Washington and see five fun things to do while you're there If you are going, what the heck is a Steilacoom and where in the world is it (like I did) I'm here to give you a peek into a beautiful small town in Washington that's 171 years old Steilacoom belonged to the Steilacoom Tribe. Explorers arrived in 1792, colonizers showed up eight years later, and less than half a century later, American and British pioneers settled in the town around 1854 Travel to get to Steilacoom back in the 1800s meant you had to either board a train or travel by ship to reach the Puget Sound you can get there by ferry or drive (you can also use a bike if you're into that sort of thing) Besides enjoying gorgeous sunsets and enjoying the peaceful town vibes 1. Visit the beach at Sunnyside Park. It's even dog-friendly 2. Grab some grub and a pint at the local pub, Steilacoom Pub & Grill 3. Take your pup for a walk and some off-leash playtime at the Steilacoom Dog Park 4. Stop to enjoy the spectacular view while you eat some local seafood and/or that "blackberry/ice cream thing" at Topside Bar and Grill 5. Do a marathon, like the annual 4th of July run and Street Fair Did you know the oldest city in Washington is right past Dupont and Lakewood? It's not too far from Tacoma either.\nRead More If you are going, what the heck is a Steilacoom and where in the world is it (like I did) Steilacoom belonged to the Steilacoom Tribe. Explorers arrived in 1792, colonizers showed up eight years later, and less than half a century later, American and British pioneers settled in the town around 1854 Besides enjoying gorgeous sunsets and enjoying the peaceful town vibes 1. Visit the beach at Sunnyside Park. It's even dog-friendly 2. Grab some grub and a pint at the local pub, Steilacoom Pub & Grill 3. Take your pup for a walk and some off-leash playtime at the Steilacoom Dog Park 4. Stop to enjoy the spectacular view while you eat some local seafood and/or that "blackberry/ice cream thing" at Topside Bar and Grill 5. Do a marathon, like the annual 4th of July run and Street Fair A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County April 29, 2025 · Leave a Comment · Submitted by Steilacoom Citizens’ Fireworks Committee Come experience the fun in the Town of Steilacoom as we join with Americans across the nation in celebrating Independence Day as only our town can Lafayette Street becomes the center of our annual family-oriented Steilacoom has hosted one of the best Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks shows in the Puget Sound area The celebrations are capped off by our professional fireworks display The reason for this letter is to seek your financial support for the 2025 fireworks display The fireworks are financed entirely by voluntary contributions from private citizens and businesses Every dollar collected is put directly into the display This year it will cost over $47,000 for the fireworks the tug and the barge that they are shot from If you wish, you can contribute conveniently and securely online using PayPal A contribution in any amount will be helpful Donors of $100 or more are recognized by the Mayor in the “Around Town” utility bill newsletter You can also become an official sponsor by donating $500 or more Sponsors get special recognition in our publicity materials and other perks DISCLAIMER: The above news, information, and opinions are the author’s own. 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Copyright © 2025 · The Suburban Times · Log in defends against Steilacoom’s star receiver Emeka Egbuka in the second quarter of the Sentinels’ 49-12 Class 2A state tournament win in 2018 at Silverdale Stadium (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group) Port Angeles’ Alex Angevine is getting hot right when the Roughriders most… Continue reading Five athletes from Klahhane Gymnastics competed last week at… Continue reading Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News Cole Johanson, 2, makes a final adjustment… Continue reading Port Angeles’ Leia Larson won the 3,200-meter run, Teanna Clark… Continue reading The East Jefferson boys soccer team won a critical… Continue reading Port Angeles senior Faerin Tait ran to victories in… Continue reading The Port Angeles girls softball team took care of… Continue reading Sequim and Forks combined for 34 base hits in the… Continue reading Runners and walkers will… Continue reading Sequim rallied to knock off second place North Kitsap 7-4… Continue reading © 2025, Peninsula Daily News + Sound Publishing, Inc. + Black Press Media KIRO NEWSRADIO 12:58 PM | Updated: Jan 5 Steilacoom has announced it wil no longer fund the summertime outdoor concert series at Pioneer Park BY TOM BROCK The future of a popular outdoor concert series in Steilacoom is uncertain after the town announced it won’t be funding the program this year Steilacoom has sponsored the summertime concert series for 37 years According to The Tacoma News Tribune But private donations might be able to save it Last year the town sponsored nine concerts in Pioneer Park a site overlooking Puget Sound from just northeast of the Steilacoom ferry dock More than 10,000 people enjoyed music from groups performing in the park’s bandstand But if the music is to continue this summer private donors will have to step up and raise about $40,000 An outdoor concert series in Steilacoom is losing its funding from the city Sticker shock on the slopes: How smaller ski resorts offer some of the best deals said it’s possible fewer concerts could take place this year if donations come up short The city is holding an informational meeting on the future of the concert series on Sunday money for the concert series has come from the city’s general fund Steilacoom officials had to make a few adjustments and cutbacks this year due to a property tax that is limited to 1% under state law Mayor Muri told The News Tribune the property tax cap has resulted in having to spend less on “non-critical” programs “We don’t have a crisis,” he told The News Tribune (and have) a $200,000 a year annual deficit which will increase more than likely every year.” The manager and host of the outdoor concerts for the last 22 years told The News Tribune he’s confident those who enjoy the events will raise enough money to continue the series “Now it’s time to come up with solutions,” Rogers said He said he’s hopeful people will look at the funding problem as an opportunity for growth Rogers said he’s seen the concerts become a big attraction for families in outlying communities “We can have a better budget now,” Rogers told the News Tribune “We can improve our summer concerts if we work together for people to find more unity in things that bring us joy especially during this time when we’re so divided in so many ways by all the wrong reasons This is something for us to embrace and own together now I like the idea that it won’t be something that potentially will be managed by the town Steilacoom officials have set up a fundraising mechanism to raise the $40,000 needed to save the outdoor concerts You can donate online or mail checks to The Town of Steilacoom at 1030 Roe St. The Friends of Steilacoom Library (FOSL) will hold their spring book sale Friday April 4 and Saturday April 5 Hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday at the Steilacoom Community Center Please bring cash or checks to purchase books we can’t process credit or debit cards Donation days for items are Saturday March 8 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm and Tuesday March 18 from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm Donations are accepted in the Steilacoom Library Meeting Room at 2950 Steilacoom Boulevard Please bring good condition items and we request that outdated (more than two years) travel books management guides and self-help items not be donated Proceeds from the book sale support programs and activities at the library and in the community The Friends of Steilacoom Library’s (FOSL) Spring book sale kicks off on Friday Sale location is the Steilacoom Community Center The site offers a spacious and bright area for the hundreds of books as well as plenty of parking and accessibility Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions give suggestions and assist with getting purchases to vehicles Two recent donation collection days added 70 boxes of books to FOSL’s already generous selection In addition to the usual fiction and non-fiction recent donations have included a number of travel and history books on China and Scandanavia A “gifting table” of new or pristine books is available – a perfect time to find a Mother’s or Father’s Day favorite Please know donations are not accepted on sale days Bringing your own reusable bags is appreciated but bags and boxes will be available Don’t miss this opportunity to stock up for Summer reading STEILACOOM – The Kiwanis Club of Steilacoom is honored to be presenting the 2025 Citizen of the Year award to The Steilacoom Historical Community Garden (SHCG) The award recognizes the incredible private/public partnership of more than 100 volunteers and sponsors and our Town Administration with the invaluable guidance of Judy Bittenbender and former Club President decided an award which honors a community of volunteers instead of an individual would help advance a sense of civic pride in our unique Town of Firsts The success of the Steilacoom Historical Community Garden was due to many parties A town advisory committee was formed to generate ideas from which leadership emerged to create a proposal Steilacoom Mayor Dick Muri reconstituted in 2021 the Parks and Environment Advisory Committee which ultimately endorsed the SHCG concept provided the fortitude and leadership to move an idea forward addressing the constant questions of leadership Carol started the efforts with a concept of operations This concept was to have a Community Garden spot in the already existing DuPont Community Garden There she demonstrated the concept would work and brought the idea back to the advisory committee She then began the huge effort of recruiting and building relationships between the many volunteers Steilacoom’s Town Administrator Paul Loveless proposed a brilliant idea of using the old well site in Cherrydale Park.  It was a perfect location being an underutilized town property having two small buildings and a solid fence Quite a change from being told there was no suitable location on town property DUPONT – A busy section of Steilacoom-DuPont Road near Barksdale Station in DuPont will be unavailable to travelers for a weekend in early May The closure allows crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation to connect a new roundabout to Steilacoom-DuPont Road Travelers are encouraged to add additional time to help prevent delays The work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled Steilacoom-DuPont Road travelers will be able to use two sections of the roundabout located just north of Station Drive Six artists will get through from America's votes and the judge who wins the judge's song contest will save one more Would you like to receive our daily news? Signup today there are no recent results for popular commented articles Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: · March 6 EMERGENCY DETOUR ALERT: This morning the city’s electrical contractor hit a watermain at 87th Avenue and Steilacoom Boulevard The intersection is closed and will remain closed while repairs are made It is anticipated this closure will last three days Local access is still open to the businesses on Steilacoom Boulevard between 83rd/Hipkins and 87th Avenue Cars coming from the Oakbrook side can still currently drive through the 87th/Steilacoom Boulevard intersection to Elwood but can’t turn left onto Steilacoom Boulevard depending on how much damage was done to the pipe We apologize for the inconvenience and are working quickly to get the pipe repaired The Steilacoom Kiwanis Foundation Winter WineFest is a dinner Its purpose is to raise funds to support the children Anderson Island and Joint Base Lewi-McChord How can I get tickets? www.kiwanisclubofsteilacoom.org Dinner will be plated and served to you at your table Menu: 3 appetizers during Silent Auction and Wine TastingSalad: Strawberry field greens all with a raspberry honey mustard sauce.Main Course: Seared Salmon topped with a cucumber dill sauce AND Grilled Balsamic and garlic Skirt Steak accompanied by heirloom carrots roasted with sea salt and herbs; roasted petite baby potatoes with olive oil Tacoma and Pierce County’s waterfronts might be one of the region’s best-kept secrets easily accessible weekend option for couples and friends interested in history and relaxation and upscale escapes that won’t break the bank.   Point Ruston makes a fine home base for first-day explorations This revamped stretch of waterfront is one of Tacoma’s newer attractions set on Commencement Bay dining and an upscale movie theater within a pedestrian-friendly core The Olympic range and Mount Rainier present a showstopping backdrop particularly on less rainy spring days.  The quirky Point Ruston Public Market’s regular tenants and weekend pop-up stalls sell handmade crafts food and other goodies from stalls and storefronts A small interior grocer sells breakfast bowls and groceries for locals and weekend visitors sci-fans can look for quotes from the novel “Dune.” Point Ruston feels like a living seaside village due to the plentiful condos and apartments. Temporary locals stay at the 194-room Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront an excellent respite and launchpad for shoreline explorations At the Northwest hotel chain’s crown jewel book a waterview suite with floor-to-ceiling windows facing Commencement Bay to potentially catch sight of spy-hopping orcas and Mount Rainier from your room.  50-foot-tall Wilson Way bridge linking Ruston Way to Point Defiance Park which began its stint as a city park in 1905 Easier options include driving or an electric-assist bike from Wheel Fun Rentals Although the entire Five Mile Drive appears on navigation maps vehicles can now only travel the Inner Loop Most attractions are accessible along the Inner Loop. Stop by the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s recently renovated Tropical Reef Aquarium to meet a carpet-colored (and oddball) wobbegong shark and other reefside denizens.  Other notable attractions include Owen Beach’s updates (including a whale sculpture play area) and the park’s eight gardens, including a spring-blooming rhododendron garden. The 1914-constructed Point Defiance Pagoda sits amid Point Defiance’s Japanese Garden a 1961 gift to Tacoma from one of its sister cities Visitors also park within the dense old-growth forest to hike trails sheltered by enormous fir and cedar boughs.  you’ll maintain a stunning view of the water for most of the 12 miles toward Steilacoom Steilacoom celebrates its 50-year anniversary of its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places The port town was rising in the mid-to-late 1800s when it served as the county seat and in the running to be the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railway. It still claims a series of firsts — Washington’s first incorporated town (1854) brewery and public lending library (both 1858).  the Northern Pacific Railway chose Tacoma as the rail line’s end and the county seat was transferred to Tacoma the town’s historic area remains frozen in time Plentiful street parking allows a romantic walk exploring 30 historic stops on the Historic Steilacoom Walking Tour Print off or download the accompanying brochure to navigate past unusual homes Spot a home’s turret with a “witch’s cap,” a log house the 17-room mansion built and lost within two years and an 1855 Catholic church used by military personnel and Native Americans Just below Pioneer Park, the lesser-known Pierce County Ferry system boards drivers and cars at the Steilacoom Terminal An easy 20-minute ride takes visitors to Anderson Island a roughly 8-square-mile island of 1,302 people and primarily a sleepy retirement community you will find two cafes and a general store rewarded by an evening sun slipping behind the Salish Sea’s islands Western Washington Toyota Dealers Association is a group of 21 independent dealers formed over 35 years ago promoting Toyota vehicles and services in the greater Puget Sound region Member dealers live and work in their home communities across Western Washington dependable sunbreaks and longer daylight hours offer the perfect excuse to get on the road Art beckons from nearly every corner of the town enlivening escape on even the most dreary Northwest days a spot for Mexican-American fusion and more Known as “Little Norway,” Poulsbo’s seaside Scandifluence is felt almost everywhere — from Finn Hill Road to Viking Avenue Washington beaches reveal glimpses of migrating gray whales — bring binoculars to the coastal bluffs for the best whale-watching views alpine passes and more — but you’ll have to slow down a bit Stay secure and make sure you have the best reading experience possible by upgrading your browser · February 11 The Town of Steilacoom has received an application for a Master Planned Development Permit for The Cove at Chambers Bay (former Abitibi Mill Site) Public comments on the application will be accepted through February 26 Comments should be directed to Tanner Fuller, Town Planner, tanner.fuller@ci.steilacoom.wa.us, (253) 581-1912. Following the public comment period, public meetings and a hearing on the application will be scheduled. See the Town’s details here The Chambers Creek Restoration Alliance has a bit of insight into the application and follow on paperwork I will be glad to have the property cleaned up and developed The tax revenue will help the Town of Steilacoom Any idea what is to be built on the property In the article above click on the link where it says “See the Town’s details here” Scroll down to find “Cove at Chambers Bay” But keep in mind that if the fish ladder & chambers creek bridge updated as had been reported before that construction affect the traffic in that area and Steilacoom · January 20 Construction crews are expected to be on site Tuesday 2025 on Steilacoom Boulevard between Weller Road SW and 87th Avenue SW to prepare for upcoming road construction could begin lane closures as early as the end of next week Work starts on the north side of Steilacoom Boulevard Puget Sound Energy and other utility purveyors will also be in the area performing work The total project is estimated at about $6 million The city applied for and received more than $5 million in grant funding for the construction portion of the project and new traffic signals will go in at 87th Avenue SW The pavement will be overlayed and the road restriped with durable markings Steilacoom Boulevard will remain open during construction This will result in traffic backups during busy travel times Drivers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time and where possible find alternative routes Construction is expected to conclude this fall with the traffic signal replacement potentially taking longer due to supply issues Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) was a famed singer Perhaps best known for “This Land is Your Land” the native Oklahoman lived in New York City for many years but it was his brief time in the Northwest that inspired a creative burst Hired in 1941 by the Department of the Interior to narrate and sing in a documentary on the construction of federal dams on the Columbia River he said “it’s a paradise.” And he labeled the Grand Coulee Dam project “the greatest thing that man has ever done.” folksinger and actor Joel Underwood performs an hour of lecture February 22 as he brings Guthrie and his music alive Columbia,” “Pastures of Plenty” and “This Land is Your Land” and learn about the anecdotes and tragedy behind the man and the songs “The songs themselves were really beyond category They had the infinite sweep of humanity in them.” After teaching high school history for twenty-five years Underwood received a master’s degree in American History with a focus on folk and protest music He received a Woody Guthrie Fellowship and had access to the Woody Guthrie Archives in Tulsa There he researched the singer’s time in the World War II Merchant Marines and is part of the Speakers’ Bureau for Humanities Washington This program is made possible by the Friends of the Steilacoom Library the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association (SHMA) and Humanities Washington Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of history and song What: That Ribbon of Highway: Woody Guthrie in the Northwest with Joel UnderwoodWhen: Saturday February 22 at 4 P.M.Where: Steilacoom Historical Museum Education Room — A Pierce County town is denying a man's request to remove trees from a popular park that he claimed impede his view of the Puget Sound It's been a hot topic among neighbors in Steilacoom for months and raised concerns about a town ordinance that allowed a neighbor to make such a request Three of the four pine trees in question are marked by white ribbons at Sunnyside Beach Park and just about everyone KOMO News crews spoke with at the park on Thursday expressed support for keeping the massive trees intact They argued a private citizen should not be able to request the removal of healthy mature trees that provide shade and that may also increase property values Others said the tree removal could damage the rest of the greater ecosystem The town administrator said Thursday afternoon that the request is being denied because of the tree's proximity to the shoreline and because they're needed to diminish noise and the view of the nearby trains Neighbor Loretta Fernandez has been following this case since the homeowner applied because when we moved here- what attracted us to Steilacoom- were the trees important beauty of Steilacoom,” Fernandez explained The homeowner can still appeal the town's decision An online meeting agenda shows he testified at a May town council meeting that he was not trying to do anything against public interest He added that if his application were approved there would be a plan to replant trees to provide shade but not impact views This is a developing story and will be updated Already have an account? Log in here The city of Lakewood is hosting its annual recognition of Martin Luther King The MLK Welcome Walk for Our Beloved Community invites people to come and connect with friends and meet new friends around the 1-mile Waughop Lake trail at the park and food trucks at the event to celebrate the occasion Following the Welcome Walk will be an art reception event from 5-7 p.m 13 in the foyer of Lakewood City Hall that will feature jazz music Email notifications are only sent once a day Get to know this year's Best of the South Sound cohort learn more about a new swim school in Tacoma · September 20 4-7 pm at the historic H-Barn within Fort Steilacoom Park for a good Old fashioned “Harvest Hoedown.” Enjoy Live music and fun family activities while learning about the history and the huge effort underway to preserve and renovate the over 100 year old H-Barn Historic preservation of the H-Barn will honor the distinct historical function of the building while being renovated into a modern multi-functional event space Click here to register for the Harvest Hoedown For more information visit the Partners for Parks website Partners for Parks looks forward to continuing our efforts to raise awareness and build support for the H-Barn Project at Fort Steilacoom Park · December 3 Fort Steilacoom Park has a long history as a working farm tracing back to the Hudson Bay Company in 1841 supporting settlers until Fort Steilacoom was decommissioned in 1868 The land was then purchased and donated by the Federal Government for use as a regional hospital site in 1874 Much of the crops and livestock raised were to support hospital staff and patients between 1930 and 1950 Before colonial settlement this site was stewarded for thousands of years by Coast Salish tribes The historic preservation of the H-Barn complex will carefully balance honoring its agricultural past with a vision for modern functionality The project includes transforming the interior into a versatile event space while maintaining key historical elements Highlights of the preservation plan include: This thoughtful preservation effort will celebrate the H-Barn’s heritage while breathing new life into the space for future generations to enjoy. To learn more, click here, and to support this project financially, click here This is a great community project that will create a gathering space that Lakewood area desperately needs while preserving part of our history NCAA 7:56 PM | Updated: 7:59 pm Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka reacts after scoring a touchdown on Nov There was some local flavor in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night in the form of former Steilacoom High School star Emeka Egbuka The wide receiver out of Ohio State went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No right after the Seattle Seahawks took offensive lineman Grey Zabel at No Seahawks draft North Dakota State OL Grey Zabel at No. 18 helped Ohio State win the 2024 national championship making 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 TDs and Egbuka leaves Ohio State as the program’s No 202-pound Egbuka was projected as a first-round pick by NFL.com Egbuka had a pair of teammates with the Buckeyes who are also local products and prospects in this NFL Draft class: defensive end JT Tuimoloau the son of KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM host and regular Seattle Sports guest Gee Scott Sr A look at the local prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft The 22-year-old Egbuka was either the second or third wide receiver taken in the 2025 NFL Draft depending on what you consider two-way star Travis Hunter a cornerback/receiver from Colorado who went No Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan was the lone exclusive receiver to be drafted before Egbuka going eighth overall to the Carolina Panthers Egbuka leapt ahead of Texas receiver Matthew Golden who was commonly ranked behind McMillan but ahead of Egbuka in pre-draft WR rankings Golden was taken 23rd overall by the Green Bay Packers State Representative Mari Leavitt (D-University Place) kindly invites community members and neighbors to a district Town Hall Meeting on Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Steilacoom Town Hall (1717 Lafayette St This event provides an opportunity for residents to engage directly with Rep and discuss key issues impacting the community and discussing the work we’re doing in Olympia to support families “Your input is invaluable as we shape policies that reflect the needs of our 28th.”  She looks forward to seeing folks there!  Submitted by Steilacoom Historical Community Garden What a bloomin’ difference 11 months make less than two weeks after the Town of Steilacoom offered the garden this space where an abandoned water-well pumping station once stood finished re-roofing the second of the garden’s two sheds beautiful raised beds brimming with flowers and vegetables Thanks to Anthony Gardner Remodeling and Repair and Sue Larsen of Next Home South Sound – both of DuPont – for investing faith money and labor into rehabbing our garden’s tool and food donation sheds And thanks to all the SHCG’s sponsors and donors; Steilacoom Kiwanis; Steilacoom’s mayor Town council and administration; the Steilacoom Historical School District; and our own gardeners and friends of the garden for making it possible for the SHCG to exist so we can donate fresh produce to the We Love Steilacoom food bank while feeding our own families and creating a sense of community family as we glory in summer’s full bloom – filled with plants As much progress as the garden has made in a short time We are looking for a sponsor/donor to help us resurface the garden’s crumbling concrete gathering “patio” – the previous footing for a 50-foot-tall water storage tank The patio is the basis for our education and outreach efforts and serves as a place for our gardeners to rest and mingle If you are interested in making a tax deductible cash donation, or willing to contribute in-kind labor/materials to continue the improvements for our nonprofit garden, please reach out to the garden coordinator carol.saynisch@ci.steilacoom.wa.us. https://townofsteilacoom.org/309/Community-Garden will pay a couple $15 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit they filed after their 13-year-old son drowned during a town summer camp outing.  known as the “Old Swimming Hole,” on July 15 A summer camp employee had left McCutcheon and eight other teenagers at the lake while he went to pick up a second group of younger children and a co-worker at the ferry station according to Pierce County Superior Court records who had never swum in open water before and was not given a life jacket was underwater for about six minutes before bystanders rescued him and began performing CPR He was airlifted to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital where he died later that day making several deep dives until he spotted the 13-year-old’s arm about 10 feet underwater He grabbed DJ’s hand and swam him to the surface.  “That boy should not be dead under any circumstances,” Roberts said “If he was adequately and property supervised as part of the summer camp group — whether it be the town of Steilacoom or the town of Colorado City — that boy would not have died.” The Salish Middle School student’s parents sued the town seven months later for negligence Their complaint accused the town of about 6,600 people of failing its duty to protect campers from foreseeable harm by leaving the children unsupervised near open water Both said the case was considered ongoing because the final dismissal paperwork had not yet been filed.  said Steilacoom agreed to pay $15 million — more than half of the town’s annual $24.5 million budget — to settle their lawsuit The money will come from the town’s insurance funds “This has always been about justice for DJ and it’s never been about the money,” Rosen said “The most important thing for them is to never have this happen to another child.” the town sought to dismiss the couple’s wrongful-death claim saying Tamicia McCutcheon had signed a waiver accepting any risks — including injury or death — of her son participating in activities in or near water.  The couple’s attorneys argued the “generic release” form did not describe any situations where the children would be taken to open water The McCutcheons’ attorneys also noted that camp employees planned the Florence Lake outing knowing they would have to transport the campers from the ferry station in two groups That decision violated a policy in the town’s staff training manual which said campers “must be under the supervision of a staff person at all times during program hours,” court records show The town and the McCutcheons reached a settlement agreement April 30 about three weeks before the case was scheduled to go to trial.  their “miracle baby,” after struggling for years with infertility They moved to the South Sound area after being stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2019 accepted their son’s eighth grade diploma at Salish Middle School on Tuesday They plan to use the settlement money to start a nonprofit dedicated to promoting aquatic safety at other summer camps and create scholarships in their son’s name if they’re going to do aquatic excursions to make sure they have safety requirements and rules in place to prevent these types of tragedies from happening,” Rosen said During their eighth grade graduation ceremony on Tuesday Salish Middle School students gave speeches about DJ “Even though they had known him only a short period of time they spoke about how impactful he was on their lives and how caring he was as a human,” said Rosen “He was such a special young man that not just the McCutcheons have lost The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times · October 16 Join the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association on Sunday for a free special event inside one of the original Western State Hospital buildings from 1871 historian and hospital safety trainer Alexandria Woodruff will present an engaging talk on Western State Hospital’s history and mental health treatment in Washington the buildings became Washington’s first mental health facility The photo shows what the hospital grounds looked like in the 1920s you can just make out the commanding officer’s quarters of the fort – which at the time of the photo was housing for doctors The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) was prepared to let the original buildings cave in during the 1970s so that building later sustained a lot of water damage you can still see a bit of the painted ceiling that would have covered the ceiling of the home in Victorian times Please be sure to use the street address to find the fort Several locations including a park and a college campus use the fort’s name The four remaining fort buildings are located along the former US Army parade grounds which is now the front lawn and parking lot for WSH a recording or Zoom of the presentation would be appreciated my gg grand uncle served at Fort Steilacoom from 1849-1852 Barbara Gates of Steilacoom will be celebrating her centenary birthday this month Barbara was born in Olympia in her parents’ home and eventually settled in the Steilacoom home she and her husband Doris and Theron Cain are all deceased and buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Olympia and eager to continue her love of gardening Her living family includes her daughter and son (and daughter-in-law) a nephew and his family and two nieces who visit with Barbara often Barbara belongs to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Lakewood where she is one of the longest living members which was attended not only by fellow members She is beloved in the Steilacoom community and has many stories about both Steilacoom and Olympia California but missed the beautiful green trees of Washington and returned home (Birthday messages may be sent to her niece, Elizabeth, at melizzylizard@yahoo.com.) The story of your making 100 is inspirational I plan to live to age 100 and then I will coast Joseph Boyle – A guy who does not comply with his mother’s advice What a wonderful start to 2025 Happy Birthday to a Local Treasure The Suburban Times starting 2025 with this story really rocks I wish you the best and be careful when they bring the cake out with all those candles your Dr was there for your 99th….I sure hope he’s there for your 100th too….in case of a fire! Intro rate $1.99This rate will renew automatically at $9.99 after 30 days First time here? Click to create a yakimaherald.com user account another defense unable to slow down Prosser's explosive offense The Mustangs roared to life after a scoreless first quarter and pulled away late for a 51-35 win over Steilacoom their third straight game scoring at least 48 points Jacob Rainer threw for 200 yards and five touchdowns including three to 6-foot-6 senior Landon Bailey Erik Delgado and Autry Hoefer provided key contributions on the ground rushing for a combined 160 yards on just nine carries highlighted by a 53-yard touchdown run moments after an illegal man downfield penalty erased a long touchdown pass in the third quarter thanks to some key defensive plays by the Mustangs They stopped a fourth down early in the fourth quarter and then came away with two of their four interceptions for the game to prevent a Sentinels comeback Hoefer and Brody Buxton caught touchdown passes from Rainer who also bulldozed his way into the end zone for three two-point conversions Although Prosser lost the ball early on a fumbled snap Rainer avoided throwing any interceptions on 33 pass attempts Bailey caught 10 passes for 81 yards to lead the Mustangs who extended their winning streak to four games They've only lost once — at four-time 1A defending champion Royal — since an 0-2 start and their last six wins have come by at least 16 points Prosser (7-3) advanced to the 2A state playoffs and will learn its next opponent Sunday after the 16 winners from the new Round of 32 are reseeded by the WIAA's playoff seeding committee STE — Drew Macdonald 1 run (Justin Chang kick) PRO — Brody Buxton 4 pass from Jacob Rainer (Rainer run) STE — Noah Maxwell 10 pass from Macdonald (Chang kick) PRO — Landon Bailey 12 pass from Rainer (kick failed) STE — Alex Kemp 13 pass from Macdonald (Chung kick) PRO — Autry Hoefer 8 pass from Rainer (Rainer run) STE — Xander Shaw 15 pass from Macdonald (Chung kick) PRO — Autry Hoefer 53 run (Hans VerMulm kick) PRO — Landon Bailey 12 pass from Rainer (Rainer run) PRO — Bailey 22 pass from Rainer (VerMulm kick) Reach Luke Thompson at luthompson@yakimaherald.com Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Taking advantage of a few hours of dry weather between storms on 23 December eight Steilacoom volunteers completed the mission of spreading wood chips over the extensive cardboard in place at the 5th Street Waterway restoration site This was the ninth volunteer work party at this site since September of this year many volunteers working together succeeded in removing most of the invasive blackberry vines which dominated the landscape even obscuring a beautiful western red cedar tree the cleared area was covered with cardboard to prevent erosion and to suppress regrowth of invasive species A thick layer of wood chips now covers the cardboard to further suppress weeds and enhance the soil for native plants and 6-year-old Elias for your volunteerism today The work is now on pause until mid-February when another work party will be scheduled to plant a variety of native plants Your efforts and talent for bringing a group together to do these kinds of jobs in Steilacoom are much appreciated Thank you and your volunteers and Happy 2025 Beyond the physical outdoor exercise and seeing an enhanced local environment another benefit of volunteering with our work parties is being around positive happy people who are authentic in their resolve to make the world around them a little better Submitted by Maria Sullivan and Karin Williamson mature trees in Sunnyside Beach Park in Steilacoom be removed to expand and create views for homeowners who live above the park vociferous discussion at the Steilacoom Town Council meeting on Tuesday A larger than usual audience was present to express their vigorous opposition a number of residents with homes above Sunnyside Beach Park requested removal of 20 mature trees from the park to restore and improve their views of Puget Sound with a request for removal of four towering evergreens along the eastern boundary of the park for the purpose of increasing his existing expansive view White ribbons around the trees identify the four large trees being considered for removal At the core of contention is a section of the Steilacoom Municipal Code (SMC) that provides an administrative process for requesting alteration (including removal) of trees or vegetation on town-owned property for the purpose of “preserving restoring or improving views.” The current code arguably allows for removal of mature There is currently no requirement for an arborist assessment of tree health or for replanting The Town of Steilacoom code designates the Director of Public Works as the decision maker who can either approve or deny the request Due to the current pending application for the removal of the four towering evergreens Sunnyside Beach Park has become a focal point of discussions about preservation of the town’s trees There is a serious concern that the current code provision which allows residents to request tree removal for view purposes conflicts with the Town’s Shoreline Master Program The Town’s Shoreline Master Program was adopted from RCW 90.58 The State Shoreline Management Act and the Town’s Shoreline Master Program bestows strong environmental protection for shoreline properties 200 feet landward of the ordinary high-water mark Among the purposes of the Shoreline Master Program is to promote “the public health and general welfare of the community,” and to “achieve no net loss to the ecological functions of the Town’s shorelines.” The state’s shorelines are to be protected not only for the fish providing public shoreline access for thousands of visitors It is the only Steilacoom shoreline park that is ADA accessible The trees in the park are among the few mature trees along the South Puget Sound shoreline that are waterward of the railroad tracks The trees provide welcome shade in the summer to visitors who bring children to enjoy the playground It is the site of the Salmon Bake and many family gatherings Steilacoom resident Alex Chaney who has led tree planting projects in the Town of Steilacoom testified that “trees in town provide valuable services we all enjoy These benefits reach across property lines to benefit us all Why does the town have a procedure to give a luxury good to a handful of residents at the expense of the remainder of the town?” a member of the Steilacoom Parks and Environment Advisory Committee explained how the interlocking roots of trees stabilize each other He warned that the removal of these large trees would jeopardize the survival of nearby trees the ability of trees to absorb water and stabilize the soil is particularly relevant for the town’s beachside park in which a collapsed seawall was recently replaced at great expense Councilmember Nancy Henderson emphasized that the Town gains nothing from approving the removal of trees from the park While removal would enhance the view and conceivably the property value of private property owners it would devalue its own public property in the process She expressed concern that it would establish a Town policy of favoring private interest and personal gain over the public good “If you allow one resident to dictate how the town property is managed for their personal gain you are just opening the door for others to follow.” Approval of similar requests would result in incremental degradation of the park’s natural environment and the public’s enjoyment Commenting on the need for changes to the current Steilacoom Municipal Code Chaney stated: “You certainly shouldn’t steal trees from the citizens’ public land in order to give out favors to a select few; much less burden the town staff with making such determinations.” Councilmembers Henderson and Liz Grasher submitted proposed changes to the current Steilacoom Urban Forestry Management ordinance which is at the center of the tree removal controversy the understanding of the multiple benefits that trees provide has increased the number of trees in Steilacoom continues to decrease with an ordinance is not adequately protective of trees on town-owned property The topic of changes to the Steilacoom Urban Forestry Management ordinance will be discussed at the next Steilacoom Town Council meeting on June 4 at 6 pm at the Steilacoom Town Hall I appreciate this article as I was at that council meeting I am afraid that the 4 trees will be removed before anything is decided That homeowner bought his house above Sunnyside beach in 2022 knowing that those trees were there already How arrogant of that homeowner who has been working closely with Mark B from the town and these were in his words Is there anything else we can do to prevent this He knew when he bought the house that the trees were there and must consider himself way to important Removing trees on public land just to satisfy the visual needs of a few is inherently wrong City government is sworn to protect all city assets which include trees and other natural resources for the greater good of the entire community That would reduce tree area and help prevent future damage from windstorms and have the benefit of improving views for many homes Topping evergreen trees might seem like a quick fix to control their height or reduce their size but it’s a practice that’s generally discouraged and can be quite harmful to the health and aesthetics of the tree Topping disrupts this pattern and can cause significant stress to the tree When you remove a large portion of the tree’s canopy you’re essentially removing its food factory as leaves are the primary sites for photosynthesis This shock can weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to diseases Decay and Disease: Topping creates large wounds on the tree leaving it vulnerable to decay and disease the cuts made during topping often leave behind stubs that don’t heal properly These wounds become entry points for pathogens leading to infections that can spread throughout the tree and poorly attached shoots in an attempt to compensate for the lost foliage These new shoots are often structurally unsound and prone to breaking the dense regrowth can create a tangled mess of branches that are difficult to manage and detract from the tree’s natural beauty Aesthetic and Long-Term Effects: Topping can result in disfigured and unattractive trees Instead of maintaining the tree’s natural shape unnatural appearance that detracts from the landscape topping is not a sustainable solution in the long run The regrowth that occurs after topping often requires frequent maintenance leading to a cycle of continued topping and further stress on the tree Let’s “branch” out and get to the “root” of the issue It is extremely difficult for me to decide to cut a tree Rule #1: If I have any control or influence over trees I run the trees Rule #3: If I owned property with trees that blocked my neighbor’s view I would make the personal sacrifice to trim or remove those trees to allow my neighbor to enjoy their view If narrow-minded tree huggers successfully block the tree removal the Town of Steilacoom should write a check to each homeowner every year for the destruction of their previous or potential property value as the trees grow higher and thicker I say narrow-minded because tree-huggers simply do not get it sorry if my taking the other side angers you I am compelled to stand up for others for what is right Constitutional right of free speech simply sharing my “view” Joseph Boyle – Former Pierce County Resident – 62 years Boyles statement demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of scientific consensus My guess is he thinks climate change is a “hoax” a conspiracy by the left wing tree hugging liberals Boyles comments stem from a lack of awareness or a refusal to acknowledge the urgency of environmental issues sadly he votes We are talking about removing trees from public land by definition is for enjoyment of the many Private land is for the enjoyment of the owner Had those trees were on the landowners property it would be in his right (provided that it did not violate any codes) to remove them and the rest of the residents (not just those that share your views) have a say Ok first off who are you to decide what trees should live or die they were here before humans even came into existence so I say they have way more rights then we do And in the end it’s just pure selfish to ask to cut down trees that other people and animals benefit from just for a view How about removing the offending trees and then installing sunshade-producing awnings or wood structures to provide shade for those who desire shade Please look for a solution that serves both tree huggers and view lovers because ‘awnings’ do not purify the air A 2 year citizen who bought his house as is Is going to destroy our park for his convence the removal of the four trees only serves the needs of a select few and not the larger community of Steilacoom Sacrificing a public amenity for the benefit of a very small number of private residents is fundamentally wrong As a biologist and educator I am astonished at this dilemma Trees are communities where complex biological webs are formed for hundreds of species integration with other close trees and sound buffering Why are you considering removing these trees to increase a property owners view These trees took years to reach this climax step in their lives I think you need to look at your municipal code and see why this is even being considered I think we have come to the point that the good of the commons outweighs a win for a single recipient The trees you remove cannot be replaced by a 6’ x 1” diameter sapling I cannot stop private property owners from removing trees but trees on municipal property belong to all of us Is the individual who brought this up going to pay for the trees’ removal Would public funds be used for any other improvement of their property Would a property owner other than the city be required to remove existing trees from their property at their expense so this individual could enjoy their view They bought the property knowing full well that there were trees within their view especially with the value these trees provide I live in Lakewood with a nearly unobstructed view of Lake Steilacoom One blue spruce barely blocks a small portion of the view It’s easy enough for me to move (instead of “re-move) around the tree to see it all Steilacoom’s magnificent trees provide critical services to both humans and nature these arboreal guardians face a myriad of threats Preserving trees in coastal areas emerges not only as an environmental imperative but as a crucial step towards securing the resilience of Steilacoom These trees serve as front-line defenders against erosion shielding the land from the erosive forces of wind and waves Sunny Side Heights and Madrona Park sit on a glacial sandbar that will “liquefy” with enough seismic activity Trees intricate root systems stabilize the soil these coastal trees provide crucial habitats for numerous species of wildlife sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigating the effects of climate change Steilaccom’s development often encroaches upon these fragile ecosystems Preserving trees in Steilacoom is not merely an ecological endeavor but a fundamental necessity for ensuring the well-being of both nature and humanity we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect our community from the ravages of natural disasters By recognizing the intrinsic value of these ecosystems and taking concerted action to protect them we can ensure their continued vitality for generations to come The citizens of Steilacoom are mere custodians and we should work tirelessly to sustain the precious coastal sanctuaries wetlands and our trees to enrich our lives and nurture the web of life Ridiculous request from a homeowner that recently purchased the home in the town by laws in regardsto this issue Just because you have money doesn’t mean your special I think they need thinning out removing some of the branches giving the homes a better view but with just a few branches in the way leads to stress and more sprouts growing from the top of the trees as they try to survive vista pruning is the only possible solution Both Lakewood and Tacoma have recently changed their municipal tree removal and pruning codes as the tree canopy has continued to decline in the south sound due to tree removals allowed without a permit and a certified arborist’s report with a valid reason for removal Not someone who things their view is more important than the health and well being that trees for provide for us (like oxygen) Please do not let these beautiful trees be removed Let’s all hope those “tree huggers” down in Lacey don’t hear about this Maybe our Town Managers need to talk to them about their experiences with public tree removal While increasing the enjoyment of the property of a few is it not decreasing the enjoyment of the park for a multitude We already have an ongoing problem at Sunnyside with erosion removal of trees and the root system will only increase this problem Why do we not ask the homeowner who is requesting the removal of the trees to compensate every Steilacoom resident who uses the park to compensate for their loss of enjoyment in the park The fact that Steilacoom would even entertain this person’s request totally floors me The Town has already decimated so much of Steilacoom with the removal of trees and wildlife habitat that now we are creating an issue with wild animals who have nowhere else to go It won’t be long before long time residents of the town of Steilacoom will have nowhere to go I really think that we need a change in some of the leadership specifically in that we need a leadership that can speak for the majority and not just the wealthy minority I am pleased that while we may not agree on an issue we can share our honest & frank opinions in a civil & friendly manner and still maintain our friendship May what ever is right & fair be the judgement of the day Is this home owners house blocking any views from other Steilacoom residents what’s good for the goose is good for the gander there is a lot of desert areas in the western US where this home owner wouldn’t have to worry about trees blocking views The property owner making the tree removal request is a real estate agent The timing of this request is suspicious given the capital gains tax break after two years of ownership I would suspect this property will be back on the market soon Many volunteers contribute their time and talents to make the Town of Steilacoom a highly desirable place to live Every 4th of July their welcome contributions transform the holiday into a showcase event with a family-friendly street fair Town pride and stewardship continue to be evident the day after This year 30 volunteers participated in the annual 5th of July Town Clean Up The enthusiastic stewards collectively donated 47.5 hours resulting in the disappearance of both macro and micro trash from four parks For some participants this was a family event teaching children by example the importance of taking care of our environment and other unwelcome byproducts of the celebration the day before with cans being donated to the Kiwanis bin at the Community Center The proceeds support our Steilacoom Historical School District students While meticulously cleaning up Sunnyside Beach Park volunteers discovered charcoal briquettes left smoldering near vegetation including a large conifer Typical of response to citizen concerns in Steilacoom and West Pierce Fire & Rescue expediently resolved the issue There are too many people to thank individually Please know that the contributions of all who participated are very appreciated particularly by Town parks and street crews who find the tasks of the 5th of July overwhelming This effort was a demonstration of gratitude to them for the excellent work they do every day to keep Steilacoom well-groomed Best team leaders and team for our great little town Submitted by Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation The Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation or SHEF is proud to announce the awarding of 29 scholarships to 29 exceptionally worthy Steilacoom High School graduates this past month.SHEF is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1993 and since that time has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to Steilacoom High School graduates We celebrated our 30-year anniversary in 2023-2024 with a special SHEF scholarship This year SHEF has awarded over $44,000 to these excellent students Scholarships were awarded for academic achievement and volunteering in the community during the student’s time at high school SHEF scholarships are donated by local individuals SHEF would like to thank the generous donors; Mike and Robbie Courts extracurricular activities and financial need to apply and then attend a Zoom interview with Board members to be considered This year, 2024, we were not able to award a scholarship to every worthy student who applied. If you, your family, your organization or business are interested in sponsoring a scholarship please feel free to contact us at SHEFinfo@gmail.com. We also accept donations in any amount to our special 30th Year Anniversary scholarship or our general SHEF scholarship fund at www.shefonline.com Many congratulations to all these wonderful students All of us on the SHEF Board as well as the donors and our entire communities of Steilacoom and Dupont are proud of you and look forward to your continued success and North Kitsap Vikings all competed in a track and field meet at Kingston High… The Bainbridge Spartans boys soccer team showed out on Senior Night cruising past Kingston 12-0 May 2 at home while… The Bainbridge Spartans girls’ tennis team remains undefeated and atop the Olympic League standings following a narrow 4-3 home victory…