Pierce County homeless count jumps dramatically

Every year, Pierce County sends out volunteers to count the homeless in the county and publish the Point in Time survey. This year, volunteers counted 1,762 living without a home, 500 more than last year. The survey also discovered a 37 percent increase in un-sheltered homelessness. There were many reasons people gave for why they’re homeless – Substance abuse, economic reasons and the loss of temporary housing – but the most common this year was because they were fleeing from domestic violence. Read more about the Point in Time survey here.

Home on Lake Tapps a total loss

Although water was only a few feet away, a house on Snag Island on Lake Tapps was burned down last Sunday because of a lack of hydrants nearby, and first responders had to use bring water to the fire in their tender trucks and take some from the lake. be More than 20 firefighters battles the blaze, but the house was considered a total loss. Read more about the fire here.

Sexual Assault Resource Center works to bring awareness year round

The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center may be out-of-county for many of our readers, but the topic of sexual assault awareness doesn’t stop at county lines. Kneishia Vinson, who works with the resource center, talked to the Courier-Herald about sexual assault, like how 60 percent of all assaults go unreported. Read more about the resource center and sexual assault awareness here.

Tourney time for prep sports

Regular spring sports are done with, but Sumner and Bonney Lake have moved several of their sports teams and athletes to post-season competitions. Both the Panthers and Spartans are competing in post-season baseball, and the Spartans have sent their soccer team on to regionals as well. Bonney Lake and Sumner are both sending their fast pitch team os, and both school sent athletes to a subdistrict meet this last week to get a place in districts. Read more about the post-season games and schedules here.