News

Gage Sinclair

Teen recovers from Guillain-Barré syndrome, excited to run in Dec. 12 Kent Christmas Rush

Gage Sinclair was in a hospital bed and unable to walk three months ago. So when Sinclair, 13, participates in the city of Kent's 27th annual Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk Saturday, it will help mark an end to a painful and challenging period in his life, and that of his family.

Gage Sinclair
Members of the 8-1 CAV Striker Brigade out of Fort Lewis pose with the flag sent over to them by Kathryn Campbell's kindergarten class at Millennium Elementary School. Campbell's husband

A package with heart: Local kindergartners send care package to Afghanistan

The kids in Kathryn Campbell's kindergarten class at Millennium Elementary are not entirely sure where Afghanistan is: "Far away" is about the most accurate answer… Continue reading

Members of the 8-1 CAV Striker Brigade out of Fort Lewis pose with the flag sent over to them by Kathryn Campbell's kindergarten class at Millennium Elementary School. Campbell's husband

Traffic report: Prepare for nighttime delays on I-405 in Renton and Bellevue this weekend

Drivers should prepare for late-night lane closures in Renton and Bellevue this weekend as crews close lanes to paint lane stripes on the road.

  • Dec 4, 2009
  • BY Wire Service

Keep proposed 2010 budget cuts at current level, mayor says

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke recommended at a budget workshop Wednesday that the City Council make no further cuts in the proposed 2010 city budget.

Kent-Meridian students congregate after classes earlier this week. A recent assessment of student test scores in the district are noting a difference in test scores district wide regarding the district's African American students.

Kent school officials: Testing shows inequity in African American student achievement

The Kent School District recently released results showing how students from the district did in a recent round of college assessment tests, and while the district generally did well compared to state and national averages, African American scores continue to lag behind, highlighting what many call the “achievement gap.”

Kent-Meridian students congregate after classes earlier this week. A recent assessment of student test scores in the district are noting a difference in test scores district wide regarding the district's African American students.
City of Kent Finance Director Bob Nachlinger discussed projected budget revenues to the City Council Dec. 2.

Kent will have balanced budget, finance chief says, in spite of big loss in revenue

Despite declining revenue drops in sales and utility taxes, Kent city officials project a balanced budget by the end of this year because of reduced expenses.

City of Kent Finance Director Bob Nachlinger discussed projected budget revenues to the City Council Dec. 2.

Tukwila police to host ‘Tip-a-cop’ Friday for families of Lakewood officers

The Tukwila Police Department is hosting a "Tip-a-cop" fundraiser Friday evening to raise money for the families of the Lakewood Police Officers killed Nov. 29.The… Continue reading

  • Dec 3, 2009
  • BY Wire Service

Guns and drugs: Des Moines man gets eight-year sentence

A 28-year-old Des Moines man was sentenced Nov. 20 in U.S. District Court to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute.

A candlelight vigil for the four Lakewood Police officers killed Nov. 29 has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday between Kent City Hall and the Kent Police station.

Candlelight vigil in downtown Kent for Lakewood Police officers

Join your fellow Kent residents for a candlelight vigil 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, to acknowledge the Lakewood Police officers killed in the line of duty Nov. 29, as well as supporting Kent's own officers.

  • Dec 2, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
A candlelight vigil for the four Lakewood Police officers killed Nov. 29 has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday between Kent City Hall and the Kent Police station.

Record number attend free Thanksgiving meal at Kent’s Golden Steer restaurant

The Golden Steer's annual Thanksgiving feed served a record number of people this year. According to owner Jim Berrios, 414 people ate dinner ate dinner at the Golden Steer this past Thursday and an additional 27 to-go platters were made up for a total of 441 people eating, all of whom received vouchers from the Kent Food Bank, through a church or the Kent School District.

  • Dec 1, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Police Public Education Officer Cesi Velez

Put on your holiday best – it’s time for Kent Winterfest

There’s a whole lot of fun planned Saturday at the 27th annual Winterfest holiday celebration in downtown Kent and at Kent Station. The activities include everything from a Santa Claus arrival parade, an all-you-can-eat breakfast, a Kids and Kritters walk, a carousel and horse-drawn carriage rides, along with choirs and bands.

Kent Police Public Education Officer Cesi Velez

Suspect in Lakewood police shootings believed to have been shot and killed Tuesday morning

Maurice Clemmons, the man suspected in the shooting deaths of four Lakewood Police officers, is believed to have been shot and killed at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, by a Seattle Police officer making a routine stop on a stolen-vehicle report.

  • Dec 1, 2009
  • BY Wire Service

Buy local? Count city in, Kent Council says

Kent city staff will need to consider buying “local first” for city purchases and contracts. The Kent City Council voted 6-0 Nov. 17 to adopt an ordinance that directs city staff to use a “best efforts” approach to purchase items or set up contracts with Kent businesses, over companies from outside the city.

Kent’s Marlatt Funeral Home plans Christmas memorial event, candle-lighting ceremony

Marlatt Funeral Home will have its annual Christmas Memorial and Candle Lighting Ceremony 7 p.m. Dec. 17. The event is held to honor the memory of those who have passed on. Local clergy will address the gathering with stories of inspiration and tips aboput making it through the holidays.

  • Dec 1, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Gregory Richards

Police officer in Lakewood shooting started his career with Kent Police force

Kent Police considered Lakewood Police officer Gregory Richards "one of our own." Richards, 42, of Graham, was one of four Lakewood officers shot and killed Sunday in a Parkland coffee shop. He started his police career in 2001 in Kent.

Gregory Richards
Jody Metzger

Kent School District protects its valley schools with sandbags, relocation plan

With a shiny new namesake opened around the corner, the old Panther lake Elementary School on 108th Avenue Southeast sits empty these days. But if floodwaters rise this winter, the old school will be pressed back into service to house students from schools in the flood zone.

Jody Metzger
Don Ihry

PASSAGES: Kent’s Don Ihry leaves a legacy of tractors behind him

Don Ihry, known throughout Kent for the decorated antique tractors that lined his property on Benson Avenue, died this past weekend. He was 71.

Don Ihry

UPDATED: Kent firefighters battle two blazes over holiday

The Kent fire department responded to a house fire on Kent-Kangley Road early Friday morning that has displaced one local family. According to Captain Kyle Ohashi of the Kent Fire Department, firefighters received a call for a house fire at approximately 12:20 a.m. Friday and arrived at the 12100 block of Kent-Kangley to find the house in flames.

Writer Storme Webber talks with Park Orchard Elementary sixth grader Jean Marie Oughton Tuesday to help her find inspiration for her poem.  Park Orchard is the first Kent school to have the “Writers in Schools” program.

Writers in Schools program comes to Kent

Devin Stumpf does not look like your stereotypical poet. But when the sixth-grader at Park Orchard reads his writing – reluctantly, at first – his work connects him better to his feelings and a way to express them.

Writer Storme Webber talks with Park Orchard Elementary sixth grader Jean Marie Oughton Tuesday to help her find inspiration for her poem.  Park Orchard is the first Kent school to have the “Writers in Schools” program.

Council to discuss 2010 budget in workshops Dec. 2, 5

The Kent City Council has scheduled two special workshops to discuss the 2010 city budget.

  • Nov 25, 2009
  • BY Wire Service