News

Kent man sentenced to nine years in prison for dealing heroin

A U.S. District Court judge Oct. 22 sentenced a 39-year-old Kent man to nine years in prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Ben Hunlock, of Kent, and Victory Hugo Gutama, 45, of Seattle, were arrested March 15 in north Seattle while engaged in a 2-pound heroin deal.

Daniel Elementary School special education teacher Michelle Raeck

Kent teacher wins Office Max award for ‘A Day Made Better’ for her students

Michelle Raeck, a special-education teacher from Daniel Elementary School, received $1,000 worth of classroom supplies earlier this month during a surprise visit from Office Max staff during an assembly at her school. The Office Max program called “A Day Made Better” is a national cause celebrating teachers for their efforts in the classroom. Raeck was nominated by one of the school’s administrators, Tracy Magee.

  • Oct 25, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Daniel Elementary School special education teacher Michelle Raeck

Kent City Council plans 2011 budget workshop Oct. 26

Want to find out what the Kent City Council has to say about Mayor Suzette Cooke's proposed 2011 budget? Then check out the Council's workshop about the budget at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S.

  • Oct 25, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Dennis and Jennifer Weigel of Auburn wheel their daughter Grace

Halloween happenings in the area

Check to see the latest upcoming events the South County region for Halloween.

  • Oct 24, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Dennis and Jennifer Weigel of Auburn wheel their daughter Grace
10/22/10 Kathy Lange

Fido officially goes free in Kent on Saturday

Kent dog owners will be out in force at an East Hill park Saturday, as they celebrate the opening of Kent's first off-leash dog park. Located on East Hill between Morrill Meadows and East Hill Parks on Southeast 248th Street, the 3-acre site has a grand opening at 1 p.m. In place of a traditional ribbon-cutting, Mayor Suzette Cooke will untie a string of colorful doggie bandanas to “unleash” the park and let the dogs take it over.

  • Oct 24, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
10/22/10 Kathy Lange

REI headquarters chosen top green company in Kent (again)

The corporate headquarters of REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) has been named the Kent Green Business of the Year – again. Since winning the award in 2007 and 2008, REI continues to focus on minimizing its impact on the planet and reporting publicly on its progress at www.rei.com/stewardship.

  • Oct 22, 2010
  • BY Wire Service

Still time to register for General Election

King County residents still have time to register to vote for the General Election. If you are not currently registered to vote in Washington, visit the King County Elections office by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

  • Oct 21, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
The 2011 Nissan Leaf

Electric vehicle charging stations coming to Kent, rest of Puget Sound area

Expect to see electric vehicle-charging stations popping up next year in Kent and throughout the central Puget Sound area and Olympia. The stations are part of a public-private partnership backed by the federal government to create infrastructure to accommodate the 2011 Nissan Leaf and other new electric vehicles hitting the market later this year and over the next few years.

The 2011 Nissan Leaf
Doug and Maria Nelson of Kent look over a 2011 Nissan Leaf brochure. They plan to buy the new electric vehicle later this year.

Kent couple to be among first to purchase new Nissan Leaf electric car

At Doug and Maria Nelson's Kent home, the debate is on over who will get to drive their as-yet-undelivered 2011 Nissan Leaf electric vehicle. "We'll charge it at night and I'll let Doug borrow it," Maria Nelson said during a recent interview at their home. "We both want the car." The Nelsons are pumped about the first all-electric car made by a major auto company. They paid a $99 deposit last spring to reserve the five-door hatchback and placed an order this fall. They hope to have the car by the end of the year.

Doug and Maria Nelson of Kent look over a 2011 Nissan Leaf brochure. They plan to buy the new electric vehicle later this year.
Seth Frankel

Frankel murder case at a standstill five months after his death

Five months after Seth Frankel’s death, the Auburn Police investigation to solve his murder remains at a standstill. Frankel, 41, who worked for the city of Kent, was found dead May 22 lying on the floor of his Auburn home. He died May 21 from stab wounds to the arms and neck, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. “There is no update; there is no movement at all,” said Auburn Police Sgt. David Colglazier during an Oct. 19 phone interview.

Seth Frankel
Kent Police want the public's help to identify this man caught on videotape allegedly breaking into a downtown Kent business.

Kent Police seek help to find alleged burglar

Kent Police are looking for the public's help to identify a man who reportedly broke into a downtown Kent business.

  • Oct 21, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Police want the public's help to identify this man caught on videotape allegedly breaking into a downtown Kent business.
Kent resident Katherine L. Matteoni

Local woman, 81, dies in collision Saturday in Kent; family of four taken to hospital

Kent Police continued Wednesday to investigate the cause of a two-car collision Oct. 16 that claimed the life of an 81-year-old woman and sent four people to the hospital.

Kent resident Katherine L. Matteoni

Former Kent resident faces animal-cruelty charge following discovery of starving dogs

A former Kent resident has been charged with first-degree animal cruelty, following the discovery of three emaciated, thirsty dogs in a Kent home she reportedly abandoned. Kydey Hok is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 21.

Hearing in Kent on 2011 County Budget is tonight at Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center

The Metropolitan King County Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee will go to Kent tonight to hear from the public on the 2011 Executive Proposed Budget. The meeting takes place 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, 401 Fourth Ave., Kent, in Jury Assembly Room 2E.

  • Oct 19, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Dennis and Jennifer Weigel of Auburn wheel their daughter Grace

Carpinito’s pumpkin patch puts locals in the Halloween spirit

Stephanie Brace prefers to pick her Halloween pumpkins off the vine. That's why Brace brought her three young daughters on a sunny afternoon last week to the Carpinito Brothers U-Pick Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze along the West Valley Highway in Kent, just north of South 272nd Street across from the Smith Brothers Dairy.

Dennis and Jennifer Weigel of Auburn wheel their daughter Grace

Kent Youth Summit Conference: Share your ideas for keeping Kent kids connected with community

Do you have ideas about providing more activities for Kent youth? Then join the discussion Oct. 21 at the Youth Summit Conference 7 p.m. at Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 S.E. 248th St. The event is sponsored by the church's social-outreach committee in an effort to develop more programs in Kent for children of all ages.

Chinook District of Garden Clubs plans general meeting and luncheon

The Chinook District of Garden Clubs, consisting of 12 South County garden clubs, will meet for its general meeting/luncheon on 10 a.m. Nov. 3 at Grace Lutheran Church, 22975-24th Ave. S., Des Moines.

  • Oct 18, 2010
  • BY Wire Service

Kent church offers Youth Summit Conference Oct. 21

Got ideas on how to provide more activities for Kent youth? Then join a discussion at the Youth Summit Conference at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 S.E. 248th St.

  • Oct 18, 2010
  • BY Wire Service

Family escapes Kent house fire

A house fire on the East Hill of Kent displaced a family of four at about 4 a.m. Sunday in the 21200 block of 104th Avenue Southeast.

  • Oct 18, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
King County Sheriff's Office deputies are looking for people who might have been harassed by phone or e-mails by William Thomas Pritchard.

King County Sheriff’s Office seeks possible victims of accused cyberstalker

King County Sheriff's Office detectives are looking for people who might have been victims of a 23-year-old man charged by prosecutors for cyberstalking with sexual motivation after he reportedly cultivated a relationship with a 17-year-old girl through MySpace.

  • Oct 15, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
King County Sheriff's Office deputies are looking for people who might have been harassed by phone or e-mails by William Thomas Pritchard.