News Briefs | July 17, 2025
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Camp Sealth: The iconic camp, owned and operated by Camp Fire Central Puget Sound, officially signed an agreement last week to sell the development rights of hundreds of acres of the property (through an easement) to King County — simultaneously protecting broad swaths of the property from development while bringing new funds into the organization’s coffers for programming. Check back with The Beachcomber for more in a future edition of the paper.
Fauntleroy signal: Washington State Ferries (WSF) finished work last week to survey site conditions for building a new traffic signal at the intersection of Fauntleroy Way Southwest and the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. The new traffic signal, expected to start construction this fall and finish next summer, is intended to improve traffic safety and efficiency at the often-chaotic intersection.
Strawberry parking: Vashon Presbyterian Church will once again offer limited parking and front lawn chairs for the Strawberry Festival parade on Saturday, July 19, by reservation only. There is no fee, but donations will be accepted and given to the Vashon Island Old Friends Club, an adult social respite care program. Email Bob Spangler at rwspang9@gmail.com and indicate how many parking spots and seats are requested.
Student recognized: Eva Cain, a sociology/anthropology major, was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List at St. Olaf College, which requires maintaining a 3.75 grade point average or higher.
Fire District: After a year-long renovation, Vashon Island Fire & Rescue staff and first responders have moved back into the district’s main Fire Station 55 on Bank Road.
During the renovation, firefighters had temporary housing during their shifts in a modular housing unit installed directly behind Station 55, while administrative and Mobile Integrated Health staff members moved their operations to the Penny Farcy Building, directly across Bank Road from the fire station.
The approximately $4.2 million renovation — which the district has paid without incurring debt, according to VIFR’s director of finance, Christina Bosch — added 950 square feet of living space to the residential firefighters’ quarters, new bathrooms, a kitchen, a decontamination room to clean firefighting gear of carcinogens and a new, fully equipped patient exam room for islanders who show up in person at the station to receive care or health checks.
The project also addressed significant water, mold and structural decay, adding a partial new roof on the station, and also brought the station into compliance for disability access requirements.
An open house for islanders to tour the new facility will be held soon, said VIFR staff.
In other VIFR news, applications for the open Fire Chief position closed on June 8, and a roster of final candidates will be announced later this week.
As is typical in such a hire for VIFR, three panels — variously made up of commissioners, VIFR staff and volunteers and members of the public — will meet and interview the candidates on July 29, following a “meet and greet” the evening of July 28. The board will convene again on July 30, and could, at that time, make its choice for a new fire chief.
Membership drive: Vashon Eagles Aerie 3144 will launch a membership drive on Friday, July 18, the first day of Strawberry Festival.
Run by volunteers, the Eagles is a lively and warm gathering place with members who support many worthy causes on Vashon, including the Vashon Scholarship Foundation and the Vashon Food Bank. The club also offers free use of their space to the Vashon Tool Library’s Fix-It Cafe.
Eagles host free, family-friendly holiday parties on Easter, Halloween and Christmas, as well as a free community Thanksgiving dinner each year (with delivery, if needed).
Weekly dining options (open to all, regardless of membership) include Taco Tuesday, Burger Wednesday, and more. During Strawberry Festival, on Friday, July 18, the club will serve Philly cheese steaks from 5-7 p.m., followed by a no-cover concert by the band Blue Monster. Stop by from 8-10 a.m. Sunday, July 20, for the the Eagle’s Strawberry Festival pancake breakfast.
To find out more about membership and everything the club offers (including tent and RV camping spots), visit vashoneagles3144.com.
