Wire Service

Randall Connor

Man enters plea Friday in Kent murder charge

Randall Edward Connor pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge at an arraignment Friday in King County Superior Court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Randall Connor
It took about 20 Renton firefighters

Black bear caught in Renton Highlands

Marcie Palmer has seen plenty of wildlife in her Kennydale neighborhood. She’s seen coyotes, deer, possums and raccoons. Last summer a cougar was spotted in lower Kennydale. But April 23 was the first Kennydale bear sighting for the City Council member and many of her neighbors.

It took about 20 Renton firefighters
King County Animal Shelter Manager Al Dams talks about cat kennels while giving a media tour of the shelter in October after a report criticized conditions in the shelter.

County Council OKs dollars for shelters

The King County Council on Monday approved $965,000 in additional funding this year for immediate upgrades to the county animal shelters in Kent and Bellevue.

King County Animal Shelter Manager Al Dams talks about cat kennels while giving a media tour of the shelter in October after a report criticized conditions in the shelter.

PULLIAM

Pulliam, took a job as the city’s vegetation-management supervisor. He held that job for 22 years before retiring in 2003.

STRACHAN

use of marijuana by individuals. If we want to have a debate about regulating or otherwise changing our legal focus on marijuana, let’s have that debate. We ask only that we make laws that are supported and enforced. The “Green Reaper” case is about neighborhoods and public safety, not individual use. Let’s keep our focus on the big picture, rather than getting distracted by potentially worthwhile but unrelated debate about personal use of marijuana.

CASHMAN

days is my goal. Don’t know if I’ll make it before mom begins to notice, but even she says I should try to follow my dreams.

Geoff  Simpson

Lawmaker arrested

State Rep. Geoff Simpson was arrested April 27 by King County Sheriff deputies and booked into the county jail in Seattle on suspicion of fourth-degree assault.

Geoff  Simpson

Drivers take note: HOT lanes now open on SR 167

After months of watching the signs, electrical equipment and striping being installed along nine miles of SR 167 between Renton and Auburn, people who drive alone can pay for a variable, electronic toll to travel in the high occupancy toll lane.

Music teacher Darren Motamedy

For one Kent schools teacher, this tune is sweet

Between the busy nights performing as a professional jazz musician and the jam-packed days teaching elementary-school band students, Darren Motamedy said the latter has become the more challenging career.

Music teacher Darren Motamedy
Kentridge High School alum Mike Geisen

Kentridge alumnus makes the grade

Mike Geisen, 35, said he doesn’t remember all the academic details he learned as a Kentridge High School student, but he does remember the teachers there who inspired in him a passion for learning.

Kentridge High School alum Mike Geisen

Kent men charged in May 3 armed robbery

Two Kent men arrested in connection with the May 3 armed robbery of the El Abuelo Convenience Store in Issaquah were charged Wednesday.

Possible measles exposure

Local public health officials have learned that a Grant County young girl who visited King County April 29 has tested positive for measles. People who were at the following King County sites on April 29 were possibly exposed to measles:

Kent, Des Moines plan meeting for Midway

The cities of Kent and Des Moines are having a series of public meetings to gather the community’s thoughts and ideas on what Midway could look like in the future, what kinds of businesses are needed, and what types of transportation options would support a new Midway. Interested parties are asked to attend an open house from 6-8 p.m. May 28 at the Des Moines Activity Center, 2045 S. 216th St.

VMC commission resumes regular meeting times

The Valley Medical Center Board of Commissioners will continue meeting at 3:30 p.m., after voting May 5 to rescind a decision to meet at 6 p.m. that effectively could have resulted in the resignation of one of its newest members.

Nikki Devoni stands May 10 in the recreation room where an airplane struck. John Clark and his dad Jack

Airplane crashes into home; pilot killed

Shortly before 5 p.m. last Friday, a small plane crashed into a house between Covington and Maple Valley. The pilot was killed.

Nikki Devoni stands May 10 in the recreation room where an airplane struck. John Clark and his dad Jack

Police Blotter

Theft

County Council calls for tanker rebid

The Metropolitan King County Council this week joined local elected leaders across Washington state to oppose the award of a major Air Force contract for aerial refueling tankers to the European-based Airbus consortium.

Highline C.C. board approves new president, effective immediately

The Highline Community College Board of Trustees May 8 chose a familiar face to lead the Des Moines-based school — interim President Jack Bermingham.

Schools briefly

Local earns honor

Poker Players Alliance Grassroots Director Drew Lesofski

Poker players say legal deck stacked against them

Some call it luck. Players call it skill. Neither on May 15 could change the fact that it’s illegal to play the game of poker for money online in the state of Washington.

Poker Players Alliance Grassroots Director Drew Lesofski