TNT’s top stories: Teacher in trouble, Sydney in Sumner, homeless village news

Pierce County saw a busy news day, from a major court ruling on a controversial homeless project to a celebrity sighting in Sumner. Here’s a quick rundown of the stories shaping local headlines.

• A proposed village for about 300 chronically homeless people in Spanaway cleared a legal hurdle Tuesday, with the Washington Court of Appeals rejecting a challenge from Spanaway Concerned Citizens and allowing construction to move forward. The “Good Neighbor Village” will be built on 86 acres in Spanaway, with the first cohort of 20 to 25 residents expected to move in by March or April 2027 and all 150 homes completed by 2028.
• A kindergarten teacher at Elk Ridge Elementary School in Buckley was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct involving a 6-year-old student. Buckley Police Chief Kurt Alfano said the department determined the incident did not constitute a crime and closed its investigation, though the White River School District’s internal investigation remains active.
• “Euphoria” actress Sydney Sweeney visited Hometown Charm Cafe in downtown Sumner this week with her grandparents and boyfriend, music producer Scooter Braun. Sweeny also was spotted at Dairy Freeze. Cafe owner April McLean said she went to Sumner High School with Sweeney’s father, and the actress’s grandparents live in town. Sweeney even chatted with the hostess about her recent prom.
• The Frontier Club sandwich at The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma’s Dome District is loaded with a quarter-pound each of ham and turkey plus thick-cut bacon, cheddar, Swiss, lettuce, tomato and mayo on grilled sourdough — making it the most expensive item on the menu. Chef Ryan Vincent builds the towering sandwich using just three slices of bread, skewering and slicing the stack in a way that creates six layers from three — best shared among four people, with each getting a quadrant.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by senior editor Adam Lynn. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.