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.
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.
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.
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.
A Tacoma man was fatally shot while attempting to intervene in a fight that did not involve him, leading to the sentencing of Artavious Magee to over 13 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter. The incident, which occurred during a confrontation linked to a love triangle, has deeply affected the victim's family, highlighting the tragic consequences of violence and impulsive decisions.
Amtrak passengers experienced travel delays in the Seattle-Tacoma area following a collision between an Amtrak train and a semi-truck that became stuck on the tracks in Auburn. Fortunately, both the truck driver and passenger escaped without injury, and no injuries were reported among the 157 train passengers. The incident led to the closure of the southbound lane of B Street NW and disruptions in 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.
The Hylebos Bridge in Tacoma has been temporarily closed due to cold weather causing mechanical issues, with the city locking the bridge in an elevated position for shipping traffic. The closure follows a previous incident in December when a motor was replaced. The city has announced that vehicular traffic will remain restricted until temperatures rise.