🌱 Patch AM: How did Lakewood become center stage for Washington manufacturing’s future?

Morning Lakewood! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How did Lakewood become center stage for Washington manufacturing's future?
• Which Lakewood casinos are closing and what it means for jobs
• See how Lakes dominated under the lights at Harry Lang Stadium.

Also on today's calendar: The SisterFriend Gathering and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 72 and low of 50 degrees.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, nice and warm, temps: high: 74, low: 50.
• Monday: Pleasant with some sun, with a high of 70 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• AWB President Kris Johnson delivers annual State of Manufacturing address from Clover Park Technical College - Association of Washington Business (awb.org) — A major statewide manufacturing address was delivered this week at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, putting the city at the center of Washington's conversation about jobs, training, and economic competitiveness. Business and education leaders highlighted how local students are preparing for aerospace and advanced manufacturing careers, while warning that taxes and regulations could affect future investment and expansion across the state.
   

• Poker Player Eric Persson's Maverick To Close Eight More Casinos (cardplayer.com) — Several Maverick Gaming cardrooms in Lakewood, including Chip's, Macau, and Palace casinos, are slated to close November 30, putting many local jobs at risk unless a new owner steps in. The company's bankruptcy, state regulatory decisions, and a weaker economy are all cited as reasons, with more than 1,000 positions statewide potentially disappearing.
   

• High school football roundup: Gig Harbor earns signature win against Lincoln (thenewstribune.com) — Lakes High School kept its strong season rolling with a 49-14 win over River Ridge at Lakewood's Harry Lang Stadium, fueled by a huge night from running back Korben Reed. The roundup also tracks other key South Sound matchups, giving Lakewood fans context on how local rivals like Lincoln, Mount Tahoma and Graham-Kapowsin are shaping league races.
   

📸 Around Lakewood

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 17
• The SisterFriend Gathering →
  STINK Cheese-Meat and El Tufo Wine Bar, 909 A St, Tacoma

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday October 4
• Tour Historic Fort Steilacoom museum →
  Historic Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest, Lakewood
  1:00 pm
• Sunday Sound Bath →
  Urban Grace: The Downtown Church, 902 Market St, Tacoma
  6:30 pm
Wednesday October 7
• Play to Learn | Lakewood Library →
  Lakewood Pierce County Library, 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood
  10:30 am
Friday October 9
• Operation Connection: Military Couples Workshop →
  The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities, 6103 Mount Tacoma Drive Southwest, Lakewood
  8:30 am
Saturday October 10
• CPR, First Aid & AED Class →
  West Pierce Fire & Rescue Station 20, 10928 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood
  9:00 am
• Serve the Children Auction →
  McGavick Conference Center, Lakewood
  5:00 pm
• Erina McLaren at McGavick Conference Center →
  McGavick Conference Center, Lakewood
  5:00 pm
Saturday October 17
• Lakewood Truck & Tractor Day 2026: Family Fall Fun & Pumpkin Slingshot →
  Pavilion at Fort Steilacoom Park, 9107 Angle Ln SW, Lakewood
  12:00 pm
• Truck and Tractor Day →
  Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
  12:00 pm
Sunday October 18
• Caramel Apple Sunday →
  10402 Kline St SW, Lakewood
  10:00 am
Saturday November 14
• 24th National Fine Art Show →
  1108 26th Ave NW, Gig Harbor
  9:00 pm

📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!

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

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

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Collision on I-5 NB at MP 125.86 near Bridgeport Way SW has been cleared.
  5:45PM on Oct 1: Collision on I-5 NB at MP 125.86 near Bridgeport Way SW blocking three right lanes reported at 5:42 pm on Oct. 1, 2026. (Nextdoor )

• Chipotle posted a job opening for Crew Member in Lakewood. Apply here.
• Maurices posted a job opening for Retail Assistant Manager - Full-Time in Lakewood. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.

🗞 Nearby News

Steilacoom

• Graduate practica and internships (wa.gov)

University Place

• Dashcam Shows Street Racer Hitting 107 MPH In A 35-MPH Zone (carscoops.com)
• West End townhome community sells to local investors. Here are the details (thenewstribune.com)
• Yelm drops eighth straight to start season, swept by Sumner (thurstonchronicle.com)

Parkland

• Police searching for six people who allegedly stole Pierce Co. man's furniture (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: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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