Your trusted source for local Tacoma, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
A 68-year-old man from Gig Harbor, Kenneth McIntosh, has been missing for over 24 hours, prompting local police to seek public assistance in locating him. McIntosh, who suffers from dementia and diabetes, was last seen on his birthday, January 19, near Hunt Street in Gig Harbor. Authorities are particularly concerned due to his medical conditions and lack of required medications.
Over 14,000 residents in Tacoma are not U.S. citizens, raising concerns about the vulnerability of undocumented immigrants to deportation under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Advocacy organizations are urging immigrants to prepare for potential ICE actions, highlighting the lack of safety for individuals regardless of their backgrounds.
A section of southbound State Route 99 in Fife will undergo lane reductions for 42 hours as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) removes an old bridge. The temporary rerouting will start on January 21 and is part of the larger SR 167 Completion Project aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in the region.
A new three-story apartment building is under construction in downtown Puyallup, set to offer 24 market-rate units by January 2026. The $7 million project, initiated by Huber Properties LLC, aims to address housing needs in the area, which is projected to require nearly 7,500 additional units by 2044.
The Cascade Water Alliance has announced a delay in the refill of Lake Tapps, typically scheduled for mid-February, to March 15, 2025, due to ongoing construction. This infrastructure project aims to enhance water diversion reliability and improve water quality, while also addressing fish passage at Mud Mountain Dam. The delay may impact local residents’ recreational activities and dock maintenance.
Road work delays on Spanaway Loop Road South in Pierce County have prolonged closures due to ongoing challenges related to sewer work. Detours are in place while infrastructure replacement efforts continue, with an update expected from the Planning and Public Works department regarding the project timeline.
Downtown Puyallup is set to welcome its first independent bookstore in decades, named page & pine, opened by Emily Foster, who aims to create a vibrant community space. The bookstore will offer various genres and host events like book clubs and author signings, responding to local interests. This initiative is part of a broader revitalization effort for downtown Puyallup, which has seen the establishment of other desired businesses.
The refill of Lake Tapps in Pierce County has been delayed from mid-February to approximately March 15 due to construction by the Cascade Water Alliance and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This project aims to replace outdated infrastructure and enhance water quality and fish passage, impacting local recreation and property maintenance.
Pierce County firefighters from Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula are actively assisting with wildfire response efforts in Los Angeles, where they have witnessed unprecedented destruction from the Palisades fire. The team, part of a larger Washington strike force, is focusing on protecting structures in the Bel-Air area and ensuring the safety of evacuated neighborhoods. As of January 19, 2025, the Palisades fire has burned nearly 24,000 acres and resulted in significant loss of life and property.
Kwabi Amoah-Forson, a Tacoma humanitarian, is set to emcee the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, promoting his vision of peace through innovative initiatives like the Peace Bus and the All Youth Can Eat program. With a focus on raising awareness about poverty, racism, and education, he aims to mobilize community efforts toward economic justice and dignity.