Stories for March 2025

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Tuesday, March 25

Recipe: A unique take on French toast

Few breakfasts are as beloved as French toast, a dish so hearty and fulfilling that many people enjoy it for dinner. Though traditional French toast is very popular, the traditional recipe can be altered to make the dish even more delightful.

WA's latest budget outlook shows $845M decline in projected revenue through 2029

The good news: Washington state is expecting a $54 million increase in anticipated revenue for the remainder of the current 2023-2025 budget cycle. The bad news: Revenue for the 2025-2027 and 2027-2029 budget cycles are down $479 million and $420 million, respectively, from the previous forecast in November.

County proclaims Women’s History Month

Just before the month of March commenced, the Pierce County Council and Executive proclaimed March 2025 Women’s History Month in Pierce County. The theme is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations” to recognize the collective efforts of women in shaping a more just and equitable society.

Track and field upgrade on track

The Eatonville School District is excited to announce that we are on track to replace and upgrade the Eatonville High School track and field — an important and long-overdue improvement made possible by our voters who approved the capital projects levy last February.

Attitudes mixed about proposed fixes to WA’s Clean Fuel Standard

Recently, the Washington State Legislature enacted a Clean Fuel Standard program, which directs fuel providers to reduce the carbon intensity in their products such as gasoline and diesel. Now, the original bill sponsor for that program wants to modify it in a way that supporters believe will improve implementation.

Savvy Senior: Are you at risk for kidney disease?

What are the risk factors for kidney disease? My mother died from kidney failure a few years ago at age 75 but didn’t even know she had a problem until it was too late.

Cold case in boy’s death solved

A case of a Bonney Lake boy missing since 1996 has finally come to a conclusion after nearly 30 years. This month, investigators received a postmortem examination report from the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office for Jeffrey Klungness.

Athlete of the Year breaks a record

The Pierce-Tacoma Athletic Commission has been around for 83 years, but it broke a record on March 13 with the biggest turnout ever for its 2025 Winter Athlete of the Year luncheon.

Wednesday, March 19

Savvy Senior: How to replace important lost documents

How do I go about replacing some important documents that were lost when our home of 50 years burned down? We lost everything including our house deed, car titles, old tax returns, Social Security and Medicare cards, birth certificates, marriage license and passports.

Not-so-smooth road ahead: Report says Washington's highways among the worst in nation

Washington state has some of the worst-performing, least cost-effective roads and bridges in the nation, according to Reason Foundation’s “28th Annual Highway Report," released Thursday.

Eatonville fastpitch picks up season-opening victory

The Eatonville Cruisers built an early lead and held off a late Tenino rally to earn a 7-6 victory in their season opener this past Friday at home. Eatonville trailed early after Tenino’s Chloe Grayless doubled in two runs in the top of the first.

Carter breaks record, Lightfoot joins school’s best

Eatonville’s track and field team kicked off its season Saturday at the Bill Hodder Invitational, competing against schools from the 1A to 4A levels. Senior Ethan Carter provided the highlight of the meet, breaking his own school record in the pole vault with a mark of 14 feet, 6 inches — three inches better than his previous best from last year’s district championships.

Cruiser girls tennis overpower Cardinals in opener

After their season opener against Foss was rained out on Thursday, the Eatonville High School girls tennis team hit the road Friday and secured a 3-1 victory over Franklin Pierce at the Bruce Miller Courts.

Cruisers start baseball season

The Eatonville Cruisers baseball team opened its 2025 season Thursday night at the Puyallup Recreation Center, facing a tough challenge in the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles after their scheduled Wednesday opener against Vashon Island was rained out. The Eagles would shut out the Cruisers 24-0.

Mill Haus Makers’ Markets bring arts, crafts and shoppers together

For the past several years, Mill Haus Cider Company has hosted the Mill Haus Makers' Markets twice a month on Sundays year-round, from 12-4 p.m. during the fall, winter, and spring months. The market features 15 to 20 vendors, including several local Eatonville merchants and artisans from Pierce County and even Seattle.

EHS seeks to upgrade athletic stadium

Eatonville High School is embarking on a comprehensive renovation of its track, field, and stadium facilities, aiming to enhance safety, accessibility, and community engagement.

2A SPSL announces winter sorts All-League honors

The 2A South Puget Sound League (SPSL) has announced its All-League honors for the 2024-25 winter sports season, recognizing standout athletes and coaches across basketball and wrestling.

Wednesday, March 12

105 years living a blessed life

On March 8, 1920, Mabel B. Hughes was born to David and Maggie Brown in Canton, Miss. From facing life as a Black woman in the rural south during the Jim Crow Era to bearing witness to major historical events that shaped our country over the decades, she remains a living treasure to her family and everyone who knows her as they celebrate Mrs. Hughes’ 105th birthday this month.

Recipe: Adding a tasty twist to traditional long-grain rice

Enjoy experimenting with different cuisines at the dinner table? This recipe for “Chicken and Vegetable Clay Pot Rice” from Andrea Nguyen’s “Into the Vietnamese Kitchen” (Ten Speed Press) allows home chefs to bring a taste of Vietnam into their homes.

Report: Home construction costs in Washington state climbing due to red tape

One of the largest home building associations in America has released a report detailing the rising costs of home construction in Washington state, blaming onerous government regulations for higher prices.

County seeks mural artists

Pierce County is launching a pilot mural program to transform public spaces frequently targeted by graffiti and vandalism into vibrant works of public art. Artist applications are invited for three mural opportunities on Pierce County-owned properties in unincorporated areas.

Bottoms up! Bill to study updating WA’s alcohol tax system moves ahead

A bill to have the Legislature evaluate how to modernize Washington state’s alcohol tax system passed out of executive session in the Senate Way & Means Committee without recommendation on Thursday afternoon.

County Council honors people of Ukraine

The Pierce County Council and Executive issued a proclamation on Tuesday, Feb. 18, honoring Ukraine’s courageous defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

Almost 90% of CCA-funded projects in Washington don’t reduce carbon emissions

The 2021 Climate Commitment Act enacted by the state Legislature places a cap on the amount of allowable carbon emissions and generates revenue through carbon auctions that are used to fund environmental projects throughout the state. However, almost 90% of project spending does not impact carbon emissions.

Savvy Senior: When to worry about your memory

At age 70, I’ve become more and more forgetful lately and am concerned it may be an early sign of dementia. Are there any memory screening tools or services that you can recommend to help me gage my problem, without going to a neurologist?

Soul-Food: ‘the hyc’ is a sacred space to nourish your soul through healing movement and meditation

Nicole Hadman celebrated the grand opening of ‘the hyc’ this January in downtown Eatonville, Washington. After years of facilitating classes and running events catering to holistic health practices at various local studios and Benston Hall, she felt the calling to open a studio of her very own.

Lady Cruisers unable to Corral Mustangs

The Eatonville Lady Cruisers' season came to a disappointing end this past Wednesday as they fell 71-24 to the Prosser Mustangs in the WIAA 2A Girls Basketball State Tournament at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

Wednesday, March 5

Recipe: Corned beef and cabbage a staple of Saint Patrick’s Day

Saint Patrick's Day is rife with tradition. Community parades, Irish music and, of course, a few adult beverages are just a few of those traditions, each of which helps make Saint Patrick's Day a beloved holiday for men, women and children regardless of their heritage or religion.

March superintendent updates

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for supporting our nearly 2,000 students every day. It takes all of us working together to ensure the success of every student, and I am honored to serve the Eatonville School District. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication.

Eatonville Chess Club competes at state tournament

The expansive gymnasium was set with more than 150 chess boards, but the participants were clustered by one wall opposite the tables which was expectantly blank. They were awaiting the posting of team pairings for the 6th and final round of the State Chess Tournament.

County finalizes Comprehensive Plan

After the Pierce County Council passed 44 amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan before adopting it this past December, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello signed the new plan into law on Feb. 5.

Pierece County committees add live streaming

For the first time, Pierce County Council committee meetings are available for live streaming on YouTube, expanding public access to local government discussions.

Savvy Senior: Is a reverse mortgage a good idea?

What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? When my husband passed away last year my income dropped almost in half, and I’ve been struggling to keep up with my monthly living expenses.

Lady Cruisers battle past Ridgefield, advance in 2A State Tournament

The Eatonville Cruisers led from start to finish and held off a late Ridgefield rally to secure a 55-51 victory in the opening round of the WIAA 2A Girls State Basketball playoffs on Friday. With the win, the Cruisers advance to the round of 12, where they will face the No. 6 seeded Prosser Mustangs in a loser-out game at the Yakima Valley SunDome.

Eatonville Family Agency helps community

In a world where many face hunger, isolation, and financial challenges, the Eatonville Family Agency (EFA) is stepping up to make a difference. From food assistance to youth programs and senior services, EFA is a lifeline for the community, helping those in need and building a stronger, more connected Eatonville.