Neighborhood News
- Clover Park Schools Access Changes for Construction
- The City of Lakewood will close 112th Street SW between Bridgeport Way and Gravelly Lake Drive SW beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20, impacting access to Clover Park High School, Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy, Tyee Park Elementary School, and Harry E. Lang Stadium and its surrounding fields. The five-month construction project will widen the roadway to add a continuous two-way left-turn lane, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, street lighting, and stormwater infrastructure. The project will also add a sidewalk and establish a designated school zone for Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy. Families, staff, and school buses should expect altered access routes during construction. Updated traffic and access information is available on the Clover Park School District website.
- Pierce County Awards $34 Million to Behavioral Health Organizations
- Pierce County has awarded $34 million in its latest round of Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts funding, supporting nearly 40 organizations across the county. The funding aims to strengthen services spanning prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery, and reentry while reducing reliance on crisis systems and supporting long-term stability for residents. A full list of funding recipients is available through Pierce County.
- Horizons Economic Forecast Looks Ahead to 2026
- Tacoma-Pierce County leaders will host the Horizons Economic Forecast on Wednesday, Jan 28, at 7am at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. The event will feature regional business leaders and economic experts discussing trends and conditions shaping the South Sound economy in 2026. Registration is available through the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.
- Uwajimaya Coming Home to Tacoma
- Asian grocery chain will be returning to Uwajimaya will be returning to Tacoma in 2027. The store will go into the Tacoma Central shopping center into the 63,000-square-foot store that was the former site of Hobby Lobby. Uwajimaya was originally founded in Tacoma decades ago before moving to Seattle in its flagship location.
Local Governance
- Special Election Scheduled for Feb 10
- Pierce County will hold a special election on Feb 10, with ballots mailed beginning Jan 23. Ten school districts appear on the ballot, meaning not all county residents will be eligible to vote. Election details and voter information are available through Pierce County Elections.
- USPS Postmark Rule Changes
- As of Dec 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service has updated its postmark procedures. Postmarks now reflect the date mail is processed by USPS, which may occur days after an item is dropped off. For businesses and regulatory filings, documents are considered received based on the postmark date. Mail submitted close to deadlines may be considered late, and additional mailing time is recommended.
- City of Tacoma Offers Free AI Virtual Workshop
- The City of Tacoma is hosting a virtual workshop for small businesses on the practical application of AI and cybersecurity. It will focus on helping local enterprises adopt innovative AI tools while maintaining data protection and security standards. The first workshop in the series will be on January 26 from 11am – 2pm with virtual follow up February 11 and February 26 from 9 – 10:30am. The class is free but registration is required.
Arts & Entertainment
- Washington State Independent Music Award Nominations Open Feb 1
- Nominations for the Washington State Independent Music Awards open Feb 1 and are entirely fan-driven. There is no selection committee. Rules and additional details will be released in the coming weeks.
- The Grand Hosts Groundhog Day Film Marathon
- The Grand Cinema will screen Groundhog Day four times on Feb 2, recreating the looping experience of the 1993 cult classing starring Bill Murray. Screenings will be separated by 20-minute breaks, and participants will receive punch cards. Attendees earn Gold Passes for each viewing beyond the first, with those completing all four screenings enteres to win a free year od movies at The Grand.
Opportunities
- Park Aide Recruitment Open for 2026
- Washington State Parks is recruiting Park Aides for the 2026 season. Park Aides assist park rangers with duties including camper registration, fee collection, facility maintenance, landscaping, and visitor assistance. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and possess a valid driver’s license.
- PCCDC Board Applications Open
- Pierce County Community Development Corporation continues to accept applications for real estate professionals interested in board service. The organization focuses on affordable housing preservation and development throughout Pierce County.
- Climate and Sustainability Commission
- The Tacoma City Council is seeking to fill seven seats on the Climate and Sustainability Commission to support implementation of Tacoma’s 2030 Climate Action Plan. Applicants must reside within city limits. The commission seeks representation from business, labor, housing, industry, transportation, education, and residential communities, including one member age 16 to 24.
- Vendor Applications Open for Fieldhouse Flea Market
- Vendor applications are open for the Fieldhouse Flea Market, scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from 10am to 4pm.
Recreation
- Wright Park Playground Reopening Celebration
- Parks Tacoma and the Tacoma Parks Foundation will celebrate the reopening of the Wright Park Playground on Saturday Jan 31, from noon to 2pm. The event will include music by Tacomarama, light refreshments, children’s activities, and a musical parade beginning at 12:30pm.
- People’s Center to Temporarily Close for Maintenance
- Feb 9 – 13, People’s Center in Hilltop will close for routine annual maintenance. The whole building will be off limits and programs temporarily halted. Seniors are encouraged to visit the Eastside Community Center for the Senior Hub and Senior Meal. You can utilize the Pierce County Bus, Shuttle or Brotherhood Rise shuttle during that time.
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