Police Built Mounting Case Against Pierce County Slaying Suspect

Led by Lakewood Police, investigators collected evidence over the last five months against a man suspected of killing three co-workers, including one from UP. On Thursday, Alberto Avila-Cardenas was charged with first-degree murder.

Authorities Charge Man Suspected Of Killing Three Pierce County Men

Lakewood police searched the man's house in December and allegedly found a handgun hidden in the rafters of his garage. DNA evidence found on the gun was linked to one of the victims.

Body In Car That Submerged Near Narrows Marina ID'd As Peninsula High Graduate

The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office said Michaela Baker drowned.

Suspicious Package at Kinko's FedEx Not Harmful

Staff said they heard a high-pitch noise coming from a package that was dropped off this morning.

Fire At Teriyaki Restaurant Under Investigation

An employee of the restaurant called 911 when he smelled smoke.

Crews Respond To Apartment Fire

West Pierce Fire & Rescue arrived at the Garden Court West Apartments on Thursday and found flames shooting out of a unit.

Trial Of Four Teens Set For June In Home-Invasion Case

The four University Place teens are accused of holding an 86-year-old woman hostage at gunpoint while they ransacked her home in January.

BREAKING NEWS: Telephone Pole Down Near Curtis After Apparent Collision

The incident occurred around the time school let out, which made traffic a nightmare.

Drop Off Your Unused Prescription Drugs On Saturday

It's all part of a nationwide effort that aims to reduce prescription drug abuse.

Property Crimes Down Through First Quarter Of This Year

University Place saw a spike in car prowls, burglaries and other property crimes last year, but it has fallen so this year. Officials credit the city's alert system and better awareness among residents.

Blair Gets Kudos From Chief, Mayor

University Place recognized UP Police Sgt. Mike Blair for being awarded Officer Of The Year by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

City To Recognize Officer Of The Year Mike Blair

The University Place Police sergeant was named the Pierce County Sheriff's Department's Officer Of The Year for his efforts working with families of fallen officers.

Pierce County: LESA Meeting Its Time Goals For Emergency Calls

A report published in 2009 found that not enough calls were being answered within 12 seconds at the county's largest dispatch center. That hasn't been the case, however, since September.

Authorities Release Description Of Woman Who Robbed Wells Fargo Over Weekend

The suspect is in her mid 30's and is suspected of striking 11 banks in the South Sound since December.

UPDATE: CrimeStoppers Offers $1,000 Reward For Copper Wire Thieves

Someone ripped off the lids from the light poles and stole 1,500 feet of wire earlier this month along Grandview Drive West. Officials will now have to weld the lids shut.

Fire-Police Charity Roundball Game Might Feature New, Local Faces This Year

The seventh-annual charity game could feature new faces, West Pierce Fire & Rescue encompasses University Place and Lakewood.

"Device" Found At Key Bank

Authorities confirm that there was a threat on Tuesday at the branch at 40th Avenue and Bridgeport Way West. It prompted a sweeping police response.

Chief: Soldier Was At Family Member's Residence, Surrendered Without Incident

The soldier who had reportedly had just returned from a tour overseas was arrested early today in University Place. He allegedly fired a gun during an argument with his recently divorced wife.

Police Blotter, April 4

Police again had a relatively quiet week.

WSDOT Goes Orange For Work Zone Awareness Week

The Washington State Department of Transportation will be going "orange" this week to let drivers know to slow down by the work zones.

Share Your Memories Of McNeil Island

After 135 years, the country's last island prison - in view from the shores of University Place - closes today because of budget cuts.

Family Of Slain Worker Seeks Donations For Funeral, Future Baby

A reader tells University Place Patch that the family of Christian Rangel, who disappeared in December and whose body was found three months later, is seeking help for funeral arrangements and Rangel's future baby.

Pierce County To Activate Its Alert System Monday

The county is doing so to coincide with the testing of its Emergency Management Department's lahar warning sirens.

Police Blotter, March 28

It was a relatively quiet week for UP Police.

Medical Examiner Confirms Remains In Kent Belong To Pierce County Men Who Died Of Gunshot Wounds

One of the men was from University Place.

Pierce County Shares Its Story And Pictures About Sewer Pipe Rescue

A contract worker was sucked more than 3,000 feet through a pipe before finally being rescued Monday. His waders were filled with contamination and stench, according to the county.

Police Blotter, March 25

Authorities arrested a subject on suspicion of 14 counts of illegal possession of a firearm.

UPDATE ON SEWER PIPE: "Never Had To Rescue Someone Like This," Official Says

The man traveled 3,000 feet in a sewer pipe 6 feet in diameter at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Police Blotter, March 14

Aside from a few interesting incidents, it was fairly quiet in University Place.

Authorities Investigating Whether Remains Found In Kent Belong To Three Missing Men, Including One From UP

Employees of a Kent business discovered the remains.

UP Deputy Gets Eye-Full Of Bear Repellent During Traffic Stop

The suspect then allegedly fled to a Lakewood motel, where authorities found and arrested him the next day.

Patch Exclusive: Train Derailment Report Will Highlight Lapse In Communication

The after-action report, which will be produced by West Pierce Fire & Rescue, will find that communication between local responding agencies and Burlington Northern Santa Fe is an area for improvement.

University Place Driver Who Died Hit Vehicle On Freeway Interchange

Today was his 26th birthday.

West Pierce's Kilga Finishes Ninth In Seattle Stairclimb

The 38-year-old climbed more than 1,300 steps in 13 minutes.

West Pierce's Joint Delegation For Stair Climb Nothing New

When the departments worked as separate entities, their firefighters still worked together during the stair climb.

McNeil Island Corrections Center Closes Due to State Budget Cuts

Today, former employees of McNeil Island Corrections Facility and its neighbors bid farewell one of the oldest prison facilities in the state.

Overturned Train Car At Chambers Bay Leaks Another 100 Gallons Of Sodium Hydroxide; Ecology Confirms Spill Has Been Cleaned

It happened Tuesday as crews were stabilizing the car, which hadn't leaked after Saturday's derailment.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue Start Anything But Boring

Crews handled back-to-back crisis situations amid the formal transformation of a new board of commissioners who met for the first time on Tuesday.

UPDATE: Boy Who Triggered Amber Alert Safe In Bonney Lake

The City of University Place posted the alert on its website shortly before 10 a.m., this morning.

UPDATED: Gas Blast Sparks Fire at Pierce Transit Center

Authorities have evacuated a quarter-mile radius around the fire