SEE INSIDE: Tapps lowered for transportation projects, Page 3 | Cramped East Pierce firefighters seek new station, Page 5 | Lady Spartans take 2nd in league, Page 8
Your hometown newspaper
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 | 75 cents
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Extending 198th Avenue link to begin By Brian Beckley Staff Writer
What to do when your college graduate moves back home Family, Page 4
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Weather Clouds and light showers are likely today, Wednesday, with highs in the mid-40s and overnight lows dropping into the mid-30s. Precipitation is forecast at 68 percent. Skies are expected to clear by the weekend however, with mostly sunny skies and a high temperature in the mid-40s on Saturday.
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Construction is expected to begin this summer on the missing link of roadway that will lead to the Tehaleh development south of the Bonney Lake city limits. Plans have called for the extension of 198th Avenue East from its current dead end between Bonney Lake High School and Mountain View Middle School to Rhodes Lake Road for nearly as long as the
development, formerly known as Cascadia, was in planning. After Cascadia fell into bankruptcy the road project was put on hold. Cascadia was sold to Newland Homes and renamed Tehaleh. The project has started again and resident begin to move in last year. According to Vice President and General Manager Scott Jones, Tehaleh is presently working with Pierce County to acquire the rightsof-way for the new roadway, as well as completing the engineering
and permitting process, something they expect to be completed by late spring. “The plan is to begin construction in the summer of this year,” Jones said, adding that they hope to finish the work by summer of 2014. Once completed, the new roadway will be the primary entrance to the 4,200-acre project. “It will be a direct route,” Jones said. “This would be the main route for several years.”
Goodbye, Becky!
See road, Page 3
South Prairie stabbing sends two to hospital
After more than 20 years directing Parks and Recreation, Becky Giles will retire Feb. 28.
By Daniel Nash Staff Writer
By Daniel Nash Staff Writer
Today, the citizens of Bonney Lake are preparing to vote for or against a Metro Parks District in spring; though Orton Junction has been frozen, the citizens of Sumner have kept a YMCA in their minds; and both cities’ children can sign up for a plethora of club sports, such as Valley Wolfpack, Rainier Rugby, or South Sound Titans swim club — if they’re inclined when the season comes. Much of this has been made possible, according to Sumner School District athletic director Tim Thomsen, by
The project is part of mitigation efforts agreed upon by Pierce County and Cascadia in the early part of this century. Jones said the project was designed in conjunction with the city of Bonney Lake and the state as well. Jones said the path through the dead end is generally clear, as the school district planned for the road to eventually go through, though he said there is one house that will have to be demolished at the corner
Becky Giles poses with coach and friend Paul Ortega at a basketball jamboree. Photo courtesy Becky Giles.
the culture of athleticism and friendly competition fostered by Becky Giles. Giles has been the Director of the Bonney Lake/Sumner interlocal Parks and Recreation department since 1991. On Feb. 28, she will retire. She’s planned the departure since 2011, but that
couldn’t stop her from holding back tears during her department report and farewell at a Jan. 16 school board meeting. “I’ve been planning it for two years,” she said in an interview Thursday. “My employees tease
Put Your Business First!
See Giles, Page 5
A man and a woman were sent to the hospital Sunday following a stabbing near South Prairie. East Pierce Fire and Rescue workers responded to a small housing development between South Prairie and Orting at 12:30 p.m. Sunday after the assault was called in to emergency services. A male victim was transported to a trauma center with potentially life-threatening injuries. A source said the man was not stabbed in the chest, as was originally reported in the media. A female victim who sustained non-life-threatening injuries was also transported to a hospital. After receiving an influx of concern, an East Pierce source added the attack was not a random act of violence, but could not elaborate further due to patient privacy concerns. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case. A spokesman was not available at press time for comment on the case.
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