New Outdoor Warning System Sirens Installed in Eatonville and Tehaleh
Pierce County
New All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) sirens have been installed at the Eatonville Public Safety Building and Tehaleh Heights Elementary School as part of Pierce County Department of Emergency Management’s Outdoor Warning System expansion. The sirens are equipped with alert tones and voice-recorded messages, along with blue flashing lights, to inform and direct people during community-wide emergencies and evacuations.
“Pierce County is excited to give the communities of Eatonville and Tehaleh a new way to stay safe and well-informed during emergencies with the expansion of our All Hazard Alert Broadcast sirens,” said Arel Solie, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management Director. “Historically, these sirens were intended to alert Pierce County residents about volcanic eruptions and lahars, however new technology, including customized sounds and voice-recorded messages, allows us to use them in a wide range of incidents, including severe weather and evacuations.”
Pierce County Department of Emergency Management has 42 Outdoor Warning System sirens in the Puyallup River Valley and Nisqually River Valley, with the addition of nine new sirens throughout Pierce County since 2020. Funding sources for the Pierce County siren program expansion include the Washington Emergency Management Division and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Outdoor Warning System siren testing takes place the first Monday of each month at noon with a Westminster clock chime, flashing blue lights, and an audio announcement in English and Spanish. When there is an actual emergency, the sirens will play a continuously steady beeping sound and strobe lights will flash, followed by a recorded audio message. In the event of a volcanic eruption and lahar, the sirens will emit a loud wailing tone.
Eatonville Student Winner in Global Calculator Art Contest
By Peter Lowe
The days of students buying $100 graphing calculators for advanced math classes are over. The Desmos free online graphing calculator that emerged in 2011 has taken over as the graphing calculator of choice in American math education and is now used on all state standardized tests as well as Advanced Placement (AP) exams and the SAT (for college admissions). While it is most often used for basic graphing, its calculating abilities far exceed old handheld calculators and include colors, geometric figures, programming commands, and a host of other options. These abilities gave rise to the Desmos Studio Math Art Contest which challenges participants to blend mathematical equations, functions, and geometric modeling with artistic creativity, often resulting in complex, interactive, or animated designs.
The contest opened globally in 2020 and by its 2nd year was receiving over 10,000
submissions from over 100 countries. This year 20 winners were selected in each of four age categories, and one of those winners was Titus Lowe, a Junior at Eatonville High School. Each winner receives a $250 cash prize. While many of the entries focus on visual aesthetics or interactive complexity, Titus took a different approach striving, instead, for mathematical elegance. Rather than using dozens of expression lines (graphical commands) to produce a complex image he restricted himself to one of each of the 7 standard expression types. Using these he created a sandpile simulation, known in mathematics as an Abelian sandpile model, that drops grains of sand on a hexagonal grid. When any space has more than 6 grains they cascade off onto the neighboring spaces often causing them to overfill and continue cascading out. The effect is a mesmerizing kaleidoscopic animation that illustrates ‘self-organized critically’ and other interesting cellular properties. The board size
can be adjusted and the grain drop location set to ‘random’ or ‘centered’ to achieve different effects.
Titus was introduced to the Desmos calculator through math classes at Eatonville Middle School. He was inspired by the Art Gallery of previous contest winners and taught himself the more advanced applications in part by investigating the expression lines they used. His entry titled “One
can be seen in the Desmos Gallery at www. Desmos.com/Art in the Ages 15-16 category.
Eatonville Equestrian Opens Season with Dominant Showing in Elma
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville High School Equestrian team opened its season in dominant fashion last weekend, piling up top finishes and showcasing depth across nearly every event at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma.
Competing Friday through Sunday against District 2 rivals Bethel, Ilwaco, La Center, Orting, White River, Wishka and Yelm, the Cruisers wasted little time establishing themselves as a team to watch this spring.
Eatonville claimed first-place finishes in Driving behind Natalie Foster, Saddle Seat with Ava Weaver and Working Pairs with Ava Weaver and Heidi Weaver. The Cruisers also earned top honors in Individual Flags with Ava Payne and Figure 8 with Kaydence Hill. The team’s dominance continued in Canadian Flags, where Emma Adams, Ella S., Macey Dudley and Kali Olson combined for another first-place finish. Emma Adams added an individual victory in Poles and later captured first in Keyhole. Kali Olson secured first in Daubing, while Hadley Noble and Ava Payne teamed up to take first in the 2-man birangle. Payne also topped the field in Barrels, where Eatonville went on to claim first and then third through seventh places, underscoring the team’s depth in the speed events.
Those victories highlighted an im-
Kaydence Hill leans into a tight turn aboard Cola during the Figure 8 event at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds this past weekend. The duo captured first place to help lead the Cruisers at their season-opening meet.
pressive list of first-place accomplishments for the Cruisers in their opening meet of the year.
Eatonville’s success was not limited to the top of the podium. The Drill Team earned a second-place finish, and Ava Weaver placed second in Dressage to round out a strong all-around performance.
In Figure 8, Macey Dudley placed second, Emma Adams finished third and Kali Olson took fourth, giving Eatonville three riders in the top four. Kaydence Hill added a second-place finish in Poles, while Macey Dudley secured second in Roping.
In Daubing, Ava Payne placed second and Dakota Murra finished third. Emma Adams and Kali Olson teamed up for second in the 2-man birangle team event,
while Hadley Noble earned second in Keyhole. Weaver also captured second in Jumping to close out a busy and productive weekend.
The meet marked the first competition of the season for District 2 schools, and Eatonville’s performance across both performance and gaming events signaled a balanced and experienced roster.
With multiple riders contributing podium finishes and several events featuring more than one Cruiser near the top of the standings, Eatonville left Elma with momentum heading into its next meet, scheduled for March 13-15.
If the opening weekend was any indication, the Cruisers will once again be a strong presence in District 2 competition this season.
of Everything Hexagonal Abelian Sandpile” along with the other winners
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Savvy Senior: Medicare Can Help Older Smokers Kick the Habit
By Jim Miller
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL CATHOLIC CHURCH 253-875-6630 229 Antonie Ave. N. Eatonville,
Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare offer any coverage that helps beneficiaries quit smoking? —New Beneficiary
Dear New,
If you’re ready to quit smoking, Medicare can indeed help! Medicare Part B covers up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions per year to help you kick the habit, and if you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, certain smoking-cessation medications are covered as well. Here’s a guide to help you get started.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 8.3 percent of Americans age 65 and older still smoke. Many older smokers indicate that they would like to quit, but because of the nicotine, which is extremely addictive, it’s very difficult to do.
“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness”
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness, responsible for an estimated one-fifth of deaths in the United States each year. But research shows that quitting, even after age 65, greatly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and many other diseases. It also helps you breathe easier, smell, and taste better, and can save you money. A $8 pack-aday smoker, for example, saves about $240 after one month without cigarettes, and nearly $2,880 after one year.
HOW TO QUIT
www.p aci cpublishingcompany.com @paci cpubco
in your home, car, and place of work, and try to clean up and even spray air freshener. The smell of smoke can be a powerful trigger.
GET HELP
Studies have shown that you have a much better chance of quitting if you have help. So, tell your friends, family, and coworkers of your plan to quit. Others knowing can be a helpful reminder and motivator.
Then get some counseling. Don’t go it alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking cessation counseling covered by Medicare and find out about the prescription antismoking drugs (bupropion and varenicline) that can help reduce your nicotine craving.
You can also get free one-on-one telephone counseling and referrals to local smoking cessation programs through your state quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW or call the National Cancer Institute free smoking quit line at 877-44U-QUIT.
It’s also important to identify and write down the times and situations you’re most likely to smoke and make a list of things you can do to replace it or distract yourself. Some helpful suggestions when the smoking urge arises are to call a friend or one of the free quit lines, keep your mouth occupied with some sugar-free gum, sunflower seeds, carrots, fruit or hard candy, go for a walk, read a magazine, listen to music or take a hot bath.
The intense urge to smoke lasts about three to five minutes, so do what you can to wait it out. It’s also wise to avoid drinking alcohol and steer clear of other smokers while you’re trying to quit. Both can trigger powerful urges to smoke.
For more tips on managing your cravings, withdrawal symptoms and what to do if you relapse, visit 60plus. SmokeFree.gov. There are also a variety of helpful quit smoking apps you can download like EasyQuit, QuitNow and Quit Genius.
The first step you need to take is to set a “quit date,” but give yourself a few weeks to get ready. During that time, you may want to start by reducing the number or the strength of cigarettes you smoke to begin weaning yourself. Also check out over-the-counter nicotine replacement products – patches, gum and lozenges – to help curb your cravings (these are not covered by Medicare). And just prior to your quit day get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
WA House Bill Raids Billions from Pension Plan While Lawmakers Also Pass Record Tax Hikes
by TJ Martinelli The Center Square
The Washington State House has passed a bill that terminates the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Firefighters’ Retirement System Plan 1, creates a new plan, and transfers $4.5 billion out of that plan.
The fiscal policy decision drew strong rebuke from House Republicans, while pension plan advocates warn of future implications for other state pension plans.
House Bill 2034 sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chair Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, managed to reach the Rules Committee during the 2025 legislative session, but did not clear the chamber. Reintroduced this year, it was advanced out of Appropriations without a public hearing and passed the House in a 55-39 vote.
LEOFF 1 was created in 1969 for law enforcement and firefighters but then closed to new members in 1977. While the overall system was projected to be fully funded this year, LEOFF 1 has more than 100% projected funding to meet its obligations to pensioners.
However, pension analysts warned that some policy decisions, such as an overly optimistic assumed rate of growth for investments made by the State Investment Board, could undermine the health of the system if those projections don’t pan out. The assumed rate of return determines how much the state Legislature as
well as public employees contribute to their respective plans.
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Seattle, told colleagues on the House floor prior to the Feb. 13 vote that the LEOFF 1 is well funded.
“Is in a very healthy financial state," he said. "We are very fortunate for that.”
He added that retirees will get what was promised.
"Every nickel now of benefits owed to LEOFF 1 members will be paid," he said. "We guarantee that in this bill and we actually leave an extra buffer to make sure that if something unforeseeable happens, that there is a reserve ready to pay all of the benefits.”
However, Rep. John Ley, RVancouver, said “I am wondering if this is another pie crust promise,” in reference to recent remarks made by Sen. Jamie Pedersen, DSpokane, regarding the state Legislature adoption of a voter initiative banning state and local income tax, only to introduce an income tax on millionaires this year.
“A promise made, but a promise easily broken,” Ley said. “If we do this, how many more times might a future legislature come and raid this fund? If this were a private corporation, we'd be screaming bloody murder.”
When The Center Square reached out to the LEOFF 1 Coalition for comment on HB 2034, Executive Director Joyce Willms said the bill violates both the state and U.S. Constitution but also will open the door to permit future
changes to other state pension plans. Her organization argues that the bill goes against the Internal Revenue Service Code, in which LEOFF 1 operates as a qualified governmental retirement trust and thus can only be used for members or beneficiaries.
The Coalition also said it will pursue legal action if the bill is signed into law.
Several other House Republicans weighed in against HB 2034 prior to the Feb. 13 vote, including Rep. Matt Marshall, R-Eatonville, who said the money is being diverted despite large tax increases.
"What the public is going to see is not that money is being shifted to balance the budget," he said.
"They're going see the money being used in so many ways on so many unsustainable programs that we've forced ourselves into a hole - a year after we have record increases in taxes. We're immediately coming back and asking our retirees to shoulder a massive, massive shift of their funds to balance the budget.
“This pensioner's money should not be touched, not for any reason,” he added. “When there's no more beneficiaries, then we'll talk about where to put it into other pensions, but it should be off limits.” With the Washington state pension system considered one of the best funded in the nation, Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, said proposals made in the past similar to HB 2034 may have been discussed, but were never seriously considered.
Governor Ferguson Appoints Doris Walkins to Pierce County Superior Court Bench
Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Pierce County Superior Court
Commissioner Doris Walkins to serve as a judge on the Pierce County Superior Court, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Karena Kirkendoll.
Judge Walkins will take over Department 17 effective February 25, 2026. A public swearing in ceremony is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. in Courtroom 100 at the County City Building in Tacoma.
Walkins brings more than two decades of legal experience in the south Puget Sound region. She
has served as a Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner since May 2022, presiding over a wide range of civil and juvenile criminal matters. Prior to becoming a full time commissioner, she operated her own solo law practice, Doris M. Walkins, Attorney at Law, PLLC, beginning in 2006.
Her private practice focused primarily on family law, dependency and termination defense, adoptions, estate planning and misdemeanor criminal defense. She also served as a Title 26 guardian ad litem for 13 years and worked as a pro tem court commissioner beginning in 2021. Throughout her career, she has appeared extensively in Washington state courts and has also handled matters in tribal court.
Governor Ferguson praised Walkins’ long standing commitment to public service in announcing the appointment.
“Doris Walkins has spent her entire legal career in the south Puget Sound area doing exceptional work on behalf of Washingtonians,” Ferguson said. “Her expertise and passion for public service will serve Washington well on the Pierce County Superior Court bench.”
Walkins has emphasized access to justice as a central focus of her professional life.
“I’ve dedicated my professional life to doing my part to ensure access to justice is not just a buzz
word, but an actual action on behalf of some of our most vulnerable neighbors,” Walkins said. “As a Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner, I have been able to continue ensuring that litigants appearing before me have meaningful access to our courts, and are treated fairly and respectfully, within the bounds of the law. I look forward to carrying on those efforts in continued collaboration with my benchmates, as a Pierce County Superior Court Judge.”
Before entering private practice, Walkins worked for five years as an advocate for women and children at the YWCA of Tacoma and Pierce County’s Women’s Support Shelter and at Noel House Women’s Emergency Shelter. She has also served as Secretary of the Pierce County Minority Bar Association. Walkins earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2002 and
“The conventional wisdom was raiding LEOFF 1 was a third rail proposition,” he said. “Our fiscal rectitude in this state is something that distinguishes us from our neighbors to the south and other well populated states. We have been careful where they have been reckless.”
her law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 2006. She passed the Washington State Bar Exam in 2006 and began her legal career shortly thereafter. In 2025, she received the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association’s Community Service Award for Outstanding Jurist, recognizing her service on the bench and her work within the community. Pierce County Superior Court is the second largest Superior Court in Washington state and serves residents and visitors throughout Pierce County. The court operates at two locations: the County City Building in Tacoma and Remann Hall Juvenile Court. The court is staffed by 23 judges and 10 commissioners. Walkins’ appointment marks a continuation of her longstanding service to Pierce County’s legal community and to the broader south Puget Sound region.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS GIVEN in accordance with EMC-18.09.050, on February 17, 2026, the town of Eatonville’s Planning Commission has recommend the removal of the public use open space overlay from the zoning map due to inconsistencies with the Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code. A public hearing will be held on Monday March 9th, 2026, at 7:00pm at the Community Center, 305 Center St W, Eatonville, WA 98328. Written comments on the application must be received via mail, P.O. Box 309, Eatonville, WA 98328 or submitted to the Town Planner, 201 Center St W, no later than 5:00 p.m., March 9th, 2026. Any questions regarding the proposal may be directed to: Nick Moore, 201 Center Street W, PO Box 309, Eatonville, WA 98328, (360) 832-3361. Any person may comment on the project and/or receive a copy of the final decision.
Nick Moore Town Planner
Staff Report
Pierce County Charter Review
Invites Community Proposals Ahead of April 13 Deadline
If
you’ve ever wished county government worked a little differently — this is one of the rare moments when ordinary residents can help shape the rules.
Pierce County’s Charter Review Commission is taking proposals now for possible changes to the Pierce County Charter, the document that sets the basic structure of county government. The deadline to submit a proposal is April 13, 2026.
The charter is sometimes described as the county’s constitution. It spells out how key offices function, how authority is divided, and how the county’s “ground rules” are written. The charter isn’t changed often, but state law requires Pierce County to convene a Charter Review Commission at least once every 10 years to take a fresh look at how things are working — and to decide whether any updates should go to voters.
That’s the key point: nothing changes automatically. Even if the commission recommends amendments, any charter changes would still have to be approved by a countywide vote, with the earliest potential ballot currently pointed toward November 2026.
The commission meets weekly and is set up for both in-person and remote participation. Meetings are held Mondays at 6 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St., Tacoma, and the county also offers a remote option for those who can’t make the drive.
Since convening in January, commissioners have been reviewing early proposals and setting ground rules for how ideas move forward. Under the commission’s process, a proposal needs four co-sponsors to advance for deeper review and public discussion.
As of Feb. 18, three commissioner-initiated proposals had advanced for further consideration:
One proposal would make the Pierce County Sheriff an appointed position instead of an elected one, and would also set qualifications for the role. Another focuses on intergovernmental affairs — clarifying how Pierce County works with other jurisdictions, including language stating that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that county resources would not be used to enforce immigration laws or deny services solely based on immigration status, while keeping existing language related to fire coordination. A third proposal would revise the charter’s preamble, the opening statement that outlines guiding principles, with the final wording still to be developed. Additional ideas can be submitted by members of the public before the April deadline. More proposals are expected to be introduced, debated, and refined in the coming months.
HOW TO WEIGH IN Proposals can be submitted through the county’s Charter Review Commission webpage, and residents can also follow meeting materials and updates online.
Pierce County residents have two upcoming opportunities to connect with services, support programs and community resources this spring.
FREE RESOURCE FAIR
Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources will host a Free Resource Fair on February 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at: Pierce County Human Services 3602 Pacific Ave., Suite 200 Tacoma, WA 98418
The event brings together Aging and Disability Resources staff and local community service providers to share information about programs that support older adults and adults with disabilities.
The Aging and Disability Resources Program offers a wide range of community-based services designed to help older adults and adults with disabilities remain safely in their homes for as long as possible. Services address the needs of frail, older and functionally disabled adults living in Pierce County. Attendees can speak directly with providers, gather
A Meatless Meal to Enjoy During Lent
The forty days and nights of Lent are a time for reflection and anticipation of Easter’s arrival. Fasting, which for many Christians includes skipping meat and animal products each Friday, also is part of the preparation. Individuals who are unaccustomed to going meatfree may need to expand their culinary repertoire to ensure Friday meals continue to be filling and tasty.
This recipe for Herby Rice and Black Bean Salsa Burrito Bowl from Niki Webster’s Rainbow Bowls (Sourcebooks) is full of protein-rich beans, flavorful herbed rice and satisfying avocado. It can be enjoyed as a quick and easy, meatless lunch or dinner.
To make the rice, add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a frying pan with the cooked rice, lime juice and maple syrup. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes on a medium heat, then add the fresh herbs. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
Set a small frying pan or griddle pan on a medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil and the sugar snaps and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until a little charred.
To make the black bean salsa, add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
To serve, load two bowls with the rice mixture, black bean salsa, sugar snaps, and sliced avocado.
Community Resources
information for themselves or loved ones, and learn more about available assistance programs. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit PierceADRC.org or call 253-798-4600.
TOOLS 4 SUCCESS CONFERENCE
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Tacoma Community College will host the annual Tools 4 Success Conference, designed for youth, young adults and community members who experience a disability to dream, imagine and shape their future.
The conference will feature a full morning of workshops, resource booths and a keynote speaker.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
• 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.
– Registration
• 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. – Choice of 8 workshops
• 9:25 to 10:10 a.m. – Choice of 12 workshops
• 10:20 to 11:05 a.m. – Choice of 12 workshops
• 11:10 a.m. – Lunch
• 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. –Resource booths in Building
13
• 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. – Keynote speaker
Participants are asked to complete the registration form in advance. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email and a reminder with additional details prior to the event.
For questions, contact Nicol at 253-278-5952 or email tools@ wapave.org.
Event organizers note that the conference may be photographed or recorded for future educational or promotional materials. Attendees who do not wish to appear in photos should notify the photographer.
FREE TAX PREP APPOINTMENTS
Available Through VITA Program
Pierce County residents who need help filing their taxes can schedule free assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA provides no cost tax help to people with moderate and limited incomes, individuals with disabilities and taxpayers with limited English who want help preparing their own returns. Appointments are required.
To schedule:
• Visit the Associated Ministries website and open the section labeled “Information for Tax Payers.” From there,
2
Splash of olive oil
100 grams sugar snap peas
1 avocado, flesh sliced
For the rice:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
250 grams cooked basmati rice
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon maple syrup
40 grams fresh herbs, such as coriander, flat-leaf parsely, mint and/or dill, chopped
Sea salt and black pepper
For the black bean salsa:
240 grams canned black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste
100 grams cherry tomatoes, chopped Juice of 1/2 lime
4 tablespoons fresh mint, shredded 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Pinch of chili flakes
select the link for your preferred location.
• Or call 253-426-1519 for help making an appointment.
Free tax prep sessions will be offered from Sunday, Feb. 1 through Wednesday, April 15 at participating Pierce County Library locations, including: Fife Pierce County Library, 6622 20th St. E.
• Fridays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Parkland Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma
• Thursdays, 1 to 6 p.m. (except Feb. 26)
• Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (except April 11)
Residents are encouraged to book early, as appointment slots can fill quickly during peak filing season.
FREE CAREER CERTIFICATIONS
NOW AVAILABLE WITH A LIBRARY CARD
Pierce County Library is expanding access to professional development with a new online portal that connects cardholders to free learning materials and certification exams.
The goal is simple: help residents build job ready skills, practice what they learn, and earn credentials that can strengthen a resume, without
adding cost barriers. Users can study at their own pace and then take certification exams once they feel ready.
Certifications currently available through the program include:
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Certifications in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access for anyone who wants to prove practical Office skills.
• Microsoft Certified Fundamentals: Entry level credentials in areas such as Azure and Power Platform.
• Intuit QuickBooks Certification: Training and certification in one of the most widely used accounting platforms for small businesses.
• Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST): Skills based certifications for IT support, networking and cybersecurity.
• IT Specialist Career Credentials: A range of certifications aimed at people exploring or entering the information technology field.
• CompTIA Certifications: Industry recognized IT certifications that can support career growth in tech support, security and related areas.
Residents can enroll through the portal using their library card to get started.
HERBY RICE AND BLACK BEAN SALSA BURRITO BOWL Serves
Suicide-by-Amazon Lawsuits Given OK by Wash. Supreme Court
By John O’Brien Legal Newsline
The Washington Supreme Court has opened the door for lawsuits against retailers like Amazon for selling non-defective products that customers used to commit suicide.
The court ruled last in Scott v. Amazon.com that cases alleging the online retailer negligently sold sodium nitrite to consumers who used the product in their suicides should proceed past the motionto-dismiss stage and possibly head to a jury on issues of causation.
The consolidated cases were brought under the Washington Product Liability Act by the estates and families of four individuals – ranging in age from 17 to 27 years old – who purchased sodium nitrite from Amazon to aid in their suicides.
Though sodium nitrite can be used at low levels as a meat preservative, it is lethal when ingested and has no household application - facts plaintiffs allege Amazon had been made aware of by parents of others who committed suicide using the same product, a letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the fact that other countries require Amazon to control the sale of sodium nitrite to prevent its use in suicide.
Plaintiffs also alleged that Amazon “promoted the sale of sodium nitrite on its website alongside other products that would assist in carrying out suicide,” “routinely sent reminder e-mails, with advertisements for these products, to customers who viewed sodium
nitrite products on the webpage” and “that one-star customer reviews from grieving family members about how the sodium nitrite product was being used for suicide were deleted by Amazon.”
And though three of the four plaintiffs were 18 or older, plaintiffs complained that the Amazon website does not verify the age of sodium nitrite purchasers.
Amazon’s motions to dismiss the claims were denied at the trial court level but the Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the plaintiffs could not state a claim under the WPLA because the plaintiffs’ suicides were a “superseding cause” and not, as a
matter of law, a proximate cause of Amazon’s alleged negligence.
The Washington Supreme Court disagreed and unanimously ruled, in four separate opinions, that suicide is not a superseding cause that prevents a plaintiff from stating a claim under the WPLA.
Justice G. Helen Whitener wrote for the majority and rejected century-old precedent that a defendant’s alleged negligence could not establish liability for a plaintiff’s suicide except in the limited circumstances where there was a special relationship between the parties or “the decedent’s decision to commit suicide was proximately caused by the defendant’s
negligence such that the suicide was not truly a voluntary act.”
The court instead opted to put in the hands of juries, and not judges, the question of whether “the act of suicide was a foreseeable consequence and harm of the act of selling sodium nitrite to the decedents.
As explained by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in its brief to the court, adopting this approach could “upend necessary limits on product-liability law in contexts far beyond” the present case and “obligate sellers to identify classes of buyers who might intentionally misuse non-defective products that are properly in the stream of commerce.”
Notwithstanding these concerns, the court, invoking a criminal law standard of proof, was “unable to say, as a matter of law, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the decedents’ deaths were not proximately caused by Amazon’s alleged tortious sales practices of the sodium nitrite.”
Justice Salvador Mungia, in a separate opinion, argued that the court should have gone further. In his view, where a retailer sells products that have no household use, are lethal when ingested and where the retailer is allegedly aware that the product is being “misused by vulnerable people” to commit suicide, the retailer has three distinct duties to consumers: “to not facilitate the use of that product to end one’s life,” “to take reasonable steps to prevent the misuse of the product by vulnerable people contemplating death by suicide” and “to warn purchasers of the immediate, painful, and likely irreversible consequences of the foreseeable misuse of the product.”
The court has been criticized as too pro-plaintiff, with the American Tort Reform Association placing it on its list of “Judicial Hellholes.” Much of the group’s gripes revolve around another products-liability case, in which Pharmacia LLC was ordered to pay $185 million for chemicals in fluorescent lights.
The court last year also gave asbestos lawyers new targets to sue, holding employers could face lawsuits despite the usual remedy being the Workers’ Compensation system.
Rogers Powers to Podium, Baublits Follows as Eatonville Earns Four Medals at Mat Classic XXXVIII State Championships
By Skip Smith
The bright lights of the WIAA Mat Classic XXXVIII State Championships once again filled the Tacoma Dome this past weekend, where Eatonville High School sent nine wrestlers to compete against the best in Washington.
By the end of the three-day tournament, four Cruisers reached the podium, highlighted by a third-place finish from junior Ethan Rogers and a fourth-place medal from Najalia “Nala” Baublits. The Eatonville boys finished 25th out of 60 teams in the 2A standings, just one spot off last year’s 24th-place finish out of 61 schools. The girls made a notable jump, placing 28th out of 56 teams after finishing 34th a year ago.
Competing at 215 pounds in the boys 2A bracket, Rogers capped a dominant 48-4 season with a third-place medal after failing to place last year at 190 pounds.
Rogers opened with a first-round fall over Marysville Pilchuck’s Maksim Tchelouchkin in 3 minutes, 20 seconds. He followed with a 15-0 technical fall against Clover Park’s Chase Porter, then edged Washougal’s Michael Camp 4-2 in the quarterfinals.
His championship run ended in the semifinals with a loss to North Kitsap’s Theo Stearns. Rogers responded the way experienced juniors do. He pinned Ephrata’s Peyton Woods in 2:17 in the consolation semifinals, then controlled West Valley of Spokane’s Logan Riley 7-2 in the thirdplace match to secure his medal.
The finish marked a significant step forward from last season and capped one of the strongest individual campaigns in the program this year.
At 190 pounds, Jarin Ragazzo placed seventh after also coming up short at state last season in the 165-pound class.
Eatonville’s Ethan Rogers secures control and presses Marysville Pilchuck’s Maksim Tchelouchkin to the mat during their opening-round match at the 2026 WIAA Mat Classic XXXVIII State Championships at the Tacoma Dome. The referee drops in for a close look as Rogers completes the pin to open his state tournament run.
Ragazzo opened with back-to-back major decisions, defeating Olympic’s Logan Wilkinson 11-3 and Chief Sealth’s Jessie Gilmore II 12-0. He dropped a tight 7-6 decision to North Kitsap’s Marquiese Vestal in the quarterfinals, then battled through the consolation bracket.
He pinned Toppenish’s Ezequiel Ramirez in 4:41 before falling 2-1 to Othello’s Miguel Zuniga. Ragazzo closed his tournament with an 11-5 decision over Marysville Pilchuck’s Steven Morales in the seventh-place match.
At 120 pounds, Teagan Croppi won his first two matches, including a firstround 7-1 decision over W.F. West’s John Alexander pinned Othello’s Jeremiah
Vargas. Croppi’s run ended after losses to Burlington-Edison’s Damian Fernandez in the quarterfinals and Cedarcrest’s Ben Langley in the consolation round.
Stephen Patton, wrestling at 126 pounds, dropped his opening match to Black Hills’ Cash Boos and was eliminated in the consolation bracket by Sequim’s Finn Jones.
At 138 pounds, Aiden Hughey was pinned in both of his matches, falling to Squalicum’s Brenden Ferrall-Garcia and Quincy’s Jace Reyes.
On the girl’s side, Baublits turned in the girls’ highest finish with a fourth-place medal at 100 pounds after failing to place last year at 105.
After a first-round bye, Baublits pinned Kingston’s Lucy Saeed in 3:58 and shut out Lakewood’s Norah Cartwright 6-0 in the quarterfinals. She fell by pin to Prosser’s Alexa Carrasco in the semifinals but answered with a pin over Quincy’s Emiko Kondo in 4:44 in the consolation semifinals. In the third-place match, Baublits was pinned by Othello’s Janissa Barrera, settling for fourth and a trip to the podium after last year’s disappointment.
Makenzie Ball placed sixth at 170 pounds, improving after not placing in the same weight class last season.
Ball received a first-round bye, then pinned Toppenish’s Octavea John and East Valley of Spokane’s Chloe Bennett to reach the semifinals. She lost by major decision to Toppenish’s Evette Esquivel, then fell 3-2 to R.A. Long’s Raileea Campbell in the consolation semifinals. Olympic’s Maiyah Marner pinned Ball in the fifth-place match. At 110 pounds, Khloee Young won her opening match with a 9-4 decision over Rogers of Spokane’s Isabella Sanders. After a quarterfinal loss to Othello’s Grayce Mendez, Young pinned Bainbridge’s Josie Otepka in the consolation bracket before being eliminated by Othello’s Brooklyn Hillman. Abigail Lay, competing at 115 pounds, lost by pin to Port Angeles’ Lilly Lancaster in the opening round. After a consolation bye, she was pinned by Othello’s Yaritzi Flores. Eatonville’s four medals and the girls team’s climb in the standings offered tangible signs of progress. Rogers’ third-place finish and Baublits’ fourth-place effort set the tone, while Ragazzo and Ball added key team points. With the team gaining valuable state experience and a pair of podium finishes marking significant improvement from a year ago, the Cruisers left the Tacoma Dome with momentum heading into the offseason.
Pierce County Seeks Input to Reimagine Juvenile Justice Facility
Pierce County invites community members to attend the Juvenile Justice Community Convening to learn about and comment on draft recommendations for replacing Remann Hall, the County’s aging juvenile justice facility.
When:
Wednesday, March 4, from 5–7 p.m.
Where:
The new Pierce County Council Chambers, located at 1501 Market St. in downtown Tacoma
The County is in the early stages of the Juvenile Justice Center project. Executive Ryan Mello appointed a 16-member Task Force to prepare recommendations for the design and operation of a new juvenile justice center. The Task Force is looking at building de -
signs that support safety for youth and staff and access to rehabilitative or therapeutic programs and services. They are also identifying next steps related to funding, costs, and community outreach. The goal is to create a modern facility that reflects the evolving safety and service needs of today’s youth.
For those unable to attend the in-person event, the draft recommendations are available on the project website. Community members can submit comments online.
ABOUT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER PROJECT AND TASK FORCE
Originally opened in 1948, with its most recent expansion in 1995, Remann Hall is outdated and no longer meets the needs of a modern juvenile justice system. Two former detention wings lack basic
occupancy permits, and the facility cannot support alternatives to youth detention, adapt to changing caseloads, or meet current standards for youth rehabilitation. Its age and inflexibility make it unsuitable for both current and future use.
The Juvenile Justice Center project aims to create a space that better serves young people and families. In August 2025, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello launched the Juvenile Justice Task Force as part of his Forward Together agenda to ensure fair and effective justice systems for all. The Task Force are expected to provide the Executive their final recommendations by the end of Spring 2026.
Visit the project website for more details or visit www.PierceCountyWA.gov/JuvenileJusticeProject.
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