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Dispatch 02182026

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February 18, 2026

ISSUE 8

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High-Speed Internet Coming to Eatonville

Herbrand Scores Career-High 26 as Cruisers Fall to Clover Park in Season Finale By Skip Smith

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Staff Report

HEATHER QUIRIE

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Eatonville senior Colton Herbrand drives the lane and scores over Clover Park’s Trey-David Lunnie during a previous meeting between the teams. Herbrand poured in a career-high 26 points in the Cruisers’ 98-52 loss to the Timberwolves on Monday night.

night. Facing the first-place Clover Park Timberwolves on the road, the Cruisers were looking to close out their season on a high note. The last time the two teams met on Jan. 16, Clover Park claimed a 64-41 victory. This time, the stakes were final. Eatonville’s season hung in the balance. Behind a career night from senior Colton Herbrand, the Cruisers battled but ultimately fell 98-52 as Clover Park’s pressure, depth and rebounding proved too much to overcome. For Herbrand, the loss did little to overshadow a memorable finish to his high school

HERBRAND SCORES, 4

Eatonville Honors Seniors Before Falling to Timberwolves in Season-Ending Loss By Skip Smith

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n Monday, Feb. 2, the Eatonville Lady Cruisers hosted the Clover Park Timberwolves at Rainier Connect Arena at Eatonville High School on Senior Night, hoping to strengthen their case for one of the final two berths into the district playoffs. The last time the two teams met, Clover Park came away with a 53-39 victory. This time, Eatonville looked determined to change the outcome. Before tipoff, the Cruisers recognized their five seniors, Sadie Mettler, Dakota Montgomery, Savanna Price, Emma Johnson and Bailey Eden, honoring them for their hard work and dedication to the program over the past four years. Eatonville came out with energy and purpose. The Lady Cruisers jumped out to an early lead, but the Timberwolves slowly worked their way back. What had been a nine point advantage dwindled to just one by halftime. A decisive 17-7 rebounding advantage by Clover Park in the third quarter helped swing the momentum, and the Timberwolves took control en route to a 70-53 victory. Eatonville struck first in the opening quarter when Montgomery sank a pair of free throws for a 2-0 lead. Clover Park answered with back to back three pointers to go ahead 6-2. The teams traded baskets until late in the period. Trailing 10-8, the

HEATHER QUIRIE

esidents in Eatonville and surrounding communities will soon see construction crews at work as Astound begins a major high-speed internet expansion project in partnership with Pierce County. The project will extend broadband access to more than 3,500 homes across the Nisqually region, bringing symmetrical internet speeds of up to 5 gigabits per second once construction is complete. Over the coming months, Astound will build approximately 113 miles of new infrastructure, using a mix of aerial and underground fiber installation. Construction will focus on key corridors near Eatonville. Along Highway 702, work will run from the junction of Highway 507 in McKenna to Highway 161 near Clear Lake. Main roads impacted include Harts Lake Road South, Allen Road South, 8th Street South, Eatonville Cutoff Road and Jensen Road East, along with smaller side streets in those areas. Additional work will take place along the Highway 7 corridor from 304th Street East, known locally as Johnson’s Corner, south to Cranberry Lake. Roads in this stretch include 340th Street East, Christensen Muck Road East and 320th Street East, as well as nearby neighborhood streets. Residents can expect temporary traffic impacts during construction, including certified flaggers, signage, shoulder closures and occasional lane shifts. Drivers are urged to slow down in work zones and follow posted instructions to help keep crews and motorists safe. Construction is expected to wrap up later this year. The expansion is funded through a $13.3 million public-private partnership. Pierce County is contributing $7.97 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, while Astound is investing $5.33 million toward the project. County leaders say the investment is part of a broader effort to expand broadband access in underserved areas. Reliable high-speed internet has become essential for everything from remote work and online education to telehealth and small business operations. In rural and semi-rural communities such as Eatonville and the Nisqually region, limited connectivity has historically posed challenges for residents and businesses alike. By combining county funding with private broadband providers, Pierce County aims to improve quality of life and expand economic opportunity in areas that have not previously had access to robust internet infrastructure. Once completed, the network will provide significantly faster upload and download speeds than many existing services. The new broadband service will allow households to stream, work, learn and connect simultaneously without lag. It will also also support future growth in digital services. Residents interested in tracking construction progress or learning when service will become available in their area can visit Astound’s project webpage at www.astound.com/washington/ pierce-county. Additional information about Pierce County’s broadband expansion initiative is available at www.PierceCountyWa.gov/ BoostingBroadband. For Eatonville-area families, students and businesses, the coming months may bring some temporary road inconveniences, but county officials say the long-term benefit will be faster, more reliable connectivity that better meets modern needs.

he Eatonville Cruisers knew the challenge that awaited them Monday

Eatonville seniors Emma Johnson, Savanna Price, Dakota Montgomery, Sadie Mettler and Bailey Eden pose together on the court after being honored prior to the Cruisers’ game against Clover Park. Cruisers went on a 6-0 run to move in front 14-10. Eatonville carried that momentum through the closing minutes and led 18-13 at the end of the first quarter. Montgomery, Morgan Laird and Josie Lavergne each scored four points in the period. The Cruisers extended their lead early in the second, opening on a 6-2 run to go up 24-15. Clover Park responded with a 13-0 run to flip the score and take a 28-24 lead. A Jordyn Green three pointer sparked a 7-2 Eatonville run, allowing the Cruisers to regain control and head into the locker room with a 31-30 advantage. Green scored seven points in the quarter to pace Eatonville. Clover Park opened the third quarter with another three pointer to reclaim the lead. The teams exchanged the lead

several times before Eatonville went up 40-36 with just under four minutes remaining. The Timberwolves then took over, closing the quarter on a 13-2 run to build a 49-42 lead heading into the final period. Lavergne led the Cruisers with four points in the third. Eatonville scored first in the fourth quarter, but Clover Park seemed to match every bucket. The Timberwolves outscored the Cruisers 21-11 in the final eight minutes to secure the 70-53 win. Delaney Livernash scored five of her seven points in the quarter to lead Eatonville down the stretch. Green finished with 13 points leading the Cruisers. She added four rebounds and two steals.

EATONVILLE SENIORS, 3


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