Your trusted source for local Tacoma, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Firefighters from Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula are actively supporting the wildfire response in Los Angeles, where they are assisting with the Palisades fire. The team, part of a larger Washington strike force, reports on the extensive damage they've witnessed and their ongoing efforts to protect structures in the affected areas.
Road work delays on Spanaway Loop Road South in Pierce County are causing extended closures, originally slated to reopen in January. The project, which involves replacing aging infrastructure, is budgeted at $18.9 million and funded by sewer utility construction funds. The county has acknowledged the public's frustration and is working to provide updates on the timeline.
Downtown Puyallup is set to welcome its first independent bookstore in decades, named page & pine, opening in late May or early June 2025. Owner Emily Foster aims to create a community-focused space where residents can attend book clubs and author events, reflecting the community's reading preferences. This new addition comes as part of ongoing revitalization efforts in downtown Puyallup.
Kwabi Amoah-Forson, a dedicated humanitarian from Tacoma, has made significant strides in aiding the needy, including distributing 5,000 pairs of socks through his Peace Bus initiative. As the emcee for the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration, he emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about poverty and economic justice, echoing the legacy of Dr. King.
A Tacoma man, Artavious Magee, was sentenced to 13 years and four months for the manslaughter of 20-year-old Lehman Charrod Tucker, who was shot during a confrontation. Tucker’s mother expressed the indescribable pain of losing a child to a senseless act of violence. The incident stemmed from an argument involving Tucker's friend and an ex-girlfriend, leading to tragic consequences.
Puppyland, a pet store in Puyallup, Washington, has agreed to pay $3.75 million to settle allegations from the state Attorney General's Office regarding deceptive sales practices and failure to honor health guarantees for puppies. The settlement includes reforms aimed at improving business practices and providing greater transparency for consumers.
The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is hosting its sixth annual "Poorly Drawn Pets" fundraiser, allowing pet owners to submit photos for quirky portraits drawn by volunteers. The event will take place on January 21, 2025, and aims to raise funds for the shelter while fostering community engagement. Last year’s event raised over $23,000, demonstrating significant local interest and support.
Cold weather alerts have been issued for the Tacoma and Olympia areas, with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s, marking the coldest weather this winter. Pierce and Thurston Counties have activated warming shelters and emergency resources for those in need as overnight temperatures remain below freezing.
An Amtrak train collided with a semi truck in Auburn after the truck made a wrong turn and got stuck on the tracks, leading to significant travel delays in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Fortunately, both the driver and occupant of the truck escaped without injury, and no passengers on the train were harmed. The incident caused the closure of a southbound lane on B Street NW and affected train operations between Seattle and Tacoma.
Tacoma and Olympia face the coldest weather of the winter, with temperatures dipping into the mid-20s. Local warming centers have been activated, and various shelters are available for those in need, highlighting the community's response to the severe weather conditions.