January 21, 2026
ISSUE 56
50¢
IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
Hunting for a job? In the market for a new home? Have something to sell? Turn to the Classifieds in The Dispatch and at dispatchnews.com
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ierce County is announcing the award recipients of its most recent round of Behavioral Health and Therapeutic Courts (BHTC) funding representing a total investment of approximately $34 million to strengthen behavioral health services across the county. Since January 2024, BHTC funding has supported services for nearly 22,000 residents, 67% of whom are under the age of 18. Behavioral health services are essential to safe, welcoming and connected communities. These awards help Pierce County expand access to care across the full continuum—from prevention and early intervention to treatment, recovery, and reentry—while reducing reliance on crisis systems and supporting long-term stability for residents of all ages. The following organizations will provide services for two years, from January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027: SHELTER, HOUSING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES These trauma-informed behavioral health services are delivered in shelters, transitional housing, and unsheltered settings to support people experiencing homelessness. Examples of services include system navigation, life skills support, and care coordination to support transitions to long-term stability. OUTPATIENT AND COMMUNITYBASED SUPPORTS These outpatient behavioral health services—including therapy, case management, and outreach— are offered within home and community settings to encourage more people to access help when they need it. These services promote recovery from substance abuse, connect people to vital needs like housing and healthcare, and expand access to behavioral health support for people who may be underinsured or experience a gap in coverage. WELLNESS, PREVENTION, AND EARLY INTERVENTION These proactive services prevent behavioral health crises and reduce reliance on crisis and inpatient systems. Examples of services include postpartum nurse visits to families with newborns, coping skills development for youth and young adults, and community education.
PEER SERVICES These peer-led behavioral health supports fill critical gaps not covered by insurance and are known to strengthen recovery when combined with clinical treatment. Research shows they improve outcomes by providing trusted, community-based support rooted in lived experience. Examples of services include recovery groups, mentorship, and life skills coaching for individuals experiencing trauma or PTSD, justice system involvement, adults with disabilities, and others facing complex life challenges. JUSTICE-INVOLVED ADULT SERVICES These services are designed for justice-involved adults who are not covered by Medicaid while in custody and support individuals at any point in the justice system—from diversion to reentry. The goal is to reduce jail and emergency department use, promote long-term community stability, and keep people from going back to jail. Examples of services include workforce development, counseling, and housing assistance. Additional funding will go directly to programs that provide essential supports and measurable community benefit, including: SAFETY AND CRISIS RESPONSE • Alternative response and co-responder programs for the Pierce County Sheriff ’s Office • Street medicine and public health outreach • Mental Health First Aid EFFECTIVE AND FAIR LAW AND JUSTICE SYSTEMS • Legal services and court-based supports • Therapeutic and adult felony courts STABILITY, ACCESS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION • Mental health support in senior centers • Transit hardship assistance • Housing for veterans • Investments in behavioral health workforce “From prevention to recovery, these awards strengthen the network of services residents rely on every day,” said Gary Gant, Human Services director. “They honor lived experience, support our workforce, and ensure people can get help before a crisis occurs.” To see a full list of award recipients and to learn more about the BHTC funding visit www.piercecountywa.gov/BHtax.
Eatonville senior Sadie Mettler fights for position against Fife's Mallory Geving (#31) in the Lady Cruisers game last week against The Trojans. Later in the week, Mettler would score 8 points in a loss to Clover Park. By Skip Smith
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tough stretch of basketball tested the Eatonville Cruisers last week as they dropped three games in five days against league contenders and a nonleague opponent. Turnovers and defensive pressure proved to be recurring issues as the Lady Cruisers searched for consistency coming off wa brief return to the win column the week before. Eatonville opened the week Tuesday, January 13, hosting the first place Fife Trojans at Rainier Connect Arena at Eatonville High
School. The Cruisers were hoping to build momentum after snapping a four game losing streak late the previous week, but Fife arrived riding a two game win streak and quickly took control. The Trojan press defense caused problems from the opening minutes, forcing 41 Eatonville turnovers and turning them into easy scoring chances in a 60-16 Fife victory. After Josie Lavergne opened the scoring with a bucket, Fife answered with an 18-0 run fueled by 14 Cruiser turnovers in the first quarter. Eatonville managed just four points in the period,
with Lavergne and Jordyn Green scoring two apiece, and trailed 20-4 at the end of one. Turnovers continued to pile up in the first half, with 26 before the break, though Eatonville did find some success on the glass, out rebounding the Trojans 24-21. Fife stretched the lead further in the second quarter with a 5-0 run to open and a 13-0 run late. Lavergne and Avery Crowder each scored two points for Eatonville, but the Trojans headed into halftime up 39-8.
LADY CRUISERS, 4
Eatonville Shows Fight but Drops Two as Losing Streak Reaches Six By Skip Smith
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week that opened with promise and ended with more hard lessons left the Eatonville Cruisers still searching for answers as they continue league play. The Cruisers dropped a pair of games, falling 63-44 on the road to the Fife Trojans on Tuesday, Jan. 13, before returning home and suffering a 65-41 loss to Clover Park on Friday, Jan. 17. Despite the results, Eatonville showed flashes of competitiveness and growth, particularly early against Fife, before turnovers, rebounding struggles, and late-game runs by their opponents proved too much to overcome. At McCrossin Court, Eatonville went toe to toe with one of the league’s top teams for much of the night. Fife struck first, but Eatonville quickly settled in. After falling behind 5-2 in the opening quarter, the Cruisers rattled off a 9-0 run to take an 11-5 lead. Fife closed the gap late, trimming the deficit to two by the end of the quarter. Eatonville led 11-9 after one despite committing six turnovers, compared to just two by the Trojans. The Cruisers held a 10-6 edge on the glass, with Jeremy Osborn pacing Eatonville with five points. The second quarter remained tight throughout. Fife tied the game on the opening possession, but
HEATHER QUIRIE
Submitted
HEATHER QUIRIE
Pierce County to Lady Cruisers Struggle in Tough Fund Nearly 40 Three-Game Stretch Behavioral Health Service Organizations
Eatonville senior Colton Herbrand goes for a lay up in a game against the Clover Park Timberwolves last week. Herbrand would score a team-high 14 points in a losing effort. Amari Samuel answered with a three to put Eatonville back in front. The lead changed hands again before Adam Ames knocked down a three with 3:43 left to tie the game at
LOSING STREAK, 4