La Grande, WA Local News and More

Driver who died after hitting tree in Pierce County has been identified

Authorities have released the name of a 57-year-old man who died the day after his vehicle hit a tree in Graham on Monday night. The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s office reported in their public information portal online that Todd Mitchell Wright, a Graham resident, died of “blunt force injuries of torso” on Nov. 3. The office ruled his death an accident. Wright had been hospitalized with “serious injuries” after the single-vehicle collision, which occurred in the 8700 block of 209th Street East around 11:10 p.m. on Nov. 2, said Deputy Carly Cappetto, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived at the scene of the crash after fire department personnel had already arrived and begun extracting Wright from his Ford F-350, Cappetto said. The truck had hit the tree and sustained “heavy front-end damage,” she added. Nothing at the scene indicated that Wright had been impaired at the time of the crash, Cappetto said. The office will conduct a more detailed analysis of the cause of the crash in the coming days, but no criminal investigation is underway, she said. “It’s pretty cut-and-dry that it was merely an accident,” she said. Road conditions likely could have been a

Pierce County, WA · 2d

familydestinationsguide.com

You Haven’t Truly Lived Until You’ve Tried A Milkshake From This Tiny Burger Shack In Washington

Somewhere between the highway and the mountain, in a town called Elbe that most GPS systems treat as a suggestion rather than a destination, there is a burger shack called Scaleburgers that will rearrange your priorities. Not in a dramatic way. In a very quiet, very delicious way. You’ll pull...

Elbe, WA · 1d

Tacoma News Tribune

Elementary school evacuated in Pierce County after students find ‘unusual odor'

Staff and students evacuated an elementary school in Spanaway today because of an unusual odor. According to a post from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, crews went to Naches Trail Elementary School in the 15000 block of Waller Road East at about 7:58 a.m. The school day had not started, but several students who had arrived early noticed the odor and then said they felt ill. Paramedics evaluated the students, then released them to their parents, the post said. Crews also monitored the air throughout the building and said people could re-enter the school safely. While investigating, crews found an illegal outdoor burn in the area, which might have caused the odor, the post said. Crews found the burn and extinguished it. “Bethel School District officials communicated with affected staff and families throughout the incident,” the post said. “Once the building was determined to be safe, students and staff were able to return to school.” CPFR is taking the opportunity to remind residents about the impacts of outdoor burning. “Burning garbage, plastics, treated wood, and other prohibited materials is illegal and releases harmful pollutants into the air. In some areas of our fire district, burning yard waste is prohibited year-round,”

Pierce County, WA · 1d

Tacoma News Tribune

New wood-fired pizza restaurant opening this weekend in East Pierce County

Bonney Lake’s newest family-friendly restaurant will open Saturday, Nov. 7, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. and a raffle to win free pizza for a year. Cascadia Pizza Co ., which started in Enumclaw as a single food truck in 2015, has partnered with a young but ambitious employee, 22-year-old Jacob Andrew, on the new franchise in the Route 410 plaza just east of the roundabout at 224th Avenue East. The company operates four other restaurants in the region and in recent years expanded to franchising in other states including Idaho, Oregon and Arizona with another in Texas en route. The Bonney Lake location will be its first franchise in Washington state, TNT Diner previously reported, and the first in Pierce County but likely not the last. “I started working at Cascadia when I was 16, and I never imagined that six years later I’d be opening my own location,” he said in a press release this week. “I’ve grown up with this company in so many ways. To have the opportunity to take everything I’ve learned and build something of my own is pretty incredible.” The brand is known for wood-fired pies (10-inch personal, $12-$17, or 14-inch large, $21-$29.50)

Bonney Lake, WA · 2d

fox13seattle.com

Pierce County man sentenced to 19 years in 2023 gas station murder

Tau’rean Forks, 20, was sentenced to 232 months in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement in connection with the July 15, 2023, killing of 27-year-old Donald Harris.

Pierce County, WA · 2h

hoodline.com

South Hill Truck Theft Victim Tracks Down Thief, Catches Her Mid-Title Switch

A Pierce County man who found his stolen truck parked with a stranger inside ended up holding her for deputies himself, and what investigators discovered afterward added a strange twist: paperwork suggesting she was trying to put the vehicle in her own name. The confrontation unfolded Tuesday afternoon in South Hill after the truck had been stolen just hours earlier.

Pierce County, WA · 2d

The Chronicle

Lewis County woman, 87, injured in single-vehicle crash on I-5

An 87-year-old woman was hospitalized Friday following a single-vehicle collision on Interstate 5 near Napavine, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Fern E. Fuchs,

Lewis County, WA · 21h

The Chronicle

Lewis County Sheriff's Office announces 'off-duty conduct' investigation into employee's behavior in video from about 6 years ago

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) on Wednesday announced an "off-duty conduct" investigation into an employee following the release of a video on social media showing a man allegedly ...

Lewis County, WA · 21h

southsoundmag.com

Pierce County Airport Runway Reopens After Reconstruction

Following a monthslong reconstruction project, the runway at Pierce County Airport-Thun Field officially reopened Nov. 3. The project widened the runway from 60 to 75 feet while maintaining its 3,650-foot length, extending its expected lifespan by another 20 to 30 years. Additional improvements include new LED lighting, upgraded drainage, replacement approach lighting, repaved taxiway connectors, and electrical upgrades to four county-owned hangars.

Pierce County, WA · 1d

everafterinthewoods.com

Grandma-Style Chicken And Dumplings Still Simmer All Day At This Small-Town Washington Cafe

Hamburger gravy ladled over homemade biscuits is on the breakfast menu at a small diner in Washington, and that alone deserves a second look. Most places stick with sausage gravy, but this one goes its own cozy direction. The doors open at 7 a.m. every single day. Chicken fried steak,...

Puyallup, WA · 2d

KOMO News

Man sentenced to 60 years for 2006 shooting in Tacoma, has sentence reduced to 20 years

TACOMA, Wash. — A man who was originally sentenced to more than 60 years in prison for a deadly shooting outside a Tacoma dance club in 2006 had that sentence reduced to 20 years in Pierce County Superior Court on Friday. Verrick Vere Yarbrough, who was found guilty of...

Tacoma, WA · 20h

The Chronicle

Centralia man charged with child molestation faces up to life in prison

Prosecutors have charged a Centralia man with four counts of child molestation following an investigation by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office (LCSO).  Thane D. West, 42, was arrested and

Centralia, WA · 1d

Tacoma News Tribune

Watch: 2 arrested after breaking into Washington state fairgrounds in Puyallup

Two people were arrested in Puyallup after breaking into the Washington State Fair Event Center. Capt. Jeremy Hedrick, spokesperson for the Puyallup Police Department, told The News Tribune the incident happened on Oct. 18 at about 11:05 p.m. PPD announced the arrest on Nov. 5 with a Facebook post. An 18-year-old man and 19-year-old woman jumped the fence at the Red Gate, Hedrick said. Officers then used a drone to find the two of them near the 1900 Rooftop Bar. When officers chased them in the fairgrounds, they both tried to run away, Hedrick said. Officers then caught up to them, arrested them and realized they were both drunk. Police booked them into the Puyallup Jail for first-degree criminal trespassing, obstructing a law enforcement officer and a minor in possession and/or consumption of alcohol. Both of them have since appeared before a judge and are not in custody, Hedrick said. “Turns out, jumping the fence was the easy part,” PPD wrote in the Facebook post. “Getting away from the drone? Not so much.”

Puyallup, WA · 1d

The Chronicle

partner publisher · 4.8K followers

Bail set at $10,000 for Chehalis man accused of burglary, property theft

A Chehalis man faces up to 10 years in prison after he allegedly broke into the victim's trailer and stole mountain climbing gear and a sweatshirt.  Brian D. Hughes, 50, is charged with

Chehalis, WA · 1d

105.3 KISS FM

Lacey, WA Police Officer Seen at Crash Scene in Banana Costume

Lacey PD says there's a reason why

Lacey, WA · 1d

The Chronicle

Centralia man with reported dementia accused of strangling wife 

Prosecutors filed charges against a man with reported dementia Friday after he allegedly strangled his wife during an assault the day before. Michael G. Compton, 68, of Centralia, was booked ...

Centralia, WA · 19h

familydestinationsguide.com

The Massive Discount Store In Washington Where You Can Fill A Whole Cart For $35

Somewhere between your last grocery receipt and your current bank balance, there is a store in Tacoma, Washington that wants to have a word with you. Grocery Outlet Bargain Market on East 72nd Street is the kind of discovery that makes you want to call someone immediately and tell them what you’ve been missing.

Tacoma, WA · 1d

The Chronicle

Chehalis man accused of eluding trooper at 120 mph after turning off lights

A Chehalis man was arrested Thursday for allegedly eluding a state trooper at speeds of roughly 120 mph after turning off his vehicle's lights on Interstate 5. Tyler Ford Porter, 21, is

Chehalis, WA · 19h

Tacoma News Tribune