Gig Harbor Now Staff

Minterbrook Oyster Company hopes Laguna’s will be a slam dunk with diners

Feb 14, 2024

In Purdy, sometime this spring, ground will be broken for Laguna’s. And soon after, patrons will break bread, shuck oysters and crack crab at an oyster house-style restaurant owned and operated as an extension of the Minterbrook Oyster Company. Minterbrook plans to build the Peninsula-area’s newest restaurant near the Purdy Bridge on the former site

Gig Harbor Real Estate | Prices pick up ahead of spring buying and selling season

Feb 13, 2024

The Gig Harbor real estate market continued to pick up momentum in January despite a significant shortage of available homes to buy.

Gig Harbor Now and Then | WWII-era incendiary balloon was a mere inconvenience on the Key Peninsula

Feb 12, 2024

Our previous column noted that in a unique event, a Japanese incendiary balloon designed to set the forests of the Pacific Northwest aflame landed on the Key Peninsula in 1945, near the end of World War 2. The topic generated three questions. Where did the Japanese incendiary balloon land on the Key Peninsula? Answer: On

Senior sailor seeks to circle the globe — again

Feb 08, 2024

Sailor Jack van Ommen turns 87 on Feb. 28. A former resident, he lists Gig Harbor as his home port, although he hasn’t been around here much in recent years and probably won’t be here for his birthday. He’s sailed around the world in two 30-foot sailboats, finishing just after turning 80. He wants to

Rep. Hutchins not pursuing re-election in 26th District

Feb 06, 2024

State Rep. Spencer Hutchins, R-Gig Harbor, announced in a press release Tuesday that the government post is cutting into his ability to provide for his family.

State DOT explains why Wednesday’s Narrows Bridge repairs were an emergency

Feb 02, 2024

Emergency repairs to the old Tacoma Narrows Bridge backed up traffic to I-5 on Wednesday, Jan. 31, and left commuters wondering what the heck the state Department of Transportation was thinking. The agency explained its reasoning on Thursday. “We know a lot of people were frustrated. So what happened?” WSDOT wrote in a statement in

Gig Harbor Now and Then: Steel buckets and hard work put out 1923 fire

Jan 29, 2024

Gig Harbor Now and Then’s question from last time concerned a major fire at the north end of Gig Harbor in 1923 that destroyed several waterfront buildings. A group of unorganized volunteers saved all the structures on the opposite side of the road. Question: What firefighting equipment did the unorganized Gig Harbor volunteer fire fighters

Day Tripper: A day (or two) at the museums

Jan 24, 2024

It’s just a month or so since the busy holiday season ran its course. And, despite the fact that last week’s deep freeze and ice-covered roads are just a memory, it’s likely that a day trip may not be your first priority right now. Most of the time I’m more than willing to spend grey

Chapin Day | Turning 80 doesn’t seem as significant anymore

Jan 22, 2024

Each week,  a Sunday morning CBS television news magazine I frequently watch includes a brief segment of remembrance for notable deaths during the past week. Usually accompanied by photo portraits, brief summaries of the deceaseds’ significance, and muted elevator music, the feature can vary in length depending upon a tape editor’s judgment and how busy

Minerva Scholarship application cycle opens

Jan 22, 2024

The Minerva Scholarship Fund’s 2024-’25 application cycle is now open. The application deadline is March 31. Women who live or work within Peninsula School District boundaries, and who have experienced at least a one-year interruption in their education and intend to return to complete a degree or certification, are eligible to apply. Click here to