PHOTOS: Pacific Middle School construction update highlights geothermal wells and rising steel
Construction continues to advance at the new Pacific Middle School in Des Moines, where structural steel now stretches nearly the full length of the south classroom wing, according to Highline Public Schools. District officials said crews are installing the roofing barrier and framing the gym’s exterior walls....
Tacoma police investigating two separate hit-and-runs that may be connected
TACOMA, Wash. — Two pedestrians were injured in separate hit-and-run incidents in Tacoma Saturday, and investigators believe the cases may be connected, according to Tacoma Police Department. Police said both incidents involved an “older white sedan” that fled the scene after striking the victims. The first crash...
Pierce County Council Looks Back on Nisqually Earthquake, Issues Proclamation
On Feb. 28, 2001, the Nisqually earthquake shook Western Washington with a magnitude of 6.8, causing widespread damage and disruption across the region. Now, the Pierce County Council and Executive Ryan Mello jointly issued a proclamation recognizing Feb. 28, 2026, as Nisqually Earthquake 25th Anniversary Day,...
Two In Tow & On The Go | Let’s talk about snail mail
When was the last time your kid addressed an envelope? Like, with the actual stamp and addresses in all the right places, then successfully placed it in a mailbox that wasn’t in your playroom?. … Exactly. Not that often. Snail mail has become a fading practice for many families...
Another way to look at loss, grief and life | Whale’s Tales
Scene: late summer 1974. Olympic Peninsula, Lake Sutherland campground. Under an oil lamp gently swaying in the night breeze, two brothers are locked in a game of chess. Actually, not one game but many because, as the younger sibling keeps winning, his frustrated brother slams his hand on the picnic table at each...
We live in earthquake country. The Nisqually Earthquake proved it 25 years ago.
Where were you at 10:54 a.m. on February 28, 2001? At that moment, 25 years ago, there was a whole lotta shaking going on as the Nisqually Earthquake struck western Washington.
Olympia Budget Chainsaw Puts Tacoma Tree-Grant Lifeline on the Block
A move in the Washington House budget that would wipe out the state’s urban-forestry funding has Tacoma tree-planting groups on high alert. Advocates say the rollback could stall plantings and volunteer programs already underway and make it far tougher for cities to land and manage federal tree grants. What...
Pierce County medical examiner IDs 5 killed in stabbings, police shooting
The Pierce County medical examiner's office on Friday identified the four people killed in a series of stabbings Tuesday morning on the Key Peninsula that ended with a sheriff’s deputy shooting the suspect, 32-year-old Aleksandr Shablykin. Shablykin's mother, 52-year-old Zoya Shablykina, was stabbed to death outside...
Legendary SeaTac diner back in business
SEATAC, Wash. — The Pancake Chef in SeaTac opened in 1959. After closing in the fall of 2025, the diner has new ownership and a familiar feel that's drawing regulars back through its doors. Sarbjit Singh, the restaurant's new owner, said the warm reception from longtime customers has meant...
Seven Students Sailed Into Puget Sound and Were Never Seen Again
On the rainy night of April 14, 1971, seven college students pushed off from a Tacoma marina in a 22-foot Catalina sailboat and headed into Puget Sound. Sometime after they slipped away from the dock, they vanished. The sailboat, everyone on board, and all of their belongings have never been found, and the mystery is...
