West Pierce Firefirefighters Need Items To Help Needy Families in University Place, Lakewood

West Pierce Professional Firefighters Local 1488 is holding its annual Christmas Project. Residents can help them out by donating toys at one of three locations by Dec. 19.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Cold Case Arrest Made in 1996 Disappearance of Kirkland Woman

King County Sheriff's Office detectives have arrested a 59-year-old man in Montana in connection with the 1996 disappearance of Sandi Rae Johnson, a 28-year-old mother of two.

Friday Family Movie Night Moved to Dec. 14

The event is sponsored by Chambers Bay Golf Course and University Place Refuse and Recycling.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Pierce County Libraries Wants Publishers To Respect E-Book Users

They are either not selling e-books to libraries or selling them at costs up to three times as much as list prices or with heavy usage restrictions, the library writes. For example, “Fifty Shades of Grey” costs Pierce County Library $47.85.

Ladybug Bikini Espresso Featured In Book, "Coffee Spot Safari" Contest

The University Place shop is featured in Tacoma artist Marsha Glazière’s book, "Eclectic Coffee Spots in Puget Sound." The contest, which runs from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31, asks readers to collect receipts from as many of the book's spots as p

SHARE: Photos, Videos From University Place's Tree Lighting

Post your photos from Saturday's annual tree lighting event at the University Place Civic Building.

OUCH! Mercer Island Police Detective Accidentally Shoots Self in Buttocks

A seven-year veteran with the Mercer Island Police Department was injured by his own weapon on Thursday after handcuffing a narcotics suspect in Shoreline.

THIS WEEKEND: Tree Lighting, Red Ribbon Bazaar and More

Check out our picks for things to do in University Place and Lakewood this weekend.

FROM PATCHES NEARBY: Renton School Superintendent Tapped For Governor's Office Position

Mary Alice Heuschel served as superintendent of the Renton School District for six years.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: West Pierce Warns Reminds Everyone About Holiday Safety

Many households engage in holiday activities that serve as some of the leading causes of U.S. home fires, including cooking, Christmas trees, candle usage and holiday decorations, the department writes.

Peanut Butter Plant to Trader Joe's, Target Shut by FDA

The Sunland Inc. plant that distributes products to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Safeway and others is linked to Salmonella contamination that made at least 41 people ill in 20 states.

University Place Crime Stats: Residential Vandalism, Motor Vehicle Thefts Up

The stats, which are available through the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, are for October.

Still Time For Businesses To Reserve Spot On "Candy Cane Lane" This Saturday in University Place

The city's fourth annual Get Local Businessfest will be part of the Christmas Tree Lighting festivities this Saturday.

COMING SATURDAY: University Place Christmas Tree Lighting

The event takes place this Saturday at Market Square near the Civic Building.

University Place Businesses Participate in Small Business Saturday

Just what is Small Business Saturday and why should you support it in University Place?

Curtis Product Max Hersey First To Embrace WSU's Winning Kicker In Apple Cup

Hersey was blocking on the left side of the line when Cougars kicker Andrew Furney kicked a 27-yard field goal to seal a 31-28 overtime victory over the Washington Huskies.

PICTURE OF THE DAY: Seahawk Sighting in University Place

Seattle Pro-Bowler Earl Thomas made a stop at Northwest Sportscards to sign autographs.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Loses Veterinarian Dr. Holly Reed

Reed, the heart and soul of the zoo’s veterinary department for 17 years, died Saturday.

Thanksgiving Leftovers: What Do You Do With Them?

Share your best recipes for the day after.

University Place Man Charged With Possessing, Dealing Ecstasy

Authorites arrested James Michael Reha, 24, last week and reportedly found more than 900 ecstasy pills in his possession. The street value of the drugs is between $7,000 and $10,000.

Local Businesses Engage In Patch Social Media Workshop

Patch thanks these local businesses that attended our first Main Street U in University Place this week.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Another Fox Sighting Prompts Reminder About Pets

Patch user Chris writes that she spotted one as she was leaving her home in University Place.

Help Superstorm Sandy Victims with a Simple Tweet

Patch is donating $1 for every tweet, up to $125,000, to help victims of Superstorm Sandy rebuild.

Starbucks Offering 2-For-1 Holiday Drink Special Thursday-Sunday

Buy one holiday drink, get one free for a friend, Nov. 15-18 from 2-5 p.m.

Curtis Boys Water Polo Finishes Second In State

The Vikings beat Auburn Riverside and Mercer Island before falling to Bellevue in the championship game.

University Place Library One Of The Busiest In Washington

According to the WA-List website, UP came in at No. 19. The site pulled the statistics for 349 public library locations on Washington, sorted them by check out volume, and listed the top 30 in the state.

Meet Author Julie Titone in University Place on Wednesday

The author of “Boocoo Dinky Dow: My Short, Crazy Vietnam War," will be at the library at 7 p.m.

Don't Try And Pay Your Tacoma Public Utilities Bill Online This Weekend

The City of Tacoma is updating its computer system, and the utility's website won't reopen until Nov. 11. Also, its over-the-phone payment system won't be available between Nov. 16 and Nov. 18.

Patch User: Crash At 27th Street and Grandview

User Kayla reports that a vehicle appears to have its hood smashed "all the way to the front window."

Voters Still Narrowly Rejecting Pierce Transit Measure

The latest count from the Pierce County Auditor's Office shows the measure failing by 900 votes with about 80 percent of the ballots counted.

University Place Police Accepting Donations For Pierce County Santa Cops Program

Police are accepting donations of new toys children’s toys and clothing, toiletries and household essentials, gift cards and non-perishable food that will go to local families in need.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chambers Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Set for Nov. 15

Pierce County residents are invited to the groundbreaking ceremony at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in University Place.

Tacoma Public Utilities Man Posing As Employee Tried To Force His Way Into Woman's Home

The incident - which occurred in South Tacoma - involved the man saying that he needed to check the water pressure. He wore civilian clothing and a safety vest.

Pierce Transit Measure Still Too Close To Call

As of Wednesday afternoon, Pierce County voters were rejecting the measure by 735 votes, or half a percentage point.

Dance Theatre Northwest Grants Awards and Scholarships

The nonprofit took time during a recent performance at the Tacoma Dome to introduce the winners.

Fire Destroys University Place Home Wednesday

No injuries were reported. One of the home's occupants heard an explosion and called authorities.

University Place Woman Says Obama's Victory Was A Statement: "They Can't Have It Back"

Jennifer Haberman - who an election night party for Derek Kilmer in Tacoma - spoke immediately after President Barack Obama won the election.

Where Can I Drop Off My Ballot in University Place?

Pierce County has a number of voter drop boxes, open until 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, Election Day.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Republican Canvassers Offered To Deliver Ballot, University Place Resident Says

It follows a recent spate of complaints of door-to-door canvassers offering to deliver ballots.

Curtis' Season Ends With Loss At Bothell

The Vikings couldn't stop Bothell on the road.