August 26, 2026
50¢
ISSUE 35
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
Pierce County Library System Receives 10k in National Grants Staff Report
T
fter 30 shows, hundreds of classic cars and decades of generosity, Eatonville is saying goodbye to one of its most cherished summer traditions. The Rod Knockers Car Club has voted to discontinue its annual Eatonville car show, founder Joe Peluso announced Aug. 21. The decision came after members were unable to recruit a younger generation to take over the demanding work of organizing and running the event. The club was founded more than 30 years ago by a group of car enthusiasts. Its first Eatonville car show followed soon afterward, beginning a tradition that would eventually draw hundreds of vehicles from across Washington and Oregon. Over the years, the show filled downtown with polished chrome, rumbling engines and visitors gathered beneath Mount Rainier. Spectators attended free of charge, and members welcomed the community with complimentary hot dogs, chips and water—often serving about 500 hot dogs in a single day. This summer marked the show’s 30th anniversary. The club held 30 shows over 31 years, with only one canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But producing an event of that size required months of preparation. Members secured sponsors, collected door prizes, assembled goody bags and handled the long days of setup, registration and cleanup. Many of those who established the tradition are now in their 70s and 80s. “Those members that started these events are now seventy and eighty years old and are physically running out of the strength needed to perform our duties,” Peluso wrote.
The club attempted to recruit younger members who could carry the show forward but was unable to find enough people willing to take it on. Although Eatonville will miss the cars, the Rod Knockers’ legacy extends far beyond their annual gathering. Proceeds from club events have supported the Eatonville Family Agency, Eatonville Senior Center and local food bank. The group funded two automotive scholarships at Bates Technical College
and sponsored tiny homes for veterans at the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting. When a delay in SNAP benefits left senior veterans at the Soldiers Home facing empty cupboards last fall, club members responded immediately. By the following morning, donations of food, toiletries, paper products, eggs and other necessities were already piling up for delivery. Some community members even contributed handmade blankets.
ROD KNOCKERS, 3
Investigation Continues After 60 Cats Rescued From Boat Near Owen Beach Staff Report
T
he cats rescued from a boat near Owen Beach are safe, but their arrival comes as the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is already caring for hundreds of cats and facing a larger regional overpopulation problem. The rescue of 60 cats from a sailboat near Owen Beach captured plenty of attention earlier this month. Now that the last known cat is safely off the boat, the story has shifted to what happens next. All 60 cats were taken into the care of the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce
County, adding a major influx of animals to a shelter already stretched for space and resources. The Humane Society reported Aug. 13 that it was caring for 193 cats at the shelter and another 234 in foster homes. And the Owen Beach cats weren’t the only unexpected arrivals. Within hours of receiving the final cat from the sailboat, the Humane Society took in another 20 cats removed from an abandoned vehicle.
TACOMA POLICE DEPARTMENT
he Pierce County Library System (PCLS) has been awarded a $10,000 Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant from the American Library Association (ALA). The initiative provides funding and resources to help small and rural libraries strengthen community engagement and expand accessibility for people with disabilities. As a result of the award, PCLS rolled out youth sensory kits at all library locations, featuring items based on recommendations from the University of Washington’s Autism-Ready Libraries initiative. The kits are available for children to use during library visits to support a more inclusive experience. “Part of being a welcoming and inclusive library means acknowledging that shared public spaces can provide sensory challenges for some members of our public — especially youth still learning what they need,” said Blythe Summers, Programs and Services Manager for Youth & Family Services at PCLS. “Providing a variety of sensory support items is one way we can make our spaces more accessible. The sensory kits are geared toward ages birth-12 years old, and include items such as puppy lap pads, ear protection, sunglasses, sensory windows, emotion poppers, visual timers and other items. The kits can be requested at the Help Desk of any Pierce County Library and are available for in-library use only. As part of the grant, the Buckley Pierce County Library gathered input from community members on accessibility needs and priorities through community engagement efforts, including a hybrid discussion held in partnership with the Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID). “Having youth sensory kits available at the library creates a welcoming space where all children, including those with sensory needs, can feel seen, supported and included,” said Nalani Linder, Executive Director of TACID. “These kits not only offer tools for self-regulation and comfort, but also send a powerful message that the library is a safe place for every learner and family. TACID is grateful to have participated in the community engagement process and we’re pleased to see these resources expanding across all locations.” Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.
Farewell, Rod Knockers. We Love You, Too! A
BOAT CATS BEGIN RECOVERY
The Owen Beach cats have received veterinary exams, vaccinations and parasite preventatives. Some arrived dehydrated or thin and with fleas or flea dirt, but Humane Society spokesperson Stefanie Cornell said they appeared to be doing relatively well considering the conditions they came from.
All the cats are receiving medical attention and have been taken in by the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. More than 20 were placed with foster families following the rescue, while others remained at the shelter. The cats range in age from approximately seven months to five or six years. Some have been friendly with shelter staff,
while others may be feral or simply need additional time to decompress before their behavior can be accurately assessed. The animals are not yet available for adoption.
CATS, 6