Neighborhood News
- Wilcox Family Farms in Roy Give Back
- Wilcox Family Farms of Roy, Washington, is continuing its long-standing tradition of donating nearly one million eggs to local food banks across the region. The first delivery went to the Emergency Food Network in Pierce County. The Wilcox team works to ensure families have access to fresh, nutritious eggs during the a time of year when demand increases. The annual give-back effort is rooted in the Wilcox’s family values of community, stewardship, and a deep commitment to staying local. Community members are encouraged to give back this season by donating to a local food bank to help ensure every family has a meal on the table.
- Help Name the Newest Robot Helping at Meadow Park Golf Course
- Meadow Park Golf Course has welcomed a new Robot Range Picker. The automated ball-picking technology provides reliable golf ball retrival by quietly collecting golf balls around the clock. The robot helps reduce fuel and equipment costs while freeing up staff members who would otherwise operate a slow-moving ball picker vehicle. Community members are invited to help name the robot by submitting a vote online at parkstacoma.gov/meadow-park-robot-name
- Reporting Damage After the Atmospheric River
- As Pierce County continues to address the impacts of two plus recent atmospheric river events, reporting damage is an important first step toward accessing assistance. Pierce County has established a centralized reporting webpage at piercecountywa.gov/reportdamage. The site allows residents, businesses and public entities to report damage and access information about protective measures, infrastructure repairs, and mitigation efforts. Pierce County Emergency Management will use the submitted information to assess the full scope of damage, support recovery planning, and advocate for additional resources.
- Historic Flooding Affects Blood Supply, Donors Needed
- Due to the ongoing weather event in western Washington, more than 450 cancellations of potential blood donations has occurred. The Bloodworks Northwest Renton Lab and Renton Donor Center also had to be evacuated due to the Green River levee breach. The cancellations have led to a severe shortfall, especially of Type O negative blood, which is at emergency low levels. Donations already decline in the busy holiday season so this is a critical issue. Bloodworks Northwest says donors of all blood types are needed to keep local hospitals stocked for cancer patients, trauma cases and premature babies. Same day appointments are available at bloodworksnw.org.
Local Governance
- MLK Celebration Returns in 2026
- The City of Tacoma’s Events and Recognitions Committee has announced that the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will take place Monday, January 19, 2026, and will include awards presentations and an outreach fair. The program will begin at 1pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. The committee oversees the planning and production of the celebration, including the selection of honorees for its annual awards. More information is available at tacomavenues.org/mlk-celebration.
- More Automated Traffic Cameras Approved
- Updates to the Automated Traffic Safety Camera Program were approved by the Tacoma City Council and will take effect January 1, 2026. The maximum penalty for infractions will increase from $124 to $145. First-time violators who receive public assistance will continue to qualify for a reduced penalty. Cameras may now be installed near parks, hospitals, and other high-risk, high-speed areas. An Automated Enforcement Task Force made up of seven community members, a Tacoma Police Department representative and other City of Tacoma staff used a data-drive analysis to prioritize locations for new camera installations. Additional information is available at tacoma.gov/government/departments/public-works/transportation/automated-enforcement.
- Washington Launches Statewide Push to Boost FAFSA Completion
- Governor Bob Ferguson has launched the Washington Completes FAFSA Campaign in response to persistently low financial aid application rates. Washington currently ranks 47th nationally for FAFSA completion, despite nearly half of families qualifying for aid. The initiative, created by executive order, establishes a statewide advisory board to set annual completion goals beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year and to provide targeted support to schools and communities. The campaign will offer free training and toolkits for educators, community-led outreach strategies, expanded use of the Otterbot FASFA assistance chatbot, and annual public reporting to track progress and equity gaps. FAFSA completion is a key gateway to federal aid and state programs such as the Washington College Grant, which can cover full tuition for many students. State leaders say improving access to financial aid is a critical step toward expanding postsecondary enrollment and educational equity statewide.
- City Council Adopts Tacoma 2035
- The City Council adopted Resolution 41822, the Tacoma 2035 strategic framework as a new vision statement for Tacoma’s future: Tacoma is safe, housed, connected, working, sustainable and thriving. To achieve the vision and mission, the City of Tacoma programs and policies will be driven by four core values: Belief & Trust, Fiscal Responsibility, Access Opportunities & Belonging, and Resilience. The six goals referenced within the Tacoma 2035 framework build off the existing City Council priorities: Community Safety, Housing & Homelessness, Transportation & Mobility, Jobs & Economy, Climate and Environment, and Placemaking & Experience. Learn more about Tacoma 2035 at https://tacoma.gov/government/departments/office-of-strategy/tacoma-strategic-plan/.
Arts & Entertainment
- Skate the Armory and Stay Warm
- Skip the ice rink and stay warm indoors at The Armory. Sunday Open Skate will feature a holiday theme with music and lights. Holiday costumes encouraged. Skate rentals for youth and adults are available for $5. Skate the Armory takes place Dec. 28.
Opportunities
- Call to Artists: Point Defiance
- Parks Tacoma is seeking an artist or artist team to create site-responsive public artwork that enhances the user experience along the multi-modal Loop Trail at Point Defiance Park. The all-inclusive project budget is $65,000. Artists may submit examples of past work through the application process by January 19, 2026. Storytelling is a key component of the project due to the site’s historical significance. Applicants must reside in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or British Columbia. More information and application details are available at tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit/342270/parks-tacoma-pt-defiance-park-loop-trail-public-art.
- Point-In-Time Count Volunteers Needed
- Thousands of people in Pierce County sleep in cars, shelters, or outdoors each day. The Homeless Point-In-Time Count, conducted annually gathers data on how individuals and families experience homelessness and helps inform of services and programs. Volunteers are being recruited and donations collected to support the count, which will take place January 29 and 30. Volunteers must be 18 or older, have access to a smartphone, and attend a training session. More information is available at facebook.com/share/v/1A2Zf9GfzK/.
- Give Your Old Laptop a Second Life
- Chiapas Education Project will host office hours at 350 Tacoma to collect unwanted laptops and provide basic maintenance to extend the life of existing devices. Support services including upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, troubleshooting, and basic cleaning. Office hours will be held from noon to 5pm on Sunday, December 28, at 311 Puyallup Ave. in Tacoma.
Recreation
- 2026 the Last Season for Wild Waves
- Wild Waves Theme Park has announced that the 2026 operating season will be its final year. The park will open as scheduled on May 23, 2026, and close November 1, 2026. Wild Waves cited rising operating costs and slower-than-expected recovery following the COVID shutdown, which resulted in millions of dollars in losses. The park has operated since 1977 and has welcomed millions of guests from across the Pacific Northwest. They employ approximately 35 full-time and 800 seasonal workers. Despite the upcoming closure, the park will honor all purchased group events, season passes, and ticket packages and plans to offer a full season with themed events and special promotions. The 2026 event calendar is available at wildwaves.com.
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