WSDOT — A permanent change is coming to the southbound Interstate 5 exit to Berkeley Street, and it may happen before Memorial Day. While these are some big improvements, it’s time to stay plugged in for upcoming changes, so you won’t miss your exit. Read more how the exit is changing in the latest WSDOT…
Category: State
Washington
Pierce County is rolled back to phase 2
Inslee announces three counties to rollback to Phase 2 Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the rollback of three counties not meeting the Phase 3 Healthy Washington metrics for reopening activities. The three counties returning to Phase 2 are: Cowlitz County Pierce County Whitman County “These metric trends are driven by the virus and we must continue…
Thorne Lane on-ramp to I-5 closes for 3 months
Work leads to permanent ramp changes for travelers, removes potential railroad intersection delays WSDOT LAKEWOOD — Travelers should prepare for a new stage of work on the I-5 Steilacoom-DuPont Road to Thorne Lane Corridor Improvements project. Once finished this construction will permanently change the way travelers exit to Berkeley Street and Thorne Lane. Weather permitting,…
Washington State Legislature 2021 Session
By Marianne Lincoln, 2-17-2021 The Washington State Legislature is currently in its long session, which typically ends in the third week of April. Bills that are being considered this year can be found here. If you have a concern about a state issues or a bill being considered, you can find the list of contacts…
Overnight lane closures on I-5 and SR 167 in Tacoma start Jan. 4 for bridge construction
WSDOT — Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation are kicking off 2021 in a big way – and travelers should prepare now to alter travel or allow extra travel time. Throughout the month of January, Guy F. Atkinson Construction will install the final 30 bridge girders on the last three spans…
Current Unemployment November 2020
Here is the state of our State in unemployment for the end of November 2020 from the Employment Security Department. Here is a link to further data.
Topsoil in your yard – is it safe?
If you are fairly new to Pierce County, you may not be aware that the beautiful place on the waterfront called Point Ruston hides a dirty old secret. The site was formerly the ASARCO Smelter. It took raw materials and turned out new shiny copper materials. The sludge from the refinery was poured into Puget…
April 2020 Unemployment
Here is the Washington State unemployment figures by county for April 2020 compared to April 2017. If you would like more information, here is the source link.
843% Unemployment insurance application increase over last week
OLYMPIA – During the week of March 15-21, 133,464 new claims for unemployment benefits were filed with the Employment Security Department (ESD) which was an increase of 119,310 new claims over the previous week. Tremendous increase in new unemployment claims due to COVID-19 related layoffs “This data shows the enormity of the situation unfolding in…
Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave is Here
OLYMPIA – Washingtonians now have access to the most generous Paid Family and Medical Leave program in the U.S. Nearly all workers in this state, including part- and full-time, may be able to take up to 12 weeks to care for themselves or a family member through a serious illness or injury, to bond with…
Planning Commission considers huge land use changes in unincorporated areas
Controversial land use changes to the Frederickson, Parkland, Spanaway, Midland, South Hill and Mid-County (Summit, Waller, North Clover Creek Collins) areas are progressing through the formal process of adoption in Pierce County. These changes involve housing and business uses, but not an accompanying infrastructure plan. Therefore the communities, already overcrowded for urban growth that has…
Changes to Washington state’s election laws are now in effect
PIERCE COUNTY AUDITOR — As of July 1, 2019, new conveniences and increased accessibility to voting in Washington are now law. The State Legislature passed a number of bills during the 2018 and 2019 sessions that changed significant dates and deadlines for registration and voting. Those changes include: Pre-paid postage: Every ballot will now come…
