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.

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.

Rob McKenna In University Place On Friday

The candidate for the governorship will be at Narrows Plaza Bowl from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. He will join University Place City Councilman Javier Figueroa for a coat drive.

MYSTERY SOLVERS: Find These Places In University Place

It's all in the holiday details, folks. University Place Patch Mystery Solvers is on the case finding holiday cheer all over town. Come along and see if you can find these places in University Place.

Small Community Of Rainier Shocked, Saddened By JBLM Helicopter Crash

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

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.

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.

UPDATE: One of Four Dead In JBLM Helicopter Crash Identified By Parents

The crash involved two OH-58 Kiowa observation helicopters on a training flight. It took place inside the southwest training area at JBLM, near Rainier in Thurston County.

Pierce County's "Tow And Go" Program Organized By UP-Based Liberty Towing Owner

The "Tow and Go" program Dec. 17 will help bar patrons in Fife and East Pierce get home safely. Bill Sullivan, owner of Liberty Towing, organized the event.

If You Want A Christmas Lights Show, You Might Want To Catch Fantasy Lights

This year's event - which covers a 2-mile drive in Spanaway - includes the Northwest's largest drive-through light display. It's open from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., nightly.

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."

UPDATE: Burn Ban Is Off

A week after officials lifted a burn ban in Pierce County and a day after the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency enacted another one, officials raise the level of the burn ban. Today, however, all burn bans were removed.

Curtis Honored With Green Schools Award

The University Place school received the award last week for its efforts to reduce waste, particularly with energy efficiency.

University Place Student-Artists Express What Diversity Means To Them

The students joined a national cultural arts program called "Reflections." On Saturday, their works were displayed at City Hall by the University Place Council of PTSA.

Tacoma Community College Jazz Band Offers A Smooth Break From The Holdiay Madness

The band - which performs Tuesday - will feature Eric Stevens. Best part? It's free.

MYSTERY SOLVERS: Here Are Your Weekly Answers (Night Lights Edition)

Well played University Place Patch readers! You lit up the game with fun and enthusiasm this week. Here are your weekly answers.

VIDEO: Duck The Halls Brings Christmas Fun To UP

The community's first annual caroling contest produced harmony, humor, cuteness and more than a few Christmas characters. The event benefited the University Place Food Bank.

Duck The Halls A Success

From kids to pooches to sign language to the Grinch, the city's first Duck the Halls Christmas caroling competition was a success. If you were there and took photos or videos, please share!

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.

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.

Army To Trim Civilian Workforce

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

It's Not A Holiday Prank - Deck Your House and You Could Win $100,000 for University Place Schools

Get out the lights and holly. Your decorating could net $100,000 to our schools.

KIM'S PICKS: Tropical Dreams in the South Sound

With winter and the holidays quickly approaching, wouldn't it be nice to take a little break and think all things tropical? Actually, you can! Experience the sounds, scents, and tastes of the islands, right in our own backyard!

MYSTERY SOLVERS: Find These Places in University Place (Night Lights Edition)

University Place Patch contributor Kim Thompson takes to the streets at night to find our city lit up with holiday cheer! Come join the fun and play this week's special evening edition of Mystery Solvers.

GET OUT: Crafts, Duck The Halls Highlight Weekend Activities In UP

Check out our picks for the top activities and hot spots to hit this weekend.

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.

Paper or Electronic, Are You Sending Holiday Cards This Year?

Is the tradition of sending holiday cards on its way out, or just moving into the electronic age?

Duck The Halls Coming Today

The Christmas caroling contest benefits the University Place Food Bank.

University Place Pics & Clips

Share photos and videos of your community with your neighbors.

Dance Theatre Northwest's "Nutcracker"

Allison Zakharov are both part of the production scheduled for Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma.

Serial Robber Hit Two University Place Businesses

He has hit various chain restaurants in the South Sound, including Little Caesar's and Subway in University Place.

Need A Tree? Check Out Boy Scout Troop No. 248's Lot

Sales from the lot, located at Bridgeport Way and 33rd Street West, will help pay for the University Place-based troop's summer camp.

UPDATE: Burn Ban Lifted in Pierce and Snohomish Counties

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency was lifted today, a day after it was ordered for Pierce County.

Dockery Plans To Join The Pirate's Ship This Spring

Former Curtis star Rahmel Dockery, one of the state's most highly touted athletes coming out of high school, left Washington State to work on his grades at home this fall. Now, he is ready to play for new coach Mike Leach.

Deck Your House and You Could Win $100,000 for Local Schools

Patch's holiday decorating contest is coming Dec. 8, the grand prize winner gets $100,000 for their local school system.

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.

POLL: No Law Regarding Leaving a Child Home Alone

But if something happens to an unsupervised child, the parents can be charged with child endangerment

Thunderbirds, Golden Knights Will Highlight JBLM Air Expo 2012

The expo is scheduled for July 21-22 at McChord Field. The announcement came today in Las Vegas.

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.