COVID Case Backlog + Elementary Lockdown + School Visitor Guides

Happy Saturday Gig Harbor! If you want to make the most of your weekend, you'll want to get out and soak up the sun today, because it won't be sticking around for long.

Once Saturday draws to a close, Sunday will begin a period of gloomy skies and cooler temperatures. You can read more about the forecast here.

Otherwise the big story for today is COVID-19 booster shots. The Washington State Department of Health is now recommending a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months after primary vaccination for people 65 and older and for those at higher risk of severe illness. If that's you, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department continues to run vaccine clinics all week to try and make the process as painless as possible.

I'm hoping to write up a little more about the booster shot and how it was approved, so look forward to an update on that later today.

In other news:

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First, today's weather:

Clear throughout the day. High: 77 Low: 52.

Here are the top stories in Gig Harbor today:

1. Backlog leads to more than 1,200 COVID-19 cases reported in Pierce County over 2 days (Tacoma News Tribune)
2. Swift Water Elementary Locked Down For Police Investigation (Gig Harbor Patch)
3. City Of Gig Harbor: Notice Of Determination Of Nonsignificance (Press Release Desk )
4. City Of Gig Harbor: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (Press Release Desk )
5. PSD : Fall 2021 Visitors And Volunteers Guidance (Press Release Desk)
6. Dick’s Drive-In food truck will park in Tacoma this weekend (Tacoma News Tribune)

Today in Gig Harbor:

• GHHS - Grass Field - Mini Cheer - Gig Harbor High (8:30 AM)
• GHHS - Main Gym - Dance Team - Gig Harbor High (11:00 AM)
• Cider Swig 2021 (12:00 PM)
• Tours at the Eddon Boatyard (1:00 PM)

Gig Harbor Patch Notebook

• Peninsula School District: "Peninsula High School junior Mia Stitt was recognized at last night’s board meeting for her achievement as one of 11 Washington STEM Rising Star Award recipients in our state. Congratulations, Mia!" (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One: "Some have asked... Question: "What is the difference between a uniformed and non-uniformed member of Gig Harbor Fire?" Answer: Uniformed members are our Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics who provide emergency response to our co..." (Facebook)
• Gig Harbor Living: "Want to join our team? We are hiring for our Sales & Marketing team! This includes all of our markets: Sandpoint, ID., Coeur d'Alene, ID., Bonners Ferry, ID., Gig Harbor, WA., and Tacoma, WA.
• Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce: "Join us Thursday, September 30th from 7:30-8:30am to hear the Gig Harbor City Council Position #3 General Election Debate. We've invited candidates Jim Franich and Brenda Lykins to join us.

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• Absolute Beginner Japanese for 8-12 year olds (September 28)
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Thanks for following along! That wraps up the first week of the Gig Harbor Daily Digest, I'm excited to get started with more for you next week!

— Charles Woodman

About me: Charles started as Field Editor for Patch in May 2020, covering western Washington. He is based in Seattle. In the past, he has written for various TV news stations in Seattle, Reno, Nevada and Fairbanks, Alaska. He has also worked as a music critic, weatherman, and soccer referee.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Gig Harbor Daily? I'm all ears. You can reach me at GigHarbor@Patch.com.