Trader Joe's Assault Shows Benefit Of Investigator, Police Chief Says

An assault at the store off Bridgeport Way West would have gone un-investigated before the hiring of the University Place Police investigator, according to Chief Rusty Wilder.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Lakewood Recognizes Efforts Of Pfc. Jose Delgado

Delgao helped a woman who was severely injured after she was hit by a car at a Lakewood gas station July 24.

You Can't Run From The Toll - Narrows Bridge Infractions To Resume

Tacoma Narrows Bridge drivers who didn’t pay will receive infractions.

VIDEO: World Trade Center Piece Arrives In University Place

The volunteer crew from West Pierce Fire & Rescue says the experience of being in New York on the 10-year-anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks is something they'll never forget.

Piece Of World Trade Center Comes To University Place On Saturday

A crew from West Pierce Fire & Rescue drove to New York to retrieve a steel beam that was part of the Twin Towers. The piece will be on display between 11 a.m. to noon. A public dedication ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m., Oct. 18.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Heading Home

The West Pierce are beginning to make their way back to the South Sound from New York ... gradually. Still, along the way, they're taking in some great sights.

UPDATE: Moped Rider In Crash With University Place Deputy Reportedly Dies

The collision occurred outside University Place. The driver was hospitalized.

LESA Information Services Moving Into New Location

The move will temporarily impact public counter hours for services such as concealed weapons permits and police reports. The new location will be 945 Tacoma Avenue South.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Ground Zero, Sept. 12

The West Pierce riders visit a station that's right at ground zero, and they visit the site themselves.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Newburgh To New York City, Sept. 11, 2011

The riders from West Pierce Fire & Rescue finally make it to New York City for the anniversary, accompanied by a sea of their firefighter brothers.

VIEWFINDER: West Pierce Fire & Rescue Personnel In New York For 9/11 Anniversary

The firefighters are there to pick up World Trade Center steel, as well as participate in a large ceremony for fallen firefighters.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Finally In Newburgh, NY

After encountering inclement weather, the firefighters from West Pierce Fire & Rescue finally reach New York. They will be attending the ceremonies today for the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11.

West Pierce To Commemorate 9/11

The fire department that serves University Place and Lakewood will hold separate ceremonies to commemorate the collapse of the Twin Towers.

West Pierce Gets Its Own Piece Of World Trade Center Steel

The five firefighters who picked up a piece of the Twin Towers volunteered to do so.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Day Six

As the ride to New York grows, the West Pierce firefighters see displays of patriotism everywhere from their brothers. They also visit the first of four infamous sites of the Sept. 11 attacks.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Day Five

The riders are making their way through the U.S., and they've seen corn. Lots of it.

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Day Four

On their way through the midwest, the West Pierce riders experience a "close encounter."

9/11 MEMORIAL RIDE: Day Two

The West Pierce riders have made their way to the Midwest.

PATCHES NEARBY: Man Severely Burned In Lakewood House Fire, Airlifted to Harborview Medical Center

Investigators say there may have been illegal activity going on. Two additional explosions forced fire crews to pull out during the blaze.

VIDEO: West Pierce, Local Firefighters Set Off On Ride To New York

The cross-country trip - led by West Pierce Fire & Rescue - will bring the firefighters to New York for the Sept. 11 anniversary.

VIEWFINDER: South Sound Firefighters Ride Off To New York For 9/11 Anniversary

A group of about 35 firefighters started off today on a motorcycle ride to Ground Zero to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11. They were led by West Pierce's own Rick Snodgrass.

UPDATE: Third Teen Pleads Guilty; Sentenced To 17 Years For University Place Home-Invasion Robbery

Vernon Lee Ward III was the leader behind the January incident in which four teens held an 86-year-old woman hostage as they ransacked her house, authorities say. Her family spoke today in court.

Two Of Four Teens Charged In University Place Home-Invasion Robbery Plead Guilty

Miguel Wayne Ramos and Richard Benjamin Torres are serving sentences of 52 months and 10 years overall.

Sheriff's Department Accepting Applications For Academy

The Parkland academy begins Sept. 21.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Local Firefighter Shares His Journey To New York

Gig Harbor firefighter Josh Bissenas writes about his trek to New York to receive one of the World Trade Center artifacts and what the trip meant for him. West Pierce Fire & Rescue is expected to get its own in September.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Shoppers Open Hearts, Wallets To Stuff A Fire Engine And Help Needy Children

West Pierce Fire & Rescue food drive for Caring For Kids sets up shop outside Lakewood Safeway - and the carts come rolling in.

EXCLUSIVE: Quartet Of West Pierce Firefighters To Ride Their Harley-Davidsons To Ground Zero

The group plans to leave for New York on Sept. 2. They will join an estimated caravan of 5,000 motorcycle-riding firefighters who will converge on the most infamous site of the 9/11 attacks. "It was just something we had to do," one firefighter says.

West Pierce Plans Sept. 11 Memorials In University Place, Lakewood

The celebrations will take place the exact time the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed a decade ago.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Authorities Arrest Two Enumclaw Residents For Suspected Theft At Mount Rainier

The National Park Service placed "bait cars" to try and lure the alleged thieves after visitors reported an increase in thefts at Mount Rainier National Park.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue Taking Donations for Needy Kids

A food drive benefitting Caring For Kids will culminate in a community event on Wednesday, where people can drop off food and toiletry items -- and tour a fire truck.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Drunk Driver Injures State Trooper in Vehicle Collision

Both sustain minor injuries during early Saturday morning accident at the intersection of Highway 512 and South Tacoma Way in Lakewood.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Lakewood Police Seek Public's Help Finding Sexual Predator

Authorities say a black male with a noticeable tattoo on his right forearm abducted and attempted to rape a woman in the Woodbrook neighborhood this past Sunday.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Fire Chief Says "Thank You" To Voters

Voters approved West Pierce Fire & Rescue's levy replacement Tuesday, and the money will account for almost a quarter of the district's operating budget in 2012-13.

UPDATE: Woman Suspected Of Robbing University Place, Other Puget Sound Banks Captured

The woman, nicknamed the "Bad Hair Bandit" allegedly robbed the Wells Fargo in February and April. She was caught in California.

One Person Dead, Two In Critical Condition After Interstate 5 Crash This Morning

West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to the crash, which shut down portions of I-5 this morning.

University Place Man Involved In Seven-Car Crash On Interstate 5 Thursday Evening

The 42-year-old man was treated at the scene. A man from Tacoma was transported to Tacoma General Hospital. The accident near 375th in King County backed up traffic for miles.

Police Looking For Suspect Who Escaped By Leaping From Second-Story Window In Lakewood

Authorities tracked him through the Chambers Creek area of University Place.

Fill The Engine, Help Caring For Kids

From Aug. 22 to Aug. 26, West Pierce Fire & Rescue will conduct a food and toiletries drive to help the local nonprofit. It will also hold an event Aug. 24 in which people can donate, as well as meet firefighters and tour an engine.

The Need For Speed? Not in University Place

The city is conducting a workshop Tuesday night to partner with neighbors to reduce speeding in neighborhoods, particularly residential and school areas.

Burn Ban in Pierce County Means No Lighting Up

Due to the continued dry weather, Pierce County is banning all outdoor burning star