FEBRUARY 11, 2026
ISSUE 7
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Can Sheriff Swank Be Removed From Office?
Go Hawks!
KATIE G. COTTERILL/NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK
By Whitney Stevens
SHERRIF SWANK, 3
The animals at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park cheer on the Seahawks. Pictured: Thistle the Porcupine munchin' down on some apple.
Eatonville Shows Heart, Herbrand Delivers Career-High on Senior Night
HEATHER QUIRIE
S
ince taking office in January 2025, Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s tenure has been marked by controversy. His public statements have drawn criticism, including characterizing being transgender as “a mental health issue” and asserting on social media, “I am the sheriff, and I can say whatever I want.” While Swank has defended these statements as exercises in free speech and pushback against what he calls narrative control, critics argue that an elected law enforcement official has responsibilities that extend beyond personal expression, particularly regarding the dignity and safety of marginalized communities. He has also been in court repeatedly with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office. Most recently, Swank’s January 15 testimony before the state Senate Law and Justice Committee sparked rebuke from his fellow sheriffs. He appeared to threaten lawmakers considering legislation that could affect his position. “When you try to remove me from office, thousands of Pierce County residents will surround the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma and will not allow that to happen,” Swank told committee members. “I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I and they are prepared. Are you prepared?” The statement prompted the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to consider his expulsion from the organization. His conduct has resulted in three pending cases before the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission that could lead to decertification and has sparked renewed interest in the mechanics of removing an elected official. The urgency of these questions has been amplified by recent events in Minnesota. Swank has publicly stated his desire to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits such cooperation.
Eatonville honored its boys' basketball seniors before the game: Manager Stacie Devera, players Jake Brannon, Landon Austin, Carter Taylor, and Colton Herbrand. These dedicated Cruisers were celebrated for their four years of hard work and commitment to the program. by Skip Smith
T
he Eatonville Cruisers closed out a demanding week of 2A SPSL League play with a pair of losses, but not without extended stretches of
fight, response, and growth against two of the league’s toughest opponents. On Monday, Feb. 2, Eatonville traveled to Franklin Pierce High School to face the Cardinals, who had already handed the Cruisers an 87-60 loss earlier in the season. Turnovers again proved costly as Franklin Pierce pulled away late for a 65-46 win. Eatonville dug itself an early hole in the opening quarter, committing 13 first-quarter turnovers. Colton Herbrand opened the scoring with a steal and a lay-in, but Franklin Pierce followed with a 12-0 run to jump out to a 12-3 lead. The Cruisers settled in late, closing the quarter on a 7-2
run to pull within five. Herbrand scored six of Eatonville’s nine points in the quarter as the Cardinals led 14-9 after one. The Cruisers struck first in the second quarter when Nash Sherrard knocked down a jumper to make it 14-11. After a Cardinal layup and another Eatonville turnover that led to points, the deficit grew to seven. Eatonville responded with its best stretch of the half, working the ball around before Jake Brannon buried a three-pointer that sparked a 7-0 run and tied the game at 18-18 with 5:28 left before halftime.
HERBRAND DELIVERS, 11