📆 Tacoma Area Events

🌝Why June's full moon is called strawberry moon and what it means for Washington

💰Four Tacoma community centers face changes as Parks Tacoma grapples with budget shortfall

⛑️11-hour rescue mission after 250-foot cliff fall in Pierce Count

Washington residents will have a chance to see June's full moon this week. Known by several names, this month's lunar event is called the strawberry moon.

Despite its name, the strawberry moon won't actually appear red or pink in the sky. The name comes from Native American traditions that marked the short strawberry harvesting season in late spring.

The moon will reach peak illumination on Monday, June 29. Skywatchers across Washington should have good viewing conditions if clouds stay away.

Other names for June's full moon include the rose moon, honey moon, and hot moon. These names reflect seasonal changes and cultural traditions from different regions.

For the best view, find a spot away from city lights. No special equipment is needed, though binoculars can enhance the experience.

Four community centers in Tacoma will see changes starting July 1 as the fallout from Parks Tacoma's ongoing budget troubles continues to deepen. The affected locations are the Center at Norpoint, the STAR Center, the People's Center, and the Eastside Center. These facilities have long served as vital hubs for local activities, hosting everything from fitness classes and senior programming to after-school tutoring and youth sports leagues.

Parks Tacoma officials have not yet detailed exactly what the changes will entail, leaving residents and community leaders in a state of uncertainty. The announcement comes after months of growing concern about the agency's financial health, which has been strained by rising operational costs, declining revenue from programs, and the lingering effects of the pandemic on public attendance and funding streams. In recent months, Parks Tacoma has already implemented hiring freezes and reduced hours at some facilities to cut expenses.

Residents who rely on these centers for recreation, social connection, and affordable child care are now waiting anxiously to see how their daily routines will be disrupted. For many families, these centers provide essential services that are not easily replaced, including low-cost summer camps, fitness memberships, and spaces for community gatherings. The centers are especially important in neighborhoods where other gathering spaces are limited, such as the Eastside and Salishan areas, where these facilities often serve as the primary venue for community events and social support networks.

Community members are encouraged to stay tuned for more specific information as the July 1 date approaches. Parks Tacoma has indicated that it will hold public meetings and release detailed plans in the coming weeks to explain the scope of the changes and any potential alternatives or transition support for affected programs. In the meantime, local advocacy groups are urging the city council to explore additional funding options to minimize the impact on these essential community resources.

Two men were airlifted to safety Friday morning after they fell 250 feet off a cliff in Pierce County. Rescuers spent about 11 hours pulling the men from the steep terrain.

The operation began around 10 p.m.

Thursday, according to a spokesperson for local law enforcement. The men were taken to a hospital.

Their conditions were not immediately released. The cliff is located in a remote area of the county, officials said.

The rescue involved multiple agencies working through the night..

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