Word on the street

Our team of reporter/bloggers is always on the lookout for interesting people, places and news. Got a story idea or news tip? Send us an e-mail.

Contributors:

Kathleen Merryman is a local news columnist for The News Tribune, where she's worked for a quarter of a century. Amazing, considering she is only 32. You're likely to find her fighting crime, righting wrongs or judging pies. You're less likely to find her in the newsroom. Call her at 253-597-8677 or e-mail her.

General assignment reporter Mike Archbold is a veteran Puget Sound journalist and a veteran veteran. He's ready to respond to your news tip. Call him at 253-597-8692 or e-mail him.

Brent Champaco is a communities reporter for The News Tribune, where he has worked since 2005. He covers areas west of Interstate 5, including Lakewood, and writes diversity stories. A native of the South Kitsap area, he has worked for newspapers in Eastern Washington, Idaho and the Bay Area. Call him at 253-597-8653 or e-mail him. You can also check out his Twitter page.

Steve Maynard is a communities reporter and religion reporter for The News Tribune. He covers Federal Way, Fife and Milton. He also has been the paper's religion reporter since joining The News Tribune in 1987. Maynard has reported for daily newspapers since 1979, previously in Walla Walla and Houston. Call him at 253-597-8647 or e-mail him.

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Here's what's happening around Tacoma, Pierce County and South Puget Sound today..
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
Posted by Brent Champaco @ 02:23:16 pm

Update: Zach's brother, Almanza, called me to say that he received the bronze in the 25-meter-assisted walk, not the softball throw. Sorry about the mix-up.

Of all the shirts people donned at today's Special Olympics Summer Games at Fort Lewis, the ones that read "Team Zack," were the some of the loudest.

The family of Zach Mendes of Everett made the shirts to show their support. Unfortunately, the company that printed the shirts spelled his name with a "k," rather than an "h."

but the misspelling didn't stop the 12 members of his family from Everett and South Hill to cheer their lungs out at every chance.

Danny Almanza, Zach's brother from South Hill, said every Special Olympics in which his brother competes is special.

At 9 months old, doctors discovered Zach had gotten spinal meningitis and didn't give him long to live. Today, he is deaf and developmentally impaired, but he's walking and winning medals at the Special Olympics.

Zach even has his own slogan, which was splashed in bright letters across the backs of his family's t-shirts: "Zack Attack."

"Yeah, go Zach!" Almanza screamed as his brother picked up a bronze in the 25-meter assisted walk. "Zach Attack!"

Categories: Fort Lewis, Puyallup
Posted by Brent Champaco @ 01:57:28 pm

Ever wonder what you would say if a reporter asked you what you enjoyed most about winning in the Olympics?

Well, that's what happened to Nancy Roberts, a Lakewood resident and member of Pierce County Friends and Athletes.

She took silver in the 100-year trot. After the medal ceremony, I asked her what was her favorite part of Saturday.

"The sunshine," Roberts said, her smile beaming.

At these games, the old saying of "winning isn't everything" really is true.

Categories: Fort Lewis, Lakewood
Posted by Brent Champaco @ 01:45:32 pm

Kevin Anderson is a 10-year veteran of the Special Olympics.

The 26-year-old from Tacoma was taking a break from his events Saturday at Cowan Stadium at Fort Lewis. Minutes removed his gold medal-winning performance in the shot put as a member of the Metro Parks Panthers, he was mentally preparing to sprint in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes later in the afternoon.

That's right, Anderson is a multi-sport athlete, a la Bo Jackson, the super athlete of the 1980s. (Remember lines such as, "Bo knows golf," etc.? That's Kevin)

Anderson, who has down syndrome, doesn't let his skills on the field get to his head. However, he did predict a strong showing in the running events.

"I'm super-speed," he said, pointing to his chest.

=> Read more!

Categories: Tacoma, Fort Lewis
Posted by Brent Champaco @ 10:27:19 am

UPDATE: Officials say more than 2,500 athletes competed in the Special Olympics

I'm here at the annual Summer Games for Special Olympics Washington at Fort Lewis, where cheers and high-fives are in no short supply.

It's amazing to see the enthusiasm and effort these athletes put into these games. It's also amazing to see their families and friends travel from places such as Eastern Washington, Vancouver and Arlington to cheer them on.

In the seating area of the track, various colored tents help identify where these teams are from. I've already spotted one team from the South Sound - the Fort Lewis Tigers.

I'll be posting from these games throughout this sunny Saturday. Stay tuned.

Categories: Fort Lewis