Laura Pierce

Jayne Johnson

Kent teenager fights for her life against Chronic Neutropenia Kostmann’s Syndrome

Jayne Johnson’s house is like that of most 16-year-olds. There’s a television in the family room, and a computer well-stocked with video games in the den. There are her two wiggly little dogs, Taffy and Tyrone, whom she dotes on. There is her mom, Joey Sexton, who loves her very much. But for Jayne, that’s where her life, and that of a normal 16-year-old’s, sharply diverge. Jayne, one of a few thousand people in the world with a rare and possibly fatal bone-marrow disorder, has a house that is a combination sanctuary and prison.

Jayne Johnson
For 10 weeks

Kent youngsters experience ‘Girls on the Run’

For a lot of youngsters, running laps around a field can feel like a chore. Not so for a group of girls at Sunnycrest Elementary School in Kent. For 10 weeks, the students gathered two afternoons each week to stretch and put in the laps around the playfield at their school. Sure it was hard, and they sweated. But there was something extra special that kept them going.

For 10 weeks
Mill Creek Middle School teacher J.P. Frame stands with student Nikki Isberto for photos June 4 at Kent City Hall

Kent teacher sees state award; thanks his grandmas

Mill Creek Middle School teacher J.P. Frame may have won a state award for his dedication to teaching history, but aside from his students and colleagues, there are two people to whom he feels a special sense of gratitude: His grandmothers, Sis and Dorothy.

Mill Creek Middle School teacher J.P. Frame stands with student Nikki Isberto for photos June 4 at Kent City Hall

Running a full box of Fig Newtons through the wash: Editor’s Note

I ran an entire package of Fig Newtons through my washer machine last month. It was not, as Martha Stewart would say, a good thing. I didn’t do it on purpose, but the reason why I laundered a box of cookies illustrates a problem that is bigger than a gunked-up washer.

State Rep. Dave Upthegrove.

Have lunch with State Rep. Dave Upthegrove, the Kent Reporter

Join State Rep. Dave Upthegrove, Kent Reporter Publisher Polly Shepherd and Editor Laura Pierce for lunch noon Friday at the Kent Senior Activity Center.

State Rep. Dave Upthegrove.

Kentridge High School Class of 2010 graduates: Congratulations!

The Kentridge High School Class of 2010 graduated to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" June 12 at the Kent ShoWare Center. A total of 481 KR seniors earned the right to claim a diploma for their own.

06/11/10 Kent-Meridian graduate Ike Jenningf has lays stack to his ears and poses with his sister Repa outside of ShoWare after the graduation ceremony Saturday

Kent-Meridian High School graduates: Way to go, Class of 2010!

The Kent-Meridian Class of 2010 capped a busy four years on the academic grindstone by graduating June 12 from the Kent ShoWare Center. A total of 304 seniors had achieved their goal - and a diploma - this year.

06/11/10 Kent-Meridian graduate Ike Jenningf has lays stack to his ears and poses with his sister Repa outside of ShoWare after the graduation ceremony Saturday
Kent Mountain View Academy graduate Rany Say

Kent Mountain View Academy graduates: Congratulations, Class of 2010!

The Kent Mountain View Academy graduated its seniors June 11 at the Kent-Meridian High School East Wing Auditorium.

Kent Mountain View Academy graduate Rany Say
Kent Phoenix Academy graduate Sierra Roberts gives the student address during the academy's commencement exercises June 10.

Kent Phoenix Academy scholars graduate: Congratulations Class of 2010!

The Kent Phoenix Academy graduated its senior class June 10, from the school gymnasium. Teacher Mark Grey was the student-selected speaker. He spoke of the challenges students faced in their studies, and how they didn't give up.

Kent Phoenix Academy graduate Sierra Roberts gives the student address during the academy's commencement exercises June 10.

Single ladies unite: The Bachelor has casting call Sunday at Kent Station

Calling all the single ladies. The popular reality television show "The Bachelor" has scheduled a casting call for this Sunday at Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way, Kent.

A Kentridge graduate grabs a classmate following commencement last year at the Kent ShoWare Center. This year the center will be the venue for a number of graduations

What the Class of 2010 will be bringing to the rest of us: Editor’s Note

This weekend, a new crop of high-school graduates will be walking across the stage at the Kent ShoWare Center, mortarboards on head and gowns over suits and dresses. They’ll be walking to take their diplomas. They’ll also be walking to take their place in society, as adults. The Class of 2010 will be walking at a watershed moment for this country.

A Kentridge graduate grabs a classmate following commencement last year at the Kent ShoWare Center. This year the center will be the venue for a number of graduations
Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein speaks Monday to students and adults at Kent-Meridian High School. She was a guest speaker at the school district’s Holocaust Survivors’ Symposium.

Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein remembers: See the video

Gerda Weissman Klein, a holocaust survivor whose memoirs became the source of the Oscar-winning film "One Survivor Remembers," spoke of her experiences in a public assembly June 7 at Kent-Meridian High School. The Kent Reporter will air the Klein's discussion live from the filled-to-capacity K-M auditorium.

Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein speaks Monday to students and adults at Kent-Meridian High School. She was a guest speaker at the school district’s Holocaust Survivors’ Symposium.
Ed Reiten (from left)

Is there a ghost in this photo? Or not? Editor’s note

Do you believe in ghosts? That was a question I was asking myself this past week, after attending the city’s birthday party at the Kent Historical Museum. I was shooting pictures during an awards presentation at the museum, and discovered an odd blip on one of my photos.

Ed Reiten (from left)

Join the Kent Reporter for lunch Friday at the Kent Senior Activity Center; meet the publisher and editor

Join Kent Reporter Editor Laura Pierce and Publisher Polly Shepherd for lunch Friday, June 4, at the Kent Senior Activity Center. We're teaming up to support the senior center's lunch program, which is open Monday through Friday to the public, and as a way to talk with anybody who'd like to hear about the newspaper, or who would like to share story ideas and their thoughts with us!

Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub at 435 S.W. 152nd in Burien will be expanding to Kent’s Riverbend Golf Complex.

Riverbend Golf Complex gets a touch of Ireland: Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub

Kent may be several thousand miles from the green hills of Ireland, but starting next month, the Emerald Isle will seem a lot closer. That’s because a family-themed Irish restaurant will be opening its doors at Kent’s Riverbend Golf Complex.

Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub at 435 S.W. 152nd in Burien will be expanding to Kent’s Riverbend Golf Complex.

Mitchell to speak at Southwest King County Chamber event

Kimberly Mitchell, senior program officer with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will address “Going Where the Evidence Takes Us – A Funder’s Perspective on Improving Education” at the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon June 11.

Kent teachers union plans forum on school district budget

The Kent School District teachers' union, the Kent Education Association, is hosting a community budget forum June 2, regarding the union's position on the Kent School District's budget. The event runs 7-9 p.m. at Daniel Elementary, 11310 S.E. 248th St., Kent.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cook (from left) Greater Kent Historical Society President Charlene Shaw and Kent Historical Museum Director Linda Wagner smile during the city's 120th birthday party Friday at the museum. Cooke is holding a certificate of appreciation she received from the society

Kent celebrates 120 years in style: Read the story, see the slide show

What if you had a birthday party and nearly 100 people showed up? That was the case last May 28, when the Greater Kent Historical Society had a party to celebrate the city's big 120th birthday. Approximately 96 people came for the shindig, which was good news indeed to the staff at the Kent Historical Museum.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cook (from left) Greater Kent Historical Society President Charlene Shaw and Kent Historical Museum Director Linda Wagner smile during the city's 120th birthday party Friday at the museum. Cooke is holding a certificate of appreciation she received from the society
Local 286 teammates from left

Kent woman makes Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure part of her life

Linda Ness became acquainted with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the most personal of ways. She lived through the drama of a breast-cancer diagnosis and treatment.“I had breast cancer 10 years ago,” said the Kent woman, who has been in remission ever since her cancer was treated with a lumpectomy and radiation treatment.

Local 286 teammates from left
Katie Swickard

Kent chapter of Soroptimist International has annual Community Service Awards Luncheon

Several social-service entities were winners Monday at a special luncheon organized by Soroptimist International of Kent. The service club acknowledged everything from a home a for teenage moms to a botanical trail, in its annual Community Service Awards Luncheon at the Golden Steer Restaurant.

Katie Swickard