Tacoma Newsroom: Your Source for Tacoma News and Information

🐶 Animal licensing fees are increasing on September 1, 2025. To encourage responsible pet ownership and curb animal overpopulation in Tacoma, the biggest fee increase will be applied to pets who have not been spayed or neutered. Licensing fees collected will help fund low-cost spay and neuter ...programs, the The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County's Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts for community cats, and support for shelter capacity and animal welfare services.
😽 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝘁? Each year, tens of thousands of pets end up at the Humane Society and unfortunately, very few have proper identification. When a lost pet is found with up-to-date identification, our Animal Control and Compliance Officers can either return the pet directly to its home or promptly notify the owners that their pet is safe at the shelter. Licensing also supports the investigations of animal neglect and cruelty.
🐷 For a full list of updated fees, visit tacoma.gov/animallicensingfees.
🦜 It’s easy to license your pet, just visit tacoma.gov/pets.

There are two Parks Tacoma Summer Bash events left this summer! These events feature lots of fun activities for families and a movie at dusk. 🍿
☀️ Summer Bash Eastside - Stewart Heights Park, August 16, 2025 🔗https://www.parkstacoma.gov/event/summer-bash-eastside/
☀️ Summer ...Bash STAR Center – August 22, 2025 🔗 https://www.parkstacoma.gov/event/summer-bash-star/
Learn more in this Tacoma Report!

🔴As a reminder, the Tacoma City Council Meeting, South Tacoma Groundwater Public Hearing, and Community Forum begin at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Here's a link to agenda: https://ow.ly/2rlT50WCTly. This meeting will be hybrid, in-person at the Tacoma Municipal Building Council ...Chambers and virtual via Zoom. To join via Zoom, use this link: https://ow.ly/XhS350VN9cB and passcode: 349099 or dial (253) 215-8782 using Meeting ID: 848 3423 3126. The meeting is also live streamed at tacoma.gov/councilmeetings, on our YouTube channel, and broadcast live on TV Tacoma.

🎨 We’re gearing up for Arts Month in October! Tacoma Arts is building an official calendar of art happenings across Tacoma in October, and you can add your event to help get more eyes on it! More info below. ⬇️

🥵 It's getting hot, Tacoma! If you need a place to cool off, visit a Tacoma Public Library. They have air conditioning and water. The following locations are also providing space to cool off to those who are unsheltered:
🔷St. Vincent de Paul (4009 S. 56th St., Tacoma)
Open until ...4:30 p.m.
🔷Tacoma Recovery Center (2201 S. 19th St., Suite 101, Tacoma)
Open until 6 p.m.
🔷Nativity House Shelter (702 S. 14th St., Tacoma)
Open until 8 p.m.
🔷Beacon Young Adult Shelter (415 S. 13th St., Tacoma)
Must be ages 18-24
Open until 4 p.m.
🔷Tacoma Rescue Mission Showers & Supplies
425 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Open 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

🛠️ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 🛠️
The Historic Water Ditch Trail project connects communities and enhances walkability in South Tacoma!
✅ Phase IIIA, South M to... Sprague, is under construction with final tree planting expected in October! This phase includes:
👩‍🦽ADA curb ramps
💦New storm drains
🚸Pedestrian crossing markers
🚦Upgraded traffic signals
🔆Trail lighting & amenities

✅ Phase IIIB, South M to Pine, which will extend improvements along South Tacoma Way, will begin construction on July 7, 2025.

💰 Learn more about this phased project and see budget and funding sources at tacoma.gov/waterditchtrail.
📍 See more information about Tacoma Streets Initiative, including completed, active, and planned projects in your neighborhood, at tacomastreetsinitiative.org.
Tacoma Mobility

🔴As a reminder, Tacoma City Council Study Session begins at noon on August 12, 2025. Agenda includes:
🔷 South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District Code Update Public Hearing Preparation
🔷 Tideflats Subarea Plan - Planning Commission’s Findings of Fact and Recommendations
...🔷 Council Consideration Request - A Proposed Ordinance to Align all Committee, Board and Youth Commission Seats into an “Emerging Leader” seat
The meeting is broadcast live at tacoma.gov/councilmeetings, on our YouTube channel, and on TV Tacoma.