Fed shutdown & layoff help at ESD

Federal shutdown, private-sector layoffs lead to increase in unemployment claims OLYMPIA – As the federal government shutdown continues, more federal workers are applying for unemployment benefits with the Employment Security Department. Through Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1,184 federal workers (about 79 per day) in Washington state applied for benefits. Unemployment claims for federal employees are a…

Cantwell & Murray Announce $18.5M For Fish & Wildlife Conservation Projects

Lummi, Skokomish, Colville & Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes — as well WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Chelan County – receive federal funding Grants will help restore salmon & wildlife habitat; improve health, biodiversity of WA public lands WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs…

Advanced Air Mobility for new eVTOL craft

The era of George Jetson is beginning to arrive. The Federal Aviation Administration is starting discussion with states and local communities about how to safely bring these vehicles, Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) to our communities. We need to consider where they will land, a new invention called the Vertiport will need locations. Advance…

Prepare for the powerful sounds of freedom!

The JBLM Air Show at McChord Field is back! If you live anywhere around Spanaway, you know when the JBLM Airshow at McChord Field is happening. The planes start arriving July 12, and trust me, the Thunderbirds would do nothing less than arrive with a roar! Their arrival is around 1-2 pm. The dates: July…

Cantwell Legislation to Modernize Nation’s Weather Radio System

Nation’s Weather Radio System to Deliver Real-Time Emergency Alerts – Passes Committee Bills would allow National Weather Service radio alerts to reach 98-99% of the United States; upgrade 17 weather stations in the State of Washington Full Senate to consider the legislation at a later date following today’s unanimous vote WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the National…

JBLM 2023 Airshow & Warrior Expo, July 15-16

JBLM 2023 Airshow & Warrior Expo is a ‘GO’ Features U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – The 2023 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airshow & Warrior Expo is a “GO” for July 15-16 at McChord Field. This will be JBLM’s first airshow in seven years. The all-day event will feature the U.S. Air Force…

January 13 Fireside Chat at National Park Inn

Mount Rainier National Park (Facebook page) Fireside Chat with Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Greg Dudgeon, 2 pm, Friday, January 13th at the Longmire National Park Inn Join park superintendent Greg Dudgeon for an informal one-hour discussion of the opportunities and challenges of overseeing one of the most dynamic and popular national parks in the United…

Tear gas 25 years ago – it hasn’t happened again

25 years ago, September 24, 1997, a U.S. Army training unit released tear gas in the middle of the night during dense fog. A large area west of Pacific Avenue needed to be evacuated. Residents were taken to a couple of gymnasiums at Camas Prairie and Spanaway Elementary schools a few were taken to local…

The Clean Water Act and your water

The Clean Water Act’s (CWA) goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. The term, TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) will appear throughout this article. Other important Congressional Acts are the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) and the Sole Source Aquifer Program (SSA) of the EPA (Environmental…

Dire warnings on our watershed – dialogue

Several members of the Chambers Clover Watershed Council have been exchanging some very concerning emails recently. Based on their experience, credentials, and length of service in the stewardship capacity, these are worth your interest. (Cindy Beckett, Don Russell and Kurt Reidinger) Starting with a reply to Ms. Beckett’s email in the previous article, “Destruction of…

Busy airspace overhead and on the ground at McChord

JBLM — From November 1 to 10, 2021, the 62nd Airlift Wing will be holding a major exercise using airlift and fighter assets, joint partners and special operations forces. This event will help determine Team McChord’s ability to deploy, respond and sustain forces in combat and emergency situations. Locally, we will see more air traffic,…