🌱 How recent guilty pleas reshape high-profile Tacoma robbery cases

Hi Tacoma! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How recent guilty pleas reshape high-profile Tacoma robbery cases
• Can Tacoma’s pet food bank survive its growing demand and shrinking funds?
• How a Tacoma woman reclaimed pride in the name she left behind

Also on today's calendar: A Gospel Christmas Extravaganza and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Rain becoming steadier; windy, with a high of 54 and low of 37 degrees.
• Friday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 46, low: 39.
• Saturday: Breezy; an a.m. shower or two, with a high of 47 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Director of Tacoma pot shop robbery where employee was killed pleads guilty (thenewstribune.com) — A man accused of directing a deadly 2022 robbery at Tacoma’s World of Weed dispensary has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and awaits sentencing in January. In separate Pierce County cases, two teens received lengthy prison terms for shootings at Lakewood’s B&I Public Marketplace and a Tacoma mini market robbery, highlighting ongoing concerns about youth violence in local communities.
   

2. This Animal-Centered Nonprofit in Tacoma is More Than Just a Pet Food Bank (southsoundmag.com) — A Tacoma pet food bank off Sixth Avenue is scrambling to keep up with rising demand while struggling to pay rent and buy food. Serving hundreds of local households and their animals each month, the nonprofit also hosts low-cost vet clinics and delivers supplies to tiny-home villages and low-income residents across Pierce County.
   

3. Bullied for Her Indian Name, She Changed It as a Child. Years Later, She Learned What It Cost Her (today.com) — A Tacoma-based insurance broker reflects on how childhood bullying over her Indian name in Chehalis led her to legally change it, and what she later realized she’d lost. Now living in Tacoma, she openly embraces her Punjabi heritage and hopes future South Asian kids can keep their names without fear.
   

4. Pierce County juice bar abruptly closes Tacoma, Puyallup locations (thenewstribune.com) — A popular healthy-food spot, Gather Juice, has permanently closed its Tacoma shop on 6th Avenue along with its newer Puyallup location, citing unsustainable economics. Owners say the last day of business was December 6 and are now refunding gift cards bought after a late-November promotion, responding to customer concerns about purchases made just before the shutdown.
   

5. Washington State Patrol trooper injured in head-on collision (fox13seattle.com) — A Washington State Patrol sergeant was hurt when a texting driver crossed the center line and hit his cruiser head-on in nearby Lakewood, requiring firefighters to extricate him and take him to the hospital. The pickup driver was uninjured, and Pierce County investigators are still determining whether she’ll face criminal charges for the collision.
   

📸 Around Tacoma

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Tacoma

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 19

• Social Work Support with Samie
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  10:00 am
• Baby Storytime
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  10:30 am
• Appy Hour at Main
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  1:00 pm
• Up and Atom: Pom Pom Palooza
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Drop-in Tech Help at Main
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  10:00 am
• Wonder Lab Exploration: Building
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  11:30 am
• Family Storytime
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  2:00 pm
• Brick by Brick LEGO Club
  Tacoma Public Library- Main Branch , 1102 Tacoma Avenue South , Tacoma
  4:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• A Gospel Christmas Extravaganza
  Pacific Christian Center , 3211 112th St E , Tacoma
  6:30 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve Service
  Pacific Christian Center , 3211 112th St E , Tacoma
  9:00 am
• Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service
  Unity of South Sound , 710 S Anderson St , Tacoma
  7:00 pm

📣 Tacoma Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Mottet Book Sale!
  Mottet Branch Library , 3523 East G Street , Tacoma
  10:00 am
• Play to Learn
  Swasey Branch Library , 7001 Sixth Avenue , Tacoma
  10:00 am
• Santa Photos at Sunrise Village
  Sunrise Village Shopping Center , 10507 156th Street East , Puyallup
  11:00 am
• Up and Atom: Ice Experiments
  Wheelock Branch Library , 3722 North 26Th , Tacoma
  3:30 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Tacoma PatchAM possible:

• Unity of South Sound — (253) 301-0385
  Unity - An Inclusive Welcoming Spiritual Community
• Unity of South Sound — (253) 301-0385
  Unity - A Positive Inclusive Spirituality Community!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hey I will host a Christmas potluck for everyone who finds themselves alone on that day for what ever reason it may be.
  I'm doing this with the best intentions. Dm me if interested . (Nextdoor Oakland - Madrona)
• Update: Pet Reunited
  Reeses, a dog who went missing in Tacoma, WA, has been safely reunited with their family after 33 minutes. More details here https://www.pawboost… (Nextdoor North Waller II)

• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Tacoma. Apply here.
• Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member in Tacoma. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tacoma here.

Ok Tacoma! 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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