After months of discussion, City Council members finally approved Ordinance 2022-02 last week.

As a pilot project for affordable housing, Bethany Lutheran can now apply to the city’s design review board and planning commission to build up to 23 affordable housing units at their site.

As part of the research for the City's upcoming Housing Action Plan, a report was presented at the Oct. 18 City Council Study Session by ECONorthwest, based on hundreds of surveys and dozens of interviews and focus groups with island residents and business leaders.

The data highlights several key community changes in the past generation:

After a successful run at the Winslow Mall as a cart, Coquette Bake Shop and Creamery is moving up the street and up in size to their new home at Winslow Green.

Coquette owner Jerry Childers expects to take occupancy in the former Red Cedar Cafe location this week and be open for business in early January 2023.

"I'm excited to reinvigorate a formerly vibrant community center for islanders and visitors and look forward to filling the tables, both inside and outdoors with people and conversations fueled by special coffee and extraordinary food."

Coquette Bake Shop will continue to operate from their Winslow Mall cart until the new location opens.

COBI's new zone gives residents, buyers, and sellers a safe and public place to conduct consumer-to-consumer transactions.

The exchange zone is well-lit with cameras focused at two reserved parking spots at the Bainbridge Island Police Station (625 Winslow Way East).

The zone can also be a meeting place for custody exchanges, but BIPD officers will not monitor or participate in any transaction or exchange.

Kitsap County ballots were mailed to all registered voters last week, and the ballot box in the Aquatic Center parking lot is open 24 hours a day through the deadline.

Your ballot can also be mailed, but must be postmarked by Tuesday 11/08.

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Join us up on High School Road for the next Chamber After Hours at The Marshall Suites on Thursday Nov. 17 at 5:30pm.

Complementary wine courtesy of Eleven Winery and food from Fig & Spice await - and in honor of Thanksgiving, please consider bringing a canned goods donation to support of Helpline House.

Wildcat will have a special public screening at the Historic Lynwood Theatre on Thursday Nov. 10 at 5:30pm

The documentary features the amazing journey of an unlikely trio including an ocelot and BHS Grad Samantha Zwicker (founder of Hoja Nueva – a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center in the Peruvian Amazon).

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Zwicker and the film’s executive producer, longtime Bainbridge Islander, Stephen Hall.

Admission is free, but donations are suggested.

The movie will debut on Amazon Prime Video in December.

As required by law and to keep pace with more people using the program, the premium rate for Paid Family and Medical Leave will increase in 2023.

Next steps for employers:

NOTE: As of Oct. 6, 2022, KCPH suspended updates due to inability to receive accurate reporting from St. Michael's Medical Center