🌱 How Tacoma’s new dental training clinic could ease local appointment backlogs
Tacoma, Washington Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings Tacoma! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Tacoma’s new dental training clinic could ease local appointment backlogs
- How a Cushman Trail fire led Tacoma utilities to cut power
- Why Puget Sound shark ‘trophy photos’ just led to criminal charges
Also on today's calendar: Dine for Reparations Tacoma (in the Hilltop neighborhood) and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the man do after he went upstairs to get a stovepipe? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Monday: Partly sunny and comfortable, with a high of 78 and low of 58 degrees.
- Tuesday: An afternoon shower in spots, temps: high: 74, low: 51.
- Wednesday: Pleasant with periods of sun, with a high of 77 and low of 52 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Tacoma to be training ground for new dentists in effort to fill ‘dental deserts' (thenewstribune.com) — Tacoma is set to host a new dental training clinic at Sea Mar’s future site on South Ninth Street, bringing student dentists to serve local patients. Pacific Northwest University’s Yakima-based dental school will rotate students through Tacoma for hands-on care, aiming to reduce ‘dental deserts’ and improve access in Pierce County and other underserved Washington communities. 
• Widespread power outages reported in Gig Harbor because of fire, utility says (thenewstribune.com) — A fire along Cushman Trail near Stinson knocked out power to much of Gig Harbor on Sunday, with Peninsula Light Co. and Tacoma Public Utilities shutting off electricity to contain pole fires. Crews from both utilities are responding and working together to restore service safely, and residents are being asked to stay patient as this developing situation unfolds.
• Oregon Man Faces Charges After Dragging Protected Sixgill Sharks from Puget Sound for Trophy Photos and Videos (lynnwoodtimes.com) — An Oregon man faces multiple misdemeanor charges in Pierce County after state wildlife officers say he repeatedly targeted protected sixgill and sevengill sharks in Puget Sound, with the case announced from Tacoma. Investigators allege he caught the sharks from local piers for social media trophy photos, despite rules meant to protect these vulnerable nursery populations important to regional marine health.
📸 Around Tacoma
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
Tacoma
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Dine for Reparations Tacoma (in the Hilltop neighborhood) →
1417 S G St, Tacoma
5:30 pm
Sunday August 2
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Storywalk at Alderwood Park: Marley's Pride
Kobetich Branch Library 212 Browns Point Boulevard NE, Tacoma, WA 98422 -
Virtual Weight Training Class with The Whole U
University of Washington Tacoma 1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
6:15 am -
South Sound Business Round Table
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber 2026 SSBRT Venue Partner WaFd Bank | 4221 Bridgeport Way W, University Place, WA 98466
8:00 am -
Daily 15 Minute Movement Break - Yoga and Fitness
University of Washington Tacoma 1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
11:00 am -
Drop-in Advising: Meet an Academic Advisor through Zoom
University of Washington Tacoma Online
12:30 pm -
Drop-in Advising: Meet with an Academic Advisor In-Person
University of Washington Tacoma UW Tacoma Garretson Woodruff Pratt (GWP)
1:00 pm -
Last day for Audit grade changes - Summer Quarter - B-term
University of Washington Tacoma 1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402 -
Last day to withdraw - Summer Quarter - B-term
University of Washington Tacoma 1900 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Tuesday July 28
Wednesday July 29
📣 Tacoma Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Storywalk at Alderwood Park: Marley's Pride
Kobetich Branch Library 212 Browns Point Boulevard NE, Tacoma, WA 98422 -
University Place Member Engagement Team Meeting →
University Place Pierce County Library, 3609 Market Pl W, University Place
11:00 am -
Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt
Wheelock Branch Library 3722 North 26Th, Tacoma, WA 98407
12:00 pm -
Painting Class For Kids at The Pod →
The Pod Works, 7024 27th St W, University Place
1:00 pm
Tuesday July 28
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Tacoma PatchAM possible:
- Unity of South Sound — (253) 301-0385
Unity - An Inclusive Welcoming Spiritual Community
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this stray rabbit!
FOUND on July 25, 2026 in Tacoma, WA 98404 near Front yard Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder, view this… (Nextdoor Oakland - Madrona) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Armani was LOST on July 25, 2026 in Tacoma, WA 98404 near 54th and East C Street Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Ainsworth Ave)
- Knipper HEALTH posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Tacoma. Apply here.
- IKEA posted a job opening for Warehouse Cleaner in Tacoma. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tacoma here.
🗞 Nearby News
University Place
- 8502 41st St W, University Place, WA 98466 (redfin.com)
Ok Tacoma! 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: He came down with the flue. (Thank you Fred P. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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