Government

Deb Krishnadasan, an appointed incumbent, now leads the race for state Senate by nearly 2,000 votes.

In other results, Stone defeats Woock in a battle of city council incumbents, while Lykins, Leighton and Lantz lead the charter commission races.

City officials say utility rates must increase to account for capital projects and an increase in cost to provide those services.

Ballots must be either postmarked or placed in a drop box by Tuesday, Nov. 4, to count in this fall’s election.

Council members also discussed Jeni Woock’s statement from a previous meeting that density figures were produced “out of thin air,” which staff members denied.

Attorney Martha Lantz is bidding for a second cycle on the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. Former state representative Jesse Young stands in her way.

Gary Parker and Brenda Lykins traveled different routes to community service. Parker, often through his restaurant BBQ2U, contributes funding and entertainment to practically anybody with a good cause. Neonatal nurse practitioner Lykins has cared for critically ill infants for 35 years and served on the Gig Harbor City Council. Voters will weigh their attributes in