Recent commentaries on DB Cooper from Mountain News readers passes 1,000 posts

Posted on May 8, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

One of the fascinating – and troubling – aspects of the Internet is the need many users have to gossip. The draw of social media is a unique facet of modern life, and the criticisms and back-stabbing in chat rooms and on social media, like Facebook or Twitter, are major forces shaping our world. The Mountain News is not immune to this phenomenon, especially regarding DB Cooper. Since November 2017, Cooper postings at the Mountain News have resulted in over a thousand comments. Many of them require monitoring, often leading to removal by yours truly in my capacity as editor. But a thousand posts is significant, and invites an examination of what is transpiring. Continue reading →

Posted in DB Cooper, Science and Technology | 1,568 Comments

Apology offered for a 2010 drive-by murder – from Jimi Blakeney to Lisa Melancon

Posted on April 8, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

The following is a touching and powerful correspondence that I received from a former client of mine, Olujimi Blakeney. In it, Olujimi, via his wife “Jay,” utilizes the pages of the Mountain News to offer a written apology to the woman he murdered during a drive-by shooting in Tacoma in 2010. Olujimi also asks the family of the deceased for their forgiveness. Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture | 4 Comments

Into the land of used cars – a car shopper’s tale

Posted on April 3, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

After living without a vehicle for the past seven years, my sister gave me $5,000 to buy a car. Of course, I’m grateful, but it’s also scary. I want to purchase the right vehicle and not get a junker, so I’m taking it slow and doing research. Here is what I’ve learned over the past two weeks. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Culture, Puyallup, Yelm News | Leave a comment

Pinwheels spin in Pierce County to raise awareness for child abuse prevention

Posted on March 30, 2018 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News-WA from the Pierce County Juvenile Court:

Pinwheels, PC ampaign to end child abuse, 3. 30. 18

The Pierce County Juvenile Court is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign, where pinwheels will be planted across the Juvenile Court lawn and throughout Pierce County during the month of April.  The pinwheels symbolize the fun and carefree childhood that every child deserves.  Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Health | Leave a comment

Great TV comes to Netflix: “Occupied,” and “Nobel”

Posted on March 22, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

For those who like well-written dramatic TV series with excellent production values, I recommend two recent additions at Netflix: “Occupied,” and “Nobel.” Both are made by Norwegian TV outfits, and both are sub-titled. But English is used as the common language on screen when characters interact with non-Norwegians. It works, trust me. Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Nature, Politics, Resistance and Justice, Weather | Leave a comment

WSDA to conduct Gypsy Moth spraying in parts of Graham

Posted on March 19, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has announced that it will conduct a pesticide spraying program in selected neighborhoods in northern Graham to control a Gypsy Moth (GM) infestation. The spraying will commence in late April or early May, according to Mike Louisell, the Public Information Officer for the WSDA, and will consist of three aerial applications of a chemical pesticide known as BTK.

Continue reading →

Posted in Back East, Bethel News, Environment, Health, Nature, Self Reliance | 11 Comments

Wauwepex – a tale of a scout camp and a young man – from “Stories from the Journey”

Posted on March 6, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

Wauwepex was the Boy Scout camp that saved my life growing up. Or at least my soul. It was a place I loved – and still do – but it was also a place where I felt absolutely alive as a kid, and true to myself.

Continue reading →

Posted in Back East, Stories from the Jounrey | 100 Comments

GKCC to host 15th Annual EXPO

Posted on February 16, 2018 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News:

The Graham-Kapowsin Community Council is hosting its 15th Annual EXPO in support of the dozens of community programs it administers, most notably a food service for children in the Bethel School District.

As in years past there will be a crafts fair and fun run, but this year the event moves to Frontier Park. Here are the details: Continue reading →

Posted in Bethel News, Graham News, Kapowsin | Leave a comment

Local Dems to hold first-ever Spaghetti Feed in support of 8th CD Candidates

Posted on February 11, 2018 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News:

Next weekend on Sunday, February 18 at the Elk Plain Grange in Spanaway, local Democrats are hosting the party’s first fundraising spaghetti feed in recent memory.

The driving force is their push to “Flip the 8th Congressional District” to blue as part of a nationwide effort to wrest control of the House of Representatives from the Republican Party. The current office holder, Dave Reichert, (R), is not seeking re-election, so the contest for his seat is intense. Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Stories from the Journey launches at YouTube

Posted on February 10, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

I am proud to announce the launch of my “Stories from the Journey” channel at YouTube. The first selection posted is titled: The Home Run, and it explores the deeper issues encountered after I hit a home run in a Little League game when I was ten. Continue reading →

Posted in Campfire Tales, Stories from my Life, Stories from the Jounrey | 4 Comments