Podyallup #99: Puyallup's Golden Arches

Episode 99 of Podyallup is for Friday, October 30, 2026. Halloween is tomorrow, Puyallup football remains undefeated, Emerald Ridge volleyball has a league championship, and there are several local government and school district updates worth following.

We're also talking about community, local news, baseball registration, Halloween events, and why time might be a flat circle.

99 episodes and the importance of community

After 99 episodes, Podyallup is still a hyperlocal podcast about Puyallup and the people who live here. National and international news gets plenty of attention, but there's also value in knowing what's happening right in our own community.

Teaching ESL and Spanish classes this fall has been another reminder of that. Students come from different backgrounds and, in the ESL classes, from different parts of the world. Getting to know those people and helping create community in the classroom is one of the best parts of teaching.

Last week's conversation with Pat was a longer episode and a good one. If you missed it, you can listen to Episode 98 at podyallup.com/98.

A fatal train crossing accident

A tragic accident last week claimed the life of a 59-year-old man whose electric wheelchair became stuck at a railroad crossing. Bystanders attempted to help, but the man was struck by a train.

I've walked through that crossing many times and have wondered about its safety. Railroad crossings present real dangers, particularly for people who may have difficulty moving quickly across the tracks.

It's a sad reminder to use extra caution around railroad tracks. Freight trains cannot stop quickly, and a crossing can become dangerous in a matter of seconds.

Pierce County considers agritourism zoning changes

Pierce County Planning and Public Works is considering changes to its land-use and zoning rules concerning agritourism.

The proposed changes would clarify agritourism as an accessory use to commercial agriculture, establish three levels of activity based on potential impacts, and introduce minimum property-size requirements.

I came across the proposal through a website called Puyallup Wire, which appears to aggregate local public records and news using AI. It's an interesting idea, although finding the underlying information and navigating the site proved more difficult than expected.

You can explore the site at puyallup.wawire.ai.

Puyallup's proposed downtown gateway arches

The city has been considering a roughly $2.5 million project to install two gateway arches along Meridian to welcome visitors to downtown Puyallup.

During an October 6 City Council meeting, the mayor moved an item concerning the project off the consent agenda for further discussion. Questions have been raised about costs and whether the project is a good use of city money.

The idea of welcoming people downtown is fine, but is spending that kind of money on arches really the best use of public funds? It's a project worth keeping an eye on.

Bystanders rescue driver from burning vehicle

Another local story had a much happier ending. On October 15, two bystanders rescued a driver after her vehicle crashed into a tree and caught fire near Fifth Street and West Stewart Avenue in Puyallup.

The two people pulled the driver to safety before firefighters arrived. She was the only person in the vehicle.

It's good to hear about people stepping up to help a stranger, especially in a situation that dangerous.

Puyallup Cal Ripken baseball registration

Registration for the next Puyallup Cal Ripken baseball season opens in November. If your kids are planning to play, it's time to start thinking about signing up.

I'll be coaching again this coming season. We're coming off a city championship, and repeating won't be easy, but we're going to give it another shot.

Emerald Ridge wins volleyball championship

Congratulations to Emerald Ridge volleyball on winning the South Puget Sound League championship.

Emerald Ridge defeated Curtis in a five-set match, winning the deciding set 18-16. Peyton Frederick was named match MVP.

Emerald Ridge enters the league tournament as the number one seed. Congratulations to the team on a great season so far.

Puyallup football remains undefeated

Puyallup football is 8-0 after victories over Sumner and Emerald Ridge. The Vikings remain undefeated heading into another big league matchup.

Graham-Kapowsin comes to Spark Stadium on Friday, October 30, for a matchup against Puyallup.

Current schedules, scores, and standings are available at spsl.org.

City zoning and comprehensive plan amendments

Puyallup is moving forward with proposed amendments to its zoning map, zoning code, and comprehensive plan. The changes follow adoption of the city's 2025 Comprehensive Plan.

The proposals include changes to limited mixed-use zoning, neighborhood commercial areas, the Shaw-Pioneer vicinity, and the South Hill Business and Technology Park area.

Some of the changes could affect where businesses and other types of development are allowed. The details aren't always easy to understand from the city's planning documents, but the decisions could have long-term effects on neighborhoods.

A City Council public hearing is scheduled for November 10 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, on the fifth floor. Written comments may be submitted to info@puyallupwa.gov by 5:30 p.m. that day.

Final council action is anticipated on December 8. Information about the proposed amendments, agendas, and public meetings can be found at puyallupwa.gov.

Puyallup School District budget restoration

The Puyallup School District continues its budget restoration process. The district reports approximately $15 million in reductions and other cost offsets for the 2026-27 school year.

Six committees are reviewing additional options for the 2027-28 budget, including possible operational efficiencies.

The budget process remains an important issue for district families, employees, and the larger community.

City Council recordings and upcoming school board meetings

Puyallup City Council meeting information is becoming easier to access, including recordings, agendas, and vote-by-vote information. Meetings can also be viewed on YouTube.

The Puyallup School District has two upcoming board meetings. A regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Telecom Room at the Kessler Center. A Zoom livestream is also available.

A board study session is scheduled for Monday, November 9, at 6 p.m., also at the Kessler Center.

District information and board meeting details are available at puyallupsd.org.

Halloween events around Puyallup

There are several local events happening this Halloween weekend.

Cobweb Movie Night is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at Pioneer Park, featuring Hotel Transylvania, crafts, and popcorn. Admission is $5 with preregistration.

On Halloween, Saturday, October 31, the Puyallup Main Street Association is hosting Boo-All-Up in downtown Puyallup from 3 to 6 p.m.

It's a Puyallup pun, and as someone who also owns a Puyallup-themed pun, I appreciate it.

Washington State Toy Show and Just Between Friends

The Washington State Toy Show comes to the Washington State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Just Between Friends is also coming up at the fairgrounds. The event is a large children's and maternity consignment sale featuring clothing, toys, books, furniture, and baby gear.

Fairgrounds event information is available at thefair.com.

Homecoming, corsages, and time as a flat circle

A recent dinner at Mama Stortini's turned into an unexpected observation about homecoming traditions. There were several students dressed for homecoming, and some of the girls were wearing corsages.

I had been under the impression that corsages were becoming less common, perhaps replaced by small bouquets. But maybe they're making a comeback.

That led to an unexpected detour into the phrase "time is a flat circle," the idea that events, experiences, and human behavior repeat themselves.

The phrase is associated with Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence and was popularized in the first season of True Detective. It also brings to mind Groundhog Day and the myth of Sisyphus.

Maybe even homecoming corsages are part of the endless cycle.

Supporting Podyallup and approaching episode 100

Podyallup is a value-for-value podcast. If you're finding value in the show, there are several ways to send some value back.

Send a local story, share something happening in your neighborhood, tell me how your family came to Puyallup, or recommend a restaurant or event. Those contributions help make the show better and keep it connected to the community.

You can also support Podyallup financially through a donation at podyallup.com/donate.

Next Friday brings Episode 100. Thanks to everyone who has listened, contributed, shared a story, or supported the show over these first 99 episodes.

Hasta la próxima.