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…
Category: Federal
Federal government
WDF&W receives $1,499,300 grant for oak habitat, prescribed burning and other salmon enhancement on base
As part of a package of $18.5 million for conservation grants, JBLM will receive almost $1.5 million for expanding partnerships, landowner outreach, plant production, and prescribed burning. There are 13 sites and 829 acres where oak habitat and ecosystem enhancements will take place. Here is the portion of the press release noting the local project….
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,…
What the 2020 Census reveals about Pierce County
The 2020 Census was released late this decade, somewhat caused by squabbles about how it would be conducted and somewhat caused by working through the pandemic. Where the population numbers land impacts representation, number of Congressional Districts, and how the new lines are drawn to balance the population in legislative and county districts. The population…
New I-5 exit to Berkeley Street and Thorne Lane on-ramp in Lakewood opens in June
WSDOT LAKEWOOD – A permanent change coming to a busy southbound Interstate 5 exit in Lakewood is a sign that construction on I-5 from Gravelly Lake Drive to 41st Division Drive is nearing completion. Washington State Department of Transportation contractor Guy F. Atkinson Construction is preparing to open a new shared exit on southbound I-5…
Night time air traffic for military exercise June 22 to July 1
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Rangers from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will conduct a military exercise June 22-July 1 at JBLM and Satsop Nuclear Power Plant in Elma, Washington. The Ranger battalion will use training ammunition and other training devises to make the exercise as real as possible. There…
62nd Airlift Wing to Salute American Heroes with Flyover, May 8
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The 62nd Airlift Wing will salute the American heroes at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19 during an Air Force Salutes morale flyover throughout Washington State’s Puget Sound region, May 8. “The 62nd AW salutes each American serving on the frontlines in combat against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S….
How to be a local delegate to select a Presidential candidate
How do you actually choose a Presidential candidate? Aside from the fact that the two main political may change some of the process due to the virus restrictions currently in place, there is a process for each party to select their candidate for the general election for President of the United States. If you are…
2020 Census begins March 12
By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding: Online. By phone. By mail. March 12-20, households will begin receiving official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census. If you live in the following locations,…
JBLM hosts July 4th “Freedom Fest” celebration Thursday: free, open to the public
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – This year’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord “Freedom Fest” celebration is Thursday, July 4 from 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Cowan and Memorial Stadiums on JBLM Main. The fireworks display will start at 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the general public. Freedom Fest offers fair food, the…
Emergency unemployment for Federal Workers
OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee and Commissioner Suzi LeVine announced an emergency rule January 24, allowing federal workers working without pay to receive unemployment benefits. Workers can learn how to apply here: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment-benefits-related-to-partial-federal-shutdown#NEW The Employment Security Department has posted data about the estimated number of workers impacted by county, including estimates of lost wages by…