August 27, 2025
ISSUE 35
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Pierce County homelessness up 11% in 2025 – leaders point to housing costs By Spencer Pauley The Center Square
Pierce County’s homeless population continued to increase in 2025 as county leaders vouch for more affordable housing to change the trajectory. Pierce County’s 2025 Point-in-Time count, or PIT, found 2,955 people experiencing homelessness in Pierce County – an 11% increase from 2,661 in 2024 and a 56% increase from 1,897 in 2020. Over the last 10 years, homelessness throughout the region rose 125% since 2015 – the same rate as median home prices. Rental rates also doubled within that time span as well. The county’s Homeless Management Information System prioritizes a housing-first approach in order to curve the rising PIT results. “This crisis didn’t happen overnight – it’s the direct result of a housing market that has simply become unaffordable for too many of our neighbors,” Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello said in a statement. The county executive added that investments in housing and other homeless services will be included in Mello’s biennial budget proposal set to be presented to the county council next month. Solutions to homelessness have become a divisive issue across the U.S., as President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order redirecting federal funding to substance abuse treatment, enforcing bans on open drug use and camping on
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COURTESY
The Eatonville High School Track and Field Project has started.
Long-awaited Track and Field Project is officially underway By The Eatonville School District Originally, we were ready to break ground in May 2025. However, the Governor’s Executive Order 21-02 required an additional review and compliance process before construction could begin. When we were awarded and accepted the $1.2 million Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant for this project, we agreed to follow this important order to ensure our new field meets all
standards. While this added several months to our timeline, it was a necessary step to move forward responsibly and correctly. On Aug.18, we received the notice to proceed. The following day we had heavy equipment arrive on the field and the next day we began the long-awaited excavation of the field. Construction is now in progress, and although it means our athletes will play their home football games in Yelm this season, the wait will be worth it. By next fall, we will be
welcoming students, athletes, and fans to a state-of-the-art field that will serve our community for many years. This project represents an exciting investment in our schools and our community, and we are grateful for the patience and support of our students, families, and fans as the work continues. We are close to receiving final approval to move forward on our replacement stadium and will provide more details soon.
Pierce County Council proclaims ‘Overdose Awareness Month’ By The Tacoma Weekly
COURTESY THE TACOMA WEEKLY
The Pierce County Council and Executive declared Overdose Awareness Day a month-long observance for the county in 2025.
Internationally, Overdose Awareness Day is recognized annually on Aug. 31, providing an opportunity for people to remember those we’ve lost to overdose, support individuals and families affected by substance use disorder, and reflect on the solutions for the urgent need for continued prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This year, the Pierce County Council and Executive deem it in the public interest to make Overdose Awareness Day a monthlong observance, and the Council passed a proclamation at its Aug. 5 meeting. On Sunday., Jan. 21, 2024, 16-year-old Adrian Gunter died suddenly after taking pills given to him by some of his peers. His mom, Tessa Gunter, spoke before the council, showing that opioid overdoses don’t just happen to those who are addicted. “Adrian was an extremely bright, happy, fun-loving kid. He was not into drugs. He was peer-pressured by so-called friends into taking pills he was told were just like
marijuana, which he did not smoke. He eventually gave in, and his life was cut short. It’s playing Russian roulette every time you take a pill… My son got the bullet on the first click.” The Council recognizes that stigma, geographic isolation, and lack of access to care are barriers that prevent many rural and suburban residents from receiving the help they need. The Council invested more than $3.2 million from opioid settlement and federal grant funds to launch up to two fully equipped mobile opioid treatment vehicles to bring life-saving medications, counseling, peer support, and health services directly to underserved areas across the county. The Council and Executive encourage all community members to take advantage of the numerous events, medicine take-back days, and opportunities to support efforts to save our neighbors, restore hope, and affirm proudly that recovery is possible.
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