With much of the 2006 bond spent, the Bainbridge school district is looking to refill its capital budget with a new bond this spring.

The ’06 bond passed with strong support. Despite the ailing economy, school officials say now is the right time to seek $42 million to help build a new Wilkes Elementary and repair several school buildings.

Read my story here.

The district will host three meetings about the bond next month. Here’s the schedule:

March 5, 10 a.m., Bainbridge Public Library conference room. This meeting is geared for pre-school parents.

March 11, 7 p.m., Bainbridge High School library in the new 200 Building.

March 18, 10:15 a.m., Bainbridge senior center on Brien Drive.

For more information, contact district community relations coordinator Pam Keyes, pkeyes@bainbridge.wednet.edu or (206) 780-1398.

A break in a water line in the Emerald Heights Water System on Bainbridge Island has triggered a health advisory that calls for 79 water customers to drink bottled water or boil their water before drinking.

The advisory affects customers in the Emerald Heights and Deer Ridge subdivisions plus a few homes along Opal Ridge Road, all near Lynnwood at the south end of the island.

The break occurred while workers were installing a new chlorination device in the water system, according to Caroline Cox of the state Department of Health.

It is likely that the water became contaminated before the break could be repaired, she said, so the entire system is being disinfected. Residents may notice a cloudy appearance in their water.

It is fine to bathe or shower with the water while the health advisory is in place, Cox said, but the water should not be used for drinking by people or pets if there’s a strong chlorine odor or taste. Avoiding putting the water in aquariums until the chlorine odor goes away.

If there is no obvious chlorine, the water can be boiled for one minute then used for drinking, brushing teeth and cooking, Cox said. The advisory is expected to last several days.

For information, customers may call (206) 780-7850.

With over $1 million approved for the Winslow Way this week, supporters say the reconstruction project has moved beyond debate and into the realm of action.

But some critics say the debate has only begun.

My coverage of Wednesday’s six hour (!) City Council meeting is below…

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