OK Highway Floods at Thrift

By Marianne Lincoln   UPDATE 3/21/17: The OK Highway is still closed. Crews were working on a big hole in the ground, so they most have gotten the pole removed and are repairing the pipes. Vactor trucks are still removing material around the drainage pipe. — THRIFT, WA — Since Friday March 17, the Orting-Kapowsin…

Pioneer Valley Oxbow flooding

By Marianne Lincoln FREDERICKSON, WA — Near Liberty Middle School and Pioneer Valley Elementary School there is a wetland that crosses under 204th Street and under Eustis Hunt Road. This area, called an oxbow has a rising water table when the groundwater reserve is full. The heavy rains we have had this winter, combined with…

Annual county roadside herbicide applications start March 28

[Editor note: I would rather title that, annual poison application on the roadside plants, just keep that in mind for your pets & children. Also, if you see the county contractors spraying where they should not, like in wetland areas, please photograph and/or report it!] County roadsides will get an annual makeover this spring and summer….

Growth – Is it managed in Pierce County?

Back in the early 1990’s the Washington State legislature passed the Growth Management Act. Since that time in Pierce County lot sizes have grown much smaller, there is more traffic congestion in unincorporated areas and now there are restrictions on who can get a well put on their property in rural areas. Did ‘we’ preserve our…

Pierce County Elections changes ballot system

PIERCE COUNTY — Aftera year-long search and selection process, the Pierce County Auditor’s Office has purchased a new election system.  The purchase of the Clear Ballot system is Pierce County’s first major investment in a new tabulation system in over 20 years. The purchase was fully funded with a restricted election replacement account authorized by…

Sheriff Pastor: on Civil Disobedience

From a Facebook post – Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor In America today, we are seeing an increase in social activism and direct action politics. There is nothing wrong with this in a nation which values freedom. But recently, we have seen instances where fringe elements of anarchists and rioters run lawless and wild. And we…

Sheriff statement on immigration

PIERCE COUNTY — The issue of immigration and securing borders is currently a controversial topic with the new Presidential administration. Some people have reacted with fear and anger, others with celebration and others with confusion. This issue matters to local law enforcement even as we are confronted by people showing all the emotions and political…

Surface Water Management Advisory Board

Pierce County is seeking applicants for the Surface Water Management Advisory Board (SWAB). The appointee will fill a term that lasts two years. This position is unpaid. To learn more about the board and access an application, visit http://www.piercecountywa.org/swab. The county is building a registry of applications to fill future vacancies. Applications may be made…

Community safety – Sheriff & Prosecutor talk

TACOMA, WA – At the City Club of Tacoma’s monthly dinner in February, two of Pierce County’s top crime fighters had a lively conversation about community safety. Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor and Prosecutor Mark Lindquist took part in a nonpartisan forum. “With our Prosecutor Mark Lindquist and Sheriff Paul Pastor leading the way, justice…

Annexation to a city WITHOUT a vote proposed by local legislators – updated

UPDATE: I attended the hearings and spoke on both HB1683 and HB1681. Apparently the provision to do an interlocal agreement has been in the law for some time. But they are broadening the application. Further discussion with Randy Lewis, Tacoma’s Lobbyist is currently they are focusing on the little areas that are still unincorporated that…

Dennis Hanberg to lead Public Works AND PALS

PIERCE COUNTY — Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier today announced a number of changes within the leadership team at the County.  The announcement followed a formal evaluation and analysis process conducted by an outside consultant. After many years of service, Brian Ziegler, who led Public Works, is retiring from Pierce County. In light of this,…

Motorists should fix leaks so they “Don’t Drip and Drive”

PIERCE COUNTY — Vehicle leaks can cause havoc for drivers and the environment. Motorists in Pierce County can find an affordable fix and keep pollutants out of Puget Sound, thanks to Puget Sound Starts Here’s “Don’t Drip and Drive” program. As part of the program, participating repair shops across Washington are conducting free visual leak…