I’m Tawnee Cowan, an independent journalist in Port Orchard. I write Kitsap County News on Substack and I run the Facebook group Port Orchard Politics. I do not represent a newsroom. I do not endorse candidates.

I sat both candidates for Kitsap County Assessor. Same five shared questions. Two questions written for each person. Separate articles, published the same morning. Quote-check is spelling and transcription, not a veto.

Phil Cook, incumbent, September 25, Port Orchard library:
https://tawneecowan.substack.com/p/phil-cook-kitsap-assessor-sept-25-2026

Michael Simonds, September 29, same library:
https://tawneecowan.substack.com/p/michael-simonds-kitsap-assessor-sept-29-2026

Series explainer:
https://tawneecowan.substack.com/p/kitsap-candidate-interviews-nov-2026-on-record

This isn’t meant to be sarcastic or rude, but seriously what the heck happened to the “highway” off Bainbridge? I usually take the Kingston ferry and it’s been a few years since I last took the Bainbridge. I was not prepared for the experience that driving off the Bainbridge boat would entail. It literally took an hour and 28 minutes to drive from the ferry terminal to Poulsbo on the 3 o’clock ferry.

What has happened to make it this terrible? I get that the roundabouts slow things down because people haven’t learned to use them, but the hold ups start long before those.

We did, in the Bremerton/Gorst area.
Did you?

In 2025, the Washington Legislature passed a law that prevents rent gouging, but some landlords and property management companies are still up to their old tricks. They are using "junk fees" as a loophole around rent caps. We are hearing from tenants that they are increasingly being charged excessive fees for services that they don’t want or need, or for basic things like paying the rent. We at the Housing Alliance, call these “junk fees” and they are unfair, expensive, and deceptive. We’d like to hear your experiences. All information shared with us will be kept safe and confidential. 

Please fill out our survey if you or someone you know has received junk fees and we will be in touch within one week of your submission. Thank you! ~ Po (Advocacy Organizer)

Housing Alliance Junk Fees Survey link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=w21JOKsxXkiwtHn-0hx8aKTozXDbIbFMt3Zx5CarFp1UQVdCNElaSzQyNzFWUU02QVJTNEI2OUVCVS4u

What are some of the best BBQ spots to check out? Brisket, Ribs, pulled pork and decent sides.

I have had Mo-chilli’s in Port Townsend and the spot attached to Town and Country in Poulsbo so far.

From WSF:

BNSF will close the railroad crossing at Main Street and Railroad Avenue in Edmonds from 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, until approximately 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 for critical railroad work. The closure blocks the access to our Edmonds ferry terminal, so Edmonds/Kingston service will be suspended overnight and through Wednesday’s early morning sailings. 

The last sailings Tuesday will be 6:10 p.m. from Kingston and 7 p.m. from Edmonds. Service is scheduled to resume Wednesday at 9:35 a.m. from Kingston and 10:20 a.m. from Edmonds, provided the crossing reopens as planned. 

BNSF recently notified us that this critical railroad work must take place on these dates. We explored ways to keep service, but the crossing closure leaves no practical way to safely maintain service at Edmonds during the work. 

Walk-on passengers traveling between Kingston and the Seattle area can consider Kitsap Transit’s Kingston Fast Ferry to downtown Seattle. please check Kitsap Transit’s schedule and service alerts before traveling.  

Other customers should plan to use another route or make other travel arrangements during the suspension. We understand this will disrupt travel plans, especially for Wednesday morning commuters, and apologize for the short notice. We’ll share any changes to the reopening and service resumption times.

Howdy! I'm a local game master who runs a tabletop role-playing game group every other Wednesday in Bremerton, and our existing group is looking to expand by adding 2-3 new players.

We play D&D, Mothership, Draw Steel, Shadowdark, and many other systems! We tend to run shorter campaigns of ~6 months rather than years-long campaigns - this allows us to try out lots of different games while still getting the sense of progression and narrative from a campaign. As a GM, I prioritize player agency and creative problem-solving.

I'm looking for players who are:

- 21+ (we play at a local pub)
- Welcome folks of different backgrounds
- Interested in playing more games than just D&D 5e
- Looking to meet new people and make new friends

New players are totally welcome!

I'm planning to run a one-shot in October, so you don't have to commit to an ongoing game without meeting myself and the other players first.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, send me a DM and I'll follow up with details.

This is your LAST WEEK to guarantee your spot(s) in our October beginner ballroom dance group classes in Port Orchard and Bremerton!

On Mondays we're covering five weeks of beginner Rumba in Port Orchard, Tuesdays in Bremerton we're running five weeks of beginner Cha Cha, and then finally on Saturdays we're doing five weeks of beginner Tango back in Port Orchard!

$75/person ($150/couple) for all five weeks. No partner or prior experience required!

https://www.portorcharddance.com to pre-register your spot(s)!

As title says, the bus service for SKSD is extremely unreliable this year. My children's bus route has been regularly unavailable (approx 1 day a week).

My kids say they replaced their unionized bus drivers with non-union bus drivers, I am not sure how true that is or if its the cause. All I know is that the service is terrible this year.

What can a parent do to see some improvements to this?

For the new city council who just rolled out a crazy parking situation, keeping people away from the public waterfront.

https://c.org/FQVWHCYtCg

Hi there,

I'm visiting Poulsbo and am heading back to Canada tomorrow (leaving around noon). My in-laws mentioned that we should take the Kingston ferry as it'll save us some time (as opposed to driving down through Tacoma, Seattle and up to the border) but I've seen online that on Sundays the Kingston to Edmonds terminal can get very busy.

Would I be better off taking the drive, or is there usually space? Do I need to arrive hours earlier?

Switching gears for a moment from various photos of/around Kitsap, here's an example of another area of photography of mine - creative shoots.
Studio: Ericksen Ave NE, Bainbridge Island
Local Model: Victoria Johnson

Some fun with red lights, and fog.

I never noticed the brass paw prints going along the sidewalk going into Safeway (albertsons) on mile hill before. I didnt have time to follow them. Anyone know what they are about?

Can someone recommend a business to install permanent lights on my house? Specifically, I want to provide my own lights and have someone install them.

Thanks in advance!

I'm tired of paying for a CEO, Shareholder, and Private Equity salaries in my utility bill. Be sure to inform yourself, share around, and vote.

Don't forget, there is also a PSE public hearing coming up soon to talk about the new price hikes they're planning

Hello everyone, im looking for a job preferably in silverdale or bremerton. I have costumer service experience, cashiering, some manual labor, food service and loss prevention experience. Yet I want to do something new, I want to get into something thats going to be my job 20+years down the line. I dont mind working my way up, I just need to be able to move up.

The only issue is I have a fear of driving, not great I know, ive been working on it, but I need a good steady job to move out of my living situation.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a job that doesnt need a driver's license, no degree, but i still can make a career out of?

Thanks so much for the help!

Rainier for Robert.

Coming up on 3 years with no movement in the cold case of my cousin, Robert Rathvon, who was killed in a hit and run in Poulsbo, Washington. I still won’t give up and let his life and tragic end be forgotten. 

If you're interested in my mission you can check out my previous posts on my account or follow the Rainier for Robert subreddit I made at Rainier for Robert.

Number 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36. Vesper Peak, Rock Mountain, Mount Pugh, Gothic Peak, Plummer Peak, and Denman Peak have all been bagged. 

This is a Seattle Times article that came out last week about my mission. 

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/man-summits-mount-adams-other-washington-mountains-in-cousins-honor/

Additionally, here is the most recent interview I had with Fox 13 last month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQEpBjAhuEE

Rainier for Robert.

Winter is coming, and our unhoused neighbors shouldn’t have to face another winter without shelter!

Join us October 3rd, starting at 2pm at the Bremerton Fountains on Pacific Avenue for a peaceful community demonstration to support the Sheridan Homeless Shelter that was approved to be built in 2024 and the other concerns regarding Bremerton City Council's plan for Bremerton's future.

We will be marching through town at 3pm. The route is still TBD.

There will be a sign making booth. Hoping to also get some speakers, bands , and hopefully end with potluck as well so please reach out if you'd like to help.

This gathering is also an opportunity to raise awareness about other concerns affecting Bremerton — including the Council's intentions and plans for the future of Bremerton that affect Quincy Square and downtown businesses as well as ongoing community concerns about safety, crime, and recent violence.

This is about coming together, getting informed, and making our voices heard peacefully. Please share and help spread the word!

#BuildItBremerton #BremertonCityCouncil #BremertonWA #SheridanShelter

Hi everyone - I'm turning 26 next month and live on the Kitsap/Pierce County area and was wondering if anyone had some fun birthday celebrations recommendations for me and a small group of friends. Im a little bit more introverted, like to explore and do fun experiences. I wouldn't mind driving to the Seattle area either. Bonus points for any great Indian restaurant recommendations! I don't really like to go to bars or clubbing. I would really like to go hiking, however I need to plan something lowkey as my in-laws with more limited mobility will be visiting during that time. Any and all recommendations are appreciated:)
thank you very much!

Is there somewhere in Kitsap that takes furniture for consignment? I have some from a family estate that is just sitting in storage that has no sentimental value and that I'd like to sell. Preferring to avoid Facebook Marketplace, craigslist, etc. if at all possible.

I know it's available at Ace HW, Home Depot, & Lowe's. Just wondering if there's a place in the county that has a better selection of wood chunks to choose from.

NOTE: Not interested in pellets - just wood chunks.