🌱 Patch AM: Why St. Clare Hospital just ranked among America’s safest teaching hospitals

Good morning Lakewood! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why St. Clare Hospital just ranked among America’s safest teaching hospitals
• Will Lakewood’s Dan Bronoske advance this new overdose-tracking bill?

Also on today's calendar: Christmas Eve Candle Lit Service and 2 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Susan D.!

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, with a high of 47 and low of 39 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, a little rain, temps: high: 49, low: 35.
• Thursday: A passing afternoon shower, with a high of 44 and low of 38 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Western Washington hospital is one of best in US at treating kids. Here's why (thenewstribune.com) — Lakewood’s St. Clare Hospital has been named a top teaching hospital in the nation for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group, putting it in elite company alongside just 156 hospitals nationwide. The recognition, driven by strong safety and quality metrics, comes as Tacoma’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital also earns repeated honors for its pediatric care.
   

• Republican proposes near-real-time overdose dashboard ahead of 2026 session (dailyfly.com) — A proposed statewide bill would create a near-real-time overdose dashboard, and Lakewood’s Rep. Dan Bronoske, who chairs the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, is expected to decide whether it gets a hearing. The measure aims to help health providers quickly target overdose hotspots while adding privacy protections and limiting law-enforcement use of the data.
   

📸 Around Lakewood

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 24

• Festival of New Voices 2025 – Lakewood Playhouse
  Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd SW, Lakewood
  7:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Candle Lit Service
  10402 Kline St SW , Lakewood
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Island Reminyse Band
  Zesty Steakhouse , 9905 Bridgeport Way SW , Lakewood
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 28

• Sunday Family-Friendly Kid’s Karaoke at Puget Sound Pizza Lakewood
  Puget Sound Pizza , 12924 Pacific Hwy SW , Lakewood
  2:00 pm
• Tim Hall Blues Jam every Sunday at Zesty’s Steakhouse
  Zesty Steakhouse , 9905 Bridgeport Way SW , Lakewood
  6:00 pm

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• Baby Storytime
  Fern Hill Branch Library , 765 South 84th Street , Tacoma
  1:00 pm
• Up and Atom: Winter Scavenger Hunt
  Fern Hill Branch Library , 765 South 84th Street , Tacoma
  3:30 pm
• Drop-In Tech Help @Fern Hill
  Fern Hill Branch Library , 765 South 84th Street , Tacoma
  6:00 pm
• Family Storytime
  Fern Hill Branch Library , 765 South 84th Street , Tacoma
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Savvy Senior
  Du Pont Community Center , 303 Barksdale Ave , DuPont
  1:00 pm
• Open Mic Night at O’Looney’s
  O'Looney's Irish Pub · Gig Harbor , WA , Fircrest
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Billy The Pockets Blues Jam Party
  Dawson's Bar & Grill · Tacoma , WA , Fircrest
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• UPDATE: Found and safely at home!
  Thank you everyone for searching for him! Please help us find our list dog. He's a tricolored Australian Shepard with a yellow halo collar. Last… (Nextdoor John Dover Rd SW)
• Hello everyone!
  My husband and I were wondering if we were to make and sell Pan Sobao (Puerto Rican sweet bread) would anyone be interested in buying? We haven’t… (Nextdoor Monta Vista)

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Lakewood. Apply here.
• PetSmart posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate Full Time in Lakewood. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.

🗞 Nearby News

Tacoma

• Powerball ticket sold in Tacoma wins big as jackpot soars past $1.4 billion (thenewstribune.com)
• Tacoma loosens eviction restrictions in attempt to save affordable housing (seattletimes.com)
• The Victoria Woodards era is over. What's next for longtime Tacoma leader? (thenewstribune.com)

Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook