Neighborhood News
- Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Recap
- In 2025, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber advanced its mission to strengthen the South Sound economy by investing in people, places and opportunity. The organization expanded access to capital, launched new economic infrastructure to elevate local creatives, and advocated for business priorities. Through partnerships, the Chamber facilitated $1.3 million in zero-interest microloans for small businesses, launched the inaugural Mural Fest, which invested $40,000 directly into local artists, and reported a strong participation in its Business Accelerator, which continues to support more that 575 BIPOC-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. Learn more about these impacts at the Chamber’s year-in-review link.
- Caring for Kids Happy Hearts Auction February 21
- The Caring for Kids Happy Hearts Auction is the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year, bringing the community together for an evening in support of the children in need within the Clover Park, Steilacoom, and University Place school districts. The annual event includes a live and silent auction, dinner, and live music. Caring for Kids is an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides new clothing, emergency food, hygiene products, school supplies, books and other essentials. Funds raised through the Happy Hearts Auction support more than 800 families through the Holiday Fair and Ready to Learn Fairs, as well as ongoing work with schools, food banks, and partner organizations to ensure children have access to necessary resources. Tickets are available online.
- MultiCare Awards $800,000 in Grants to 53 Washington Nonprofits
- MultiCare Health System has awarded $800,000 in grants to 53 nonprofit organizations across Washington state through its Community Partnership Fund. The funding supports organizations serving the Puget Sound, Inland Northwest and Yakima Valley regions, with a focus on needs identified in MultiCare’s Community Health Needs Assessment. Grant recipients address priorities including access to care, behavioral health, food insecurity, and other social determinants of health. Since launching the Community Partnership Fund in 2014, MultiCare has distributed more than $6.8 million to nonprofits working to improve health outcomes statewide. A full list of 2025 grant recipients is available on MultiCare’s website.
Local Governance
- New 2026 Laws Now in Effect
- Several new state laws took effect with the new year. Among them, House Bill 1162 which requires health care settings to maintain a workplace violence prevention plan that is reviewed and updated annually. House Bill 1213 expands protections for workers using Paid Family Medical Leave. Substitute Senate House Bill 1524 enhances protections for workers from workplace sexual violence. Senate Bill 5101 expands access to leave and safety accommodations to include victims of hate crimes, covering time for medical care and legal proceedings. Senate Bill 5140 allows striking workers to access unemployment benefits after a waiting period, with benefits capped at six weeks. House Bill 2081 imposes an additional business and occupation tax on companies with more than $250 million in taxable income. Senate Bill 5794 eliminates certain tax exemptions including those related to precious metals, home energy assistance, and businesses that hire employees that provide services outside the United States. Senate Bill 5801 increases transportation-related fees including gas taxes, vehicle registrations, ferry capital vessel surcharges, and rental car taxes.
- Meet Interim Police Chief Jackson
- The City of Tacoma will host two community events in January, on in person and one virtual, giving residents an opportunity to meet Patti Jackson, who is under consideration for a permanent appointment as Tacoma’s Police Chief. During the moderated events, Interim Chief Jackson will present her leadership vision and goals for the Tacoma Police Department, followed by community engagement. The in-person event will take place January 12 from 4 to 5pm at the Tacoma Municipal Building Council Chambers and will be broadcast live on TV Tacoma. A virtual event will follow January 15 from noon to 1pm. Community members are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing HRAdminTeam@tacoma.gov. by 10am on January 9. Attendees at either event will be invited to complete a feedback survey, which will be shared with Interim City Manager Hyun Kim as part of the appointment process.
- New Alerts Protect Your Property
- The Pierce County Auditor has launched a new Protect Your Property From Fraud tool designed to help residents safeguard their property. The free owner alert service notifies property owners if documents such as deeds or liens are recorded under their name, providing an early warning to detect potential fraud and respond quickly. The service adds an additional layer of protection for property owners across Pierce County and is available through the county’s official website.
Opportunities
- Park Watch Volunteer Orientation
- A Park Watch volunteer orientation will take place Saturday, January 31, from 10 – 11:30am at the Point Defiance Pagoda. Participants will learn about the Park Watch program and the ways volunteers help maintain visitor safety and protect park resources. The session is informational, with no commitment required.
- Tacoma School Board Vacancy
- Tacoma Public Schools is accepting applications from community members to fill a vacancy on the Tacoma Public Schools Board of Directors for Position 2. Applicants must submit a completed application, cover letter, and resume to the School Board Office by 4pm Thursday, January 15, 2026. The Board of Directors serves as the district’s governing body, setting vision and goals for student learning, ensuring accountability, and advocating for public education. Board member s hire and evaluate the superintendent, adopt policies and budgets, and work to foster equitable learning conditions. Community members encouraged to apply.
- Tacoma Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Position Open
- Tacoma City Council is seeking applicants to fill nine member positions and one Emerging Leader position on the Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. The volunteer commission advises the city on policies affecting immigrant and refugee communities and works to promote an inclusive and welcoming Tacoma. The commission includes 13 members and one alternate, with one Emerging Leader under age 25. Members serve three-year terms unless filling an unexpired term. Applicants should demonstrate experience or expertise related to immigrant and refugee issues and a commitment to supporting Tacoma’s diverse communities. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on January 26, 2026.
Recreation
- Loop Trail Construction in Point Defiance Park is Halfway Complete
- Construction on Phase 2 of the Loop Trail in Point Defiance Park is officially halfway complete. The 1.6-mile paved trail is designed to improve safety by separating pedestrians and cyclists from vehicle traffic while connecting the Wilson Way Bridge, the Pagoda, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Environmental Learning Center, and Owen Beach. The project began in June and is scheduled for completion in early summer 2026. A redesign of the trail alignment reduced tree removal by 33 percent, lowering the total from 64 to 48 trees. Crews will plant 175 new trees and more than 2,200 native shrubs as part of the restoration efforts. Several sections of the trail are nearly finished, including areas near the Northwest Native Plant Garden, the Environmental Learning Center, and Owen Beach. Phase 2 carries an estimated $6 million price tag and is funded through a state grant and a voter-approved bond via Parks Tacoma. The Loop Trail was identified as a community priority to improve safe, multimodal access within the park, which draws more than 3 million visitors each year.
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