Fireworks blast, Puyallup traffic plan, new winery among TNT’s top stories

Pierce County saw a mix of breaking news and community stories Monday, from a fireworks-making accident in Lakewood to plans for a new vineyard on the Key Peninsula. Here’s a roundup of recent local headlines you may have missed.

• A 47-year-old man suffered serious injuries Saturday, June 13, when an explosive compound he was making detonated in the 6100 block of Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest in Lakewood. The blast caused structural damage to a detached shed, and explosive materials were found throughout the debris, prompting the Lakewood Police Department to take over the investigation after the scene was secured.
• Puyallup is launching a proactive traffic-calming pilot program that will deploy radar speed signs in “stealth mode” for one week to collect baseline data before activating them the following week to measure driver behavior. City staff will study nine locations with known speeding issues and report back to council in five to six months on whether permanent measures like speed humps or roadway striping are warranted.
• Certified winemaker David Williams and his family purchased 20 acres in Pierce County in January and have cleared 5 acres for a future vineyard site north of Vaughn on the Key Peninsula. The family plans to launch Hooper Winery growing 10 grape varietals, with the first vineyard block planted in spring 2027 and a tasting room targeted to open in 2030.
• Salmon Beach, a community of 104 stilt homes near Point Defiance Park accessible only by stairs or boat, was once home to fishermen, moonshiners and bootleggers who held parties during Prohibition. The neighborhood is now listed on the Washington Heritage Register, with Cabin 97 — a one-room shingle-sided structure built in 1916 — certified as a National Historic Landmark.

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