The Puyallup River Watershed Council’s annual retreat is Friday in Tacoma. The public is invited to the session, which is set for 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Center for Urban Waters, 326 E. D St.

The council aims to protect and enhance the 1,000-square-mile watershed, which covers the area from Mount Rainier to Commencement Bay. The group is looking for new members, Pierce County officials wrote in a news release.

County Executive Pat McCarthy will be on hand at the retreat, which also will include a presentation from Joel Baker, Urban Waters’ science director, the release said. …

Read more »

Before becoming Lakewood’s city manager six years ago, Andrew Neiditz lived in Tacoma for 20 years. His two children graduated from Wilson High School. His wife, Marie, had taught at two Tacoma elementary schools.

That connection to Pierce County’s largest city is a major reason Neiditz applied to become Tacoma’s next city manager. The Tacoma City Council named Neiditz one of five finalists for the job Tuesday night.

“The more I thought about the challenges in Tacoma and the regional work I’ve done and what I have to offer, I felt it was a meaningful challenge for me to pursue,” …

Read more »

The public can weigh in on qualities they want the Puyallup School Board to emphasize in its search for a new district superintendent at two forums scheduled this month.

The sessions will be led by Dennis Ray of Northwest Leadership Associates, the firm the board hired to coordinate the search.

The forums are:

• 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Ferrucci Junior High, 3213 Wildwood Park Drive, Puyallup.

• 12 p.m. Dec. 7 at Pioneer Park Pavilion, 330 S. Meridian, Puyallup.

The board is looking for a new district leader because Superintendent Tony Apostle is retiring this summer. …

Read more »

Federal Way is inviting the public to say goodbye and share a piece of cake next week with two City Council members and former mayors who have a combined 28 years in their elected offices.

The reception for departing councilmen Jack Dovey and Mike Park is set for Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., at Federal Way City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S.

Both men are small business owners, and both were originally appointed to fill vacancies on the council in 1995 before going on to win election to their seats. Dovey held the appointed mayor position in 2008 and 2009. …

Read more »

Groups have until tomorrow, Nov. 29, to register for the 1st annual “Duck the Halls” Caroling Competition in University Place. UP for Art is sponsoring the event as a benefit for Families Unlimited Network and the UP Food Bank.

On Saturday, dog owners can get pictures with their pets and Santa Claus as a fundraiser to benefit the off-leash dog park in University Place.

The contest will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the University Place Market Square, located in front of the new civic and library building.

The contest is restricted to people …

Read more »

The city of Lakewood will hold its 16th annual Christmas tree lighting festival from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

The event will be held in front of City Hall, 6000 Main St. S.W.

There will be a kiddie parade, free children’s crafts, holiday music, refreshments and a visit with Santa. To participate in the parade, children and those young at heart can meet near the old GI Joe’s building, 5831 Main St. SW, at 4:15 p.m. and march with Santa.

Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Emergency Food Network. Officials reminds folks to …

Read more »

The Puyallup School Board has been named a Board of Distinction for the third year in a row.

The 2011 award, from the Washington State School Directors’ Association, was presented at the association’s November conference in Bellevue.

The Puyallup board was one of 16 in the state to receive it; it’s given to boards “that demonstrate effective use” of the state school board standards, a district news release said.

Puyallup school board members are Pat Donovan, Greg Heath, Chris Ihrig, Cindy Poysnick and Diana Seeley.

An old road is getting a new name in Bonney Lake.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 4-2 to rename a stretch of Sumner-Buckley Highway East – sometimes called Old Buckley Highway, among other variations – as a way to honor veterans.

The roughly three-quarter-mile section of the road within city limits will be called Veterans Memorial Drive East.

The change won’t be reflected on street signs until at least spring.

“(Military service members) have been sacrificing for a number of years. They’ve been involved in battle for 10 years. The 9-11 anniversary just passed.  I feel it’s very appropriate …

Read more »