Presidents' Day: What's Open, What's Closed

In observance of Presidents' Day, many government offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20.

VIDEO OBAMA WATCH: President Says Manufacturing Is Key, Calls for Tax Reform

The president's message Friday was simple: work hard, play fair and share responsibility.

Patch Will Be At Boeing Friday For President Obama's Visit, Check Back For Coverage

Obama is expected to speak about the importance of domestic manufacturing and American exports at Boeing. He will later visit Bellevue and Medina for fundraisers.

JBLM Soldier Charged With Stealing $630,000 Worth of Weaponry, Sensitive Items

Law enforcement agents recovered the equipment in mid-January at off-post residences. The 4th Stryker Brigade soldier from Slatington, PA, faces multiple charges and, if convicted, could face 59 years of confinement and other disciplinary action.

Q&A: Those Darn Potholes in Lakewood

Patch queried Desiree Winkler, transportation division manager for the city of Lakewood, about bothersome potholes on local roads and how commuters can report specific issues.

Ron Paul to Visit SeaTac in Swing Through Washington State

The Republican presidential hopeful will also stop in Vancouver and Richland.

Council Opposes Proposed Building Activity Fee Hike

Other pieces of a new plan proposed by city officials to help close a $1 million budget gap were well-received. The Lakewood City Council is expected to vote on a parks and recreation fee increase next week.

Rick Santorum To Stump In Tacoma Tonight

Patch editors Brent Champaco and Akiko Oda will be there to cover all the action.

Mail In Your Ballot for Clover Park School District Replacement Levy on Feb. 14

The levy is anticipated to be no more than $3.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Check back with Patch after Tuesday for an update on whether the levy is passing or not.

Lakewood Council Opposes Bill to End ‘E-Verify’ Requirement

The city says the employment verification system protects legal workers and maintains fair wages.

Army to Try Paxton Murder Suspect on its Charges Before Turning Him Over

Dakota Miles Wolf will likely face a court-martial on charges of assault and being AWOL before being turned over to King County to face murder charges in the death of Kirkland's Scarlett Paxton.

House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill 55-43 and is on its way to Governor Christine Gregoire to be signed.

Lakewood's New Councilmembers Adjusting to $1 Million Budget Shortfall

City Manager Andrew Neiditz says the $1 million shortfall is not a spending issue but more of a revenue problem. Councilman Paul Bocchi believes the city needs a more vibrant commercial sector in order to create a larger tax-base.

Free Soil Sampling for Lakewood Residents in Tacoma Smelter Plume Contamination

Contamination has moderately affected Lakewood soil with arsenic and lead including five city parks, nine licensed child cares, three schools and private properties according to Ecology officials at Monday's City Council meeting.

Two Upscale Hotels to Serve Lakewood by 2013

The new properties are expected to meet the growing needs of Joint Base Lewis-McChord and surrounding communities.

Ecology Set to Update Lakewood Officials on Tacoma Smelter Plume

A review of the environmental contamination is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the City Council meeting. Patch will follow up with a story.

Lakewood Hearing Examiner to Render Judgment on Camp Murray Gate Permit

The city of Lakewood approved a right-of-way permit to move the Camp Murray gate farther into the Tillicum neighborhood, but the Tillicum Action Committee appealed.

Social Security Tax Tips for Lakewood Residents

If you haven’t filed your tax return yet, now is the time. However, before you begin, make sure you have everything you need.

Lakewood Councilman Fires Back at Sen. Mike Carrell's Sewer Franchise Fee Op-Ed

Don Anderson claims "Carrell's objections to the sewer franchise fee were made in a court challenge which was summarily rejected by the Superior Court and that the fee is legal and reasonable."

Is Lakewood's Sewer Franchise Fee Honest?

Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood is proposing Senate Bill 6110 that would prevent cities from charging franchise fees—or any other type of fee for that matter—on a sewer utility unless it is clearly tied to an expense the city has related to the sewers.

Platoon Leader in 3rd Stryker Brigade Dies from IED in Afghanistan on Wednesday

Lt. David A. Johnson of Horicon, WI, arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August 2011. It was his first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lakewood Seeks to Determine Damages to Local Business From Recent Snow Storm

City officials are asking businesses that incurred damages—like the Allied Ice building where the roof collapsed— to complete a worksheet that estimates adverse economic impact and property damage.

Lakewood's First Pedestrian Bridge Project On Track

City will contribute $62,428 of the estimated $4.6 million for the Lakewood Station Connection Project. Estimated time of completion is spring before the arrival of the Sound Transit train by the end of the year.

Lakewood to Gain Full Lease of Fort Steilacoom Park by 2015

With the added control, though, comes the additional cost to operate the park.

5 Social Security Resolutions For 2012

With the New Year, many people put together lists of goals and resolutions. Allow us to share with you some new year’s resolutions that you may find worth keeping.

Partners for Parks Bringing Vegas Glam to Town For a Cause

Benefit Friday night to raise money for purchase of enhancements and expansion of Springbrook Park.

4th Stryker Brigade Soldiers’ Restriction Lifted After $600,000 of Weapon Equipment Stolen

Approximately 100 soldiers from one company within the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division have been released and allowed to return to their current residences as of 5:45 p.m Tuesday night.

Poll: Trio of City Councils Want Tiered Flood Taxing District

A major flood emergency would cost millions of dollars as local jurisdictions explore tax rates tied to area's risk. Participate in our poll and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

Neighboring City Councils Ponder County's Flood District Future

Lakewood, Steilacoom and DuPont elected officials call for a tiered tax system.

Paul Wagemann Announces Campaign to Unseat Rep. Tami Green in 28th Legislative District

Wagemann lost to Green in 2010 by 1,200 votes. He believes voters are tired of nonsense spending and are looking for a candidate who will support the fiscally sound policies that will turn the state's economy around.

Letter to the Editor: Time Divided for Elected Officials Filing for 10th District Seats

If elected officials are operating full-time congressional campaigns or campaigns for other county offices while in office, how much time and energy does that leave them for doing our county's business?

Puget Sound History Hits the Air Waves

A short but new history segment covering local and regional history will begin airing at 9:30 a.m. Monday mornings as part of the Lonergan Program on KLAY Radio 1180.

Top 2011 Stories on Lakewood Patch

Here are the 10 most popular read stories. If it was a crime or article related to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, chances are you checked it out.

Steilacoom Ferry Terminal To Close For Four Months

Passengers can purchase tickets beginning Jan. 4 at the temporary ticketing facility located in the parking space directly across from the terminal or online.

Lakewood Home to Major Military Boom

A decade of war preparations and deployment links community to military.

Neiditz Will Remain as Lakewood's City Manager

The current city manager fell short of earning Tacoma's top municipal position to T.C. Broadnax of San Antonio. Councilmembers, however, said they are pleased to see his return, bringing stability in a projected transitional phase for 2012.

Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz Unable To Secure Tacoma's Top City Job

After heavy deliberation, the Tacoma City Council unanimously voted in T.C. Broadnax of San Antonio, Texas. Neiditz was one of three finalists for the city manager position.

Update: Kirkland Murder Suspect Still in Custody at JBLM As Army Processes Its Charges

Dakota Miles Wolf is charged by the military with assault and being AWOL, but the Army says at some point he will be transferred to the King County Jail.

Honor Guard at Camp Murray a Testament To Detail, Respect

Nationally, the Honor Guard conducted 80 percent of the Army’s Military Funeral Honors. "All are deserving of the final honor due them," says the state's director of military funeral honors.

First-Degree Murder Charges Pinned Against JBLM Soldier in Slaying of Kirkland's Scarlett Paxton

Kirkland Police identify the suspect as Dakota M. Wolf, a soldier in custody at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.