When the eastbound span of the new Narrows bridge opened last year, one thing was for certain: The lives of Gig Harbor residents were changed.

The addition of the new Narrows bridge may have brought added conveniences to daily drivers, but it has also caused a few headaches for local politicians.

After four years of discussions and two months of negotiations, the City of Gig Harbor reached a decision to pledge $250,000 to the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club, a half-million less than planned.

For the Fairway Estates neighborhood, it’s a case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease — or two unpaved cul de sacs getting $15,000 worth of additional asphalt from the City of Gig Harbor.

Terri Radcliffe Hunziker, a Lakebay resident and former Kitsap School District science teacher, died on July 4, nearly five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She was 45.

The fire station located on Point Fosdick Drive is replacing resident and volunteer firefighters for 24-hour response employees in an effort to improve response time.

Workers at the Peninsula Market grocery stores in Key Center and Lake Kathryn will decide Friday whether or not to unionize.

Gig Harbor will lose one of its longest-standing eateries when Le Bistro Coffee House on Harborview Drive closes its doors on Sunday.

Sightings and encounters with black bears are becoming more frequent as the summer continues. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife “averages two black bear sightings a day in Piece County.”

The Key Peninsula Community Fair had something for everyone last weekend at Volunteer Park.

Sometimes, it’s the most obvious things that we have the hardest time changing.

The Pierce County Hearing Examiner has approved a plan for a cell phone tower nearly 150 feet tall to be constructed on Fox Island.

The All-Star Student Program gave students an opportunity to take their parents out to the ball game.

Weeks ago, I lucked out. The rain stopped, and I got into Tacoma’s Truman Middle School without a soggy camera for the Washington State Math competition, “Math Olympiad,” attended by gazillions of South Sound elementary schools.

Several Habitat for Humanity volunteers dodged sprinkles of rain last Saturday while working on two of four structures under construction on the Key Peninsula.

Bag grab

July 8 — A man was walking along the road with a bag of fast food when a red Honda Prelude drove past, and someone from the vehicle grabbed the bag. The car drove off, and the victim did not see a license plate. The side mirror on the vehicle struck the man. There were three white men in the car, all about 20 years old. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

Seizures at local pub

July 7 — A man reportedly had seizure-like symptoms at a local pub. The man told paramedics he had a medical disorder, but that he hadn’t had seizures in a long time. After talking to the man and making contact with his doctor, the man was left with his friend.

The state representative race between Democrat Larry Seaquist and Republican Marlyn Jensen is gaining momentum, and key issues are bubbling to the surface.

Lee Desta is concerned about the future of downtown Gig Harbor. She moved here nine years ago, and since then, she’s taken a vested interest in the part of town known as the “view basin” — the area around Harborview Drive with a clear view of Gig Harbor bay.

A former Gig Harbor woman remains missing nearly four months after she disappeared from Portland, Ore.

Carole Peet is fairly new in town, but she is busy preparing to step into the spotlight as the chief operating officer at St. Anthony Hospital.

Organizers for St. Anthony Hospital want the 80-bed facility to be a high-quality act in every aspect, right down to its artwork.

There are only six 4-H equestrian members from Gig Harbor, but each one of them will represent the city next month at the Pierce County Fair in Graham.

Asthma attack

June 30 — Paramedics were called to a local doctor’s office to transport a 15-year-old male who was having a severe asthma attack. The boy said it was the worst attack he ever experienced. He also told paramedics he had just recently started smoking.

Tampered hospital

June 28 — A man called police after he found the construction site at St. Anthony Hospital along Canterwood Boulevard tampered with. There were no suspects at the time of the report.

At the end of this month, John Uehlin will be a near-expert on government. The Gig Harbor High School student has already traveled to Central Washington University in Ellensburg to attend Evergreen Boys State, a leadership and citizenship program that simulates city, county and state government.

Taylor Shellfish Farms, the Shelton-based shellfish farming company well known for raising geoducks, is facing a number of challenges in the coming months.

Longbranch Community Church will celebrate a century of continuous religious service in Longbranch at its eighth annual salmon bake on July 26.

The Key Peninsula Community Fair will be held July 10-13 at 5514 Key Peninsula Highway N. in Lakebay. The annual event attracts more than 8,000 visitors each year. The fair still needs volunteers, sponsors and vendors. Visit www.keyfair.org or call 253-884-4386.