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Eatonville High School
crowned Homecoming royalty on Sept. 27.
Homecoming festivities Northwest Trek celebrates fall with events
Last year's King Bennet Cole and Queen Mallory
McFadden crowned this year's King Hebron Leasiolagi and Queen Bailey Andersen
Homecoming Court
Members:
Freshman: Audrey Mullins, Tallas Jez, Delaney Livernash, Kohen Meyer
Sophomores: Kadrian Roderick, Nash Sherrard, Avery Painter, David McClain
Juniors: Miley King, Oscar Garcia, Lila Mahon, Waylon Berg
Seniors: Lillian Bickford, Logan Shipman, Haley Courson, Anthony Thorlacius, Aubrey
Meadows, Kellen Wilkie, Bailey Andersen, Hebron Leasiolagi
Thank you to the truck drivers to help bring the tradition back: Donny Stewart, Randy Fisk and Peter Fredrickson and to VC Powersports by Van Cours for the use of their side by sides and drivers for the ladies.
Submitted
It’s time for fall fun for the whole family at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park! From exploring the forest at night to watching animals enjoy fall offerings like pumpkins, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The park will be decorated with eerie spider webs and pumpkins everywhere. We encourage guests to wear their Halloween costumes for both events below (we ask that adults leave their scary masks and face paint at home, please).
Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp: Oct. 5-6, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Everyone loves pumpkins – but we take that to a new level at Northwest Trek. Look for pumpkins around the park, and keep your eyes peeled: Our animals love pumpkins, gourds, and other fall treats. Watch them chomp, stomp, and roll all day.
Don’t miss these special keeper chats where the animals will receive festive enrichments: Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m.: Raccoons
Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m.: Grizzly bears
Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m.: Skunk
Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.: Gray wolves
Price: Free with admission or membership. To learn more, visit nwtrek.org.
Hoot ‘n’ Howl: Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Wear a costume and explore the wildlife park at twilight during Hoot ‘n’ Howl! Walk our animal paths decorated with spooky lights and search for multiple trick-or-treat stations. Nocturnal animals are wide awake for Hoot ‘n’ Howl! Meet them and their keepers during a Keeper Chat at the times below: 5:30 p.m.: Beaver
6:30 p.m.: Gray wolves
7:30 p.m.: Barn owl
Plus, play games in the Picnic Pavilion -like skeeball, plinko and bag tosses. And don’t miss Fluorescent Food Science at the Kids’ Trek pavilion (6 p.m. and 7 p.m.). The Kids’ Trek playground will be specially lit up for the event—ready for kids to climb like a spider and swoop like a bat! Looking for more animals? Explore our Cheney Discovery Center at night to meet reptiles like the garter snake, amphibians like the Western toad, and gastropods like the banana slug.
Price: Advance purchase online: $14 members/$16 general; Walk-up price: $20
Get tickets at https://www.nwtrek.org/event/ hootnhowl/
Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp returns to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Oct. 5-6.
COURTESY PHOTOS ALYSSA WOOD
COURTESY
Join us Sunday at Home Spun Ministries
Where church is the way it should be! 10:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE
Alcohol Anonymous meetings offered
Alcoholics Anonymous is available for people who have a problem with alcohol. Meetings begin at noon Wednesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the American Legion Hall/ Lions Club, 123 Rainier Ave. N.
Community council
Graham-Kapowsin Community Council's Center at Evergreen on the Graham Hill has a new free Taichi class from 10-10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday that is especially good for balance. It also could lengthen your life, it's healthy for your heart, can boost your immunity and helps your brain function faster than other exercises. In addition the line dance classes are on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. It's free to members or $5.
Alanon help
Alanon is available to help people struggling with a loved one’s drinking. Call 425-830-0314.
Learn about Friends Of Eatonville Library
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
GRAHAM, WA 98338 www.livingwordlutheranchurch.com (253) 846-1276
The Friends of the Eatonville Library operates as a fundraising group to assist the Eatonville community. Primarily, it does so by accepting books and other donations and conducting book sales during the year. All of the funds are used to supplement the various library programs that enrich the local community.
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
CATHOLIC CHURCH
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL
CATHOLIC CHURCH
CATHOLIC CHURCH
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Reverend Dominic Chikankheni
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Reverend Dominic Chikankheni
Reverend Dominic Chikankheni
Reverend Dominic Chikankheni
Reverend Dominic Chikankheni
253-875-6630 ext. 127
253-875-6630 ext. 127
253-875-6630 ext. 127
253-875-6630 ext. 127
253-875-6630 ext.
229 Antonie Ave. N.
229 Antonie Ave. N.
To learn more about the group, contact Mike Eaton at 253-310–7709 or reach him in person at the library any Friday. There is no obligation. Application forms to join the organization are available at the library.
229 Antonie Ave. N.
360-832-6363 or 253-875-6630
229 Antonie Ave. N.
360-832-6363 or 253-875-6630
229 Antonie Ave. N. 360-832-6363 or 253-875-6630
360-832-6363 or 253-875-6630
360-832-6363 or 253-875-6630
Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m.
Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.
Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m. Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.
Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m.
Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m. Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.
Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.
Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m. Wednesday.................6:30 p.m.
Also, The Friends of the Eatonville Library Group is currently operating with only two members — in contrast to 10-13 members in the pre-Covid era. The group seeks members and volunteers. Contact Mike Eaton.
Funding awarded for clean energy projects
By Tacoma Weekly
Two Pierce County departments were awarded grant funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Energy Program. Pierce County Facilities Management was awarded $160,000 to study the feasibility of implementing solar energy and battery storage systems at County-owned facilities. Pierce County Planning and Public Works was awarded $2.3 million to construct a large-scale solar innovation project on the site of the closed Purdy Landfill. Both initiatives align with Pierce County's ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability and reduce its environmental footprint.
The Facilities Management feasibility study will evaluate key County-owned facilities for solar panel installation and
energy storage capacity. After an initial review, detailed designs, cost estimates, and potential energy savings will be created for specific sites. The results of this work will help the County plan, budget, and apply for grants for future solar energy projects.
The PPW solar innovation project will supply clean, renewable energy to the Key Peninsula community. Due to the industrial nature of solid waste functions at the site, the closed landfill has limited redevelopment options. A ground-mounted solar array on the landfill, which operated from 1941 to 1989, is an ideal use for the property to continue providing value to the community. Revenue from the power generated by the project will be reinvested by Pierce County to benefit low-income residents on the Key Peninsula.
The funding received by Pierce County is part of a larger $117 million investment from the Department of Commerce aimed at advancing clean energy projects across Washington State.
These investments reflect the growing commitment across Washington State to invest in clean energy solutions that benefit local communities while addressing climate change. We anticipate that clean energy being added to the grid will result in quantifiable GHG emission reductions, support community resilience to climate impacts long-term, and indirectly improve indoor and outdoor air quality. The solar feasibility study and landfill solar project will play a critical role in Pierce County’s long-term sustainability strategy and the potential development of future renewable energy projects.
Submitted
At the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees’ Wednesday, Oct. 9, 3:30 p.m., regular meeting, the board will discuss the draft balanced operating budget and planned work for 2025, a comprehensive capital facility plan, the interim Lakewood Pierce County Library opening, and address additional business.
The meeting will be held in person at the Pierce County Library Administrative Center at 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma. Optional virtual attendance is available via mypcls.org/ about-us/board-of-trustees/.
In follow up to the September Board meeting, Library administrators will continue discussions with the Board to create a balanced operating budget for 2025. In September, the Board continued deliberations on how to manage finances as costs to operate libraries will increase at a higher rate than revenues starting in 2025. In addition, to begin to using funds from the Levy Sustainability Fund, the Library System will make changes to operations to reduce costs and implement further efficiencies next year. Library administrators created the Levy Sustainability Fund and the Board of Trustees approved it, following voters passing a levy lid-lift in 2018. In 2025, the Library’s plan of work will stem from its new strategic plan for 20252029. The Board of Trustees is scheduled to give a final review of the strategic plan and approve it at the November or December 2024 Board meeting. The strategic plan will guide how the Library’s services will meet individual and community needs. A major focus next year is continuing to work with the Sumner community to build a new Sumner Pierce County Library, which voters approved in 2023.
For more information: https://mypcls.org/ about-us/board-of-trustees/.
Boeing pulls healthcare coverage for striking machinists as WA taxpayers step up
By Carleen Johnson
Center Square
Boeing machinists who’ve been on strike nearly three weeks are getting some help from state taxpayers in the form of healthcare and dental coverage, which lapsed for them on Sept. 30, due to the walkout.
Thanks to a recently approved state law, striking workers are eligible to apply for health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, the state's health benefit exchange program for residents who do not receive coverage through an employer.
“Individuals that are losing their health insurance due to a strike or labor dispute are able to come into Washington Healthplanfinder and have a special enrollment period,” explained Shawna Fish, associate director of communications and marketing with the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.
“This lets them come in and take a look at the plans that we have and pick one
that works for them and their families,” Fish said during a Wednesday interview with The Center Square.
Fish said the last few days have been extremely busy dealing with striking machinists worried about coverage.
“We are seeing quite a bit of interest, and the best way for these folks who have lost coverage is to call our customer support center at 1-855-923-4633,” she noted. There is a cost for the available state plans, but subsidies are available.
“Depending on the household situation, it is income based and individuals may be eligible for federal tax credits or they may be additionally eligible for savings through the state plan, which is Washington Cascade Care Savings,” Fish said.
She went on to say, “There are many reasons why individuals get help with subsidies, and it’s really dependent on what each person is going through, so it honestly is a way to help each other out as
we’re going through various life circumstances,” she said.
During 2023 debate on the legislation that allowed striking workers to qualify for state coverage, questions were raised about having taxpayers pick up the tab for workers who choose to go on strike.
“I have some concerns about where this might lead and where it might go,” said Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, during a Senate Ways & Means Committee hearing. “There are things that you give up when you go on strike and I have some concerns about how this bill addresses that.”
During the same hearing, bill sponsor Sen Karen Keiser, D-Kent said, “The fact is when someone does go out on strike they lose their income, their paycheck, and they sometimes lose their healthcare. This is just to create a safety net for that possibility.”
“I think it’s minimal in terms of fiscal, but it’s maximal in terms of reducing fear and apprehension,” she added.
Majority Democrats were able to get the bill passed this year, with it taking effect on June 6.
Fish told The Center Square state officials are convinced continuing coverage for striking workers ends up saving taxpayer money, even though there is no final estimate on what taxpayers are on the hook for in covering striking workers.
“What ends up happening when people don’t have healthcare coverage is they
end up seeking care at hospitals or urgent care and all that compounds into uncompensated care and we all end up paying for that in the long run,” she said.
Washington taxpayers could have been on the hook for a whole lot more. As reported by Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center, had House Bill 1893 become law during the 2024 session, "the state’s unemployment benefit fund would be paying tens of thousands of people not to
work, despite the fund being financed by employers and meant for people who lose work through no fault of their own."
The state's health benefit exchange is providing information and enrollment assistance only and is remaining neutral in the labor dispute.
The 60-day open enrollment window for striking machinists to apply for state healthcare coverage runs through the end of November.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE EATONVILLE TOWN COUNCIL on
Monday, October 14, 2024
NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Eatonville Town Council shall hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of soliciting public input on Ordinance 2024-5 an Ordinance of the Town of Eatonville, Washington, amending Title 19 “Design Standards” of the Eatonville Municipal Code.
Public comment for the Public Hearing will be opened up during the Public Hearing portion of the meeting. This meeting will be held at the Eatonville Community Center, 305 Center St W. on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 7:00pm.
Published October 2, 2024 and October 9, 2024
Funding will go toward innovative solar projects like this one on Orcas Island.
The
Election Preview 2024: Pierce County Executive
By Tacoma Weekly
With the 2024 General Election coming this Nov. 5, Ryan Mello and Kelly Chambers will be on the ballot for Pierce County Executive. These interviews are not intended to take sides or advocate for any individual candidates but rather to incite a sense of involvement among voters and help encourage participation in our country’s democratic process on election day.
Current Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier is termed out of running again, so Ryan Mellow (D) is campaigning to win the seat against Kelly Chambers (R).
RYAN MELLO
Ryan Mello’s service in elected office began in 2005 when he ran for and won a seat on the Metro Parks Tacoma Board of Commissioners. He remained in this position until 2009 when he was elected to Tacoma City Council and served from 2010 to 2019. From there, he moved on to the Pierce County Council beginning in 2021 and where he is currently council chair.
When asked why he chose to run for county executive, he replied, “I have really come to understand that the issues facing our community – the opioid epidemic, the climate crisis, affordable housing and homelessness – these are issues that are best addressed at the regional level countywide in order to make the most impact on them.”
During Mello’s time on the Pierce County Council, Dammeier has blocked numerous progressive efforts that the council has tried to establish by ordinance under Mello’s leadership. Since early 2021, Dammeier has vetoed eight proposed Pierce County Council ordinances for which Mello was co-sponsor or prime sponsor. Last week, the Executive vetoed the council’s summer supplementary budget.
Examples of Dammeier’s vetoes include hazard pay for grocery workers during the
Pierce
By Spencer Pauley
COVID pandemic; creation of the Pierce County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission; creation of a Community Needs Fund intended to enhance the quality of life for community members in every part of Pierce County; safe parking land use regulations for those experiencing homelessness; and a temporary Housing Community Land Use Code to allow tiny home villages in unincorporated Pierce County for those currently living unsheltered on the streets.
Mello envisions a safer and more welcoming Pierce County by continuing his efforts to tackle homelessness and increase housing affordability.
“Another thing I want to do immediately as the next county executive is to bring cities and towns together to really address community safety,” he said, namely through expanding court-based diversion programs and therapeutic courts.
“Diversion programs and therapeutic courts are demonstrated to make our communities much safer by stopping the cycle of crime. I want to bring all the cities and towns together to ensure that no matter where you are, you have the same access to diversion programs and therapeutic courts.”
Mello said that for a long time, he has observed county government either not being at the table advocating and providing leadership at the state and federal level or talking about just transportation projects.
“Transportation projects are important but it’s not the only thing we need in partnership with state and federal government. We need a lot more partnership from them,” he said. “The county executive is uniquely positioned to galvanize the entire Pierce County community, all 23 cities and towns, 13 school districts, four federally recognized tribes, and the Port of Tacoma, to have a common sense of purpose and message to our state and federal delegations.”
Mello noted that his campaign platform reflects more key issues that he has long championed like reproductive healthcare, protecting servicemembers, and taking care of seniors. He has won the endorsement of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents
alike.
“I’m the only candidate for county executive that has Democrats, Republicans and Independents publicly supporting me because of the work we’ve done to try to address problems in a bipartisan way,” he said. “My opponent is Dammeier’s hand-picked successor so it would be more of the same. I want to bring my leadership and experience of bringing people together for the big challenges facing our region for progress to make this region more affordable, healthier, safer and more prosperous.”
Learn more at ryanmello.com.
KELLY CHAMBERS
As State House Representative for the 25th Legislative District, Chambers began serving in public office through this position that she won six years ago. Now she’s not seeking re-election there but wants to become the next Pierce County Executive.
Why she is taking this path is due to, as Chambers said, “having enough years of elected experience to understand the budgets, how things work, what it’s like to work with people and get things done, the issues, and what the future of Pierce County is going to look like.
“I have 20 years of private sector experience running my businesses and six years of elected experience. I can bring those things to bear on behalf of the people of Pierce County.”
Chambers said that priorities she has going into the office of executive were gleaned from doorbelling and talking to Pierce County residents at their front doors.
“Public safety and homelessness are big issues but also the health of the economy of the county in context with housing, inflation and jobs. I have the experience of managing a multi-million-dollar budget and having to do that in a sustainable way. We’ve had great leadership with Bruce Dammeier in maintaining a sustainable budget and that means
we live within our means and going forward, I would like to continue with that same sort of fiscal discipline.”
As a state representative, Chambers was present for the legislature’s efforts at police reforms in 2021 that she said ended up causing more crime since, as one example, the state’s limits on vehicle pursuits hampered law enforcement’s ability to chase suspected criminals.
“I was front row for all of it and I think it was a deadly mistake to go down that path,” she said. “For one, it signaled to the criminal elements of society that anything goes, and we saw auto thefts triple in Pierce County, retail thefts and property crimes – it was the wrong signal to send.”
Through a citizen initiative, the legislature passed a new law that allows officers to pursue any drivers when the officers have reasonable suspicion that they have violated the law.
“I worked on the signature gathering for that and I was happy to see it reversed,” Chambers said.
She has concerns about the environment as well and opposes efforts to pass a statewide ban on natural gas use in homes and businesses. This November, Washington voters will decide on whether to support I-2066 and protect natural gas as an energy choice in the state.
“My opponent and I are on different sides of that. I support 2066 and energy choice and not mandates that arbitrarily drive up the cost of living and that may not be attainable,” Chambers said. “An example is somebody having to convert their home to all electric. We don’t have the infrastructure at this point to support that. Mandating a transition before there’s adequate supply is short-sighted.”
Chambers is also focused on housing shortages in Pierce County. “When it comes to housing affordability in Pierce County and across the state, we need more housing units. At the county level, we need to bring on more housing and all types of housing,” she said.
Learn more at kellychambers.org.
County rural areas to see improved internet through $12M project
Pierce County has announced a public-private partnership that will use more than $7 million in federal funds to boost internet access in the region’s most rural areas.
The public-private partnership totals $12.1 million, with Pierce County dedicating $7.15 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to the project. Astound Broadband will spend the remaining $4.95 million as part of the partnership.
According to the county, over 3,200 homes will have access to fiber-to-the-home networks, which can boost internet speeds to upwards of five gigabits per second.
In the next few months, Astound Broadband will build approximately 113 miles of fiber optic infrastructure across rural areas across Pierce County, including Herron Island, Key Peninsula, and the Nisqually region.
There will be a mix of aerial and underground fiber construction, as well as a unique microwave
process transmitting connectivity from the Key Peninsula ferry terminal to nearby Herron Island. According to the county, project
completion is required by the end of 2026. “High-speed internet has become a critical infrastructure,
which we want all Pierce County residents to be able to access for their business, education and personal pursuits,” Pierce County
Executive Bruce Dammeier said in a news release.
Pierce County has made it a priority to expand broadband infrastructure to areas it deems underserved. The partnership is the latest in Pierce County’s initiative to do so.
The Pierce County 2024-2025 budget allocates $12.77 million in ARPA money available to help with bridging broadband gaps across the county.
The infrastructure that will be under construction is focused on enhancing connectivity for residences and small businesses to help meet their personal and professional needs.
“Residents of rural Pierce County deserve access to the same levels of reliable high-speed connectivity that more urban areas have come to expect,” Astound Broadband Senior Vice President Jared Sonne said. “With county and federal involvement, this project embodies what a true public-private partnership should be, with the ultimate outcome being improved quality of life for area residents.”
The Center Square
ADOBE STOCK
Kelly Chambers
Ryan Mello
Eatonville boys tennis drops 2 matches
By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
The Eatonville High School boys tennis team faced tough competition last week, dropping two close matches to Fife and Franklin Pierce.
On Oct. 1, Eatonville traveled to the Jupiter Tennis Center in Edgewood to take on Fife, the top team in the league. Despite the challenges of playing indoors, Brody Thirtyacre and Jacob Golding both secured singles victories for Eatonville. Thirtyacre adjusted to the faster indoor conditions, battling back to defeat Bass Becker 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. Golding showed confidence
on the indoor courts, winning his match 6-2, 7-5 against Robert Carlos. However, Eatonville’s doubles teams struggled, leading to a 3-2 loss overall. The first doubles team of Carl Lucas and Nate Goode played competitively but lost focus in the final set, falling 1-6, 4-6 to Fife’s Ducharme and Patton.
On Oct. 3, Eatonville came close to securing a win against Franklin Pierce. Once again, Thirtyacre and Golding earned singles victories. Thirtyacre worked on his consistency to defeat Collin Ryle 6-3, 6-3, while Golding maintained his undefeated record for the season by
beating Brandon Liwang 6-2, 6-4. However, the match came down to the first doubles team of Lucas and Goode. After winning the first set, they dropped the second in a tiebreaker and couldn’t recover in the third, losing 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 4-6. Franklin Pierce edged out Eatonville 3-2. Freshman Holden Hetland made his varsity debut this week, partnering in the third doubles spot. Head coach Maryann Baker said adjustments are being made to improve doubles play.
Eatonville will travel to Foss on Oct. 8 and return home to host Washington on Oct. 10.
Federal government, states grapple with regulating hemp products
By Brett Davis
While the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is on track to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, efforts at both the federal and state levels to regulate legal hemp products are ongoing.
Last week, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation – the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act –that would facilitate the federal government regulating hemp products and keeping them out of the hands of Americans under the age of 21.
“Just like the tobacco industry marketing cigarettes to young people, nobody should be slapping fun cartoons and glitzy candy wrapper packaging on cannabis products meant for adults,” Wyden said in a news release. “A federal floor for regulation of hemp products is non-negotiable to ensure that consumers aren’t put at risk by untested products of unknown origin. My legislation will ensure
that adult consumers know what they’re getting, and that hemp products are never sold or marketed to children.”
Other elements of the bill include having the Food and Drug Administration and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau create rules for testing and labeling legal hemp-derived products for adults.
Wyden’s legislation is an attempt to bring more transparency to hemp products after the legalization of hemp production nationwide six years ago.
Congress legalized hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, when it approved the 2018 Farm Bill. THC is responsible for the high or intoxication caused by marijuana. However, by not implementing a regulatory framework for these products at the time, Congress essentially created a new nationwide trade in intoxicating hemp-derived products like beverages and
edibles, which appeal to minors.
As a result, states are developing programs to oversee the hemp industry, including the regulation of commercial sales of recreational cannabis and encouraging the study of industrial hemp.
Last year, in Washington state –where recreational marijuana was legalized in 2012 – the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5367, which redefined “cannabis product” to include those with any detectable amount of THC. Previously, ordinary retailers like convenience stores and online sellers without a license from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board could sell products that contained 0.3% or less THC.
SB 5367 redefined “cannabis product” to include products with any detectable amount of THC, a significant departure from the status quo. That translated into kids having easy access to THC-infused products like gummies and vapes. The law went into effect in the summer of 2023.
Former Cruisers to be inducted into Eatonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame
By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
Four distinguished Eatonville High School athletes will be honored at halftime of the Thursday, October 10th football game as they are inducted into the Eatonville High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2024 class includes John Nordstrom (1971), Matthew Dunning (1987), Ben Tugend (2007), and Machaela (Graddy) Swartout (2014), who excelled in football, soccer, track, and other sports.
John Nordstrom was a standout in football, basketball, and track during the early 1970s. He captained both the football and basketball teams his junior and senior years, earning all-league honors in both sports. As a senior quarterback in 1970, Nordstrom threw 16 touchdown passes without an interception, including six in a single game. In basketball, he set a career scoring record with 987 points over three years. He was also the district champion in shot put. Nordstrom, who passed away in 2023, will be remembered for his all-around athleticism and leadership.
Matthew Dunning was a crucial part of Eatonville’s 1985 state football championship team as an offensive and defensive lineman. The following year, he earned All-League and All-State honors as the Cruisers advanced to the state quarterfinals. He also qualified for the state track meet in shot put. Dunning’s talents extended beyond Eatonville, earning him a football scholarship to Dartmouth, where he garnered All-Ivy League
honors. Today, Dunning coaches football at Annie Wright High School in Tacoma.
Ben Tugend, a 2007 graduate, left his mark as one of Eatonville’s premier football players, rushing for 2,637 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career. He delivered a historic performance in 2006, running for 306 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Foster High School. In track, Tugend was a state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, setting a school record in the 200. He was named Eatonville’s Athlete of the Year in 2007.
Machaela (Graddy) Swartout, a 2014 graduate, is one of the most decorated athletes in Eatonville history. In soccer, she scored 103 career goals and was twice named to the WIAA All-State First Team. Her track career was equally impressive, where she held school records in the 200, 400, 4x100, and 4x200 relays. Swartout continued her athletic career at Pacific Lutheran University, earning All-American honors in soccer and a national championship in javelin. She now teaches and coaches in the Puyallup School District. These athletes will join the ranks of Eatonville’s finest, celebrated for their contributions to the school’s storied athletic legacy. Friends and family are invited to a reception in the Eatonville High School commons at 6 p.m., prior to the game. The induction ceremony will take place during halftime of the Thursday, Oct. 10 home football game, adding to the festivities as the Cruisers take the field.
Eatonville Cross Country logs strong results at SPSL League Meet and John Payne Invitational
By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
Eatonville High School’s cross country teams had a remarkable week of racing, posting strong individual and team performances. Eatonville competed in the SPSL 2A League meet at Camp Arnold on Monday, Sept. 30, and the HOKA 28th Annual John Payne Invitational at Chambers Creek Regional Park in Tacoma on Saturday, Oct. 5. Both the boys' and girls' teams excelled, highlighted by top finishes and several personal bests.
SPSL 2A League Meet Recap
At the league meet on Monday, held at Camp Arnold, Eatonville’s boys showed depth and consistency, placing multiple runners in the top 20. Junior Colton Rush led the way with a 6th-place finish, completing the 2-mile course in 11:29.00. Freshman standout Gabriel Kolsrud continued his
breakout season, placing 8th in 11:46.30, a personal best for him.
Sophomore Benjamin Bernt also broke into the top 10, finishing 9th with a time of 11:59.60.
Eatonville’s depth was bolstered by solid finishes from sophomore Titus Lowe (15th, 12:24.00), senior Joey Callon (16th, 12:44.00), and junior Corey Demsey (17th, 12:53.30). Senior Ben Morrish crossed the line in 13:18.70 for 20th place, while sophomore Tytus Goode (21st, 13:34.60) and senior Ethan Carter (22nd, 13:39.00) contributed important finishes, with Carter setting a personal best. Seniors Reed Monroe (35th, 15:24.20) and Jasper Beck (39th, 16:35.90) rounded out Eatonville’s efforts.
The girls’ team dominated their race, with junior Grace Coonrod taking 1st place in 13:05. Teammates Hannah Bieker (2nd, 14:15) and Bridget Stumph (3rd, 14:54) completed a clean sweep of the
podium for Eatonville. Senior Cheyanne Price finished 4th with a time of 15:19, and freshman Paisley Ashcroft secured a 6th-place finish in 15:57.
Sophomore Savanna Price set a personal best, finishing 18th in 22:34, while junior Alice Alexander finished in 23:50, placing 19th. John Payne Invitational Recap Eatonville’s success carried over to the HOKA 28th John Payne Invitational on Saturday, where both teams faced stiff competition from larger schools. The boys’ team placed 14th out of 41 teams, while the girls finished an impressive 5th out of 31 teams, further showcasing the strength of the Eatonville program.
In the boys’ race, junior Colton Rush once again led the team, finishing 29th overall in a time of 17:39.3. Freshman Gabriel Kolsrud continued his strong form, placing 48th with a personal best of
17:57.5, breaking the 18-minute barrier for the first time. Sophomore Benjamin Bernt ran a steady race, finishing 83rd in 18:26.2.
Sophomore Titus Lowe set a personal record, placing 121st in 18:53.3, while junior Corey Demsey also notched a personal best, crossing the line in 19:43.5 for 194th place. Senior Ben Morrish finished 211th in 19:53.5, and senior Joey Callon rounded out the boys’ scoring, finishing 235th in 20:03.3.
The girls' team was led by junior Grace Coonrod, who finished 3rd overall with a personal best time of 19:55.0, breaking the 20-minute mark for the first time in her career. Junior Bridget Stumph also posted a personal best, finishing 32nd with a time of 21:55.5, while sophomore Hannah Bieker came in 66th in 23:16.3.
Senior Cheyanne Price finished 93rd in 24:05.2, and freshman
Paisley Ashcroft recorded another personal best, finishing 101st with a time of 24:17.8. In the later stages of the race, sophomore Savanna Price posted a personal best with a time of 34:44.2 for 230th place, and junior Alice Alexander completed the course in 37:11.6, placing 232nd.
Looking Ahead
The Eatonville Cruisers will look to build on this week’s success as they continue their journey toward postseason competition. The combination of consistent top finishes and multiple personal bests has Eatonville poised for a strong finish to the season.
Next up, the Cruisers will compete in the 2A SPSL League meet on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Cardinal Stadium in Orting, WA. This event will be another key opportunity for the team to sharpen their form as they approach the final stretch of the season.
Ben Tugend
John Nordstrom
Machaela (Graddy) Swartout
Matthew Dunning
The Center Square
Eatonville linebacker Logan Shipman (#42) and defensive lineman Aaron Tozier (#73) shout out some pre-snap communication against Franklin Pierce.
Franklin Pierce overpowers Eatonville in 50-0 Rout
By Skip Smith
Contributing Writer
The Eatonville Cruisers were overwhelmed in a 50-0 defeat to the Franklin Pierce Cardinals on Friday night, struggling to find any rhythm as mistakes piled up. Eatonville’s offense was stifled throughout, managing just 94 total yards and committing six turnovers, which led to 44 of Franklin Pierce’s points.
The game spiraled out of control for the Cruisers in the first half, starting with a tipped pass off a receiver’s hands that led to a Cardinal interception. Shortly after, a botched handoff was scooped up by a defender, setting the tone for a mistake-filled night.
“That was a tough loss to a good team,” said Eatonville offensive coordinator Jazel Riley. “That first half was rough as everything that could go wrong, did.”
Eatonville’s offensive line was overmatched by Franklin Pierce’s physical and aggressive front, managing just negative 28 yards rushing.
Quarterback Cole Fowler completed 11 of 29 passes for 122 yards, but threw four interceptions. Ky Nation led the receiving corps with five catches for 57 yards, while Michael Stogsdill added two receptions for 52 yards.
Franklin Pierce’s Power T offense dominated on the ground, piling up 405 rushing yards. By the time the Cruisers figured out the
misdirection and who had the ball, it was too late.
“The wheels came off early, and things just kept piling on,” Riley said. “I think what we saw were a lot of young guys trying to get it all back at once, and that’s not how you overcome that type of situation.”
Despite the defeat, Riley remained optimistic.
“Good news is it’s only the first loss. We can learn a lot from that, and we will. The goal is always to go 1-0, and luckily we still get that opportunity once again.”
Next up for Eatonville (4-1) is a home game against the Fife Trojans (4-1) on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m., which will also be the Eatonville Athletic Hall of Fame game.
Lady Cruiser soccer splits week
By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
The Eatonville Lady Cruisers soccer team extended its win streak to three games with a dominant 4-0 victory over the Franklin Pierce Cardinals on Oct. 1. But their momentum came to a halt later in the week with a disappointing 4-0 loss to Orting on Oct. 3. Tuesday’s match started with an unexpected boost as Franklin Pierce conceded an own goal, giving Eatonville an early lead. Mary Van Eaton doubled the advantage with a free kick before halftime, sending the Cruisers into the break, up 2-0. Van Eaton struck again in the second half, firing a long-range shot from outside the box to stretch the lead to 3-0. The scoring was capped off when
Toryn Amaral threaded a pass through to Haley Courson, who calmly finished, securing Eatonville’s 4-0 victory. Goalkeeper Tierney Amaral posted her third straight clean sheet. However, Thursday's trip to Orting was a much different story for the Cruisers. The high press from the Cardinals proved too much, as Eatonville struggled to find their rhythm. Orting handed them a 4-0 defeat, snapping their three-game win streak and leaving Eatonville searching for answers. The Lady Cruisers now sit at 4-2 overall and 3-2 in 2A SPSL League play. They’ll aim to bounce back in a critical matchup against the undefeated Steilacoom Sentinels (5-0) on Tuesday, Oct. 8, before facing the winless Foss Falcons (0-4) on the road the following day.
Washington candidates for Secretary of State clash over disinformation, residency
By Carleen Johnson
The
Center Square
It’s unclear how many people watched, but there was another contentious election debate Tuesday night in addition to the one between the U.S. vice presidential candidates.
The candidates for Washington Secretary of State took part in a debate hosted by the League of Women
Voters.
Duties of the Secretary of State include supervising state and local elections, filing and verifying initiatives and referendums, registering nonprofits, collecting and preserving the historical records of the state, among others.
Incumbent Steve Hobbs is running against challenger Dale Whitaker.
ESCAPADES
There were several heated exchanges between the candidates over election misinformation and disinformation, and over Hobbs removing the 30-day residency requirement for voting in local and state elections.
“The 30-day residency requirement is there to safeguard our local elections and make sure there is no transient voting and that the people voting are tied to that community,” Whitaker said. “We can’t allow people to come into our local communities on election day, provide an ID and say they live at an address in that county and then vote on those issues.”
Whitaker claimed Hobbs broke the law by removing the 30-day residency requirement, as first reported by The Center Square.
“He removed any legal impetus for us to actually go after people who are breaking the law,” argued Whitaker. Hobbs defended his decision.
“They have every right to vote,” Hobbs said. “We don’t want voter suppression, and that’s what would happen to stop people from voting when they move to a new community. They have every right to have a voice in their new community.”
He went on to say, “I support same day registering and same day voting because I’m all about people having access to the ballot box."
Hobbs emailed a follow up response to questions from The Center Square about removing the 30-day residency requirement.
"I will not disenfranchise new Washingtonians, and I will not disenfranchise military personnel and their families, like mine, who during parts of their service move frequently. All eligible voters have a right to a voice in their community through their vote," Hobbs said.
The candidates also sparred over Hobbs contracting with Logically AI to surveil social media for election disinformation and misinformation.
“We go down a dangerous path when we let people decide what is hate speech and good speech,” Whitaker said during a Wednesday morning interview with The Center Square. “Americans don’t like to be surveilled.”
Whitaker accused Hobbs of bypassing the required bidding process in contracting with Logically AI.
“He bypassed that by going to South Puget Sound College and giving them 15% of the contract value, for
them awarding the contract to his friends at Logically AI,” he claimed. “Logically AI is scouring the internet, compiling data on citizens and sending Hobbs reports bi-weekly and there have been people including state legislators that have been in those reports and everyday American citizens."
The accusations first surfaced late in 2023 and resulted in the Washington State Republican Party filing a complaint with the Washington State Executive Ethics Board against Hobbs for using taxpayers’ money to surveil critics.
The board dismissed the complaint, and nothing more came of it.
During the debate, Hobbs defended scouring social media.
“We have to scan social media and expose false narratives,” he explained. “These are people making public posts on their social media, and if I see a false narrative that’s trending, for example, one that says people are hacking into elections, then we know and work with the news media and put out our own social media and let people know.”
Hobbs referenced the ethics board challenge.
“Nothing bad happened
and the ethics committee cleared me of that,” said Hobbs, who indicated contracting with Logically AI was cheaper than hiring a huge team of employees to scan social media.
Hobbs defended the contracting process.
"There is a lengthy and often complex state contracting process for all state contracts," he emailed. "This followed state process."
The debate moderator also asked the candidates about ballot security with all-mail voting.
“Going back to polling centers is an archaic idea that is incredibly expensive and not very secure,” Hobbs said, noting people can vote in person at the county auditor's office.
Whitaker said he supported all voting options, but remains opposed to requiring voters to declare a party preference on the outside of the envelope in a presidential election.
“There were over 40,000 people who returned their ballots in the presidential primary, who did not mark that party declaration box because they felt it violated their right to privacy,” he said, adding that Hobbs has resisted efforts to change that requirement.
Eatonville's Mary Van Eaton dribbles the ball up field against Franklin Pierce's Sofia Castro. Van Eaton would score twice against the Cardinals to help lead her Cruisers to a 4-0 victory.
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Add a smear to your winter squash
By Lynda Balslev
You might call this recipe a two-fer. It's not just about the roasted delicata squash. It's also about the smear of labneh that accompanies it.
Delicata is a small, oblong winter squash with green and yellow striated skin. The skin is edible (and nutrient-rich), so there's no need to peel it. Delicata cooks quickly, and roasting is an easy method that amplifies its sweet and creamy flavor. Halve the squash lengthwise or slice into thin rings or halfmoons to roast.
Labneh is a soft cheese made from strained cultured dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir. It's a tangy, creamy Middle Eastern staple that is often used as a dip and spread. It's also packed with probiotics and nutrients such as calcium and vitamin A.
In this recipe, labneh provides a luxurious swipe for the roasted squash. The labneh is infused with preserved lemons and za'atar (a Middle Eastern spice mix), which bring salty, citrusy zing to the creamy labneh. Preserved lemons are lemons that are salted and brined in their own juice. The brining process softens their skin, which you can eat. When buying preserved lemons, save the juices in the jar
to use as a flavor booster. A final shower of pistachios and lemon zest dresses up the finished dish. You can purchase labneh, preserved lemons and za'atar in well-stocked markets or specialty stores. You can also make your own labneh; a recipe is provided below.
ROASTED DELICATA
SQUASH WITH LABNEH
Active time: 10 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Squash:
■ 2 medium delicata squash, sliced crosswise in 1/2-inch-thick rings, seeds removed
■ 1 tablespoon olive oil
■ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
■ 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
■ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
■ 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Labneh:
■ 1 cup prepared labneh (recipe below)
■ 1/2 preserved lemon, pulp removed, skin finely diced, divided
■ 1 small garlic clove, grated or minced
■ 2 teaspoons jarred preserved lemon juice (or fresh lemon juice)
■ 1/2 teaspoon za'atar
Garnishes:
Chopped fresh mint, chopped pistachios, finely grated lemon zest
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the squash in a bowl. Drizzle with the oil and spices and toss to coat.
Spread the squash in one layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast in the oven until tender and charred in spots, about 25 minutes, flipping the squash once.
While the squash roasts, scoop the labneh into a bowl. Add half of the preserved lemon skin, the garlic, lemon juice and za'atar and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning.
To serve, smear the labneh on a serving platter or individual serving plates. Arrange the squash over the labneh. Garnish with the remaining chopped lemon skin, mint, pistachios and lemon zest.
Labneh
Active time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes plus draining time
Yield: Makes about 2 cups
■ 4 cups whole milk plain yogurt
■ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Mix the yogurt and the salt in a bowl. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and place over a bowl, with space between the bottom of the
sieve and the bowl to separate any drained liquid. Place the yogurt in the cheesecloth. Cover the sieve and refrigerate for 24 hours. Remove the labneh from the cheesecloth and transfer to a glass container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
northern California. Visit TasteFood at TasteFoodblog.com.
Eastern Washington growers, ranchers not satisfied with gray wolf predation rules
By Carleen Johnson
Members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission met over three days last week in Spokane to discuss a number of topics, but concerns over gray wolf predation dominated comments from the public.
The commission recently voted against a Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife recommendation to downlist the gray wolf from endangered to threatened, or sensitive, status.
Downlisting the wolves would have meant lesser penalties for poaching, as well as somewhat easier access to permits to kill wolves that attack livestock.
“We just went through an eight month process without the commission so much as dipping a toe into the eastern half of the state,” Ryan Garrett said during a public comment period.
Garrett blasted the commission for making its decision on the wolf without talking to people most impacted by the ruling.
“Your disdain for rural perspectives has been demonstrated countless times,” he said.
Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, told commission members growers and ranchers in his district are struggling because of the wolves.
“The cows are beat up," he said. "They’re scarred and have a lot of injuries."
In a follow-up interview with The Center Square, Schmick said he believes the overall wolf
population is higher than what WDFW is reporting.
“I think the numbers are much higher than what the department is putting out, because they can only put out what they see visually,” he explained. “These are smart animals that are hard to see and hard to track and to count, so I believe we’ve got a lot more wolves out there than we think.”
He went on to say, “I’ve got one sheep grower who lost his whole herd of 300 sheep up in the northeast part of the state. At the end of that year he told me had less than 10 sheep left.”
Cattle are being targeted as well.
“Currently down in the southeast corner growers are having a number of attacks on cattle and they’re coming back beat up big with scars, scrapes and open wounds, and they’re losing calves and cattle and the numbers keep growing,”
Schmick said. Schmick told the commission the added stress on ranchers in dealing with the wolves needs to be taken seriously.
“The suicide rate among growers and farmers is three times the rate it is among the general population, and do not think for a minute that this does not add stress to our growers,” he said.
More than 50,000 Americans took their own lives in 2023, the nation’s highest yearly rate of suicide on record. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association.
That report listed stressors including financial strain, inclement weather damaging crops, and disease and other threats to livestock.
Last month, WDFW approved the lethal removal of two wolves
from the Onion Creek wolf pack in northeast Washington, in response to repeated attacks on cattle in Stevens and Pend Oreille counties.
During the meeting, Dr. Ben Maletzke, WDFW's statewide wolf specialist, explained the process of getting to a decision to take lethal action.
“When we do consider lethal removal, at least two non-lethal deterrence measures need to have been tried,” he spelled out.
Ranchers and growers also have to have documented proof of depredation.
“At least one of those needs to be a confirmed kill of livestock, they can’t all be injuries,” Maletzke said.
“We’re averaging two to nine lethal removals each year,” he added, noting there are times when ranchers and growers can shoot and kill a wolf.
Between 2013 and 2023, Maletzke said there were 12 reports into WDFW of wolves "caught in the act" of attacking a domesticated animal, and there were eight wolves killed in those 12 reported cases over that 10-year period.
Stevens County Commissioner Wes McCart also raised concerns about cougars.
“I mean no disrespect with my comments, but I’m going to be rather blunt,” said said.
“You changed the rules on cougars, essentially eliminating any hunting and because of the mismanagement and overpopulation of cougars, we have multiple sightings posted on the web, almost
daily of cougars that are not sole creatures running around, but in packs of four, five or six,” McCart said.
The animals have been spotted in areas where people live.
“We see them in the neighborhoods now, and this is not where they belong,” he said. “For some reason this commission does not want to recognize that the cougar population in our area is overwhelming.”
The Center Square reached out to WDFW for response to Rep. Schmick’s comments about added stress on ranchers and growers due to wolves and high suicide rates among the agriculture community in general.
Staci Lehman, communications manager for Eastern Washington Region 1, responded via email.
“WDFW does not have any information relative to suicide rates but we certainly understand the added impacts from adjusting ranching operations to avoid and minimize conflicts with wolves, including delaying turn-out of cow/ calf pairs and additional human presence and monitoring of cow behavior, among other mitigation measures," she said. “Not to mention when depredations occur, the impacts that it can have to the family business financially and the toll it takes on a rancher seeing an animal in their care hurt. WDFW offers a number of ways to support ranchers and we continually look to improve on how we deliver that support.”
Lynda Balslev is an awardwinning writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in
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