A Big Thank You For Lakewood-JBLM Patch Readers

LAKEWOOD, WA - Do you remember the day Lakewood Patch went live? It's OK if you don't - it was on Nov. 1, 2010, which is a long time ago, and a lot has happened since then.

But as we prepare to turn 8 years old in November, we wanted to send a sincere thank you to all our readers, and update you on how much Lakewood-JBLM Patch has grown over the years - and how you can join in.

Just over the month of August, more than 10,000 locals (our readers hail from all across Pierce County and Puget Sound) turned to Lakewood-JBLM Patch for news, events, and real estate listings. That figure — compiled and verified through Google Analytics — includes readers on desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile and our app, and our visitors often access Patch on several devices over the month.

Here are 10 of the most-read articles on Lakewood-JBLM Patch from August:

• Ketron Island Home Is Secluded But Close: Pierce County Real Estate
• Video: Fire In Lakewood Destroys Building
• JBLM Brush Fire Could Be Smoky For Days
• Judges Denies Lakewood's Request To Stop Sex Offender Relocation
• Hood Canal Shooter Was JBLM Soldier, Police Reveal
• Lakewood Restaurant Closing, But Not For Lack Of Business: Report
• West Nile Virus Found In Pierce County Mosquitoes
• Lakewood Grandparents Die In I-5 Crash Near Kalama
• Changes Coming To JBLM Main Gate During Construction

Other facts about Lakewood-JBLM Patch: We've posted more than 3,000 stories on the Lakewood Patch Facebook page since Jan. 1, and picked HUNDREDS of new followers. We've also added hundreds of subscribers to our daily and breaking news email alerts (sign up here if you haven't already).

But we're always looking to grow more. Got a news tips or events you want listed? Send them to me, Neal McNamara, your local editor and you can reach me 24/7 at neal.mcnamara@patch.com. My most favorite recent Lakewood story was a profile of a veteran who opened a brewery near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

I also want to remind our readers that you can post on Patch. It's easy to sign up for a free user profile and post articles, events, jobs, and announcements. And the "rules of Patch" are easy to follow: "no abusive content, no commercial spam, keep it local, and be awesome."

If you own a business and are interested in getting your message on Lakewood Patch or our nearby Patches, please visit the page and tell us what you need. One of our sales reps will be in touch.

Here's another fun fact about Patch: Did you know that Patch is among the 100 biggest websites in the United States? Patch ranks 91st on the most viewed websites in the country, according to Alexa. Lakewood-JBLM Patch is part of a broad network, with 16 other Patch sites in Washington and more than 1,200 across the United States. That's a lot of local news!

Many news websites are limiting access to free articles, but Patch articles and events by our journalists and our users are always free to view. We might not have the enormous resources of local newspapers or TV stations, but you can look to us for the latest breaking news alerts and coverage of important local issues in Lakewood and across Puget Sound.

Patch file photo