Stories for April 2025

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Tuesday, April 15

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum invites community to Klahowya

On Saturday, April 26 Fort Nisqually Living History Museum celebrates its multicultural history with their first event of the 2025 season, Klahowya. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. with free admission for Pierce County residents, members of local tribes and anyone with a Fort Nisqually Living History Museum membership.

Recipe: A light lunch to make it through the workday

Lunch is a meal that can provide an energy boost or make you feel drowsy. In the middle of the workday, a big meal can make it much more difficult to be productive as the day goes on.

Savvy Senior: Where solo agers can find help

I’m a divorced 68-year-old childless cat lady and have been thinking a lot lately about who will look after me when I get older and my health falters. What resources are available to solo seniors like me, and where can I turn to find a reliable person to be my emergency contact, as well as lookout for my health, financial matters and living arrangements in my elder years?

Executive issues directive on immigration enforcement

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello has issued an executive directive creating guidelines and procedures for county employees in response to questions arising from federal policy changes and actions regarding immigration enforcement.

Pierce County Superior Court's jury pay pilot closing

Pierce County Superior Court has announced that its jury pay pilot program is coming to a close. Paying jurors $100 a day instead of the customary $10 a day, the pilot began on Oct. 14 last year. The last trials with jurors participating in the pay pilot will begin the week of April 14, and the pilot is expected to fully wrap up by mid-May.

Vacation rentals may face new taxes as WA lawmakers eye housing fix

Planning a Washington state vacation? You might want to bring some extra cash after lawmakers advanced a bill on Monday that would impose a 4% tax on short-term rentals like Airbnb.

Vision Zero action plan makes debut

From 2018 to 2022, unincorporated areas of Pierce County experienced 108 fatal crashes and 296 serious injury crashes, underscoring the need for action. On Aug. 30, 2022, the Pierce County Council adopted Resolution No. R2022-118, which, in part, directed the Planning and Public Works Department to prepare a Vision Zero Action Plan to dramatically reduce death and injury on County roadways.

Puyallup’s Danny DeBock making strides in sports broadcasting

Danny DeBock, a local broadcaster from Puyallup, is quickly ascending the broadcasting ladder. He can often be heard calling local college broadcasts and high school sports games throughout the South Sound region.

First director of Mello administration confirmed

On Tuesday, April 1, the Pierce County Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of Robin Vasquez as the Director of the Human Resources Department with a 6-0 vote. One councilmember was excused from the meeting. Vasquez’s confirmation is the first of County Executive Ryan Mello’s new administration, setting in motion a series of spring and summer confirmation hearings.

Wednesday, April 9

Savvy Senior: How seniors can save on auto insurance

Can you offer any tips to help seniors save on their auto insurance? I recently turned 70 and got hit with a 25 percent premium increase on my car insurance and am looking for ways to save.

Lucha Libre Volcánica brings high-flying pro wrestling to Tacoma

Each week, the “Grit City” lives up to its name as athletes soar around a wrestling ring, leaping from the top ropes, slamming into the mat, and weaving a tapestry of lore through the physical storytelling medium that is Lucha Libre — a high-flying style of wrestling from Mexico, rich in flair and style.

Eatonville girls tennis splits matches, sits second in league

The Cruiser girls tennis team split a pair of league matches last week, falling to Fife 3-2 on Monday before bouncing back with a 4-1 home win over Foss on Thursday. Against Fife, Eatonville took both singles matches. Bailey Andersen earned a straight-set win at No. 1 Singles, 6-3, 6-4, while Alayna Meyer dominated at No. 2 with a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Cruisers boys soccer heads into spring break

The Eatonville High School boys’ soccer team faced a tough week of competition before heading into Spring Break, dropping one match and grinding out a hard-fought draw in another. On April 1, the Cruisers hosted the Franklin Pierce Cardinals in a home matchup. The result was a 5-0 loss for Eatonville, marking one of the team’s toughest outcomes of the season.

Eatonville track and field posts strong results at Orting Tri-Meet

The Eatonville High School track and field team turned in a strong showing April 2 at Cardinal Stadium, competing in a tri-meet against Orting and Emerald Ridge. The boy’s team finished second behind a deep Emerald Ridge squad, while the girls secured third place in a competitive field.

Eatonville splits two-game series with Clover Park

The Eatonville Cruisers baseball team split a two-game series against the Clover Park Timberwolves last week, dropping a narrow 6-5 decision on the road Tuesday before bouncing back with a convincing 9-3 win at home on Wednesday.

Lady Cruisers drop two games at home

The Eatonville Lady Cruisers saw a pair of late-game rallies come up short last week, falling in back-to-back home contests despite strong performances at the plate. On Wednesday, April 2, Eatonville hosted the Washington Patriots and appeared to be in control for much of the game.

Tuesday, April 1

Savvy Senior: Navigating Social Security as it downsizes

My local Social Security office was recently shut down because of staff layoffs and large-scale downsizing by the Department of Government Efficiency. All this disruption makes me very nervous, as I’ll be applying for my Social Security retirement benefits later this year. My question is, how are we supposed to get help with our Social Security questions or problems now that our office is permanently closed? What can you tell me?

Lady Cruisers roll past Foss

Aubree Mills drove in four runs on two hits as the Eatonville Lady Cruisers dominated Foss 19-3 this past Tuesday afternoon. The Falcons struck first, scoring twice in the opening inning to take an early lead, but Eatonville responded in a big way.

Eatonville girls tennis falls to WF West

After back-to-back rainouts, the Eatonville girls tennis team finally took the court Tuesday, March 25, in a nonleague match against WF West. The Cruisers fell 5-1 in their first action in over a week.

Eatonville Cruiser soccer struggles continue

The Eatonville Cruisers' boys soccer team is struggling to find its footing this season, hampered by injuries and the challenge of stepping up from Class 1A to 2A competition. The Cruisers' struggles continued last week as they dropped both of their matches, extending their losing streak to four games.

Eatonville shuts out Foss 14-0

The Eatonville Cruisers bounced back from last week’s loss in dominant fashion Monday, shutting out the Foss Falcons 14-0 to pick up their first win of the season.

Eatonville’s Ethan Carter sets another school record

With severe weather threatening their home meet against Washington High School, Eatonville’s track and field team took an early approach to competition. Head coach Geoff Olson opted to have the pole vaulters compete on Tuesday, March 25, ahead of the storm.

Protecting Pierce County’s interests in a shifting federal landscape

Growing up, many of us learned about the three branches of our federal government: the Executive (President), the Legislative (Congress), and the Judiciary (Courts). As adults, we tend to pay closer attention to the other Washington come the mid-terms and presidential election years.