It’s getting to be that time again where the reporters around here compile the stories of 2007 that impacted our lives most.
Some of those stories are obvious (can anyone say flood?). Some are less so.
I’d like to give you a chance to name what you believe are the top stories this year. In the meantime, here are five below that I’ve brainstormed.
SK PASTOR ARRESTED
Robin L. Harper, the pastor of a small church in South Colby, was
arrested in October and charged with rape and molestation for his
alleged sexual relationships with several young women in the
church. After one woman, now 20 years old, came forward with her
story, at least nine others told police they were victims as well.
Harper remains in the Kitsap County jail awaiting trial.
MASTER CHIEF ARRESTED
Edward E. Scott, Naval Base Kitsap’s command master chief, was
arrested in mid-March in a sting operation by police that lured him
to a hotel room for what he thought was sex with a mother and two
twin children. The local Navy’s highest enlisted man, Scott pleaded
guilty in April to immoral communication with a minor and attempted
rape of a child. He was given a nine-month jail sentence and three
years of treatment for the crime.
BI COUNSELOR ALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY SON
A Kingston man who worked as a counselor at a Bainbridge Island
Elementary School was allegedly killed by his own son Oct. 11 at
the family’s South Kingston road home. Jeffrey Allen McKinstry, 53,
was found stabbed to death and Garrett J. McKinstry, 21, was
arrested and charged with second-degree murder. McKinstry remains
jailed on $1 million bail and is awaiting trial.
GIRL DIES IN NAVY YARD CITY FIRE
An early morning fire March 13 killed 8-year-old Ariana N.
Hathaway, a second grader at West Hills Elementary School. The
Hathaway family was displaced by the blaze, which destroyed their
Charlotte Avenue home in Navy Yard City, but several fundraisers
and community events in the months after the fire helped them get
back on their feet.
WOMAN SHOT WITH CHILDREN IN BACKSEAT
A Bremerton man Oct. 2 is believed to have shot his ex-girlfriend
several times in a car while their children sat in the back seat.
Darrin D. Maiden, 28, was caught days later in Tacoma and charged
by Kitsap County Prosecutors with first-degree assault. Angel
Mitchell, the woman he’s accused of shooting, was able to recover
from the wounds. Maiden remains in Kitsap County jail on $1 million
bail and is awaiting trial.
1)
Gregoire Seeks $100 Million for New Ferries; PT-Seattle Run Begins
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007
Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday proposed retiring the state’s four oldest ferries and quickly building replacement boats at a cost of about $100 million.
Interim service to the Olympic Peninsula is scheduled to begin today with foot-passenger service from Port Townsend to downtown Seattle, and car-ferry service to Whidbey Island next month, the governor announced.
2)
$99 Fee Spells the End of Three School Districts’ Participation in Spelling Bee
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
The Bremerton, Central Kitsap and South Kitsap school districts say budget pressures and competition for instructional time were behind the move to discontinue schools’ participation in the annual bee after a fee was instituted for the first time. Students from those districts who want to participate will have to enter the home school category.
3)
Amid Newspaper Industry Turmoil, Kitsap Sun to Cut Five Newsroom Jobs
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Citing economic pressures facing media companies nationwide, the Kitsap Sun announced Tuesday that it will reduce the size of its editorial staff by five full-time positions.
4)
Port Townsend Car Ferry Out for a Year — or More
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Transportation leaders in the Legislature recommended Monday that four aging state ferries be scrapped rather than repaired — a move that could delay the return of car-ferry service between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island for a year or more.
5)
Frank Talk One of the Roles of Harrison Rape Clinic Nurses
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007
Using a model that had been pioneered elsewhere, Harrison Medical Center formed a sexual assault clinic about 10 years ago. Nurses at the clinic now do outreach in area high schools.
6)
From the Editor’s Desk: Sun, Readers Collaborated for First-Rate Real-Time Flood Reports
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007
In my opinion… Sharon O’Hara
$163 Million SK Bond – Third Time Is Not a Charm
The South Kitsap School District fails to get the 60 percent approval it needed to pass a measure that would have paid for a second high school and more.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/mar/14/163-million-sk-bond—third-time-is-not-a-charm/
Bremerton Marina Tax Fell Under Public’s Radar
Voters in the August primary demonstrated their distaste for the port commissioners’ decision to impose the tax when 55 percent of them picked a challenger in the port race over an 18-year incumbent. At a debate for port candidates on Oct. 4, one audience member equated the tax to the port commissioners reaching into residents’ wallets and taking money without permission.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/oct/13/bremerton-marina-tax-fell-under-publics-radar/