Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What’s behind Lakewood’s decision to sideline its police chief?

Happening soon: Dog Dayz of Summer on the Lakewood Patch calendar

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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Good morning to you Lakewood! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What's behind Lakewood's decision to sideline its police chief?
  • Why is there a 1950s Air Force jet in Lakewood?
  • Have you seen this missing 17-year-old from Lakewood?

Also on today's calendar: Dog Dayz of Summer and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Clouds and sunshine, with a high of 85 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Saturday: A couple of morning showers, temps: high: 76, low: 59.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 77 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Police chief of Pierce County city placed on admin leave (thenewstribune.com) — Lakewood has placed Police Chief Patrick Smith on administrative leave while city officials review no-confidence votes and multiple investigative reports, with Assistant Chief David Claridge stepping in as acting chief. The move follows months of union concerns about communication, leadership and staffing within the department. City leaders have declined to release further details, calling it a confidential personnel matter.
   

2. Redditors spotted a plane in a Lakewood man's backyard. How did it get there? (thenewstribune.com) — A longtime Lakewood resident has a full 1950s Air Force jet tucked in his backyard, a relic he salvaged decades ago after its service at McChord. Glen Spieth, who leads the Lakewood History Museum, also maintains an extensive private collection of military and aviation memorabilia. Residents can see more of his preserved history by visiting the museum on Motor Avenue Southwest.
   

3. A Lakewood teenager has been missing for weeks. Have you seen her? (thenewstribune.com) — Lakewood police and a national missing children's organization are asking for help finding 17-year-old Adriana Linares Maldonado, who has been missing since August 1. She's described as having wavy caramel-brown hair and brown eyes, with few other details released so far. Anyone who may have seen her is urged to call Lakewood Police at 253-287-4455.
   

4. Sound Transit announces major fall service changes to ST Express bus routes (king5.com) — Sound Transit is overhauling several ST Express routes on August 29, including major adjustments affecting Lakewood riders. Route 570 will be eliminated and replaced by Pierce Transit's Lakewood–Seattle Route 597, while Route 574 will shift from Lakewood Transit Center to the new Lakewood Station stop. A new overnight Route 597 will also connect Lakewood and downtown Seattle.
   

5. Man sued local governments in WA over Flock records. He's won $300K (cascadiadaily.com) — Lakewood is one of only two Washington jurisdictions still fighting a court case over releasing Flock Safety camera records, while 15 others have already settled for a combined $300,000. The article explains how one man's public records requests exposed gaps in how cities handled this surveillance data, why some agencies shut off or replaced their cameras, and how new state law now shields ALPR images from disclosure.
   

📸 Around Lakewood

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Monday August 24
  • Special Services Day
    University Place Primary School Tacoma, WA 98466
    8:00 am
  • Workforce Grants & Application Workshop
    Tacoma Community College 6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98466
    10:00 am
    • Tuesday August 25
  • Vaccine Event - MTHS MultiCare Clinic
    Industrial Design Engineering and Art Mount Tahoma High School
    3:15 pm
  • SHS Sentinel Day
    Anderson Island Elementary Steilacoom, WA 98388
    7:00 pm
    • Wednesday August 26
  • Pioneer Pirate Day
    Anderson Island Elementary Pioneer Middle School
    4:00 pm
  • Back to School Night
    Midland Elementary School Tacoma, WA 98444
    4:30 pm
  • BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT
    Perry G. Keithley Middle School Perry G Keithley Middle School (12324 12th Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444)
    4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Anyone loose a dog today near 25th St W and Cascade Place W.
    He's a boy black and white with red and black batman collar #lostpet #lostdog (Nextdoor Monta Vista)
  • If anyone's headed near the Humane Society vet clinic and could give me a ride there and back for my cat's flea meds this month, I'd really appreciate it - the meds are already covered, just need transport.
    On the 22nd, at 2:50 pm, I would appreciate it so much! I just need the ride. Wasn't trying to make this last minute, just every other possibility… (Nextdoor Lakewood Dr W)
  • Basalite Building Products posted a job opening for Roof Loader - Tacoma, WA in Tacoma. Apply here.
  • ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Day Porter in Tacoma. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.

Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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