News

Local historian to speak at Kent Historcial Museum March 17

Kent historian Eric Reitan will share “Ramsay Family History” anecdotes about one of the first pioneer families in Kent at the Dessert Speaker Series at 7 p.m. March 17 at the Kent Historical Museum, 855 E. Smith St.

  • Mar 11, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
William L. Phillip Jr.

Oregon man extradited to Kent to face Frankel murder charge

The Oregon man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of a Kent city employee was extradited Thursday to Washington. William L. Phillip Jr., 30, of Portland, was booked for first-degree murder Thursday into the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, according to King County jail records. He is being held on $1 million bail.

William L. Phillip Jr.
Stefano Langone

‘American Idol’ judges praise performance by Kent’s Stefano Langone; viewers vote to advance him to top 12

"American Idol" judges voiced their support for Kent's Stefano Langone on the Wednesday night show. Langone found out Thursday night he also had support of the votes by viewers to advance him to the top 12.

Stefano Langone

Kent to close James Street March 12 near ShoWare Center

Crews are scheduled to close all lanes of James Street in Kent, just west of the ShoWare Center, from about 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 12 for asphalt grinding and placement.

  • Mar 10, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
03/10/11 Kent Fire Department hazmat truck and fire engine leaves the scene after inspecting a complaint of a strange smell inside a business at 6300 block of South 199th Place in Kent

Suspicious odor in Kent sends two to hospital

Five employees were examined by the Kent Fire Department and two were sent to a local hospital as a precaution after they complained of a strange smell inside a north Kent business at 10:52 a.m. Thursday in the 6300 block of South 199th Place.

  • Mar 10, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
03/10/11 Kent Fire Department hazmat truck and fire engine leaves the scene after inspecting a complaint of a strange smell inside a business at 6300 block of South 199th Place in Kent

Kent Preschool Preview event set for March 14

About a dozen preschools will have representatives at a Kent Preschool Preview event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 14 at Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N.

  • Mar 10, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Youngsters from the Guatemalan village of El Paraiso

Thai Chili Restaurant owner in Kent going on medical mission to Guatemala: See slide show of past mission

Nina Saisombut, owner of Thai Chili Restaurant in Kent, is part of medical team that provides free dental care to Guatemala. She's departing this month for another mission, and people can donate to her cause.

Youngsters from the Guatemalan village of El Paraiso
Emma Fitzpatrick

Artists get public acclaim at Kent Student Art Walk

The creativity of nearly 445 children from 25 Kent School District schools is on display through March 18, as part of the 17th annual Kent Student Art Walk at the Centennial Center Gallery and 25 downtown businesses.

Emma Fitzpatrick
Christian Alberto Rangel

Human remains found in unincorporated Kent – may be men missing since December: Update

Human remains were found Thursday in the 26200 block of 65th Avenue South in unincorporated Kent, just west of the West Valley Highway.

  • Mar 10, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Christian Alberto Rangel
William L. Phillip Jr.

Oregon man could be extradited soon on Frankel murder charge

King County prosecutors expect the Oregon man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Kent city employee could be extradited to Washington within the next week.

William L. Phillip Jr.

Kent School District pulls salads off student menus, citing high prices, lower quality of lettuce

The Kent School District has temporarily stopped serving certain entrée and side salads because the district’s source for most of its lettuce experienced severe rain and cold weather. Much of the crop was damaged or destroyed. As a result, the district has seen the price of lettuce rise dramatically because there is little product available for purchase. Additionally, the quality of the lettuce has deteriorated due to the weather conditions in the fields.

  • Mar 9, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Stefano Langone

Kent’s Stefano Langone competes Wednesday night in top 13 on ‘American Idol’

Kent's Stefano Langone will sing a rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Lately" when he performs among the final 13 contestants Wednesday night on "American Idol."

Stefano Langone
Kent city employees Margaret Bishop and John Rostad view some of the Kent School District student art work that will be part of Kent Student Art Walk March 7-18 in downtown Kent. They're looking at a pastel picture from Mill Creek Middle School student Charles Gapasin.

Kent Student Art Walk started this week; opening reception is March 11 at Centennial Center Gallery

Check out the creativity of more than 450 Kent School District children during the annual Kent Student Art Walk March 7-18 in downtown Kent.

  • Mar 8, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Kent city employees Margaret Bishop and John Rostad view some of the Kent School District student art work that will be part of Kent Student Art Walk March 7-18 in downtown Kent. They're looking at a pastel picture from Mill Creek Middle School student Charles Gapasin.

Help Kent clean up graffiti

Lend a hand to help clean up Kent by signing up for the third annual Community Pride Day Graffiti Paint-Out on March 19.

  • Mar 7, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Predators quarterback Charles McCullum prepares at a recent practice at Wilson Playfields for the Indoor Football League opener Feb. 25 at the ShoWare Center.

Kent Predators down Fairbanks for Indoor Football League win

The Kent Predators defeated the Fairbanks Grizzlies 56-41 in a professional Indoor Football League game Sunday at the ShoWare Center.

  • Mar 7, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Predators quarterback Charles McCullum prepares at a recent practice at Wilson Playfields for the Indoor Football League opener Feb. 25 at the ShoWare Center.
The Kent Police officers who were members of late Kent officer Rob McCuistion's final crew

Emotional service for Kent Police officer Rob McCuistion, who was killed in traffic accident: Story and slide show

"Honor guard!" "Present arms!" So went a farewell from the Kent Police community to one of its own Saturday, in the sunny confines of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kent. Several hundred of the late officer Robin McCuistion's friends and colleagues came to pay their respects to the man who had a been a husband, dad, police officer, business owner and all-around giving guy. "We come here to celebrate Rob's life," said Pastor Dan Behrens. "Even more importantly, we come here to celebrate the life that Rob was part of." McCuistion, 53, left that life in the most unexpected of ways: driving home on Kersey Way Southeast in Auburn in the early hours of Feb. 24, his car left the roadway, went down an embankment and struck a tree. He died at the scene. Given the icy conditions that night, it's thought the weather may have been a factor in the accident, although investigators are still piecing together what happened.

The Kent Police officers who were members of late Kent officer Rob McCuistion's final crew
A program through the Kent Police Department.

Learn about the inner workings of a police department at the Kent Community Police Academy

The Kent Police Department is taking registrations now for its next Community Police Academy. The academy, according to the department, is designed to "develop lasting partnerships by increasing the public’s knowledge about law enforcement," and starts April 20. For community members curious about the workings of their police department, this is an opportunity to get an inside look at the Kent Police Department.

  • Mar 7, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
A program through the Kent Police Department.

Unoccupied Kent home sustains major damage in fire

At approximately 6:45 p.m. March 5 fire units from Kent were dispatched to a residential fire in the 9300 block of East James Street. One ladder truck, three fire engines and multiple support apparatus arrived to find the home heavily involved, with smoke and flames showing from the front side. The unoccupied house was significantly damaged throughout. Early estimates of loss are in the $100,000 to $125,000 range. Investigators as of Saturday were still working to isolate the cause of the blaze. There were no injuries.

  • Mar 7, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Children can find all kinds of fun things to do at Kent's Kids' Arts Day March 5 at Kent Commons.

Kids’ Arts Day March 5 in Kent

Bring your children, grandchildren or friend's children to the city of Kent's annual Kids' Arts Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 5 at Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N.

  • Mar 5, 2011
  • BY Wire Service
Children can find all kinds of fun things to do at Kent's Kids' Arts Day March 5 at Kent Commons.
Kent resident Amber Morse volunteers at a past Muscular Dystrophy Association VIP Lockup. Morse

Already hard-core volunteer for MDA, Kent woman to volunteer at March 9 VIP Lockup at ShoWare

Amber Morse may have a form of Muscular Dystrophy, but she’s not letting it run her life. Proof that attitude is everything, the 27-year-old Kent woman has ice-skated, gone on airplanes, taken a trip to Hawaii and ridden a train. All the while operating from a wheelchair.

Kent resident Amber Morse volunteers at a past Muscular Dystrophy Association VIP Lockup. Morse