🌤️ Tacoma Weather

📆 Tacoma Area Events

📸 Slow Down: Washington Work Zone Speed Cameras Start Issuing $125 Fines Beginning July 1

🍵New Downtown Tacoma Cafe Serves Up Crepes, Coffee and Matcha

🥾Tacoma Trails Challenge Participants: Submit Your Form by June 30

⬇️Complete the event submission form by clicking on the link below ⬇️

Starting July 1, Washington drivers will want to pay extra attention in construction zones. The state’s work zone speed camera program is moving from warnings to real fines for first-time violations.

Under the new rules, a first citation from one of these cameras will cost $125. Second and later violations will $248. For the past year, many first-time violators received warnings instead of fines, but that grace period is ending.

The cameras are used in active work zones where crews are present. According to transportation officials, the goal is not to generate revenue, but to get drivers to slow down and keep road workers safer. The cameras have already been deployed hundreds of times at construction sites across the state.

Each possible violation is reviewed by a Washington State Patrol trooper before a citation is issued. Notices are then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, who can pay, review, or contest the ticket.

For Tacoma-area drivers, the message is simple: treat every work zone like workers are present, whether it is day or night. With summer construction season in full swing, slowing down could protect road crews—and save you from an expensive surprise in the mail.

There’s a new spot in downtown Tacoma for coffee, crepes, matcha and a little something sweet. Cafeto 21 is now open at 1127 Broadway, Suite 101, near Tacoma Dance Studios and the Tacoma School of the Arts theater.

The cafe specializes in both sweet and savory crepes. Sweet options include fillings like Nutella, berries, cream cheese and ice cream, while savory choices include combinations like pesto, mozzarella and greens. There’s also a build-your-own option if you want to customize your crepe with fruit, toppings and other extras.

Drinks include the usual coffee shop favorites, along with matcha, horchata, smoothies and energy drinks. If you’re looking for something more filling, the menu also includes avocado toast with eggs, sandwiches and customizable sweet waffles.

Cafeto 21 is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., making it an easy stop for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon coffee or a downtown treat.

If you took part in this year’s Tacoma Trails Challenge, there’s one final step before you’re officially done: submit your finisher form by midnight on June 30.

The annual Parks Tacoma challenge encouraged residents to get outside, explore local parks and trails, and complete challenges on a bingo-style card. Participants could finish by completing five challenges in a row, or go for a full blackout by completing all 25 squares.

Submitting the finisher form enters participants into the prize drawing. Prizes include a Silver Cloud Hotel at Point Ruston Waterfront getaway package, Apple AirPods Pro 3, a prize gift basket, a Mariners/Seahawks gift basket, and a Kraken gift basket.

So if you completed the Tacoma Trails Challenge, don’t let the deadline slip by. The trails are done, the steps are counted, and now all that’s left is turning in the form before June 30 ends.

➡Go to the finisher form: https://bit.ly/trails-finisher-form
➡Visit the event web page: parkstacoma.gov/event/tacoma-trails-challenge

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