POLL: Frog n Kiwi Cafe Set To Open in February; Owners Start Facebook Page

The cafe - which will also offer the "UPlay Town Center" area - will be located in the Civic Building at Town Center.

Report: Eric Choiniere To Run For State Senate

The University Place City Councilman and Democrat will run against incumbent Mike Carrell, a Lakewood Republican, for the 28th District. His announcement came a day after another UP City Councilman Chris Nye, announced that he's running for Pierce County

Officers Gather in Lakewood to Honor Slain Ranger Margaret Anderson

Anderson was killed Jan. 1 by, according to police, former Iraq war veteran Benjamin Barnes, who was later found dead in Mount Rainier National Park. Today in Lakewood, law enforcement attended a memorial in her honor.

VIEWFINDER: Joint Base Lewis-McChord's HHC Leaves For Afghanistan

The 120-member Headquarter & Headquarters Company,, 42nd Military Police Brigade, will take on the role as Task Force Protector and conduct detainee operations in Parwan, Afghanistan.

UPDATE: Chris Nye Sets Up Blog; Says He's Not a Career Politician

He says there is no state law preventing him from holding both University Place City Council and Pierce County Council simultaneously. He will be a candidate for Pierce County Council position No. 4 held by Tim Farrell, who will not be running in 2012 due

Ken Grassi is University Place's Mayor; Denise McCluskey is Mayor Pro Tem

This is the second time the flower shop owner has served as the city's figurehead. A member of the original University Place City Council, he says he's looking forward to working

Need The Latest News on Republicans in Iowa? Just Check Patch

Several Patch sites are covering the caucus by following the candidates who are campaigning, stumping and visiting with voters in that state.

POLL: Wall Street Journal Profiles City of University Place And Its Financial Struggles

Citing the Town Center project and University Place's recent credit downgrade, the national publication says the city is reflecting financial trends seen nationwide.

University Place's Stan Flemming To Run For Congress

The Pierce County Councilman and University Place's founding mayor announced that he will run for the newly formed 10th Congressional District.

POLL: University Place, Lakewood Are Now Part of New 10th Congressional District

The Washington State Redistricting Commission approved a new congressional map that puts Lakewood and much of Pierce County in a new congressional district, although Gig Harbor and Tacoma would remain in the 6th Congressional District.

Pierce County Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

They are located at the county's downtown Tacoma campus and the Public Services Annex. A station at each location is available for public use at a cost of $3 per charge.

POLL: Wanna Work the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course?

KemperSports Management posted a Craigslist ad earlier this month seeking candidates for a mechanic/equipment manager who will work one of professional golf's largest events.

Helicopter Crash at JBLM Is University Place Patch's Most-Read Story of 2011

The Top 10 showed that when crime or breaking news happened in University Place, you turned to Patch.

Wind Alert Issued for Pierce County Until 3 p.m.

Gusts will be between 30 mph and 35 mph.

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

You Can Learn About Pierce County's Water Quality Via New Website

Online information about the health of watersheds in Pierce County is now available to the public, educators, students, and others interested in water quality.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Holds Memorial for Staff Sgt. Hagemann

Hagemann, assigned to 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, died June 28, 2011. A recently completed investigation concluded that Hagemann took his own life.

University Place Historical Society Gets $1,000 to Restore Curran House Deck

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation provided grant funding to organizations across the state engaged in preserving local historic resources.

Local Ferry Rates Going Up Next Month

Passengers riding the ferry from Steilacoom, Anderson Island, and Ketron Island will pay slightly more starting Jan. 1.

Elected Officials Considering Change to Pierce Transit Benefit Area

University Place City Councilman Javier Figueroa is serving as vice chairman of the Public Transportation Improvement Conference.

Pierce County To Offer Informal Discussions About Family Caregiving and Resources

The discussion will explore ways families construct caregiving responsibilities, how to handle the caregiver duties, the challenges most caregivers face and the resources available in Pierce County.

U.S. Open Gear Arrives Just in Time For Christmas

A selection of hats as well as men's and women's shirts and outerwear from Cutter & Buck and Adidas have arrived and will be available at the Chambers Bay Golf Shop.

Appreciation Gathering Tonight For Klosowski, Gehring

The two former mayors and longtime members of the University Place City Council did not run for re-election. The city is celebrating their service from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., tonight.

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.

Stan Flemming, Other South Sound Celebs To Ring Salvation Army Bell At Tacoma Mall

The Pierce County Councilman and former University Place City Councilman will be one of a cadre of local politicians and famous faces who will be volunteering from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., today and Saturday

Pat McCarthy Named Head of Sound Transit Board

Also, Lakewood City Councilwoman Claudia Thomas was recognized for her years of service with the regional transportation agency.

The Loss of Four 16th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers Hits Especially Hard in University Place

The four soldiers who died in a helicopter crash Monday night were part of the 16th CAB, which is University Place's partner brigade. The city is doing whatever it can to help, including collecting cards of condolence and gift card donations.

Lakewood Business Accepting Donations To Help Families of Soldiers Killed in Crash

Yorkshire Yarns of Lakewood is accepting gifts of money or gift cards for the families. Sonya Acord, the shop's owner, attends church with the family of Frank Buoniconti, one of the four 16th Combat Aviation Brigade soldiers who died Monday night.

Army Releases Identities of Four Soldiers Killed in Helicopter Crash

All four were part of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, which is University Place's Community Connector.

POLL: Federal Transportation Safety Board Calls For Banning All Personal Electronic Devices While Driving

More than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents. The board is recommending no texting, no calling or doing anything else on your phone or device while driving.

Small Community Of Rainier Shocked, Saddened By JBLM Helicopter Crash

The Thurston County community of about 1,800 residents considers the military good neighbors.

Closed Portion Of Soundview Trail to Reopen Saturday

In preparation for the 2015 U.S. Open, Pierce County is making a variety of changes to the Chambers Bay Golf course and a few trail alignments.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: City Sheds Light Into Its Credit Downgrade

Due mostly to a loan payment it made recently, Moody's Investors Services dropped the city's credit rating from "A1" to "A2."

Soldiers Conduct Explosive Training At Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Special guest Patch contributor JM Simpson tells us that 24 soldiers took part in the Team Leader Training this week, which featured real-life scenarios that soldiers face in areas such as Afghanistan and Libya.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Mayor Debbie Klosowski Gives Her Final Update To Residents

The 16-year public servant, along with longtime Councilman Gerald Gehring, are retiring from the City Council this month.

Army To Trim Civilian Workforce

In July, the Army announced a planned reduction of approximately 8,700 positions by Sept. 30, 2012.

University Place's Credit Rating Downgraded

The change, according to Mayor Debbie Klosowski, is due mostly to a $1 million payment the city made this year on a bond. Still, she says the city's finances are strong.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Welcomes Home 170 Soldiers From Iraq

They represent the last charter aircraft returning active duty JBLM soldiers from Iraq. After this, only 100 soldiers from the local installation will remain in that country.

County Sewer Workers Who Rescued Man To Be Honored By Red Cross

On March 21, the workers pulled a contract worker who had been sucked into a sewer pipe at Chambers Creek Properties in University Place.

POLL: Patch Users Support Reclassification Of Marijuana

Gov. Christine Gregoire is asking the federal government to allow marijuana for medicinal purposes.