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…
Pierce County sewer rates to increase Jan. 1, 2021
PIERCE COUNTY — Customers in Pierce County’s sewer service area will see a 3.75 percent increase in their sewer rates starting Jan. 1, 2021. The Pierce County Council passed Ordinance No. 2019-77 which set the sewer rate as part of the 2020-21 biennial budget. There was also a rate increase in 2020. Single-family residential customers…
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.
Holiday lights on?
Spanaway Park Fantasy Lights have been taking up space and locking the south gate of the park for years now. Since it is the only public park in Spanaway, the County leaves the north entrance open for daytime use, but closes it just before dark. If you are there around 3:00 p.m., you can watch…
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…
Governor takes on the Pierce County Council, CM Roach draws a line in the sand over TPCHD
Monday evening (12-14-2020), Gov. Inslee sent out a proclamation condemning any action of a local government to dismantle a Health Department partnership during the timing of the emergency actions about the pandemic. Citing Revised Code of Washington, his proclamation: “I hereby prohibit any party to an agreement to operate a combined city and county health…
Pierce County wants environmental control – SEPA, septics, wells, and here come the sewers for development
By Marianne Lincoln Why in the world would Pierce County want to take over the control of the Health Department in the middle of a pandemic? First, ask yourself, what was the most major change to the county land use code signed this year? (A: Centers and Corridors) When did the County Executive sign it?…
What is the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department?
With the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department’s existence in the balance this week, you may have a lot of questions about who they are, what they do, and how much it all costs. Unless you have needed their services, you may not be aware of all the things your local Health Department does in Pierce…
And the County Executive will be in control of the new Health Dept.
Here is the invitation to the meeting with a bit more information about where the Council is going with the demise of the Interlocal Agreement for the Tacoma Pierce County Board of Health. This item says there will be a new Board of Health and the Department will be under the County Executive. So the…
Vigilance, the toughest part of being a voter, the possible demise of TPCHD
By Marianne Lincoln When the balance of a partisan board or council flips from one party to another, things can get interesting. The Hatfields and McCoys were at it again on Tuesday at the Pierce County Council. I looked, but failed to find a way to publicly view the Tuesday Study session, my senses noting…
Apply for a historic preservation grant
PIERCE COUNTY — The Pierce County Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission will accept applications for the 2021 Preservation Grant Program through Jan. 8, 2021. These grants assist in funding preservation efforts in Pierce County. The program’s goal is to distribute small, yet meaningful, grants to help promote historic preservation throughout the county. Application details Grant…
Pierce County Parks, new restrictions
Pierce County Parks has worked diligently to provide social, sport, and recreational activities at various sites throughout the county in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to Governor Inslee’s recently released directive and out of an abundance of caution, Pierce County Parks is announcing facility closures and program cancellations as follows: Sprinker Recreation…
Pierce Prairie Post 