Cruisers Hunt Timberwolves - Fowler, Herbrand Lead the Pack
By Skip Smith
Quarterback Cole Fowler turned in a nearly flawless performance Friday night, throwing for 281 yards, four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground to lead Eatonville past Clover Park 35-14 in a nonleague matchup. The win improved the Cruisers to 2-1 on the season.
“I felt like our kids made a big jump from week 2 to week 3 collectively,” Head Coach Gavin Kralik said. At this point in the season it is a race to get better. I credit our kids’ commitment in practice as a huge
contributor to their rate of improvement. The kids are very coachable and staying very connected to each other at this point in the season.”
Fowler completed 12 of 15 passes without an interception, spreading the ball efficiently and striking for big plays through the air. His top target was wide-out Colton Herbrand, who hauled in five catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns, consistently beating defenders for explosive gains.
Receiver Jacob Simons added four receptions for 90 yards and two scores, giving Eatonville a potent one-two punch in the passing game that the Timberwolves couldn’t contain. The Cruisers were steady on the ground as well. Running back Connor McIlraith carried 12 times for 90 yards, setting the tone between the tackles, while Fowler chipped in with two carries for 23 yards, including a touchdown run.
In all, Eatonville rolled up 458 yards of total
Cruiser Soccer Shuts Out Washington After Tough Loss
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville High School girls’ soccer team showed its resilience last week, bouncing back from a difficult defeat to earn a decisive win in its second outing of the week.
The Cruisers opened the week against perennial power Fife, falling 8-0. Despite the final score, Eatonville held its ground early and trailed just 2-0 at halftime before the Trojans’ depth and experience broke the game open in the second half.
Head coach Michael Dieckman said the match was a valuable learning experience for his team.
“Fife has some very good club players on their team and I was happy with how we
played team defense in the first half.”
Goalkeeper Savannah McCandless faced a steady barrage of shots but delivered several key saves to keep the Cruisers within striking distance before the break. Midfielder Katelyn Lindquist also earned praise for her work in helping organize the defense and keeping the back line steady under pressure.
Eatonville carried that grit into its second match of the week and found its offensive spark in a 2-0 victory over Washington. Freshman forward Ryleigh Chopic made her presence felt, scoring both goals to secure the win.
Chopic’s first strike came in the 46th minute off what Dieckman called a “fantastic assist” from teammate Kalli Olson. She added her second in the 65th minute, finishing a play set up by Linnea Lofgren to give the Cruisers breathing room.
The Cruisers recorded six shots on goal while controlling possession for much of the match. McCandless added four saves to earn the clean sheet, and midfielder Ruth Lightfoot stood out with her ability to adapt to multiple roles across the midfield.
Eatonville will look to build on its progress this week with a pair of matches. The Cruisers host the Clover Park Timberwolves at home on Tuesday, Sept. 23, before finishing the week on the road at Franklin Pierce on Thursday, Sept. 25.
offense — 281 through the air and 177 on the ground — while finding the end zone five times.
Clover Park opened the scoring on its first possession, marching 84 yards from its own 16 and finishing with a 21-yard touchdown run at the 5:20 mark of the first quarter. The extra point gave the Timberwolves a 7-0 lead.
Eatonville responded immediately. Taking over at the Clover Park 41-yard line, Fowler connected with Herbrand for a 46-yard touchdown strike just 27 seconds later.
Benjamin Bernt drilled the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:53 left in the opening frame.
The first quarter closed with the score still knotted, but Eatonville’s defense delivered the game’s first momentum shift early in the
second. Clover Park fumbled on its next possession, and Axel Stammen pounced on the loose ball at the Cruiser 33-yard line.
Fowler quickly capitalized a few plays later, finding Simons in the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Bernt again converted the PAT, giving Eatonville its first lead at 14-7 with 8:16 remaining before halftime.
Clover Park pushed back, driving into Eatonville territory and reaching the 27-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Eatonville then marched the other way, advancing as far as the Timberwolves’ 6-yard line, but a 23-yard field goal attempt missed as time expired, leaving the Cruisers ahead 14-7 at the half.
The Eatonville Cruiser football team storms onto the field at Yelm High School prior to their game against the Clover Park Timberwolves.
CRUISERS,
Eatonville's Ryleigh Chopic takes a shot on goal against the Washington Patriots.
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Savvy Senior: Top Pet Products for Seniors with Mobility Issues
by Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
My pet-loving mother has two cats and a dog, but her knee and back problems make caring for them increasingly difficult. Are there pet care products you can recommend that help elderly pet older owners with mobility problems?
–Searching Susan
Dear Susan,
Great question! For older pet owners with limited mobility, daily tasks like feeding, walking or cleaning up after their pets can become physically challenging. Fortunately, there are a variety of products that are specifically designed to make pet care more manageable.
With the help of Next Avenue, a nonprofit, digital publication for older adults, here is a rundown on some top products that can help your mom care for her pets no matter her mobility.
AUTOMATIC PET FEEDER
Just like you, your pet needs to eat a few times a day. But lifting heavy food bags or bending to fill bowls can strain a bad back. An automatic pet feeder can help keep your mom’s pets well-fed without having to stoop or bend much.
“there are a variety of products that are specifically designed to make pet care more manageable”
The Petlibro Air Automatic Feeder (Chewy.com, $50) has a locking food tank to prevent between-meal snacking and can hold up to 16 portions. It runs on batteries that last 180 days, so you can put it anywhere you want. You'll have to refill it now and then, but this product means a lot less bending and lifting.
AGE-FRIENDLY LITTER BOXES
Bending or stooping over to fill or clean out the kitty litter box can be challenging for many mobility-challenged cat owners. To alleviate this, LoftyLoo (LoftyLoo. com) sells an elevated litter box for $289. Compatible with stairs and ramps for older cats, LoftyLoo’s raised litter box furniture has options for anyone living with chronic pain or recovering from surgery. It’s also fully wheelchair accessible. Another option that can make kitty litter
clean up easier is the Litter-Robot 4 by Whisker (Litter-Robot.com, $699). This automatic, self-cleaning litter box eliminates scooping and reduces the odor and waste removal, which is helpful for older cat owners.
LONG-HANDLED POOPER SCOOPER
Stooping over to clean up after your dog can be challenging if you have back, hip or knee problems. Long-handled waste scoopers can make this cleanup task much more manageable.
The ShinyDew Pooper Scooper (Amazon.com, $24) is a foldable, 32-inchlong dog poop picker upper, so you don't have to bend to pick up your pet’s waste. You can use it with one hand and also attach waste bags to the scooper for even easier disposal.
HANDS-FREE LEASH
Most dogs love their daily walk and need the exercise for their own optimal health. But for seniors that use a cane, walker, wheelchair or have pain in your upper body, using a traditional leash can be challenging. If walking a pet is difficult, hands-free leashes or harnesses can make the experience more manageable.
One option is the Hands-Free Dog Leash with Zipper Pouch (iYoShop.com, $22), which clips around your waist, has a reflective safety strip for visibility and includes two shock absorbers to prevent tugging. But note that this product should only be used if your pet cannot physically pull you down.
PET TREADMILL
If your mom can’t walk her dog any longer, she can still give them plenty of exercise by getting a pet treadmill. The PETSITE Dog Treadmill (Amazon.com, $286) has 12 preset programs and three incline options.
The large running belt measures 39 inches long by 14.5 inches wide with a slip resistant running surface and safety fences along the sides. It also comes with a remote to adjust speed and automatically turns off after 30 minutes.
AUTOMATIC BALL LAUNCHER
Another way your mom can exercise her dog, if walking isn’t an option, is with an automated ball launcher.
The Joyhound Electronic Ball Launcher (Petsmart.com, $120) comes with three tennis balls and can lob them 10 to 40 feet. Your mom can rest on her patio while her dog gets a challenging and entertaining workout.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070
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For years, the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) has struggled to reach its full staffing levels, leaving officers stretched thin and residents waiting longer for service. On Sept. 9, Tacoma City Council members expressed cautious optimism as they advanced a proposal to accelerate hiring through a new incentive program aimed at the lateral hiring of experienced officers from other police departments across Washington state.
The plan, which includes cash bonuses and leave benefits, comes as the city continues to face chronic officer vacancies, soaring overtime costs, and concerns about officer wellbeing. While several council members acknowledged the steep price tag, they also emphasized that without bold action, Tacoma may not see a fully staffed force until the end of the year 2029.
Michelle Woodrow, the city’s public safety labor negotiator, presented the proposal and outlined the scope of the problem. TPD currently has 28 vacant positions, with at least 18 additional separations expected before the end of 2025. Even with steady hiring in recent years, the department has not been able to keep up with retirements and resignations.
“Other than a year break, I’ve been here 15 years and I’ve never seen the police department fully staffed,” Mayor Woodards said. Mandatory overtime has been used to cover sector patrols, but it comes at a cost. From 2022 to 2024, sector overtime alone averaged $3.5 million annually, nearly half of the department’s general
CRUISERS
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fund overtime spending. The extra hours are eroding morale and impacting officers’ mental health as well.
“We’ve been chronically short on officers, and I know that many of our officers are feeling that strain with mandatory overtime day in and day out,” said council member Joe Bushnell. “This really gives an opportunity to seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and I’m looking forward to supporting this ordinance.”
The proposal centers on an instate lateral incentive program. It targets law enforcement officers already serving in Washington state who have completed certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Unlike entry-level recruits, lateral officers can be deployed within two months of hire rather than spending a year in training and academy courses. That accelerated timeline, according to Woodrow, makes them an efficient solution to TPD’s staffing dilemma.
“Lateral officers will have a faster deployment within the community,” Woodrow explained.
“They would still need to meet the standards for all officers hired and pass rigorous recruitment processes. If hired by TPD, those laterals would also bring additional years of experience to our force where 64 percent of Tacoma’s patrol officers have five years or less on the force.”
The plan would authorize incentive payments of $50,000 per officer, staggered over two years. Officers would receive $25,000 upon hire, followed by $12,500 after their first and second
Eatonville wasted little time extending its advantage after the break. On the first drive of the third quarter, Fowler hit Simons in stride for a 64-yard scoring strike. Bernt’s extra point pushed the lead to 21-7 with 11:01 left in the quarter.
After forcing Clover Park to punt, the Cruisers padded their cushion. Fowler kept the ball on a read-option play and raced 21 yards to the end zone. The score gave
employment years. A payback provision would require them to remain with TPD for at least two years or return the money.
Additionally, new lateral hires would receive floating holiday leave, up to 120 hours depending on their hire date, to help match the time off they may have accrued at other departments.
The total cost of the program is estimated at $3.4 million. Of that, $1.2 million is directly tied to the incentives and leave benefits. The remainder includes costs associated with expanding the force overall, such as new vehicles and equipment.
Councilmember Olgy Diaz acknowledged the expense but said the long-term tradeoff made sense.
“I had a lot of concerns about accountability and the price tag,” she said. “But what ultimately got me to yes was the value of filling this gap with experienced officers and providing relief to our young force.”
Deputy Mayor Kiara Daniels struck a similar tone.
“Sometimes we ask for creative solutions and then don’t want to pay for them,” she said. “I had a lot of questions about the cost, but I feel they were answered.”
Officials also highlighted that fully staffing the department would reduce dependence on mandatory overtime. That shift, Councilmember Sandesh Sadalge argued, could ultimately save money.
“This is the more fiscally responsible thing to do,” he said. “Over time, lower overtime costs and better staffing flexibility will benefit the entire city.”
Woodrow provided a detailed comparison between hiring entrylevel recruits and lateral transfers.
five-year cost by about $71,000, that additional expense is offset by nearly a year of active service provided to the community in their first year.
“In that first year, you’re paying salaries either way,” Woodrow said. “The difference is one officer is still in training, and the other is already out in the community responding to calls.”
Several council members took time during deliberations to thank staff and the police chief for their work in shaping the proposal.
Councilmember John Hines, who said staffing had been a concern throughout his time on council, emphasized the community benefits.
availability. Recruiting entry-level candidates remains a long-term priority.
The ordinance’s success will hinge on whether Tacoma can attract enough qualified officers while managing its budget constraints. The city continues to face a general fund deficit, and several council members admitted they had lingering questions about the financial risk. But for many, the urgency of the staffing crisis outweighed those concerns. Council members pointed to the dual benefits of relieving overworked officers and improving response times for residents.
“The proposal centers on an in-state lateral incentive program.”
“I wanted to be clear about how the public will see the benefit,” she said. “I think that was explained well.”
Woodards said, “Public safety is still very much on the minds of our residents. Sometimes you have to spend money to save money. This program is an investment not just in equipment, but in people.”
Woodards also thanked the officers’ union, Local 6, for agreeing to the terms of the proposal.
Since news of the proposal began circulating earlier this year, TPD has already seen a spike in interest. Woodrow said around 40 applications for potential lateral hire officers have been submitted, though each applicant must still pass the department’s rigorous recruitment process.
That early interest has given city leaders hope that the program will produce results quickly. The department is aiming to bring on
“We’ve made big investments in our fire department,” Woodards said. “Now we’re making a big investment in our police department. This is about helping Tacoma residents feel safe and ensuring we respond in the way they expect.”
The program will be closely monitored and could be adjusted or discontinued depending on results.
For now, council members and staff say the priority is clear: getting more officers on the street as quickly as possible.
Diaz joined other council members and Mayor Woodards in commending Chief Patti Jackson and staff for producing a quality proposal that addresses the council’s many questions.
“I ultimately got to yes on this because of the work she did to make sure we’re not only bringing in folks who are going to be great mentors for our very young police force, but to fill in this gap,” she said. “Since
Training and academy time mean that a new recruit costs the city about $210,200 in their first year before they can patrol independently. Over five years, the total cost approaches $1 million.
A lateral officer, by contrast, can deploy after two months. While the incentive program increases their
Eatonville a commanding 28-7 lead with 4:58 remaining in the third.
The Timberwolves trimmed the deficit before the end of the frame. Starting from their own 41-yard line, they drove into the red zone and capped the possession with an 11-yard touchdown reception. The extra point cut the Eatonville lead to 28-14 with 1:07 left in the third.
Eatonville put the game away early in the fourth. Starting from their own 15yard line, Fowler again looked deep and found Herbrand for a 45-yard touchdown
20 lateral hires within the next two years, a move that would shave two years off the timeline to reach full staffing.
Even so, officials cautioned that challenges would remain. Extended leave, including state family medical leave and military service, will continue to affect
connection, their second scoring hookup of the night. Bernt stayed perfect on extra points, and the Cruisers extended their lead to 35-14 with 10:47 to play.
Clover Park nearly answered immediately, but a fumble at the goal line allowed Jacob Simons to attempt to recover the ball in the end zone. A Clover Park player then ripped it from his hands, and Eatonville’s Axel Stammen ultimately recovered the loose ball, giving the Cruisers possession at their own 20-yard line and Stammen’s second fumble recovery of the game. The Cruisers’
I’ve been council, we’ve never had a fully staffed force so I’m hoping this achieves her goals because she’s done such good work and her team to lay it all out for us to make sure we have a plan that’s accountable to the budget, to community members, and to the officers who are going to get some relief from this.”
ensuing drive stalled at the 37, and Clover Park regained possession after a punt.
The Timberwolves advanced as far as the Eatonville 27-yard line before turning the ball over on downs once more. With the game in hand, backup quarterback Ben Smith entered for the Cruisers. After a series of running plays, Eatonville lined up in victory formation and drained the final seconds off the clock.
Eatonville will return to action next Friday, Sept. 26, when it faces Foss at Mount Tahoma High School Stadium. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
The council commended Chief Patti Jackson’s diligence.
One-time costs include 15 new vehicles, personnel uniforms and equipment.
Eatonville swims past Fife in opener showdown
By Skip Smith
Eatonville High School’s girls swim team opened its season in dramatic fashion Tuesday night, outlasting rival Fife 92-76 in a home meet that came down to the final relay. Head coach Andrea Stammen said the win was the perfect way to launch the year.
“The meet vs. Fife was a great opening to our season,” Stammen said. “Fife is our closest matched competitors, so we always know that we will have tough competition, and a very close meet.”
The battle lived up to the billing. The Trojans grabbed the early advantage by winning the opening medley relay, but the Cruisers struck back quickly. Senior captain Annika Howard powered to victory in the 200 individual medley, and sophomore Jane Morrish surged from behind to secure second place, giving Eatonville a decisive 1-2 punch in the event and their first lead of the night. From there, the score swung back and forth as the teams traded wins. The turning point came in the 100 breaststroke, when Eatonville swept the podium. Freshman Grace King claimed first place, followed by Morrish in second and freshman Clara Forsman in third. The 1-2-3 finish broke the
meet open and put the Cruisers firmly in control.
Eatonville still had to hold off a late push from Fife, and the meet came down to the closing 400 freestyle relay. The foursome of senior captains Charlotte Stumph and Nicole Tomyn, freshman Riley Frey, and Howard edged the Trojans by just .08 seconds to seal the victory.
Howard, one of three senior captains, was at the center of Eatonville’s success. In addition to her 200 IM win, she anchored the 200 free relay team — alongside King, Forsman, and freshman Amelia Palfenier — and swam the decisive leg of the 400 free relay.
Other victories for the Cruisers included Tomyn in the 100 backstroke and King in the 100 breaststroke.
The final tally reflected the Cruisers’ depth across events, especially among a mix of experienced seniors and promising freshmen.
Eatonville will look to carry the momentum into next week, when the team hosts Clover Park on Sept. 23 and Steilacoom on Sept. 25 before embarking on a stretch of four straight road meets.
Free Energy Efficiency Workshops
A new workshop series this October will provide practical ways for residents to lower utility bills, improve home comfort, and reduce environmental impact. Offered as part of the 2025 Earth Matters Series, the programs are free and open to the public, with both online and in-person options.
The first session, “The Switch Is On! Make Your Home More Energy Efficient,” will be held online Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The program will cover the benefits of converting appliances from gas to electric, including healthier indoor air, reduced monthly costs, and fewer carbon emissions. Participants will also learn about rebates and incentives available to help offset the cost of upgrades.
On Oct. 8, “The Dollars and Sense of Solar in Western Washington” will take place at Tacoma’s Wheelock Library and online from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The presentation will address common questions about solar in the Pacific Northwest’s climate and landscape, while also
highlighting upcoming Pierce County solar projects.
The series concludes Oct. 16 with “DIY Weatherization 101,” a virtual session from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This workshop will outline simple projects homeowners can take on themselves to reduce drafts, limit air leakage, and prevent energy waste.
The Home Energy Efficiency series is one part of a broader yearlong effort to provide residents with knowledge and tools to support sustainable living. Earth Matters events this fall include Autumn in the Wild, Sept. 18 – Oct. 11, and Behind the Seams: The Hidden Co$t of Fast Fashion, starting in mid-October.
Registration for all workshops is free at PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMattersSeries.
The Eatonville High School swim team stopped to pose for a photo prior to their season opening meet against Fife.
Eatonville runners turn in strong performances at PLU Invitational
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville High School cross country teams competed at the PLU Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20, with several athletes turning in strong performances against a large field of runners.
On the boys side, senior Colton Rush led the Cruisers with a time of 17 minutes, 29 seconds, placing 13th overall in the varsity 5,000-meter race. Sophomore Gabriel Kolsrud was close behind, finishing 19th in 17:44.9. Junior Titus Lowe clocked 18:10.5 to place 25th, while senior Corey Dempsey crossed in 18:45.9 for 31st. Freshman Stephen Patton rounded out the Eatonville scoring with a time of 20:49.5 in 50th place.
The Cruiser girls were led by senior Grace Coonrod, who placed 7th overall
with a time of 20:10.3. Freshman Jenny Lowe turned in a personal-record performance, finishing 29th in 22:43.6. Senior Bridget Stumph ran 23:10.0 for 35th, and sophomore Madi Sarpy clocked 35:43.9 to complete the team’s effort.
The invitational drew some of the top teams from around the region, giving Eatonville valuable midseason competition and experience on a challenging course.
Eatonville boys tennis splits pair of matches with Washington, Steilacoom
By Skip Smith
The Eatonville boy’s tennis team showed resilience last week, bouncing back from a tough 4-1 loss to Washington High School with a 3-2 victory over Steilacoom.
Against Washington, the Cruisers battled through several close contests but fell short in the deciding sets. Senior Jacob Golding pushed his opponent to a tiebreaker in the second set at No. 1 singles before dropping a 6-3, 7-6 (4) decision. At No. 2 singles, Steven Haas extended his match to three sets, winning the opening tiebreak 7-6 (1) before falling 6-3, 6-2.
The Cruisers’ lone victory came at No. 3 doubles, where Blake Pool and William Fulmer outlasted Washington’s Josiah Prokopovich and Lorcan Valdovinos in a three-set thriller, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Two more matches went the distance.
The No. 1 doubles team of Carl Lucas and Jackson Rockey claimed the first set but couldn’t hold on, dropping 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, Holden Hetland and Ethan Stogsdill were defeated 6-2, 6-1.
Eatonville regrouped quickly in its next match, edging Steilacoom 3-2 in front of its home crowd. Golding cruised at No. 1
singles with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory, while Hetland and Stogsdill teamed up for a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles. Pool and Fulmer clinched the team victory with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 performance at No. 3 doubles.
Though Haas and the No. 1 doubles team of Lucas and Rockey dropped their matches, the balance of singles and doubles strength gave Eatonville its second team win of the season.
Head Coach Maryann Baker praised the impact of her experienced players in guiding a roster that includes several newcomers.
“This week we have seen great leadership from our returning varsity players,” Baker said. “This has been instrumental in the growth of skills we are now seeing. Players are playing smarter and with a variety of strategies to have more game wins.”
The Cruisers will look to build on their progress with a pair of home matches this week. Eatonville hosts the Fife Trojans on Tuesday, Sept. 23, before facing the Clover Park Timberwolves on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
