are re-entering the workforce to look their best at West Sound Workforce’s “Power of Change: A fashion event!” professional clothing drive on Tues., May 15. The event will run from 4-6 p.m. at West Sound Workforce’s Poulsbo office location at 18819 Third Ave, Ste. 110, and apparel donations will benefit the YWCA of Kitsap County’s professional clothing closet project... (Full Article) |
|
Borders Books, Galaxy Theaters
both heading for Gig Harbor
By Rodika Tollefson |
| An upscale retail complex in Gig Harbor’s West Side is 60 percent pre-leased, although the developers of the project, called Uptown Gig Harbor, have only disclosed a few tenants so far. Construction will be largely finished by October, with several businesses planning November opening... (Full Article) |
|
Local auto repair facilities receive
AAA Top Shop Award |
| Each year, AAA Washington evaluates the repair work, courtesy of shop employees, and shop cleanliness — measured by customer-satisfaction survey cards — for each AAA Approved Auto Repair facility to determine which shops will receive a AAA Top Shop Award... (Full Article) |
|
|
McKenna sues local estate consigner |
| Attorney General Rob McKenna has announced a lawsuit against a local estate property consignment business and its owner for allegedly failing to fully compensate customers for sold items and keeping unsold property. The company, Great Estates, LCC, of Port Orchard, and its owner, Alice Simpson, of Olalla, also does business online... (Full Article) |
|
Employment Security adds new
fraud fighting weapon |
| The Employment Security Department is expanding its use of technology to track down people who draw unemployment benefits in Washington while holding down a job in another state. The department is using a new national cross-match to quickly identify unemployment claimants who are drawing wages in other states. With the previous system, the department had to wait up to three months before receiving wage data from other states, while the new system provides the information in a few weeks. The data also are more complete, which will result in more matches... (Full Article) |
|
|
Department of Revenue debuts new Web site |
| The Washington State Department of Revenue launched a new web site that incorporates more streaming videos, interactive tutorials, and other features that will help businesses find information quickly and file more accurate tax returns. The new site was developed after extensive usability testing by volunteer businesses... (Full Article) |
|
|
Dino Rossi to address North Mason Chamber |
| Dino Rossi, who lost the 2004 governor’s race by a highly questionable 129 votes, will be the featured speaker at the North Mason County Chamber’s May 23 general membership meeting, to be held at the Theler Community Center, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m... (Full Article) |
|
|
MultiCare honored for heart care |
| MultiCare Health System has earned the 2006 Award of Excellence in healthcare quality from Qualis Health, a national health care quality improvement program. The award was given for its groundbreaking work in treating heart attack patients... (Full Article) |
|
Bremerton company certified
to handle hazardous wastes |
| According to Jessica Christman, owner of Bremerton-based Environmental Recovery Systems, her firm has become the only company on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas certified to remove bio-hazards from commercial and residential property. The company can provide emergency disposal of blood in homes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week anywhere in Kitsap and County. The company cleans and disposes of pathogens from crime and accident scenes, including vehicles... (Full Article) |
|
|
Diversity policies offer business advantage |
| Three-fourths of U.S. companies have policies that address diversity in to workplace and actively use diversity to gain a business edge, according to a survey released recently by the Society for Human Resources Management... (Full Article) |
|
Not allowing employer to inspect briefcase
is employee misconduct |
| A man who was fired for refusing to let his boss inspect the contents of his briefcase is not entitled to unemployment benefits, a Florida appeals court has ruled... (Full Article) |
|
Budget Blinds earns national award,
opens new showroom |
| Budget Blinds of Poulsbo, a franchise owned by Nathan and Jennifer Mann, has been ranked 9th in the nation for 2006 by the franchisor. The Mann’s also received the national award for the most improved franchise... (Full Article) |
|
|
Health District closes Port Orchard Clinic |
| The Kitsap County Health District closed its Port Orchard clinic on Apr. 13, due to budget shortfalls and because the number of clinic visits at that location had been decreasing since 2004. One reason for the downturn in visits is the increasing availability of other providers in the area offering immunizations and family planning services. The Health District estimates it will save an estimated $63,470 a year by closing the Port Orchard clinic. ... (Full Article) |
|
|
New Boys & Girls Club coming to Port Orchard |
| The South Kitsap School District is pursuing a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound to offer a Summer Camp this summer at Sidney Glen Elementary School.
The Boys & Girls Club Steering Committee of the Port Orchard Branch is aggressively seeking funding to make this program a reality for kids in the S.K. community. The committee is out to raise $35,000 for the summer program. Donations are welcome and can be deposited at any Kitsap Bank branch to the attention of Bob Banks.
For more information, call Aimee Warthen, SKSD community relations director, at (360) 874-7002 or Dave LaRose, assistant superintendent for School and Family Support at (360) 874-7064.
|
|
|
Celebrity Golf Benefit set for June 22 |
| The 4th Annual Kitsap Cancer Services Celebrity Golf Benefit will be held at Wing Point Golf and Country Club, Fri., June 22.
Twelve celebrities have committed to the event: Jim Lambright, former UW head football coach; Jim Walden, former Washington State University head football coach and broadcaster; former Husky Quarterback Cary Conklin; Running Back Greg Lewis; Tim Lappano, University of Washington offensive coordinator; Chris Tormey, long time assistant coach; former Seahawk All Pro Center, Robbie Tobeck; former kicker Norm Johnson; former Cougars, Mark Rypien, Jack Thompson, Rueben Mayes, and Brett Carolan.
For information and registration visit www.kitsapcancerservices.org or call (360) 204-6399.
|
|
|
Endresen announces she will resign in June |
|
Amid a lot of local speculation about whether or not she would seek a third term, County Commissioner Chris Endresen surprised everyone by announcing on Sunday, April 29, that she will resign in June. According to onlne reports on the Port Orchard Independent, Kitsap Sun, and of course the Business Journal Web sites, Endresen has accepted a position as the State Director of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office.
In her new position, Endresen will oversee five offices across the state — Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Everett and Tri-Cities, from her office in the Federal Building in downtown Seattle. She will reportedly oversee 18 people in those locations... (Full Article)
|
|
|
|
| |
|
