Top 2011 Stories on Lakewood Patch

The most recent tragedy that involved four dead soldiers in a helicopter crash at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was Lakewood Patch's most read article this year.

The rest of the list features a list of events that occurred mostly in Lakewood. The most popular articles had a common theme. If it was a crime or military-related article, chances are you read it. And, of course, you can expect Lakewood Patch to bring you breaking news in 2012.

Here are the top 10 stories of Lakewood Patch.

1.

The news rocked the South Sound as four soldiers with the 16th CAB went down during an early morning, foggy training exercise near the rural Thurston County community of Rainier. The story gained national notoriety, as well as further coverage from Patch and other media outlets.

2.

A Pierce County jury found Darcus Allen—the man accused of being the getaway driver in the shooting deaths of four Lakewood Police officers—guilty on four counts of first-degree murder on May 19 at the Tacoma Municipal Courthouse.

3.

Friends and family grieved over the unexpected loss of Lakewood residents June Williams and Lois Hosking in late September. Hosking, 86, the mother of Williams, 66, were killed in a motor vehicle accident in Northern California near the city Yreka. Yreka is in Siskiyou County about an hour south of the Oregon border.

4.

A 13-year-old boy drowned at Harry Todd Park on July 28, according to Jenny Sharp, West Pierce Fire & Rescue spokesperson.

Dive crews searched about 45 minutes before  discovering the boy's body, Sharp said.

The teenager was swimming in the designated area before going under, Sharp said. On-duty lifeguards and park visitors dove into the lake and attempted to save him.

5.

Portland Ore. native and Sgt. 1st Class Patrick L. Huntley died on Nov. 7 from injuries he suffered when a Stryker vehicle rolled over during a training exercise at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif.

6.

The woman who died when she was hit by a minivan Wednesday evening at the Starlite Swap Meet parking lot in Lakewood had a last known address in Lakewood, according to Lakewood Police Lt. Chris Lawler.

Angela Wiese, 51, was fatally injured during the accident, The Tacoma News Tribune reported. She was transported to Tacoma General Hospital and was pronounced dead less than two hours later.

7.

Authorities Tweeted that the man suspected of stabbing a 21-year-old University Place woman to death and kidnapping their 9-month-old daughter was arrested.

Police were looking for the suspect, Joseph Lester, 23, whom they suspect stabbed his ex-girlfriend at her home in 6018 57th Ave. W., in University Place. After the victim's body was discovered, police issued an Amber Alert for the missing baby. That alert was called off.

8.

About 3,000 soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade  deployed to Southern Afghanistan to conduct counter-insurgency operations this month, Joint Base Lewis-McChord officials announced in late October.

And they're doing it without Strykers.

9.

A small memorial rests on a patch of grass in a dense residential Lakewood neighborhood. Flowers, candles, “Miss You” cards and other remembrances sit next to a picture of a smiling 32-year-old Army veteran who had returned in May from a year deployed in Afghanistan.

About 25 people gathered there for a peaceful candlelight vigil in late October, praying in remembrance of Spc. Trent Lloyd-Thorpe, who was shot and killed around 1 a.m. Sunday by Lakewood police officers.

10.

Tears and accusations flowed heavily at a Lakewood coffee-house in mid-August  as current and former soldiers and loved ones condemned the U.S. military and government for ignoring service-connected mental-health problems.

Hosted by the on Union Avenue in Tillicum, the event drew a few dozen community members to a panel discussion featuring members of the “March Forward” advocacy group, which has been rallying for an end to the war in Afghanistan and better health-care treatment of returning service members and veterans.