July 29, 2026
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ISSUE 31
IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
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South Pierce Ballot Returns Trail Countywide Pace Ahead of Aug. 4 Primary With less than a week remaining before Washington’s Aug. 4 primary election, ballot returns from South Pierce County were running below the countywide rate.
Eatonville Arts & Music Festival Returns for 56th Year
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or 56 years, Eatonville’s signature summer festival has brought artists, musicians and neighbors together beneath the trees at Glacier View Park. The
tradition returns Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, with more than 100 artists and craftspeople, three days of live music, festival food, children’s activities and a beer garden.
But the festival is more than a weekend of entertainment. Organized entirely by Eatonville Lions Club volunteers, it is one of the club’s major charitable fundraisers. All
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s of 4:30 p.m. July 23, Pierce County Elections had received 2,682 ballots from the 63,773 active voters in Legislative District 2, which covers much of South Pierce County. That represents a return rate of 4.21%. Countywide, 32,068 of 596,662 voters had returned ballots, for a rate of 5.37%. The figures are an early snapshot rather than a final indication of turnout. Washington voters frequently wait until the closing days of an election to return their ballots. Pierce County is projecting overall turnout of about 35% for the primary. Still, county election officials are encouraging voters not to wait until Election Day. Ballots must be returned to an official drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, or mailed with a postmark no later than Election Day. Pierce County recommends using a drop box during the final week to avoid uncertainty over postal processing and postmarks.
BALLOTS, 3
ARTS & MUSIC, 3
Mount Rainier Emerges from the Smoke as Fire Risk Remains
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eavy wildfire smoke obscured views and created hazardous air quality at Mount Rainier National Park last week, briefly hiding the mountain and surrounding valleys behind a thick gray haze. A National Park Service photograph taken July 21 at Inspiration Point shows the normally expansive view almost completely concealed by smoke from fires elsewhere in the region. The conditions were also visible throughout parts of South Pierce County, where the mountain disappeared from view for some residents. Despite the dramatic scene, park officials reported no active wildfires within Mount Rainier National Park as of July 23. The smoke had traveled into the area from regional fires rather than originating inside the park. Conditions also improved quickly. By July 23, the National Park Service listed air quality in the park as good, although officials cautioned that haze could remain visible as wildfire smoke continued moving through the region. The episode illustrated how rapidly smoke conditions can change. Air quality may vary from one community to another and can deteriorate over the course of a day as winds shift and smoke settles closer to the ground. When smoke is present, park officials advise visitors to monitor current
NPS PHOTO
South Pierce County drop boxes include: • Eatonville Town Hall, 201 Center St. W. • Eatonville Barney’s Corner, 40512 Meridian E. • Ashford County Park, 29801 State Route 706 • Elbe Fire Station, next to the lahar siren • Roy City Hall, 216 McNaught Road S. • South Pierce Fire and Rescue Station 173 in Roy • Roy Y Park and Ride, at State Route 507 and Pacific Avenue S. • Benston Hall Community Center in Graham • Graham Library, 9202 224th St. E. • Graham Fire and Rescue Station 91, 10012 187th St. E. The Benston Hall and South Pierce Fire Station 173 boxes are among seven new locations added by the county for this year’s elections. The additions bring the countywide total to 57. Drop boxes are open around the clock and will close at 8 p.m. on August 4th. Ballots deposited before the deadline are guaranteed to be received on time. Voters who use the mail should be aware that the date a ballot is placed in a mailbox may not be the date it receives a postmark. Anyone mailing a ballot during the final week is advised to take it to a post office counter and request a manual postmark. Voters can check whether their ballot has been received and accepted by logging in at VoteWA.gov.
festival proceeds support local and Lions Club causes, including eyeglasses and hearing aids for people who cannot afford them, school scholarships and assistance for the Eatonville Family Agency. Admission to the Eatonville Arts & Music Festival is free. The festival draws creators from Eatonville and beyond with handmade artwork, jewelry, clothing, home décor and other goods. Demand for vendor space was strong enough this year that organizers began placing applicants on a waiting list in June. The music begins at noon Friday and continues until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a final afternoon of performances Sunday. Friday’s lineup opens with Elmer Potts, followed by Patti Connolly, Daniel Walker, That Irish Guy, Richelle Heacock and Tom Moore, and Sam Cori and TJ.
Heavy regional wildfire smoke obscures the view from Inspiration Point at Mount Rainier National Park on July 21. Air quality had returned to good by July 23, but a parkwide fire ban remains in effect. air-quality reports and consider their individual sensitivity before beginning strenuous outdoor activities. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with heart or respiratory conditions can be especially vulnerable to particle pollution from wildfire smoke. Visitors who experience difficulty breathing or notice worsening conditions should reduce exertion, choose a shorter outing or leave the area. Limiting time outdoors is the most effective way to reduce smoke exposure when air quality becomes unhealthy. Although the immediate smoke hazard subsided, fire precautions remain in place. A parkwide fire ban has been in effect since June 26 and will continue until further notice. Campfires and the burning of wood, charcoal briquettes or other fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbecue grills are prohibited, including at developed
campgrounds such as Cougar Rock and White River. Fires are always prohibited in wilderness areas. Portable cooking stoves, heating devices and lanterns that use bottled or liquefied fuel are permitted if they can be turned off. The National Park Service currently rates Mount Rainier’s summer fire potential as moderate. Officials point to dry conditions, warmer-than-normal temperatures, drought and an increasing number of trees affected by disease. Dead trees and fallen woody material can provide abundant fuel if a fire begins. Visitors should check current conditions before traveling, particularly when planning strenuous hikes or overnight trips. Updated wildfire, smoke and air-quality information is available through the Mount Rainier National Park website, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the federal AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.