What's up Gig Harbor! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: KGI Watershed: 2026 State of the Watershed and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Annette T.!
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Lighted Car Parade likely off for this year (gigharbornow.org) — Gig Harbor's popular Lighted Car Parade is likely canceled this December because the four volunteer moms who created it can't keep handling permits, logistics, and costs alone. They're urgently seeking a local group or individual to take over planning so the event, which boosts Uptown businesses and supports the FISH Food Bank, can return in 2026 and beyond.
2. Elizabeth Barlow Joins Kurt Grinnell Indigenous Aquaculture Scholarship Leadership (perishablenews.com) — A Gig Harbor–based Indigenous aquaculture scholarship has added veteran aquaculture leader Elizabeth Barlow to its 10-member board, strengthening its leadership ties to First Nation communities. Since 2022, the foundation has awarded 19 scholarships totaling $120,000 to Tribal and First Nation students across the U.S. and Canada, supporting Indigenous careers in aquaculture, natural resources, and fisheries.
3. Peninsula School District students help draft proposed AI bill for nation's K-12 schools (gigharbornow.org) — Two Peninsula School District students from Gig Harbor helped draft a proposed national "Students First Act" on how AI should be used in K‑12 classrooms. Representing Washington at a Boston youth AI festival, they surveyed local peers, debated privacy and plagiarism, and pushed for clear classroom rules so tools like ChatGPT support learning without replacing students' own thinking.
4. Surprise breakout stars midway through South Sound 2026 prep football season (thenewstribune.com) — South Sound high school football coaches are spotlighting 11 unexpected breakout players midway through the 2026 season, including standouts from Sumner, Olympia, Graham-Kapowsin and more. One featured performance came in a Lincoln game against Gig Harbor on Oct. 2, where junior running back JT Williams showed his versatility as both a rusher and defender.
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Ok Gig Harbor! 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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
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