FIND IT FAST SERVICE DIRECTORY
WATER PROBLEMS
WorkSource services continue in Pierce County
The Tacoma location of WorkSource Pierce is closed to in-person services until further notice after being significantly impacted by water damage. While this incident was identified as an act of vandalism, WorkSource was not the target.
As WorkSource Pierce leadership continues working with the building manager to complete the necessary repairs to the main office, they remain fully committed to continue service to customers and partners. The network of system partners has stepped up to ensure all partners and providers have locations to meet with customers and collaborate internally.
In-person services are available to customers at the Goodwill Milgard Work Opportunity Center in Tacoma and the WorkSource South Hill Mall location in Puyallup, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Puyallup office is located inside the mall at the entrance of the Golden Corral. The Resource Room at the Goodwill Milgard Work Opportunity Center has also been secured to support
Tacoma-area customers needing access to computers, printers, and in-person services. Employment Security Department staff is also conducting in-person Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Initial and RESEA Follow-Up Appointments at Goodwill.
“If the pandemic taught us anything, it was how to pivot and provide services in nontraditional ways,” said Shellie Willis, Chief Collective Impact Officer for WorkForce Central. “Many of our career advisors and partners have continued working in a hybrid remote-work model, and the infrastructure is in place to increase those services through this closure.”
To contact WorkSource for remote services, visit their website at www.worksourcepierce.org or call 253593–7300. You can also stop into WorkSource’s additional access sites, including any Pierce County Library
branch. To see the full list of locations, visit https://worksource-pierce.org/locations/ More information will be provided on the WorkSource Pierce website and social media as they further assess the situation with the Employment Security Department and property management. For any additional information on service delivery, contact One Stop Operator Sandra Calvillo at sandracalvillo@careerteam.com
WorkForce Central carries out the vision of the Executive Board and the Pierce County Workforce Development Board by coordinating, administering, and advancing the workforce development system, known as WorkSource Pierce. WorkSource Pierce is a partnership of state, local, and nonprofit agencies to deliver a wide array of employment and training services for both job seekers and employers.
Anonymous meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous is available for people who have a problem with alcohol. Meetings begin at noon Wednesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at the American Legion Hall/ Lions Club, 123 Rainier Ave. N.
Community council
Annual subscription price is $26 per year. To subscribe to the Dispatch, or to report a delivery problem, call 206 461 1300 ext. 2 or email the circulation department at ppccirc@pacificpublishingcompany.com
Graham-Kapowsin Community Council's Center at Benston Hall has a new class called Flex & Flow on Wednesdays from 10:30-11 a.m. Also, Taichi is from 2-3 p.m. Both are free for members and $4 for non-members.
Graham-Kapowsin Community Council's Center is starting a new art class from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Benston Hall. Gather to pain and draw. Cost is $10. Bring your own supplies to reduce the fee. Contact Malogorzata Hajler at studio@mhajler.com for more information.
Graham-Kapowsin Community Council's Evergreen Center at 10118 249th St.E. is hosting a Fun BINGO Afternoon Fundraiser to benefit the seniors 12:30-2 June 5 & every 1st Thursday through 2025. Suggested donation is $10. 253 921 2814
Alanon help
Alanon is available to help people struggling with a loved one’s drinking. Call 425-8300314.
Learn about Friends Of Eatonville Library
The Friends of the Eatonville Library operates as a fundraising group to assist the Eatonville community. Primarily, it does so by accepting books and other donations and conducting book sales during the year. All of the funds are used to supplement the various library programs that enrich the local community.
To learn more about the group, contact Mike Eaton at 253-310–7709 or reach him in person at the library any Friday. There is no obligation. Application forms to join the organization are available at the library.
Washington state environmental solutions discussed at policy forum in Spokane
By Sue Lani Madsen
The Center Square contributor
For the panelists at Thursday’s Washington Policy Center public forum on the future of the state’s environmental policy, collaboration is essential to practicing conservation.
“We work with partners we do not always agree with,” said Mike Lithgow, director of policy and outreach for the Kalispel Tribe. “It’s the only way to get the conservation work done.”
Lithgow joined panelists Amanda Parrish, executive director of The Lands Council, and Todd Myers, vice president for research at the Washington Policy Center, for the 2025 Forum on the Environment in Spokane. Approximately 50 attendees were there to listen and question the panelists.
Parrish introduced her organization’s work with the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition, the U.S. Forest Service, and regional tribes. The Lands Council is currently working with the city of Spokane’s urban forestry program to plant trees in low-income neighborhoods.
Balancing environmental protection with agricultural viability was a shared concern.
The Kalispel Tribe is working with Pend Oreille County farmers in the Voluntary Stewardship Program. A 100-yearold open ditch irrigation system in Pend Oreille County loses water, leaving ag operations at the end of the line high and dry. The Washington State Conservation Commission’s VSP focus is intended to support local approaches to hyperlocal problems like a century-old irrigation system.
Myers observed that conservation projects pushed from the top down are about 20% successful, while locally generated solutions have a success rate of about 50%.
On a broader scale, the
Kalispel Tribe reaches out from their small reservation in collaborative work across 2.3 million acres of Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, Canada. Lithgow said the tribe focuses on restoration, which might not be high on the list for other partners. In addition to water, their conservation efforts include forests and wildlife.
Forest management in Washington is a concern going into the summer, owing to the potential for wildfires. Myers said at least a million acres of Washington forests need treatment to reduce density, but we lack the infrastructure necessary for treatment. The log jam is the lack of certainty in access to timber harvests, according to Myers. Investing in new infrastructure requires confidence in a 25-year supply of timber, and there are no guarantees from federal lands.
The NEWFC coalition has been working on keeping timber infrastructure active in northeast Washington. For three generations, Vaagen Brothers Lumber has operated mills in the area and now specializes in small-diameter logs.
A newer company, Vaagen Timbers, partners with them to produce glue-laminated and cross-laminated wood products. They represent the kind of infrastructure needed in other regions to promote forest health and reduce wildfire risks.
Wildfire prevention is essential, given the state's operating budget recently signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson. It cuts the amount allocated to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for fire suppression by about half.
Myers pointed out that no matter what the state says is budgeted, what is actually spent will be dependent on what actually happens in any given season.
“They’re not going to just stop fighting fires,” said Myers, raising the importance of focusing on prevention that makes money by getting the value out of harvesting smaller diameter trees.
Lithgow noted the need for prescribed fire as part of the solution. Funding, risk management and public acceptance of smoke in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall are barriers to summer wildfires in the forest.
Questions about water and drought led to discussing beaver dams as part of building natural reservoirs. Myers emphasized using simple new technology to monitor water use as another solution to water conservation by early detection of leaks in buildings. Parrish described work by Gonzaga University engineering students to develop beaver analogs to build water catchment facilities where there are
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Savvy Senior: Essential legal documents all seniors should have
by Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, What kinds of legal documents do I need to help my family take care of me in my elder years? I would like to get my affairs in order but could use some help.
Approaching 80
Dear Approaching, All adults, especially an older adult like yourself, should have at least five legal documents to protect yourself and your family. These documents will make sure your wishes regarding your estate are legal and clear and will help minimize any conflicts and confusion with your family and your health care providers if you become seriously ill or when you die. Here are the key documents you need, along with some tips to help you create them.
Durable Power of Attorney: This document allows you to designate someone you trust to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated.
Advance Directive: This includes two documents that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment. The two documents are a “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated. And a “health care power of attorney” (or health care proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable. To complement your advance directive, you should also consider getting a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment – see POLST.org. This is a state specific form that your doctor would fill out that translates your endof-life wishes into medical orders to ensure your wishes are carried out.
A Will: This lets you spell out your wishes of how you’d like your property and assets distributed after you die, whether it’s to family, friends or a charity. It also allows you to designate an executor to ensure your wishes are carried out and allows you to name guardians if you have dependent children.
In addition to a will, if you own real estate or have considerable assets, another option you may want to consider is a “revocable living trust.” This
A new take on grilled steak
By MetroCreative
Grilling season has returned and steak lovers everywhere have once again started to enjoy grilled steak. This season, add some more flavor to your grill with the following recipe for "Flatiron Steak and Tomatoes With Anchovy Vinaigrette," courtesy of "The Niman Ranch Cookbook," (Ten Speed Press).
FLATIRON STEAK AND TOMATOES WITH ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE
Serves 4
■ 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
■ 6 anchovy fillets packed in olive oil
■ 1 clove garlic, minced
■ Pinch of crushed red pepper
■ 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
■ 1 flatiron steak, 1 pound
■ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
■ 2 large, ripe tomatoes Prepare and light a charcoal grill for cooking.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a 6-inch skillet over low heat. Add the anchovies and break up with a
wooden spoon. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the anchovies become aromatic. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the garlic is cooked through but not browned. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of the vinegar. Set aside. When the grill is at its hottest (when the coals are red and glowing and too hot to hold your hand over the grill for more than a couple of seconds), season the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the steak on the cooking grate directly over
the coals and cook uncovered, turning once, for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare; the timing will depend on the thickness of the steak. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest of 5 minutes. Slice the tomatoes and arrange in the center of a serving platter. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the remaining 1 teaspoon vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the steak thinly across the grain and arrange over the tomatoes. Pour the anchovy vinaigrette over the top of the steak. Serve.
functions like a will but allows your estate to avoid the time and expense of probate (the public legal process that examines your estate after you die) and helps ensure your estate’s privacy.
HIPPA Release: This form gives your healthcare provider permission to discuss your medical care and medical bills with those you designate. You may need specific HIPAA release forms for each medical professional or health care establishment you deal with.
DO-IT-YOURSELF
If you have a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources that can help you create all these documents for a few hundred dollars. Some top-rated options to consider include Quicken WillMaker & Trust software (see WillMaker. com), Trust & Will (TrustandWill.com) and Legal Zoom (LegalZoom.com).
GET HELP
If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases – especially when writing a will or living trust – which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone. Costs will vary depending on where you reside, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 and $2,000 for a basic estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney and advance directive. If you want your estate plan to include a living trust, that can run anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org) and the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC.org) are two good resources that have directories on their websites to help you find someone in your area.
If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see FindLegalHelp.org) to find low-cost legal help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Flatiron steak and tomatoes with anchovy vinaigrette
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no beavers in the system. Lithgow addressed wildlife as an essential factor in forest management. To one questioner, he said that includes management of predators to include hunting and trapping to manage populations at a sustainable level.
Born May 24, the calf is
in the park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area and has already become a guest favorite.
Keepers had been closely observing the calf’s mother, 4-year-old Sunny, who was expected to give birth around this time following a typical 285-day gestation. In keeping with natural behavior, she separated herself from the herd to give birth and spent a few quiet days bonding with her newborn before rejoining the group. The calf’s sex is yet to be confirmed, and the keepers plan to name it soon.
“Sunny is attentive and nurturing,” McCloskey said. “We’ve seen the calf nursing regularly, and it’s staying close by her side as it grows stronger.”
Guests can now see the pair with the rest of the herd on Discovery Tram Tours, Wild Drives, or Keeper Adventure Tours. With its rustyorange coat and already hefty size— newborn bison typically weigh 40
to 50 pounds—the calf stands out among the older, darker bison as it explores the grasslands on increasingly steady legs.
“Watching a newborn bison calf wobble after its mother, then duck
under her to nurse, is a heartwarming experience for park guests,” said McCloskey.
Bison once roamed the Great Plains in vast numbers. Tens of millions lived across North America until their population dropped to fewer than 1,000 by the early 1900s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Thanks to decades of conservation work by groups like the American Bison Society, the species has rebounded.
Northwest Trek’s bison legacy began in 1971 when six bison were transferred from the National Bison Range in Montana. By the time the park opened to the public on July 17, 1975, the herd was already established. With this new arrival, Northwest Trek is now home to 16 bison.
“Each new calf represents a success story in wildlife conservation and a living connection to America’s wild past,” said McCloskey.
Myers took a question on the future of nuclear power, pointing out that the mindset toward nuclear is changing with Microsoft seeking to reopen the Three Mile Island plant. Large plants can provide baseload; however, they can’t be dialed up or down to match demand. Smaller modular plants may be able to fill that niche and reuse old nuclear waste as a fuel source.
Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, known as the CCA, came under fire from a questioner asking if the spending is being used well. Myers said the $40 million the state spent buying electric vehicles has a return on investment, like paying $1,200 for a latte.
“We’re not choosing projects based on the best ROI," Myers said.
The panel was moderated by Aaron Luna, former News 4 Anchor.
By Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
An American bison calf made a memorable entrance over Memorial Day weekend at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
PHOTOS COURTESY
Regulatory relief on the way for childcare centers in Washington
By Carleen Johnson
Legislation to help address Washington state's childcare crisis has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson.
House Bill 1648 pushes out requirements for childcare providers and staff, recognizing “experiencebased competency, and removing unnecessary barriers that push skilled professionals out of the workforce,” noted a news release emailed to The Center Square.
Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, has been working with childcare providers in his district for several years, and sponsored the legislation.
“If we go back to 2015, we have the Early Start Act, which I voted for because I really believe that early learning is important,” said Dent in an interview with The Center Square.
Dent explained the resulting problem is with burdensome rules and regulations put on the industry as a result of the Early Start Act, which have translated to a workforce shortage, further exacerbating the childcare crisis across Washington state.
The idea was to ensure childcare center staff are equipped with resources to offer early learning standards.
According to the Washington Department of Children Youth and Families, the Early Start Act mandated that DCYF “update our WAC so that the early learning system has a unified set of regulations that are easy to understand by providers. The Act has numerous strong mandates
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Competitors submit videos of their performance, navigating 10 obstacles with the horse either on a loose lead or at liberty. Points are deducted for tight leads, and competitors are judged based on how well they complete the course according to the instructions rather than competing against one another. Richardson once tied for second place with 11 others, earning 99 out of 100 points.
for supporting diverse providers and families, with a focus on racial equity.
“They put so many regulations on these folks and what they have to meet in order to work in a childcare early learning facility that they're losing much of their workforce,” said Dent.
“We’re losing people because many of them don't want to go to school. They have the ability to teach these kids ... so instead of having a bunch of folks over at DCYF tell us what they need to do and what requirements these people need to meet, maybe we should ask the people what they think they need, OK?” said Dent.
The bill requires DCYF to convene a stakeholder group to assist in identifying strategies to improve staff qualification requirements and verification processes and report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2026.
It extends the timeline for childcare providers to complete staff qualification requirements to at least Aug. 1, 2030, and provides that five years of cumulative
work experience in licensed childcare qualifies as a demonstration of experience-based competency in fulfilling staff qualification requirements.
“So, we can keep our childcare facilities up and running and doing the early learning thing,” said Dent. “Without our childcare centers, we don't have an early learning program. It's that simple since they're the ones that do it.”
Dent said he didn’t get everything he wanted in the bill, but was happy to see it cross the finish line.
“This bill came from the childcare industry, and they worked on this with me for a couple of years. I mean, last year we didn't move it at all, so we rewrote it, and we did get it to move this year. We got about half of what we wanted, but that’s more than we have, so we will take it,” he said.
According to a recent study, the average annual cost of infant care in Washington is $20,370 — that’s about $1,698 per month.
The bill takes effect on July 27, 2025.
As a trainer and judge, Richardson helps students prepare for competitions by ensuring they understand what judges look for. Students, unless they are juniors, are expected to complete the work themselves. For Hemenway, competing has its own rewards. “I like that it gives me a
New WA law granting unemployment benefits to striking workers draws praise, concern
Depending on who you ask, Engrossed Senate Bill 5041 – signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this week – is either a muchneeded social safety net for workers and their families or something that will incentivize and prolong strikes and imperil Washington state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
ESB 5041 extends unemployment insurance benefits to striking or locked-out workers in Washington. Depending on the strike date, benefits would start 15 to 21 days after the strike begins. If the contract is resolved before that time, no benefits would be issued. Per the bill, striking workers would be able to access unemployment benefits for up to six weeks.
Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, is the sponsor of the bill.
“Striking is a last resort, and this bill will help level the playing field for workers trying to exercise their right to collectively bargain for fair wages and safe workplace conditions,” he said at Monday’s bill-signing ceremony. “Affordability is one of the top issues for people in my district. This legislation will help make sure people who do important jobs and important work have fair pay, good benefits, and safe work conditions.”
Joe Kendo, chief of staff for the Seattle-based Washington State Labor Council, approves of the new law, which goes into effect in January
“The WSLC supported and actively worked on 5041 – we were very pleased with its passage,” he emailed The Center Square. “When workers are provoked to strike, it is only ever as a last resort, and often as a response to obstinate employer behavior. We are hopeful
We are sorry to announce that Sally McKay, 94, passed away on the afternoon of May 22nd, 2025 in her home in Port Orchard, Washington. Born on March 2nd, 1931, in Eatonville, Washington, Sally was a loving spouse, parent, and friend.
Sally spent much of her life living on her family’s farm in Eatonville, Washington. She lived there as a child, and returned to the farm as an adult. She loved spending time in nature and would spend many, many hours in the woods picking wild blackberries, stripping cascara bark, cutting cedar boughs, and collecting fir cones with her friend Zola to fund their yearly trips to Reno.
She was tremendously creative and talented. Whether it was her famous fruitcake, or her artwork, she was always putting things of beauty into the world. She loved farm life, especially her chickens and cows. Even into her eighties, she
that there will be fewer strikes as a result of improved employer collaboration at the table if they know that workers are less likely to have to risk economic ruin to strike.”
He went on to say he hopes the new law will change employers' behavior in a way that positively impacts workers.
“This is a particularly important dynamic for lower-wage workers whose employers know are less able to sustain a strike of any length, much less a prolonged one,” Kendo explained.
“Knowing that there are UI benefits available to support these workers will, we hope, create an incentive for employers to act differently in their labor relationships.”
Not everyone agrees with his assessment.
"SB 5041 would insert the state into private labor negotiations, tilting the balance in favor of unions and incentivizing longer, more frequent strikes,” House Republicans said on their “Stop Bad Bills” website examining newly passed bills. Patrick Connor, Washington state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, shared that sentiment.
“Moreover, granting unemployment benefits to striking workers effectively subsidizes work stoppages,” he said in an email. “This, coupled with a union’s own strike fund, incentivizes prolonged strikes. Government tipping the balance in a labor dispute in this way can only harm the struck employer and local small businesses unwittingly caught up in the controversy.”
Kendo pushed back on the notion that the new law would motivate workers to strike.
“While UI benefits will be helpful for those workers who do go on strike, those benefits are not full wage replacement, so I do not believe that it would incentivize strikes,” he said.
was taking care of farm chores single-handedly.
Sally’s trademark was her sweet, kind disposition, as well as her wicked sense of humor! She was always caring for others. She was a long time member of the Ohop Grange, and cared for her mother and husband during their long illnesses.
Sally is survived by her children Laurie, Betty Jean, Martin and Greg, as well as her
grandchildren Jess and Brynn, and greatgrandson Ben. She is preceded in death by her beloved father, Jonas, her mother Helen, husband Ben, and her three siblings (Nancy, Nels and Nadia).
At her request, there will be no memorial service, but please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She was a special person, greatly loved, and will be missed.
Sally McKay
The Center Square
By Brett Davis The Center Square
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