Initial results of this week's General Election are in - and in three of the four City Council races, there is a clear winner.

Voter turnout so far on Bainbridge was 54%, by far the highest in Kitsap County.

Latest results as of Friday 11/5 at 5pm:

North Ward - District 2

Chris Smith 24%

North Ward - District 7

Ron Peltier 28%

Central Ward - District 5

Rasham Nassar 23%

In the remaining race, 267 votes currently separate the candidates:

Jon Quitslund 51.45%

Kent Scott 48.55%

Over the past couple of weeks, ambassadors from the Chamber (in partnership with BIDA, Zero Waste, and COBI staff) have been roaming the island.

They have been checking in, offering support, and sharing insights with all local businesses who will be affected by the 1st round of COBI waste reduction measures (that will go into effect on January 1, 2022).

If your food/drink service establishment has not yet been visited, please let our staff know, and we will get you on the list...

After months of prep by a taskforce of councilmembers and leaders in the local business and environmental communities, an additional set of Waste Reduction ordinance updates are about to enter the public discussion phase of their progress towards becoming active in 2023.

An estimated 84 million Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4, 2022 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules just issued.

Workers will be able to ask for exemptions on medical or religious grounds.

Dark and rainy days are here. Keep yourself and your employees safe with these tips:

Do you know a rising star?

The Chamber wants to help identify Island business leaders under the age of 40 who are making an impact in business, philanthropy, and in their communities.

Nominees should be top leaders in their organization and industry and demonstrate their commitment to the Kitsap community.

Nominations are due by Nov. 19, and Nominees must be 39 years of age or younger through January 30, 2022

Whether you’re a first-time business owner or a seasoned vet who needs a refresh, there’s something for everyone during Global Entrepreneurship Month (GEM).

The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting a series of more than 50 online classes, workshops and interactive sessions throughout November.

In addition to the live sessions, there is also an on-demand, pre-recorded content library online at the state’s Entrepreneur Academy.

Do you have a special Island event that is happening during the holidays?

The destination marketing team at Visit Bainbridge would like to help you promote your event with local and regional press coverage and event listings

As Island vendors make their preparations for the holidays, this is a reminder to submit up to 5 products per business for free. The store is here to help showcase the best of your business and the best of Bainbridge once again.

In 2020, more than 5,000 General Store visitors clicked through to buy Bainbridge more than 1,500 times...

Do you have an item or product that you make/sell that would make a special holiday gift?

Submit it for consideration in the upcoming holiday gift guide for Kitsap-based businesses.

Shop.Eat.Spend.Kitsap is a partnership of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and the six Kitsap Chambers of Commerce.

There is no cost to participate in any Shop.Eat.Spend.Kitsap promotions.

Moonlight Market is a fun new event downtown adding to the First Friday Art Walk.

Enjoy music and craft food and drinks while exploring more than 20 market booths featuring art, jewelry, ceramics, vintage fashion and more at Winslow Town Square (City Hall Lawn)

Remember, remember the 5th of November...

Enjoy cask ESBs and Anglophile fare from the Mobile Food 98110 truck.

This month, your generosity can also net you special discounts on auto repairs.

Bring non-perishable food and toiletry donations and quality for those thank you discounts at Modern Collision Rebuild & Service at 9270 Miller Road in Island Center.

Call 206-842-8053 for more details

In partnership with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Bainbridge Prepares, and the Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy, the City will be holding special vaccination clinics for 5 to 11-year-olds on Saturday 11/6 and Sunday 11/7 at the Commodore Options Lower Gym.

Please note that these clinics (as well as Safeway and Walgreens) will offer special low-dose Pfizer shots ONLY suitable for 5 to 11-yr-olds.

One final fall Pfizer/ Moderna/ J&J booster clinic will take place for qualified adults on Saturday November 13, also at the Commodore Options Lower Gym.

COVID cases in Kitsap County overall have fallen last week and are now at 113 cases per 100,000 people over the past 7-day period.

Island numbers are also down at 52 cases per 100,000, and Bainbridge vaccination rates are up to 84%.

There have now been 620 total cases on the Island, 18 of them new since last week (mostly in the 12-18 year-old range).

With the support of the City, County, and Bainbridge's own Breath Café, the Chamber still has fresh supplies of N95 masks, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer available for free to all public-facing Island business and nonprofit organizations.

We also have free posters available to help businesses make it clear to all customers that masks are required for entry at their location.

To grab yours, give us a call, stop by our offices, or simply email us - we are here to help...