Dispatch News 10-30-2024 by Pacific Publishing Company

Eatonville Jr Cruisers finish undefeated season

In an intense championship showdown, the Eatonville Jr. Cruisers capped off an undefeated season with a hard-fought 22-14 victory over the Yelm Tornados, securing their first Thurston County Football League Championship in only their second season in the league. Eatonville claimed the victory with a fourth quarter drive.

After receiving the opening kick, TJ Kralik would return the kick to the Cruiser 44 yard line, but a block in the back penalty would push them back to their 34 yard line. A few plays later, Kale Noble would take the Maddox Chopic hand off around the left side and ramble 52 yards up the sideline down to the Yelm 15 yard line. Two plays later, Chopic would connect with Kralik from 12 yards out for the first score of the game. Noble would

put the extra point attempt through the uprights and the Cruisers took an early 8-0 lead with 5:42 left in the first quarter. (In junior football an extra point is worth two points as it is more difficult to kick the field and a conversion attempt is worth 1 point.)

Starting their first drive at midfield at the Eatonville 47, the Tornados answered back when quarterback Isaiah Pua carried it in from 19 yards out. A penalty on the extra point attempt moved the ball closer to the goal line and Yelm decided to go for the 1-point conversion and were successful. With 1:33 left in the first quarter, the Cruisers led 8-7.

On their next possession, the Cruisers struggled to move the ball and ended up punting the ball back to the Tornados, who would let the punt roll to a stop and start at their own 43 yard line.

Both teams would then turn the ball over on downs before the Tornados would get the ball back starting at the Eatonville 47 where they would march 47 yards down to the Cruiser 2 yard line before time expired and Eatonville would head into the half leading 8-7.

Yelm would receive the kickoff to start the second half and the Cruiser defense came out fired up and would stall the Tornado drive at the Tornado 40 and force a punt.

After the punt, the Cruisers would start from their own 18 yard line and weren’t able to get anything going offensively, and would punt as well. Yelm’s Isaiah Pua would field the punt and return it 33 yards for the score. Alter the conversion, Yelm took the lead 14-8 with 1:59 left in the third quarter.

Following the ensuing kickoff, Eatonville’s Tommy Zurfluh would return the kick to the

Cruisers 23-yard line. After a 5-yard Colby Rath run up the middle, Zurfluh would take the Chopic handoff around the left side and sprint up the sideline 22 yards to midfield. After another Rath run up the middle to the Yelm 46, Zurfluh would be tackled for a 2 yard loss at the Yelm 48 to end the third quarter, with Yelm leading 14-8. As the 4th quarter stared, the Cruisers would face a third and 8. Chopic would drop back and floated a perfect pass to Zurfluh who hauled it in and outraced the Yelm defenders before being dragged down at the Tornado 5 yard line. Rath would then run it down to the 2 yard line, followed by another run for no gain. Facing a third and Goal from the 3 yard line, Zurfluh would take the Chopic hand off around the left side and run

County auditor’s office gives election updates

By Tacoma Weekly

The Pierce County Auditor’s Office is ramping up for this year’s General Election, which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The Pierce County Elections Division conducted a pre-election audit on ballot counting and processing equipment and a pre-election audit of the County’s Accessible Voting Unit on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The audits, called a Logic and Accuracy Test, took place at the Pierce County Elections Center, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite C in

Tacoma, and were open to the public. The Logic and Accuracy Test verifies if votes are correctly tabulated and recorded through sample ballot-casting exercises.

Elections staff enter a set of sample votes for each candidate and ballot measure and one or more overvoted ballots for each contest. The sample votes, called a test deck, are processed through the tabulation equipment. Then, the test deck is compared to the tabulation results to ensure the vote count is accurate.

“We run our voting system through

rigorous testing before and after every election,” said Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer. “It’s our job to make sure everything is working properly for the more than 564,000 registered voters here in Pierce County who can make their voices heard by casting a ballot.”

Farmer will present information on the General Election to the Pierce County Council on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. during the Council’s regular meeting.

Register to vote, update your address, request a replacement ballot, or get other election-related assistance at (253) 798-VOTE (8683), email elections@piercecountywa. gov, or in person at the Pierce County Elections Center.

The Pierce County Elections Office has mailed ballots to all 568,300 registered voters in Pierce County, and the 51 official ballot drop boxes located throughout the county are now open.

In this General Election, voters will decide on statewide and local ballot measures, as well as state, local and federal offices including President, Governor, County Executive, Congress and County Council.

“You can vote as soon as you get your ballot,” Farmer said. “By getting your ballot in well ahead of the deadline, you can avoid any last-minute issues and confirm that your choices count.”

Any voter who has not received a ballot by Oct. 22 should contact the Pierce County Elections Office at (253) 798-8683 to confirm their registration and ensure that Elections staff have the correct mailing address on file.

Want a quick overview? Check out Pierce County’s “Election-at-a-Glance” guide (go to tinyurl.com/39n3fpjn), including what’s on the ballot, public meeting schedules, results

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

The Eatonville Jr. Cruisers MV team, coaches and support staff pose for a photo following their 22-14 victory over Yelm

COURTESY RYLEA FOEHL

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

GRAHAM, WA 98338 www.livingwordlutheranchurch.com (253) 846-1276

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

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

CATHOLIC CHURCH

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Reverend Dominic Chikankheni

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Reverend Dominic Chikankheni

253-875-6630 ext. 127

253-875-6630 ext.

253-875-6630 ext. 127

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

Saturday Mass...........4:00 p.m.

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. 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.

Coonrod captures league title as Eatonville cross country teams

advance to districts

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

The Eatonville High School cross country teams showcased strong performances at the 2A SPSL League Championships on Saturday at Fort Steilacoom Park, with the girls’ team securing second and the boys' team finishing fourth overall. Both teams qualified for the district meet, set for Saturday, Nov. 2 at Chambers Creek in University Place.

Junior Grace Coonrod led the Eatonville girls with a dominant first-place finish in the 5,000-meter race, clocking a personal best of 19:31.0 to secure the 2A SPSL individual title and a firstteam All-League selection.

Teammates Bridget Stumph (21:24.8) and Hannah Bieker (22:01.4) followed in eighth and ninth places, both setting personal records and earning second-team All-League honors. Senior

FOOTBALL

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Cheyanne Price finished 17th, and freshman Paisley Ashcroft set a personal best of 24:04.8 to round out the team’s top-20 finishers.

On the boys’ side, junior Colton Rush finished ninth with a time of 17:22.6, while sophomore Benjamin Bernt posted a personal best of 17:48.3 to place 14th; both earned secondteam All-League honors.

Freshman Gabriel Kolsrud finished 20th, followed by personal-best performances from sophomores Titus Lowe (18:35.1) and Corey Dempsey (18:52.0), finishing 29th and 32nd, respectively. Seniors Joey Callon and Ben Morrish completed Eatonville’s lineup in 40th and 47th.

In junior varsity, sophomore Tytus Goode placed 133rd out of 245 runners with a time of 22:04.0. Eatonville’s Ethan Carter and Tytus Goode will serve as alternates for districts.

it in untouched for the score, tying the game at 14-14. A bad snap on the extra point attempt would not allow Noble to attempt the kick and the game would stay tied at 14.

On the ensuing kickoff, Yelm’s Oakland Ogle would recover the pooch kick at their own 47 yard line. A 3 yard run would move the Tornados up to midfield at the 50 yard line. A too many men in the huddle penalty then pushed them back to their 45. Facing a 2nd and 12, Pua kept it and took of too the outside and was dragged down by TJ Kralik for a 1 yard loss. Now facing a 3rd and 13, the Tornados threw a pass that was incomplete. On fourth and 13, Pua kept the ball and was stopped short by Eatonville’s TJ Kralik, turning the ball over on downs at the Eatonville 49 yard line with 4:15 left in the game.

Eatonville then marched down the field. Kale Noble took the handoff 28 yards for the game-winning score, also converting the extra point to give Eatonville a 22-14 lead. Reflecting on the touchdown, Noble said, “With less than 3 minutes to play and a tied game, this was an important run. Maddox tossed me the ball, I made some cuts, found a hole, and scored.”

Yelm would get one last shot at scoring, but the Cruiser defense went to work and would stall the Yelm drive and Eatonville would get the ball back on downs with 22 seconds left where they would go into victory formation and run the clock out to claim their first Thurston County Football League Championship, 22-14.

Eatonville Head Coach Tim Rath praised the competition and the effort, noting, “Yelm has great coaches and fans. We love the mini rivalry we have developed with them. Having them as a competitor makes us all better. We have a special group of kids that put the team before themselves.”

Reflecting on the final drive, he added, “Our game-winning drive is a testament to our hard work and never giving up. Hit them hard and play physical, and that’s exactly what we did on our final drive.” Rath also acknowledged Yelm’s quarterback: “Isaiah Pua is a player that can take over a game. He’s always a threat, no matter where they’re at on the field. He’s actually the biggest threat we faced all year. He will be something special in the future.”

Receivers Coach Daryl Osborne reflected on the team’s journey, sharing, “We started on the bottom when we first started in 3rd grade; we’ve made it to the top. It’s not our destination, but a stop on our path.”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE EATONVILLE TOWN COUNCIL

on Tuesday, November 12, 2024

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Eatonville Town Council shall hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of soliciting public input on Ordinance No. 2024-9 an Ordinance of the Town of Eatonville, Washington, authorizing the collection of the Eatonville EMS Tax Levy for 2025. Public comments for the Public Hearing will be opened up during the Public Hearing portion of the meeting. This meeting will be held in-person at the Eatonville Community Center, 305 Center St W. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:00pm.

You may also join via zoom: Meeting ID 537 233 9187 or by calling in at 253-215-8782.

Passcode:98328

Published October 30, 2024 and November 6, 2024

ELECTION

From page 1

release schedule, expected voter turnout and more.

Eligible citizens can register or update their registrations online using VoteWA. gov until Oct. 28 to participate in this election. In-person voter registration is available up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5, at Pierce County Elections offices.

All County households should have received voters’ pamphlets from both Pierce County Elections and the Washington Secretary of State. Online information about candidates and ballot measures is available at PierceCountyElections.org and the Secretary of State’s website at sos.wa.gov/elections/ voters/2024-general-election-voters-guide.

The audits, called a Logic and Accuracy Test, took place at the Pierce County Elections Center, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite

C in Tacoma, and were open to the public. The Logic and Accuracy Test verifies if votes are correctly tabulated and recorded through sample ballot-casting exercises.

“We run our voting system through rigorous testing before and after every election,” said Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer. “It’s our job to make sure everything is working properly for the more than 564,000 registered voters here in Pierce County who can make their voices heard by casting a ballot.”

Farmer presented information on the General Election to the Pierce County Council on Tuesday, Oct. 29 during the Council’s regular meeting.

Register to vote, update your address, request a replacement ballot, or get other election-related assistance at (253) 798VOTE (8683), elections@piercecountywa. gov, or in person at the Pierce County Elections Center.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE EATONVILLE TOWN COUNCIL

on Tuesday, November 12, 2024

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Eatonville Town Council shall hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of soliciting public input on Ordinance No. 2024-8 an Ordinance of the Town of Eatonville, Washington, authorizing the collection of the Eatonville regular tax Levy for 2025. Public comments for the Public Hearing will be opened up during the Public Hearing portion of the meeting. This meeting will be held in-person at the Eatonville Community Center, 305 Center St W. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:00pm.

You may also join via zoom: Meeting ID 537 233 9187 or by calling in at 253-215-8782.

Passcode:98328.

Published October 30, 2024 and November 6, 2024

Eatonville's Grace Coonrod leads the pack of runners as she went on to win the race and claim the 2A SPSL league title.

COURTESY GEOFF OLSON

Eatonville falls to Steilacoom 42-0 on senior night Cruiser swim team sets sights on league championship

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

Eatonville’s post season hopes suffered a setback this past Friday night when the Steilacoom Sentinels came to town and delivered a 42-0 blow to the Cruisers on Senior Night. Penalties and miscues seem to have plagued Eatonville all night.

Prior to the game, the team, parents, and fans honored the 20 senior players, managers, and a fallen teammate with a ceremony. The seventeen players, three managers, and a fallen teammate that were honored who have given their blood, sweat and tears to entertain us on Friday night’s these past four years were: Cole Bamford, Christian Clay, Mark Devera, Aaron Tozier, Sienna Henkel (Mgr), Riley Hill, Hebron, Leasiolagi, Hector Martinez (Mgr), Anthony McChesney-Berube, Jason Naro, Ky Nation, Ellis Sarpy, Logan Shipman, Nick Shipman, Nate Smith, Michael Stogsdill, Dylan Sullivan, Anthony Thorlacius, Tessa Veeser (Mgr), Wyatt Weichsler, and Kellen Wilkie.

Following the ceremony, a touching moment saw fallen teammate Jason Naro’s little sister Natalie heading out with the team captains for the coin toss, another great way the team continues to honor Naro’s memory. Natalie brought them luck as Eatonville would win the toss and elect to defer to the second half and Steilacoom would receive the opening kickoff to start the game.

The Sentinels would open the game driving 53 yards to the Cruiser 15 yard line where the Eatonville defense would stand tall and force a 32 yard field goal attempt that Steilacoom’s Justin Chang pushed the attempt wide right and the Cruisers took over on their own 7 yard line.

The Eatonville offense was only able to muster 6 yards on the drive, and was forced to punt the ball back to the Sentinels, who would take over at the Eatonville 43 yard line.

Two plays later, the Sentinels would get on the board when quarterback Drew McDonald found a wide open Xander Shaw for the 15 yard score. Chang’s PAT would be successful and Steilacoom would take a 7-0 lead. Steilacoom would get on the board two more times in the half with another touchdown pass to Shaw and one to Austin Mazzone.

The Cruiser offensive struggled in the first half, unable to crack the Sentinel defense as Eatonville would only manage 29 total yards in the half, punting the ball 3 times and losing two fumbles. Steilacoom would take a 21-0 lead into halftime.

Eatonville would receive the kickoff to start the second half. The offense came to life as the Cruisers would start from their 31 yard line and string together a 15 play drive that took them down to the Steilacoom 8 yard line, only to have a fourth down Jackson Doll reception stopped short and the ball would go over on downs to the Sentinels.

The Cruisers struggles continued as they would

turn the ball over on downs to the Sentinels on their final three possessions, while Steilacoom would score on all three of their possessions, with a 24 yard scoring reception by Evan Dipetrillo, a 2 yard rushing score from McDonald, and Shon Nelson would cap the scoring on the night by taking the McDonald hand off 57 yards for the score to seal the Steilacoom 42-0 victory.

Eatonville would finish the game with 80 yards of offense while Steilacoom would amass a staggering 511 yards, the most the Cruisers have given up all season.

With the loss, Eatonville drops to 5-3 overall, 3-3 in 2A SPSL league play and in a 3-way tie in the standings. Due to this, the league has moved all of the week 9 games that were scheduled for Thursday/ Friday up to Wednesday. So Eatonville’s final regular season game will now be played on Wednesday, Oct. 30 when they travel to Orting for their annual rivalry game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

There are numerous scenarios that could either see the Cruisers securing a week 10 playoff game or their season coming to an end. After the week 9 games, if there is still a 3-way tie, a mini playoff will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Franklin Pierce Stadium.

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

The Eatonville High School swim team finished its regular season on a high note with a commanding 105-35 victory over the Foss Falcons on Tuesday. The Cruisers took first place in all but one event, showcasing a strong lineup and setting the stage for a promising performance in the upcoming 2A SPSL League Championship.

Eatonville’s 200 Medley Relay team secured a 1-2 finish, setting the tone for a meet marked by standout performances across the board. Senior captain Kaylee Bernt swept the distance events with victories in both the 200-yard and 500yard freestyle, while fellow captain Gracie Forsman clinched first place in the 200-yard individual medley.

The Cruisers dominated the sprint events as well, achieving a 1-2-3 sweep in the 50-yard freestyle, led by senior Bella Wolters and followed closely by sophomores Lily Hays and Sami Hann.

Forsman and freshman Jane Morrish added to Eatonville’s strong performance in the 100-yard butterfly with a 1-2 finish, and the 100-yard freestyle saw another 1-2-3 sweep led by junior Nicole Tomyn.

Eatonville’s relay teams also proved unbeatable. The 200-yard freestyle relay, featuring Hann, Hays, Charlotte Stumph, and Wolters, claimed first place, and the Cruisers finished the meet with a solo first place in the 400-yard freestyle relay due to a limited Foss roster.

Head Coach Andrea

Stammen expressed her pride in the team’s performance, noting that the meet served as a warm-up for the league championship. “It was a pretty quiet week for us, as we prepare for our League Championship this Wednesday,” Stammen said.

“The girls put in a strong showing against Foss, and we’re ready to carry that momentum forward.”

The Cruisers will return to the Foss pool on Wednesday, October 30, for the 2A SPSL League Championship, where they hope to secure spots in the district meet.

Cruiser boys tennis players secure spots at district tournament

By Skip Smith Contributing Writer

Eatonville High School’s boys tennis team competed at the 2A SPSL League Championships held Wednesday through Friday across Clover Park High School and Lakewood Tennis and Racquet Club. The tournament featured seven schools, with the top six singles and doubles players advancing to the WCD III Tournament on Nov. 1-2 at the Kitsap Tennis and Athletic Center in Bremerton. Eatonville’s standout athletes, senior Brody Thirtyacre in singles and the doubles team of Carl Lucas and Nate Goode, successfully advanced to districts.

SINGLES

Entering as the No. 3 seed, senior Thirtyacre dominated his opening match against Clover Park’s Salvador Cortes, winning in straight sets 6-0, 6-2. His strong performance continued as he overcame Robert Carlos of Fife 6-4, 6-3. However, Thirtyacre faced a tough semifinal match against Fife’s Bass Becker on the indoor courts, where he fell 1-6, 5-7, moving him out of the final bracket. Thirtyacre rebounded outdoors to secure his place at districts by defeating Gio Rosales from Franklin Pierce, 6-1, 6-4, claiming the No. 3 seed for districts.

Eatonville’s Nate Goode (doubles 4th place), Brody Thirtyacre (singles 3rd place), Carl Lucas (doubles 4th place), Jacob Golding (9th place) pose for a photo after competing at the league championships.

Sophomore Jacob Golding, seeded eighth, encountered challenging weather conditions and fell to Franklin Pierce’s Colin Ryle, 2-6, 3-6. However, Golding fought back in his next match, defeating Asher Swift from Fife 6-2, 6-4. His tournament run ended against Kevin Thai of Foss, losing 0-6, 0-6, and Golding ultimately finished tied for ninth place.

DOUBLES

Eatonville’s top-seeded doubles team, Lucas and Goode, encountered an unexpected early setback against Aiden Breiting and Jesus Herrera of Franklin Pierce, losing 6-7, 0-6. Shifting to the loser’s bracket, Lucas and Goode bounced back with a

determined 6-4, 6-7 (3), 10-6 win over Steilacoom’s Ryan Lang and Jack Merchant. The duo continued their momentum, overpowering Washington’s Jace Spencer and Caden Peloquin, 6-0, 6-4, and Steilacoom’s J. Folino and D. Perry, 6-1, 6-4, securing their district berth. In a rematch with Breiting and Herrera, Lucas and Goode came with new strategies and a game plan that was different from when they played the day before and won decisively 6-1, 6-4, and earned the No. 4 district seed. Thirtyacre, along with the doubles team of Lucas and Goode, will compete at the WCD III District Tournament with hopes of advancing to the 2A State Championship.

The Eatonville senior football players and managers pose for a photo with Natalie Naro, Jason's sister following the pregame ceremony honoring Jason and all of the seniors.

The Eatonville swim team gets themselves pumped up before the meet with a pre meet cheer.

COURTESY TRINITY POTTER

COURTESY ANDREA STAMMEN

COURTESY MARYANN BAKER