Ross Coyle

Eye for nature: Danny Najera is dedicated to studying the complexity of honeybees.

What’s all the buzz? Students can learn eco connections through honeybees, expert says

Bee stings don't really hurt Danny Najera like they used to. After years of studying the creatures — including accidentally dropping a hive while carrying it in the middle of the night — he's come to accept them as simply an occupational hazard.

Eye for nature: Danny Najera is dedicated to studying the complexity of honeybees.
Ali Scego

Rebuilding a shattered homeland: Ex-patriot, GRCC advisor returns to Somalia, helps with education

When Ali Scego returned to Somalia after living in the United States for 32 years, he could barely recognize his house. Mortar shells and bullet holes radically remodeled it.

Ali Scego
Kentridge’s Mae Thungc set a school record with 37 digs on Oct. 2 against Kentlake in a South Puget Sound League match.

Thungc shines as Kentridge’s defensive specialist

During her good games, Kentridge High volleyball player Mae Thungc typically comes in with nine to 14 digs to save the ball on a volley.

Kentridge’s Mae Thungc set a school record with 37 digs on Oct. 2 against Kentlake in a South Puget Sound League match.

Kent school bus driver still recovering from injuries

Lynn Hagan, the Kent school bus driver who was hit by a bus earlier this month, remains in critical but stable condition Tuesday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Lynn Lofstrom pauses to talk to Kentridge science teacher Matthew Czajka during a bi-monthly classroom workshop for new teachers in the district. While many districts offer similar mentorship programs

Teaching the teachers: Kent’s mentor program helps show the way for instructors

When Patti Billet had to write a detailed and technical student improvement plan for her pupils at Kent Mountain View Academy, she had her first breakdown after six weeks as a brand new teacher.

Lynn Lofstrom pauses to talk to Kentridge science teacher Matthew Czajka during a bi-monthly classroom workshop for new teachers in the district. While many districts offer similar mentorship programs
Kent-Meridian High freshman sensation Olivia Baerny

Baerny driven to run, excel at Kent-Meridian

Competition literally runs in Olivia Baerny’s blood.

Kent-Meridian High freshman sensation Olivia Baerny

Vengadasalam, Elliott square off for Kent School Board seat

Outside of their mutual interest in the importance of English proficiency for students, Maya Vengadasalam and Bruce Elliott – candidates for Kent School District School Board seat No. 5 – have very different views on where the district needs to go in the future.

Superman: Kent-Meridian senior quarterback Quincy Carter has blossomed in his role with the Royals as a dual-threat force on the football field – thanks to experience

Family, jazz and God fuel K-M’s versatile Quincy Carter

Quincy Carter, Kent-Meridian High School's 6-foot, 190-pound quarterback strikes an intimidating presence despite his lanky frame.

Superman: Kent-Meridian senior quarterback Quincy Carter has blossomed in his role with the Royals as a dual-threat force on the football field – thanks to experience

Kent students find a way to recover in school

Eduardo Torres was a good student for much of his academic career. But when his grandmother died during his sophomore year at Kent-Meridian High School, his grades plummeted.

Kent-Meridian quarterback Quincy Carter races into the open field against Kentwood.

Conks deny Royals in overtime | SPSL North 4A football

A heated and emotional exchange Friday night sent Kent-Meridian into an overtime battle against Kentwood. Despite Kent-Meridian's strong showing, a missed extra point kick separated the South Puget Sound League North 4A teams, with the Royals falling 28-27 at French Field.

Kent-Meridian quarterback Quincy Carter races into the open field against Kentwood.

Kentridge, K-M hit the cross country trails

Kentridge High coach Ryan West expects the boys cross country team could challenge for a state berth and should have a high finish in the South Puget Sound League standings.

Mount Rainier's activity

Is the valley prepared if Mount Rainier erupts?

Mount Rainier's last eruption occurred around 1100 AD, and the volcano that sits south of Auburn and Kent has remained dormant since.

Mount Rainier's activity
Kent School District Superintendent Edward Vargas speaks with district Environmental Services Supervisor Beth Gilbertson as they walk down the nature trail at Millennium Elementary School.

Kent’s Millennium Elementary School awarded for ‘green’ practices

As they began a tour of Millennium Elementary School, an official from the Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction said that "if at some point someone sees a recycling bin, I can get rid of this."

Kent School District Superintendent Edward Vargas speaks with district Environmental Services Supervisor Beth Gilbertson as they walk down the nature trail at Millennium Elementary School.
Mathew Barzal skates at a recent Seattle Thunderbirds practice. He scored 103 points last season

Top draft pick Barzal to make his Thunderbirds debut Saturday | WHL

The Seattle Thunderbirds knew exactly where to spend their No. 1 draft pick for the coming Western Hockey League season: a 16-year-old from Canada named Mathew Barzal.

Mathew Barzal skates at a recent Seattle Thunderbirds practice. He scored 103 points last season
Mathew Barzal skates at a recent Seattle Thunderbirds practice. He scored 103 points last season

Top draft pick Barzal to make his T-Birds debut Saturday | WHL hockey

The Seattle Thunderbirds knew exactly where to spend their No. 1 draft pick for the coming Western Hockey League season: a 16-year-old from Canada named Mathew Barzal.

Mathew Barzal skates at a recent Seattle Thunderbirds practice. He scored 103 points last season
Kentridge wide reciever Carter Johnson is almost taken down by Auburn Riverside's Kevin Thomson

Auburn Riverside zaps Kentridge, 26-0 | Prep football

Another shutout loss, another disappointing night for Kentridge. Auburn-Riverside scored all 26 points of its points in the first half and went on to subdue Kentridge in the Chargers' South Puget Sound League North 4A football opener at French Field Thursday night.

Kentridge wide reciever Carter Johnson is almost taken down by Auburn Riverside's Kevin Thomson

Trying to meet you halfway as we cover the local news

The impression I consistently get from people is that they want news and information, but are unwilling to pay money for the service.

The Islamic Center of Kent is working to replace its existing house of worship at 20857 108th Ave.

Islamic Center of Kent makes pitch for new worship building

The Islamic Center of Kent has submitted a proposal for a new religious services building to replace its current building on the East Hill.

The Islamic Center of Kent is working to replace its existing house of worship at 20857 108th Ave.
Kentridge’s Kelly Spratt passes the ball as teammate Lexi Nguyen watches during a 10-minute rally attempt at a recent practice.

Kentridge gets charged for volleyball season

After a brief pep talk with their coach, the Kentridge girls volleyball players take up their positions on the court. The goal is to maintain a rally for 10 minutes. The ball can drop six times before the clock restarts.

Kentridge’s Kelly Spratt passes the ball as teammate Lexi Nguyen watches during a 10-minute rally attempt at a recent practice.
Sister Dinah

Kent Pride: Gay community shines at festival | SLIDESHOW

They arrived as couples, in drag, in makeup or just jeans and a T-shirt. But they all gathered at Burlington Green Park to celebrate being themselves for the conclusion of the second annual Kent Pride weekend.

Sister Dinah