ISSUE 30
July 23, 2025
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
Pierce County top recipient of parks, trails grants By The Tacoma Weekly
of their story.” Sullivan was rescued in March near Spokane, Washington, after being found alone, malnourished, and dehydrated. Though Sullivan has come a long way, guests may notice a slight limp as he recovers from an earlier foot injury. Thanks to expert collaboration
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board has awarded more than $148 million to projects across the state that will build and improve parks and trails, conserve irreplaceable wildlife habitat and maintain land for farming and forestry. Cities in Pierce County received the most funding at $14,249,690. “These grants are critical to keeping Washington a premiere destination for outdoor adventure as well as a great place for Washingtonians to live,” said Megan Duffy, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office, which supports the board. “These grants are key to building great communities. The grants help communities light ball fields, make parks accessible to people with disabilities, connect gaps in trail systems, refurbish pools and resurface pickleball courts.” Several studies have shown the value outdoor recreation provides to communities and have estimated that it supports more than 6 percent of all jobs in Washington. In total, the board awarded 242 grants to projects in 35 of the state’s 39 counties. The board received 411 applications requesting more than $266 million in funding, meaning just more than half (59 percent) of the projects received funding.
CUBS, 7
GRANTS, 3
COURTESY
Rescued cougar cubs Sullivan.
Rescued cougar cubs can be seen at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park By Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Rescued cougar cubs Sullivan and Sienna, both 7-months-old and brimming with youthful energy, can be seen by the public at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Guests can see the cubs exploring their forested habitat along the park’s Cat Loop, near the bobcat and lynx habitats. After
months of medical care, recovery, and bonding behind the scenes, the duo is ready to meet guests and enjoy their new home. “These cubs have shown incredible resilience, and now they’re ready for this next chapter,” said Becca McCloskey, Curator at Northwest Trek. “They’ve formed a strong social bond and giving them the chance to grow and explore together is a beautiful part
Summer Late Nights recognized nationally By The Tacoma Weekly The Pierce County Council has announced that Pierce County has received a 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties for its part in an innovative Summer Late Nights program. In 2024, Summer Late Nights recorded 15,960 visits across all locations, serving over 2,000 students and exceeding organizers’ expansion goals. Locations are chosen to prioritize low- and moderate-opportunity areas to minimize barriers to attendance. The Council appropriated $1 million in the 2024-2025 Biennial Budget to continue and expand youth drop-in educational and social activities. “Something special happens when intergovernmental agencies don’t just collaborate but
align efforts and priorities. This is the work of the Joint Municipal Action Committee in Tacoma, where Summer Late Nights were stood up three years ago in response to gun violence amongst youth,” said Pierce County Councilmember Rosie Ayala (District 4). “A partnership between Tacoma Public Schools, Parks Tacoma, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs, along with many more non-profits offering programming, and with funding from Pierce County, City of Tacoma, and many more, laid the foundation for what is possible.” This free, drop-in initiative provides middle and high school students with a safe and welcoming space every weeknight throughout the summer, offering free dinners, open gym, art, and music activities, as well as opportunities to connect with friends and caring mentors.
By partnering with local schools, community centers, and nonprofits, Summer Late Nights helps keep our youth engaged, supported, and thriving across our community. For 2025, youth can participate now through Aug. 29. Outside of Tacoma there are three additional school districts running programs to support teens in their districts. The Lakewood YMCA, in partnership with the Clover Park School District, is running a Teen Late Nite program. In Parkland, at the Keithley Middle School, the Franklin Pierce School District is running their own version of Summer Late Nights. In the Bethel School District, programming is at Spanaway Middle School on Mondays and Wednesdays, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can find programming at Bethel Middle School. The Pierce Prairie Post
PROGRAM, 3
82nd Annual Morton Loggers’ Jubilee 2025 Thursday, August 7, 2025
69th Annual Queen Coronation
Morton High School Gymnasium, 8 pm
Friday, August 8, 2025 Hampton Mill Tours
8 am-1 pm (last tour at Noon)
Lawnmower Races Gates open 4:30 pm Time Trials 6:30 pm Racing 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 9, 2025
ALL WEEKEND EVENTS 32nd Annual Flea Market Food Concessions (Food Trucks) ADMISSION PRICES Logging Shows Adults: $10 Seniors: $8 Children (6-12): $5 Children 5 and under FREE Lawnmower Races Adults: $15 Seniors: $10 Children (6-12): $5 Children 5 and under FREE Sponsored by:
King Beverage
10K Run, Morton High School Registration - 7 am, Run - 8 am
Jubilee Championship Bed Races Main Street, 11 am
Jubilee Grand Parade
Main Street, 11:30 am “Long Live the Lumberjack and the Log Haulers”
Logging Show, Jubilee Arena Gates open at 12:30 pm Show starts at 2 pm Roxy Theater Presents:
“The Pirates of Penzance”
7 pm, Roxy Theater Jubilee Saturday Night Dance Morton Senior Center Parking Lot, 8 pm - 10 pm featuring “The Names”
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Logging Show, Jubilee Arena Gates open at 10:30 am Show starts at 12 pm
NO PETS IN ARENA