More than 100 first-responders are practicing an active-shooter scenario at the Washington State Fair Events Center today.

“The purpose of this exercise is to develop participant skills and to improve communication among agencies during the response to a violent incident,” according to a Pierce County news release.

The training exercise includes protocols for responding to violence, wound management, patrol breaching, explosive ordinance disposal identification and school response guidelines.

It is co-sponsored by the county’s Department of Emergency Management and Pierce County Fire & Law Cooperative Training Committee. Grant monies from the Department of Homeland Security are funding the training.

Participating …

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We’ve gotten questions today about what appears to be a law enforcement motorcade traveling through Pierce County.

People want to know why entrances to Interstate 5 were closed at various times and what the apparent escort was for.

Is the president in town? One caller asked.

No.

But officers from multiple agencies did participate in an annual motor escort training exercise, hosted by the State Patrol, trooper Guy Gill said.

Officers traveled three pre-planned routes from Tacoma to Nisqually and back, Gill said.

“We do this training once a year so we are all on the same page and escorts that involve multiple …

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UPDATE AS OF 8:45 p.m. A woman suffered minor injuries at the Sunnyside Beach pedestrian crossing about 4:45 p.m. in Steilacoom, and was treated and released at the scene, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Spokesman Gus  Melonas said. He said the train was reported to be traveling about 6 miles per hour.

It’s still being investigated whether the woman was actually hit by the train, as witnesses reported that she dove away from it, Melonas said.

The crossing has protective gates, flashers and bells, he said.

The BNSF freight train was headed from Seattle to Vancouver, Wash.

The railroad was opened again …

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Police say a man drove off the lot of a Lakewood dealership with a used car Saturday, in such a hurry that he left the trunk open.

He didn’t keep it, though, officers said.

Or rather, police didn’t let him, since he allegedly stole the vehicle out from under the owner’s nose.

The owner parked his car at the dealership about 2:45 p.m. at 11503 Pacific Highway Southwest and left his keys on the dash board as he walked to the back of the car and opened the hatchback trunk to get his belongings from the car.

Meanwhile, another man …

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An 18-year-old Eatonville man recently released from prison has found himself behind bars again after allegedly ramming a Pierce County sheriff patrol car during a high-speed pursuit.

Hobert Clark pleaded not guilty today to two counts of second-degree assault, felony eluding of a police vehicle, reckless endangerment and driving on a suspended license. Commissioner Meagan Foley ordered him held in lieu of $100,000.

The incident started about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday when a deputy noticed a car driving 55 miles per hour – 20 mph over the 35 mph speed limit- in the 7800 block of 352^nd Street. Clark sped up …

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A Pierce County man has pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault of a child for allegedly pinching his infant daughter repeatedly because she didn’t want him to hold her or play with her.

Commissioner Meagan Foley ordered Dana Aiava, 28, held in lieu of $50,000 bail. Aiava was also ordered not to have contact with his wife and 5-month-old daughter.

Charging documents give this account:

Aiava’s wife took their baby to Madigan Army Medical Center April 7 for an ear infection and the doctor noticed her arm was fractured.

During an interview with sheriff’s detectives, Aiava began crying and admitted …

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Three men suspected in a string of armed robberies across Pierce County were ordered held until Thursday while authorities continue investigating their connection to more than six holdups.

Bail will be set at their first court appearance in Pierce County Superior Court this afternoon.

Deputies arrested them early Monday morning during a traffic stop in South Hill.

Among other crimes, they are accused of robbing 7-11 convenience stores in Tacoma and South Hill, Bikini Bottoms Espresso near South Hill and a Walgreens in Spanaway.

One of the men has an unrelated third-degree assault charge for allegedly shooting a BB gun …

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A Pierce County sheriff’s deputy acted justifiably when he shot and killed a Yelm man who pulled a gun on him during an ordinary traffic stop, Prosecutor Mark Lindquist announced today.

Deputy Martin Zurfluh feared for his life when Wayne Craddock pointed a handgun at him during the Oct. 12 confrontation alongside state Route 702 near 64^th Avenue South.

“His actions at the time of the shooting indicate this is another sad case of suicide-by-cop,” Lindquist said in a written statement.

Craddock, 50, died of gunshot wounds to his head and torso. He was intoxicated at the time of the …

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