News

161 impaired drivers arrested by troopers over Christmas weekend

Washington State Patrol Troopers across the state arrested 161 drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs or alcohol over the recent Christmas holiday weekend. That’s down from 194 arrests during the same period in 2010 and does not include arrests made by local sheriff’s deputies or city police officers.

  • Dec 31, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Firefighters on scene of commercial fire Dec. 29 in Kent.

Update | Kent commercial fire injures man and woman | Kent Regional Fire Authority

Capt. Kyle Ohashi from the Kent Fire Department is reporting firefighters are on location of a commercial fire that is under control.

  • Dec 31, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Firefighters on scene of commercial fire Dec. 29 in Kent.

King County eliminates free recycling at five of its facilities as of Feb. 1

King County is eliminating free recycling services starting Feb. 1 at five of its facilities.

  • Dec 30, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Vincent Oywak travels to the Republic of South Sudan for his work as a manger for Sudan Microfinance Institution.

From Sudan to America and back once again for Covington man

Vincent Oywak fled from a war-torn Sudan to make a better life for himself and his family in the United States.

Vincent Oywak travels to the Republic of South Sudan for his work as a manger for Sudan Microfinance Institution.

Tolling on state Route 520 goes smooth for second day | Big test ahead

The second morning of tolling on the State Route 520 bridge Friday went much like the first – smooth sailing. Traffic was even lighter this morning than the first day of tolling and alternate routes Interstate-90 and SR 522 experienced no travel delays.

  • Dec 30, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Nicolas Moreno pleads not guilty to an assault charge for firing shots at a Kent car show.

Top crime and police stories of 2011 | Kent

Crime strikes often in Kent as the many incidents in 2011 proved.

Nicolas Moreno pleads not guilty to an assault charge for firing shots at a Kent car show.

King County opens Flood Warning Center as Green River rises from dam releases

The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase II flood alert for the Green River, where controlled water releases from a dam could result in very minor flooding along portions of the river without levees upstream of Auburn. The Flood Warning Center opened at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, to closely monitor conditions.

  • Dec 29, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

Marijuana Initiative 502 sponsors deliver more than 340,000 signatures

Sponsors of Initiative 502 (marijuana) delivered what they said were about 341,000 signatures to our Elections Division Thursday.

  • Dec 29, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Traffic flows Westbound across the State Route 520 floating bridge on the first day of active tolling in this view from Medina on Thursday morning

Tolls kick in on SR 520 bridge

It's been years and millions of dollars in the making, but tolls on State Route 520 began Thursday morning.

Traffic flows Westbound across the State Route 520 floating bridge on the first day of active tolling in this view from Medina on Thursday morning

Prosecutors seek longer sentences for vehicular homicide, assault cases

Prosecutors and several state lawmakers want longer sentence ranges in vehicular homicide and vehicular assault cases.

Kent artist offers watercolor classes

Kent artist Cheryl Renee Long will offer watercolor classes starting Jan. 10 in Maple Valley and Black Diamond.

  • Dec 28, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

Winter safety tips to prevent fire

In the aftermath of a number of deadly holiday fires nationwide, the Massachusetts-based National Fire Protection Association urges the public to take simple steps to protect their family and property from fire.

  • Dec 28, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

State minimum wage rises to $9.04 Jan. 1

Washington’s minimum wage goes up to $9.04 per hour beginning Jan. 1.

  • Dec 28, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

Strong winds predicted for Tuesday night

Expect strong winds Tuesday night throughout the Puget Sound area, including Kent, Tukwila, Covington and Maple Valley.

Washington State Patrol.

State Patrol makes 161 DUI arrests statewide Christmas weekend

Washington State Patrol troopers across the state arrested 161 drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs or alcohol over the Christmas holiday weekend.

  • Dec 27, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Washington State Patrol.

Cow power – Energy project to transform cow manure into green energy

King County Executive Dow Constantine joined local dairy farmers in Enumclaw to celebrate the beginning of construction on a digester project that will transform cow manure into green energy and other valuable resources.

  • Dec 26, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

King County receive more than $21.8 million in federal homeless assistance grants

Federal homeless assistance funds totaling more than $21.8 million have been awarded to the city of Seattle and King County for 2012-2013, making it possible to continue to provide a range of housing and supportive services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced the renewal grants on Dec. 20, 2011, following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announcement of $1.5 billion awarded nationwide.

  • Dec 26, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

State Democrats and Republicans file suit over election of precinct committee officers

The Washington state Democrats and Republicans on Thursday filed a joint lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court challenging the state’s halting of publicly funded election of party precinct committee officers. The case was set for hearing at 9 a.m. on March 23.

  • Dec 26, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

Buying new electronics this season? Don’t trash the old ones | Steve Skurnac

Electronics are once again dominating holiday shopping lists this season. In fact, analysts with the Consumer Electronics Association predict shoppers will spend six percent more on electronics this year compared to last – or about $250 per consumer. And for every new laptop, tablet, phone, TV, gaming system and scores of other gadgets, an outdated device likely will be replaced. For those old electronics, the question is, “Now what?”

  • Dec 25, 2011
  • BY Wire Service

2011 slightly off of record-breaking pace of 2010

After two record-setting years, the number of people receiving unemployment benefits – and the amount they received – shrank in 2011.

  • Dec 25, 2011
  • BY Wire Service