Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Gig Harbor’s Home Depot trees are dying and what’s replacing them

And check out 24th National Fine Art Show on the Gig Harbor Patch calendar

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Thursday October 1st Patch AM
Thursday October 1st Patch AM (Alix B.)

Hey there, Gig Harbor! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Gig Harbor's Home Depot trees are dying and what's replacing them
  • Could Gig Harbor water bills jump again to fund big upgrades?
  • How a rough dirt track became Gig Harbor's road to the Key

Also on today's calendar: 24th National Fine Art Show and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Alix B.!

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 68 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Friday: Low clouds may break, temps: high: 72, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 68 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Birches in Gig Harbor Home Depot parking lot turn dead and ghostly, in time for Halloween (gigharbornow.org) — Dozens of birch trees in the Gig Harbor Home Depot parking lot are dead or dying, and the city has approved removing all 42 and replacing them with hardier maples. Experts blame a bronze birch borer infestation worsened by heat and drought, and they're urging Gig Harbor property owners to avoid planting susceptible birch varieties or to invest in extra watering and arborist care for existing trees.
   

• City utility customers may face more rate increases (gigharbornow.org) — Gig Harbor utility customers could see more water and sewer rate hikes as the city confronts a looming water shortage, costly new wells, and possible $100 million wastewater plant upgrades. Officials warn that without outside funding, residents may shoulder major increases and even face a building moratorium, while some neighbors already report shockingly high summer water bills under the new tiered system.
   

• The Story of the KP Highway, Part II (keypennews.org) — A century ago, traveling between Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula meant muddy tracks, stuck drawbridges, and hours-long drives that sometimes ended in ditches. This second installment traces how state-backed "permanent highways" transformed that rough route into the Gig Harbor–Longbranch Highway, paving the way—literally—for today's Wauna Curves and easier access across Henderson Bay.
   

📸 Around Gig Harbor

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📸 Good morning…….. —Alix B. Like

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Roofing Kitsap - Kitsap Roofing
    Kitsap Roofing provides professional roofing solutions for homeowners and businesses throughout Kitsap County. 🏠🔨 Whether you're planning a roof... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • ⚠️ Magnitude 4.17 earthquake reported
    Sep 29 at 2:05 PM PDT: 4.15 magnitude earthquake occurred near Wauna, Washington. More than 9330 neighbors felt it. (Nextdoor )
  • Hope y'all had a great afternoon today.
    I didn't feel our quake (nor did anyone in my class). Was busy painting this! Happy Fall Y'all! (Nextdoor South Artondale)
  • Life Care Centers of America posted a job opening for Dietary Aide in Gig Harbor. Apply here.
  • Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Customer Service Rep(07039) - 4800 Pt Fosdick Dr NW in Gig Harbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gig Harbor here.

🗞 Nearby News

University Place

Tacoma

  • New Tacoma and DuPont low-income housing projects get funded (thenewstribune.com)
  • More tenants are unionizing in Tacoma. What does it mean for the city? (thenewstribune.com)
  • Tacoma man accused of pouring gas through apartment, threatening to set it on fire (king5.com)

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: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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