Gig Harbor Now

26th District candidates pitch moderate stances on taxes and Trump - Gig Harbor Now The 26th District state Senate race pits appointed incumbent Deb Krishnadasan against six-term Rep. Michelle Caldier.

Last week, we wrote about state Senate candidates Deb Krishnadasan and Michelle Caldier, who are both leaning to the center in Washington's swingiest legislative district:

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Traffic stop, license plate-reading camera debate inspired mayoral challenger - Gig Harbor Now Chris Haywood, the only candidate who filed to challenge incumbent Mayor Mary Barber, says city government has done some "pretty dreadful things" to the public.

Her challenger is Chris Haywood, whose busy 2025 has included getting pulled over for having a laminated piece of paper with the word "Traveller" in place of his license plate -- along with 77 public records requests to the city.

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Barber emphasizes collaborative community governance in mayoral bid - Gig Harbor Now Mary Barber, appointed mayor almost a year ago, is running for a full term with an eye on community input and collaboration.

Our coverage of 2025 local elections continue with profiles of the two candidates for mayor of Gig Harbor. First up: Incumbent Mary Barber, who once helped Lisa Murkowski win re-election to the U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate:
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Thriving Generation group aims to get families to put their phones down - Gig Harbor Now Thriving Generation, a newly formed group, hosts a campaign kickoff on Oct. 10 and hopes families will participate in a phone-free weekend in November.

A local group called Thriving Generation, organized by educators, faith leaders and medical professionals, is trying to encourage kids to put down their phones and interact IRL.

A campaign kickoff event is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Gateway Park.
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North Annex proposal calls for apartments on Canterwood Blvd. - Gig Harbor Now The Gig Harbor North Annex proposal, located near St. Anthony Hospital and Target, would bring 108 apartments to land on Canterwood Boulevard.

A preliminary application filed by Rush Companies last month calls for 108 middle-income apartment units, and possibly a medical or assisted living facility, on undeveloped land near St. Anthony and Target.
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Tray Federici will be Gig Harbor's new permanent police chief, the city announced this morning. Federici has been the interim chief since Kelly Busey retired in June. Look for a story later today.

First performance of drone team has school district buzzing - Gig Harbor Now The Drone Team takes to the skies on Thursday (Sept. 17) at Gig Harbor High School for its first performance.

Peninsula School District’s new Drone Drill Team will present its inaugural performance at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Gig Harbor High School. The performance is open to the public at no cost.
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Gig Harbor Parks Commission recommends against restoring Masonic Lodge - Gig Harbor Now The price tag for restoring the lodge at Crescent Creek Park was key to the recommendation. The city council will consider it this week.

The city of Gig Harbor's Parks Commission has recommended against restoring the former Masonic Lodge at Crescent Creek Park. The City Council will have the final say.

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Final: Gig Harbor 35, Peninsula 14. #FishBowl #wafbscores

Peninsula QB McConnell scores from 2 yards out, now Gig Harbor 28, Peninsula 14. #FishBowl #wafbscores

Shearer another score and it's Gug Harbor 28, Peninsula 7. #FishBowl #wafbscores

GH scores again as time expires in the second quarter. Halftime score: Tides 21, Seahawks 7. #FishBowl #wafbscores

Wilson West 6-yard TD run for GH, Tides lead 14-7. #FishBowl #wafbscores

Ian Shearer of Gig Harbor with an 8-yard TD run to tie it at 7. #FishBowl #wafbscores

And we have our first score: Jacob Martin of Peninsula with a 15-yard reception. Peninsula 7, GH 0. #FishBowl #wafbscores

And we're off! #FishBowl #wafbscores

Peninsula vs Gig Harbor kicks off in one hour at Mount Tahoma Stadium. #FishBowl #wafbscores

City introduces four finalists for police chief post - Gig Harbor Now The four finalists for the city's police chief post are Tray Federici, James Mjor, Dan Schoonmaker and Tom Yabe.

The four finalists for the city's police chief post are Tray Federici, James Mjor, Dan Schoonmaker and Tom Yabe. Mayor Mary Barber said Thursday that the city hopes to make a decision in the next several weeks.


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The finalists for the Gig Harbor police chief job are Tom Yabe (Steilacoom police chief), Dan Schoonmaker (former Poulsbo chief), WSP Assistant Chief James Mjor and GHPD interim chief Tray Federici.

New coaches lead both teams into 47th Fish Bowl - Gig Harbor Now Fish Bowl kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Mount Tahoma Stadium. Expect a blend of the familiar and the new from both teams.

The 47th Fish Bowl is Saturday at Mount Tahoma Stadium. Here are some of the key players and storylines in the annual game between Peninsula and Gig Harbor high schools:

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Planned Parenthood will keep clinics open, despite 'existential' funding loss - Gig Harbor Now Planned Parenthood operates 30 health centers in Washington, including in Bremerton and Tacoma. The organization faces a potential loss of key federal and state funds.

Planned Parenthood operates 30 health centers in Washington, including in Bremerton and Tacoma. The organization says it plans to close none of them, despite an "existential" loss of funding.

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City to hold police chief open house Thursday - Gig Harbor Now Members of the public can meet four finalists for the city police chief position on Thursday; the city declined to say who they are.

The city of Gig Harbor will hold an open house for four finalists for its vacant police chief position on Thursday. The city declined to name the four finalists in advance of the open house.

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Court puts new Madrona Links operator on hold - Gig Harbor Now PenMet Parks sought to replace Stutsman Enterprise with Troon Golf on Sept. 1, but the court granted Stutsman a temporary restraining order.

PenMet Parks' plans to hire a new operator for Madrona Links golf course are on hold after a judge's ruling last week.

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Fish Bowl set for Sept. 6, again at Mount Tahoma - Gig Harbor Now Fish Bowl 2025, the matchup between Peninsula and Gig Harbor high schools, will be played in Tacoma for the second consecutive year.

Fish Bowl — the rivalry game between Peninsula and Gig Harbor high schools — will be played Sept. 6 at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma:

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Stoplight finally directing traffic at Wollochet-Wagner crossing - Gig Harbor Now The project was expected to be completed in a few months, but supply chain issues extended it to more than a year.

As of this morning, the traffic signal at Wollochet Drive and Wagner Way is functioning. No more cones!

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PenMet adding 39 acres to McCormick Forest Park - Gig Harbor Now The park district was awarded a second grant Tuesday, the two of which will cover the estimated $1.7 million cost of expanding McCormick Forest.

Thanks to two grants, PenMet Parks will likely acquire 38.6 acres to add to its McCormick Forest Park:

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City considers updating sign code to include all signs, not just commercial ones - Gig Harbor Now The proposed new code would cover political signs, as well as those promoting businesses. Signs still wouldn’t be permitted in roundabouts.

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs. The city of Gig Harbor is considering an update to its code governing them.

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Peninsula School District doesn't endorse LifeWise Bible study program, superintendent says - Gig Harbor Now The district does not endorse or affiliate with LifeWise, but parents who wish their children to attend such a program can take them there during school hours.

LifeWise is a national nonprofit that provides public school students with access to Bible classes during school hours. Superintendent Kristin Bahr said the district doesn't endorse the program, but parents have the right to sign their children out of school.

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Krishnadasan won primary election by 1,158 votes - Gig Harbor Now Caldier led the primary election in early returns, but late-arriving ballots boosted Krishnadasan. Both candidates advance to the general.

After trailing on election night, state Sen. Deb Krishnadasan won the primary by 1,158 votes:

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