Happy Friday News Briefs for October 30, 2026

Posted on by Keelin Everly-Lang

BY ANDE DUNN for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 10/30/2026

Neighborhood News

McIlvaine Tenants Launch Tacoma’s First Utility-Billing Strike

  • Starting Nov. 1, members of the McIlvaine Tenant Union at 920 S. 9th Street will withhold utility payments to protest how their landlord, Rainier Valley Partners, is billing for water, sewer and gas. The building uses a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS), and Washington doesn’t require landlords to show the math behind it. One resident reports bills topping $300 a month, with a $447 bill landing the month before his wedding. Tenants say they received three water shutoff notices in 2025 despite paying, and that six months of requests to negotiate have gone unanswered. The union says the strike ends when the owners come to the table. More info: communications@tacomatenants.org

Cloverdale Park Gets a Bigger, Better Playground

  • Construction started this month on an expanded playground at Cloverdale Park on Tacoma’s Eastside. The $496,000 bond-funded project adds a swing section, boulder climbers, and a climbing structure with a wide slide, plus new sidewalks, trees, and benches. Crews already buried the power lines and pulled the pole that stood midfield for years, a fix former Councilmember Catherine Ushka pushed for as part of a broader push for Eastside investment. More than 230 kids and neighbors weighed in on the design. The playground is closed until early 2027, but the sport courts stay open. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Toll Brothers Plans 47 Luxury Homes at Browns Point

  • National luxury builder Toll Brothers is bringing Watchtower at Browns Point to 5920 Browns Point Boulevard, perched at the highest point between Browns Point and Dash Point. Expect 47 homes ranging from 2,873 to 4,087 square feet, with daylight basements, covered patios, and Puget Sound and mountain views. Site work is underway, and sales are expected to open in mid-2027. Prices haven’t been announced, but if you have to ask… More info: TollBrothers.com/WA or 844-845-5263

$50 Million Cancer Center Proposed for North Tacoma

  • A land use permit is pending for the Tacoma Community Cancer Center, a three-story, 125,000-square-foot medical office with 440 parking spaces at 602 N. Orchard Street. The nearly 7-acre site is home to First Christian Church, and the tiny home village that’s operated there since 2020 is expected to relocate to South 69th Street. The project is led by the South Sound CARE Foundation, a Tacoma research nonprofit serving cancer patients who’ve exhausted other treatment options. Construction could start in November 2027. 

Trick or Treat on the Way | Friday (Oct. 30), 4 to 7 p.m.

  • Local businesses along South Tacoma Way are swapping invoices for candy bowls for an easygoing afternoon of trick-or-treating. Look for the event posters in participating shop windows, bring a bag, and let the little ghouls do the rest. It’s a low-key, walkable alternative to door-to-door, and a nice excuse to meet the neighborhood’s business owners. 

Slow Down Move Over Awareness Event & Procession @ Tacoma Dome | Saturday (Nov. 7)

  • Tow operators, first responders, public officials and neighbors will gather at the Tacoma Dome to call attention to Washington’s Slow Down Move Over law, which requires drivers to ease off and change lanes for people working or stopped on the roadside. Organizers say recent roadside crashes injuring tow operators and law enforcement make the message urgent. The event ends with a procession. Move over. It’s the law, and it’s people’s lives. More info: facebook.com/slowdownmoveoverwa

Clover Park Tech Adds Six New Skyhawks to Its Flight Fleet

  • Clover Park Technical College’s Professional Pilot Program just rolled out six brand-new Cessna 172S Skyhawks, bringing its training fleet to 18 aircraft. College officials expect the planes to serve students for the next 40 years, which is a long time to keep a car, let alone an airplane. CPTC also runs Aviation Maintenance and Avionics Technician programs out of its Puyallup aviation campus.

KBTC’s Ability Awareness Series Wins National Award

  • KBTC Public Television, Tacoma’s PBS station run by Bates Technical College, took first place for Educational Resources for the Classroom at NETA’s 58th Public Media Awards. Now in its fifth year, Ability Awareness pairs KBTC with Federal Way Public Schools’ Employment Transition and Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs, so students with disabilities tell their own stories, from on-camera interviews to running the gear. Watch the series free on kbtc.org, YouTube and the PBS app. More info: kbtc.org/abilityawareness

Washington Among Top States for Whale Entanglements

  • A new NOAA report counts nine of the West Coast’s 76 confirmed whale entanglements in Washington waters in 2025, or 11.8% of the total. Four whales, including a killer whale, broke free on their own. One gray whale died, and responders couldn’t reach another. Washington is home to the only federally authorized team in the Pacific Northwest trained to cut whales loose, and a busy 2026 has already eaten its budget, with a federal funding gap coming in January. Spot an entangled whale? Call 1-877-SOS-WHALE. More info: wdfw.wa.gov.

Local Governance

Tacoma’s Budget Plan: Cuts, New Fees and 12 More Officers

  • City Manager Hyun Kim’s proposed 2027–2028 budget closes a $40 million general fund gap by cutting programs, laying off up to 35 employees, and raising revenue. On the chopping block: the Community Service Officers program and the HOPE team, both civilian responders for non-emergency and behavioral health calls launched with pandemic dollars that have run dry. New money would come from higher business license fees on companies earning 5millionormore(6.2 million) and a commercial parking tax ($2.25 million). Meanwhile, the plan funds 12 new police officers. The overall budget is $5.3 billion, with $696 million in the general fund, and the council aims to adopt by mid- to late November. Want to try balancing it yourself? The city’s Balancing Act tool lets you. More info: tacomaonthego.org.

NE Tacoma Speed Cameras Catch 400,000 Speeders in a Month

  • The city’s new speed cameras on Norpoint Way and Marine View Drive clocked roughly 400,000 drivers over the 40 mph limit between Sept. 14 and Oct. 11, about 77% of the 515,000 vehicles that passed. That’s more than 14,000 a day. Since nobody can process that many tickets, the city will mail $145 citations to 100 randomly selected violators per camera per day, above a speed threshold it’s keeping quiet. Six more cameras arrive early next year, two each on South Sprague Avenue, Pacific Avenue, and Portland Avenue. Feeling lucky? Don’t.

Federal Way School-Zone Cameras Go 24/7

  • Federal Way’s four school-zone speed cameras, including the one on 1st Avenue S. at Panther Lake Elementary, will start enforcing around the clock in November. Expect 20 mph during posted school hours and 35 mph the rest of the time. A one-month warning period applies to off-hours speeding, but school-hour violations still get tickets. 

Park Board Votes on $97 Million 2027 Budget Nov. 9

  • The Board of Parks Commissioners is expected to take final action on Parks Tacoma’s proposed $97 million 2027 budget at its second reading on Nov. 9. The plan carries forward cuts made in the 2025–2026 budget with no new ones, and keeps the focus on park maintenance, security, youth camps, senior programs and community events. It also funds the enterprise side: Point Defiance Zoo, Northwest Trek, Meadow Park Golf Course and the Point Defiance Marina. Public comment is welcome at board meetings at Parks Tacoma headquarters, 4702 S. 19th Street. More info: parkstacoma.gov.

Tacoma Joins a Regional Homelessness Approach

  • The Tacoma City Council voted unanimously to join Pierce County, Fife, Gig Harbor, and Lakewood in a coordinated regional approach to homelessness services, with shared information and planning across governments. Mayor Anders Ibsen stresses it’s not a sequel to King County’s regional authority, and points out Tacoma has about 40% of the county’s population, but 80% of its beds and services. Pierce County’s 2025 point-in-time count found nearly 3,000 people experiencing homelessness.

Pierce Transit’s Prop. 1 Is on Your Nov. 3 Ballot

  • Voters in the Pierce Transit service area will decide whether to raise the agency’s dedicated sales tax from 0.6% to 0.9%, or 3 cents on every $10 of taxable purchases. Groceries, gas, rent, and most health care are exempt. Pierce Transit says the roughly $64 million a year would fund about 47% more service, phased in from 2027 through 2032, and that without it, cuts could come as early as 2031. If it passes, it would be the agency’s first sales tax increase since 2002; a similar measure failed in 2011 with about 46% of the vote. Check your voters pamphlet for arguments for and against. More info: ballot.piercetransit.org

SR 7 On-Ramp to SR 512 Gets Longer, Wider, Brighter

  • WSDOT has wrapped up improvements to the SR 7 on-ramp to SR 512 near Lakewood, one of the South Sound’s more white-knuckle merges. The work rebuilt the end of the ramp from the ground up and replaced the ramp lighting. Fewer surprises at the merge, hopefully. More info: wsdot.wa.gov

Lakewood Sets Hearing on Partial Vacation of 100th Street

  • The City of Lakewood has published notice of a public hearing on a request to vacate part of 100th Street. Street vacations hand public right-of-way to adjacent property owners, and Lakewood has been here before: in 2024, the council denied a request to vacate the 100th Street SW street end that runs into Lake Steilacoom, after the debate put a spotlight on public access to the city’s lakes. Residents can testify at the hearing or send comments to the city clerk. More info: cityoflakewood.us

Arts & Entertainment

“Dracula ~ The Romantic Ballet” @ Pantages Theater | Saturday (Oct. 31), 2 p.m.

  • Skip the haunted house and spend Halloween afternoon with Tacoma City Ballet’s original “Dracula,” a romantic retelling of Vlad the Impaler with live music from the Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra under Maestro Bernard Kwiram. The ornate Pantages does a lot of the gothic heavy lifting. It’s suitable for all ages, and costumes are encouraged. Doors at 1 p.m. The venue is cashless and every attendee needs a ticket, infants included. More info: tacomacitytheaters.org.

Giant Trolls Move Into Point Defiance Zoo and Northwest Trek

  • Twelve new wooden trolls by Danish artist Thomas Dambo have taken up residence in Pierce County for “TROLLS: A Field Study,” the first time his traveling trolls have landed in the Pacific Northwest. Eight hide in the forests of Northwest Trek and four lurk in the habitats at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Each stands 7 to 9 feet tall, built from pallets, scrap wood and fallen branches, and the story goes they’re here to study us. Finding them is included with admission or membership, through Jan. 24, 2027. More info: pdza.org

Museum of Glass Grand Reopening @ Museum of Glass | Saturday (Dec. 12), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Museum of Glass wraps its big renovation with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. and the debut of the new Lino Tagliapietra Legacy Gallery. The first exhibition, Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro, features more than 50 works by the Venetian glass legend who called Puget Sound home for 45 years and gifted 175 pieces to the museum on his retirement. Docent tours run all day. Celebration Week follows January 20–24, with a different member of Lino’s team in the Hot Shop each day. More info: museumofglass.org/grandopening

Halloween and Veterans Day at Museum of Glass | Saturday (Oct. 31) and Saturday (Nov. 7)

  • Show up in costume on Halloween and get $3 off admission, plus 15% off in the Museum Store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (some exclusions). A roaming Spider-Man is available for photos. Then on Nov. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the Hot Shop hosts a Veterans Day Celebration with a color guard, veteran choir and commemorative glass coins for Hot Shop Heroes graduates. Veterans, active-duty military and their families get in free all day. Source: Museum of Glass newsletter (Oct. 20). More info: museumofglass.org/veterans-day-celebration

Prince Pink Album Release Party @ The Grand Cinema | Saturday (Nov. 21)

  • Longtime Tacoma musician Grace Hope (Goldfinch, Apartment Lights, Loud Lust, exdreams) returns with her first album in eight years under the name Prince Pink. Midnights on the Run was produced with Jay Battle (Qreepz) before he headed to LA. The release party screens the full album alongside a trilogy of sci-fi and fantasy music videos by local filmmaker Heretic, followed by a Q&A, meet and greet, merch and snacks. Preview the single “All Alone” first. More info: eventbrite.com/e/prince-pink-album-release-listen-watch-party-qa-meet-greet-tickets-2003214813432

A Light in Every Cell Documentary Premiere @ Benaroya Hall, Seattle | Friday (Nov. 13), 7 p.m.

  • Yoga Behind Bars premieres its new documentary on trauma-informed yoga and meditation inside Washington prisons and juvenile detention. Co-executive director Faraji Bhakti first found the program while incarcerated and now teaches in the same facility that once held him. The nonprofit teaches in seven Washington facilities and has trained 700+ teachers nationwide. Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets $75, youth (4–12) $25, ages 3 and under free. More info: yogabehindbars.org/tickets

Autumn Flower Show @ W.W. Seymour Conservatory | Through Sunday (Nov. 29), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • When the gray settles in, the glass house in Wright Park is the cheapest warm escape in town. The Conservatory’s Autumn Flower Show fills the historic building with the colors and textures of fall. Pop in on a lunch break. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Opportunities

Museum of Glass Visiting Artist Residency Applications | Due Sunday (Nov. 1), 11:59 p.m.

  • Glass artists, here’s your shot at the Hot Shop. Museum of Glass is accepting applications for 2027 Visiting Artist Residencies, with full use of its state-of-the-art studio and the help of the museum’s Hot Shop Team. Projects of all scopes are welcome. More info: museumofglass.org.

Grit City Litter Cleanup @ STAR Center | Saturday (Oct. 31), 9 a.m. to Noon

  • The last Grit City Litter Cleanup of the year tackles Swan Creek Park and the surrounding area. Supplies are provided, and families, school groups and neighbors are all welcome. Get your Halloween morning good deed in before the candy. Show up, pick up, feel smug. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Swan Creek Dig Days @ Swan Creek MTB Park | Sunday (Nov. 1), 9 a.m.

  • Evergreen South Sound is hosting a trail work party at Swan Creek’s mountain bike trails, with tools provided and food courtesy of Trek University Place. Bring gloves, grit and a bike for a victory lap once the dirt work is done. 

Book a Parks Tacoma Venue, Win a Silver Cloud Getaway

  • Reserve a Parks Tacoma room or venue by December 1 for an event happening before March 31, 2027, and you’re entered to win one of four getaway packages at the Point Ruston Silver Cloud Inn. Holiday party planners, this one’s for you. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Youth Basketball Coaches Wanted

  • Parks Tacoma needs volunteer coaches for its winter youth basketball leagues. No experience necessary; training and equipment are provided, and practices are on weekday evenings starting the week of Dec. 7. Sign up through MyImpact. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Recreation

Skate the Armory @ Tacoma Armory | Sunday (Nov. 1), 12:30 to 11 p.m.

  • Tacoma has been rink-less since Skateworld closed in 2024. Tacoma Arts Live and Tomorrowland Junior Roller Derby are fixing that with Skate the Armory, public skating on the largest flat-floor skating venue in the Northwest (room for 500 skaters) at 1001 S. Yakima Avenue. Sunday’s lineup: Learn to Skate 12:30–1 PM ($5 plus 5rental),FamilySkate1–6PMandAdultSkate8:30-11p.m.(15 plus $5 rental). CheapSk8 Wednesdays are $8 with rentals included, and junior and adult derby bouts start in January. Wheelchairs and walkers are welcome on the floor. More info: tacomaartslive.org/sunday-skate-nights

Wicked Fast 5K @ Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance | Saturday (Oct. 31), 8 a.m.

  • Run off the Halloween candy before you’ve even eaten it. Team Rhubarb Sumner’s costumed 5K is one of TCMA’s favorite outings, with a cheerful course, ridiculous outfits, and plenty of post-race bragging. More info: tcmaevents.com

Vivian’s Neighborhood Harvest Festival @ Stewart Heights Park | Saturday (Oct. 31), 1 p.m.

  • A free, family-friendly harvest festival with the Harvest Hustle run or walk, neighborhood trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, vendors, music and food. There’s also a coat drive, so bring something warm to donate. Cardio, candy and good karma in one stop. Source: Tacoma Brief (Oct. 25).

Halloween Bird Walk @ Point Defiance Lodge | Saturday (Oct. 31), 9 to 11 a.m.

  • A Park Guide leads a two-mile walk on the birds of our local parks and all the creepy folklore and superstitions attached to them. Costumes encouraged. Bring binoculars, or borrow a pair. Trails are unpaved and uneven. Then on Sunday (Nov. 1), 9 to 11 a.m., Coffee with the Birds meets at the Titlow Picnic Shelter for a session on geese and a guided walk. Coffee’s free, bring a thermos. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Hoot ‘n’ Howl @ Northwest Trek | Friday (Oct. 30), 5 to 9 p.m.

  • Last call for Northwest Trek’s costumed twilight Halloween walk, with lights, animals, candy, games in the picnic pavilion and pumpkin checkers. While you’re there, go troll hunting. Eight of Thomas Dambo’s giants are hiding in the woods. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Kids Night Out: Oogie Boogie Night @ STAR Center | Friday (Oct. 30)

  • Drop the kids (ages 5-12) for themed games, crafts and the 5,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor Treetops playground while you enjoy a night off. A parent or guardian must sign in at drop-off, and ID is required at pickup. November and December dates are open too. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Early Lap Swim Returns; People’s Center Closes Nov. 2–6

  • Good news for 7 a.m. swimmers. People’s Center closes November 2–6 for annual maintenance, so Eastside Pool opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday that week. Starting November 9, lap swim begins at 7 a.m. at Eastside on Mondays and Wednesdays and at People’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During the closure, the Senior Hub and Senior Meals (noon to 12:30 p.m.) run at Eastside. Swim lesson registration for all ages opened Oct. 28 and runs through Nov. 1, with classes starting Nov. 2. More info: parkstacoma.gov/centerclosures

Heritage Skills Workshop: Cider Making @ Fort Nisqually | Saturday (Nov. 7), 1 to 4 p.m.

  • Cider, cyser, melomel, braggot, mead: if it grows, someone has fermented it. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s hands-on workshop digs into the history and craft of cider making, from farmhouse barrels to monastery meaderies. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Youth Basketball Registration Open Through Nov. 29

  • Parks Tacoma’s winter leagues welcome every skill level. Rec leagues run 6U, 8U and 10U co-ed; competitive leagues cover 10U through 16U, with professional referees and playoffs. Games run December 12 through February 13, with no games or practices Dec. 26 or Jan. 2. Financial aid is available through the Tacoma Parks Foundation. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Norpoint Turkey Trot @ Center at Norpoint | Thursday (Nov. 26), 9 a.m.

  • Tacoma’s original Thanksgiving fun run offers a chip-timed 5K and a 3K run or walk through Northeast Tacoma. It’s stroller and dog friendly, and kids 5 and under run free with a registered adult. Register by Nov. 12 to guarantee a shirt. Earn the pie. More info: parkstacoma.gov

Halloween Bike Rides: Witch Ride and Monster Mash Bicycle Bash

  • Trade your usual ride for something spookier. The Wheel of Cheese Witch Ride invites riders to deck out in witchy costumes and decorated bikes and compete for prizes, including best cackle. Down in Thurston County, Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll hosts the Monster Mash Bicycle Bash, a relaxed group ride around Capitol Lake from Tumwater Historical Park to downtown Olympia and back, with time to catch Love Oly’s Downtown for Halloween festivities. Both are free and family-friendly. More info: instagram.com/wheelofcheez and intercitytransit.com.

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