In November 2021, City Council adopted new regulations to reduce single-use plastic waste, effective January 1, 2023.

These regulations are intended to reduce waste in our environment and litter in the ocean, protect public health, and reduce our dependence on plastic.

COBI's new regulations to reduce singe-use waste effective on January 1, 2023 include:

*NOTE: All businesses have been granted a 3-month grace period to use up their existing supplies of non-home compostable food and beverage packaging for to-go orders (through March 31, 2023).

The following products have been granted a temporary exemption through December 31, 2023, due to lack of availability:

Shop local and support Bainbridge businesses by purchasing your own reusable cups for hot/cold beverages to avoid the 25-cent fee for using disposable cups.

A small, family-run e-commerce business, Green Paper Products, is offering free shipping for orders over $89 and 10% off orders with promo code WINSLOW.

Washington will have the highest state minimum wage in the country in 2023 when it increases nearly 9% to $15.74 an hour, for workers age 16 and older.

The state's 2022 minimum wage was $14.49 an hour - that's an increase of $1.25.

Under state law, 14 and 15-year-olds can be paid 85% which will be $13.38 in 2023.

Businesses with at least 15 employees will need to include the following on each job posting or advertisement:

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has confirmed that it will increase workers’ compensation rates an average of 4.8% next year.

Drivers for services like Uber and Lyft will have the right to minimum trip pay, paid sick time, workers’ compensation coverage, and protection from retaliation for exercising these rights.

L&I explains "To be exempt from the state Minimum Wage Act, executive, administrative, professional or computer professional, and outside salespeople must earn at least the minimum salary."

"For employers with 50 or fewer employees, the 2023 salary threshold is 1.75 times the minimum wage: $1,101.80/week ($57,293.60/year). For employers with 51 or more employees, the threshold is double the minimum wage, $1,259.20/week ($65,478.40/year)."

Agricultural workers will need to work fewer hours to be eligible for overtime pay.

In 2023, ag workers will need to work 48 hours before they start earning overtime. In 2024, overtime eligibility begins when a worker reaches 40 hours in a week.

The changes, part of the Secure Act 2.0, were included in the sweeping end-of-year $1.7 trillion spending bill the Senate passed on December 15.

Some changes include:

Join us for the first After Hours in 2023 - at Paula Weissinger - State Farm Insurance's new Knechtel Way office on Thursday Jan. 26 at 5:30pm.

The Chamber is also delighted to announce that Eleven Winery has agreed to extend their After Hours sponsorship, and complementary wine will continue to be freely available for all guests in 2023.

From the first time we meet until you sell your home, you have the Jarquin Team at Pillar To Post as a resource for your home projects, repairs, and advice.

Pillar To Post Home Inspection - our services will amaze you.

Kick off 2023 with the First Friday Art Walk of the season!

Visit local galleries, shops and restaurants to explore new artists and art.

Boy Scout Troops 1564 & 1804 will come and pick up your Christmas Tree to recycle for a donation. Reservations close on Jan 6 at 10pm

For more than 30 years the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community has hosted Mochi Tsuki, a celebration to ring in the New Year.

Watch Seattle Kokon Taiko make mochi in the traditional way–steaming sweet rice over an open fire, followed by pounding the rice by hand with traditional, handcrafted cherry wood mallets (kine) in a granite bowl (usu).

Come early and grab your free ticket when you arrive, a maximum of 700 guests per show.

Based out of Seattle, WA, The Hipocrats are helmed by Tyler McGinnis and Sarah Brunner.

The two musical dynamos blend hair-raising harmonies, melodies sure to stick in your head for days, and spunky lyrical imagery into their spin on classic Americana music - a can't miss when they're passing through your town.

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.