Bainbridge's new regulations to reduce single-use waste became effective on January 1, 2023, introducing a 25c fee on take-out cups for consumers, and a requirement to use home compostable service ware items for businesses.*

Consumer and business owner reaction has been strong to these moves, both for and against, and so COBI has now opened 3 new avenues for feedback:

*NOTE: The cup fee is now in effect island-wide, but all impacted businesses have been granted a 90-day grace period to use up their existing supplies of non-home compostable food and beverage service ware through 03/31/23. Also, some food service ware items have been temporarily exempted through 12/31/23, due to lack of commercial availability.

New for 2023, all new vehicle registrations are now printed so that the address section can be removed by the owner (to enhance security)

While WA State law requires that a copy of registration certificates be carried in the vehicle for which they are issued, but RCW 46.16A.180 now also allows for that copy to be an electronic image, (think photo on your phone) to be carried in place of the paper copy.

Laws vary from state to state and electronic images may not be accepted in all places outside of Washington so check before you travel.

As before, all registration certificates are only valid if signed by owners.

Bainbridge-connected documentary film Wildcat recently hit #1 in Amazon American Prime Video Charts and is currently sitting in the global top ten...

The film follows the emotional and inspiring story of a young veteran (Harry Turner) on his journey into the Amazon.

Once there, Harry meets a young woman running the Hoja Nueva wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center (BHS grad Samantha Zwicker) and finds new meaning as he is entrusted with the life of an orphaned baby ocelot.

What begins as an escape from life turns out to be an unexpected journey of love, discovery, and healing in this new feature-length documentary, executive-produced by Bainbridge's Steve Hall.

COBI's Operations & Maintenance facility (at 7305 Hidden Cove Road) now has sand bags available for all Island residents with a limit of 10 bags per household.

Bainbridge Island Municipal Code ("BIMC") Section 5.04.030 currently requires all businesses to obtain a City business license endorsement "for the privilege of engaging in business within the city" regardless of the amount of income it generates.

At this week's council meeting, COBI will discuss adopting Ordinance No. 2023-01 - eliminating the need to acquire a City business license requirement if gross annual income is $3,000 or less.

The Bainbridge Business license fee is currently set at $71 per year.

At this week's City Council meeting, Public Works Director Christopher Wierzbicki will request City Council accepts a Federal Transportation Grant of $777,000 to widen the existing road and create a new bike/pedestrian lane at the head of Eagle Harbor.

Since the project was last discussed on April 20, 2021, costs have increased from previous estimates due to inflation, right-of-way acquisition, and wetland mitigation.

This project is also scheduled for a public open house at City Hall on January 25th between 6 and 7:30pm.

During the winter virtual community meeting series, Washington State Ferries (WSF) staff will give a brief presentation on the status of the Service Restoration Plan, ongoing hiring challenges and successes, and updates on new vessels, terminals, and other projects.

Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments during the meeting.

A new poke restaurant has opened at Winslow Green from the same family that also own and operate Emmy's Veggie House and Green Pot Deli.

16 choices of bowls and custom bowls are now available 6 days a week (closed Wednesdays) at 160 Winslow Way West.

Bainbridge's own Plum Mouse went global last year traveling with the Island's Plumettes to the Aegean Sea, Merida, Baja, New York City, and all over Washington State.

Her favorite was the Pickleball Founders Tournament right here at Battle Point Park!

Please note that bus/boat schedules will run on a Holiday Service Schedule for Monday January 16.

After over a year of planning, Doc's Bainbridge Island will be closing their doors for the month of January to renovate their restroom area.

Improvements included five individual private stalls, four of which are gender neutral and one handicap accessible with a common hand washing area.

Join us on Thursday Jan. 26 at 5:30pm for the Chamber's first After Hours of 2023 - hosted by Paula Weissinger of State Farm Insurance at her new offices on Knechtel Way in Winslow.

After Hours sponsor Eleven Winery will provide the complementary wine and Erika Thayer from the Taco Barn at Bainbridge Apothecary & Tea Shop will provide free tasty treats.

A sitcom pilot was filmed here on Bainbridge (also in Poulsbo and Calabasas, CA) and this week brings a FREE test screening at Bainbridge Cinemas.

Members of the cast and crew will be in attendance and available for a Q&A after the screening.

Look through stacks of decorative and construction paper, bundles of fabric, markers, drawing pencils, stickers, postcards, greeting cards and envelopes, corks, fake flowers n greens, odds & ends.

Fill a bag for free!

BIMA stands in solidarity with our community to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We welcome our diverse communities to the January 15 all-day Community Celebration, featuring a program of speakers, art, music, demonstrations, and activities put together by local organizers, educators, artists, activists, youth, elders, and social justice organizations.

Read more about this event

Children of all ages, their families, and community members are invited to gather for letter writing between 10:30-11:15 a.m. in the Commodore Commons (9530 High School Rd).

Join BISD and write a letter to a leader asking them for peace or thanking them for the work they are already doing.

At 11:15am, march together to the Winslow post office to mail the letters.

Bring signs, banners, friends, and your own stamps; addresses and inspiration provided.

Bainbridge Island Metro Parks and our community partners are making January 16th, “a day on, not a day off” hosting our annual Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service at Blakely Harbor Park.

Volunteers will help with the years long renovation of the site of the once largest mill in the world, into one of the most beloved public parks on Bainbridge Island.

Time to start training for the annual hills, chills and thrills of the 33-mile Bainbridge Island Chilly Hilly.

Registration starts Tues January 10 at 10am for the Feb 26 race starting at Colman Dock or Bainbridge Community Center.

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