Local News and Events for Kent, Washington

This edition of Sound Bites is sponsored by AAA Pest Control.

Let me start by saying Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and other father figures (including single moms!) who have helped shape who we are today. I am a bit melancholy this Father’s Day. While my dad is still with us, he is 83 and lives in Indiana. His health has been declining since Christmas, and I hope to visit him before he leaves us.

Looking back on the years we’ve had together, I remember him as a man of few words – unless it was a tasteless joke – but someone who was always there for me. He did things that many dads are expected to do, but somehow his doing them made them extra special to me. This may be his last Father’s Day, or one of many more, but either way, he holds a very special place in my heart. Please take the time to call, visit or reach out to your dad this year. We should never take them for granted.

On a lighter note, many in our community our celebrating new beginnings – recent high school and college graduates. Congratulations to each of you and best wishes for an exciting journey ahead – no matter what’s next for you! As for me, I am turning 50 on Tuesday, and after a year of dreading it, I’m ready for anything. Bring it on!

Have a great week!

iLoveKent Publisher Dana Neuts
~ Dana Neuts, publisher

 

NEW–Editorial: Save Music in the Kent School District
Budget crises, spending freezes, numbers games. These are some reasons the Kent School District is telling parents they are losing music classes. Read the complete editorial here.

NEW–Washington State Patrol to target left lane violators, June 20-22,2017
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) will have an increased emphasis on left lane violators – vehicles who “camp” in the left lane without passing – this week, Tuesday through Thursday. Violators could get stuck with a $136 ticket. Read more here.

NEW–Fireworks are illegal in Kent, violators can be fined
The City of Kent has banned the sale, possession and use of all consumer fireworks to help eliminate fires, injuries and fireworks-related complaints. Violators can be fined up to $250 and have their fireworks confiscated. For some of us, myself included, this is a welcome change because my pets are miserable every Fourth of July. They are terrified and it is a long night (or holiday weekend) we dread each summer. That said, there are still ways to enjoy fireworks safely and legally. Attend one of the local, approved fireworks displays like Kent’s Fourth of July Splash or the fireworks display at the Des Moines Marina. Read more here.

NEW–Kent Station to host Ladies’ Night Out this Thursday
Ladies, grab your girlfriends (21 and older please) and head down to Kent Station for Ladies’ Night Out on Thurs., June 22. For $30, you’ll get four wine tasting tickets, a raffle ticket, a free fashion show, nail polish service, massage and hand treatments, live entertainment, light bites and more. Profits benefit Kent Youth & Family Services. Learn more about Ladies’ Night Out here.

NEW–Washington State Patrol seeks witnesses to hit-and-run collision in Seattle
The Washington State Police are looking for witnesses to an early morning crash on Thursday, just south of the convention center in Seattle. A 2001 Chrysler Town and Country was traveling south on I-5 when it made a lane change, striking the read of a semi-trailer. The van then hit the barrier and rolled onto its side. The semi-trailer involved kept going without stopping. WSP is looking for any witnesses to the collision or anyone who has identifying information on the semi. Read more here.

NEW–Kent students to participate in 1st Worldwide Cyber Defense event
Students from around the world will meet at Highline College on June 20-22 at the International Collegiate Cyber Defense Invitational, the first international event of its kind in the United States. Two students from Kent will participate: Dmitriy Koval from Kent-Meridian High School and Boo Park who lives in Kent. Read more about the event here.

Kent School District Fun FactsNEW–Last day of school for KSD is June 27
Except for high school seniors who finished last week, Tuesday, June 27 is the last day of school for students in the Kent School District. School resumes in the fall on Sept. 6 with a new “learning first” schedule which adds 26 hours of instruction to the school year. Under this new schedule, students at all schedules will dismiss two hours early on Wednesdays instead of the periodic late arrival and early dismissal we’re used to. While some are debating the merits of a new schedule, there is one big positive that shouldn’t be overlooked. There will be two meals provided at school consistently. This means that kids who don’t have enough to eat at home will receive at least two meals a day, and kids who aren’t distracted by hunger have a better opportunity to learn. Find out more about the Learning First Schedule on KSD’s website.

NEW–Toni Troutner announces her campaign for Kent City Council
Toni Troutner, a market research analyst and community volunteer, has announced her run for Kent City Council. She has received the endorsement of Kent Fire Fighters Local 1747 among others. Learn more about Troutner in her campaign’s press release.

King County News: A woman was shot and killed in a fight near White Center this morning.NEW–Sheriff’s Deputy fatally shoots a man calling himself The Creator
Last week there was a fatal shooting in Burien. After reports of a man calling himself The Creator threatening to harm others with a sharp object, sheriff’s deputies arrived to try to diffuse the situation. They confronted the suspect, but would not follow orders to drop what he was holding and get on the ground. He advanced on the deputies who fired their tasers on the suspect. The tasers were ineffective and the suspect continued to move toward the officers. One deputy fired at least one round, striking and killing the suspect. Read more in the King County Sheriff’s Office press release.

King Co. Metro & Sound Transit offer reduced ORCA youth fares this summer
The King County Metro bus network and Sound Transit trains and buses will offer discounted summer fares to youth who carry an ORCA Youth card. King County Metro bus trips will cost $0.50 per trip and Sound Transit trips will be $1 each. Youth between 6 and 18 are eligible. Learn more about the discounted fares here.

NEW–Submit your news tips and press releases to iLoveKent
Does your business or organization have news or an upcoming event to share? Do you want to submit a press release for our consideration? Do you have a story idea or news tip? Contact us at [email protected] to share your news or event with us.

Reminder: Stay up-to-date on local road closures and construction projects
We keep a running list of ongoing construction projects, traffic alerts and related news from DriveKent.com, King County Dept. of Transportation, WSDOT and other entities affecting Kent roads and commuters. View our updated list here.

Upcoming Events – Highlights for the Week Ahead

Get additional event details from our June “things to do” list or our Google calendar.

June 18              Father’s Day
June 18              Trail Walk at Heron Loop Trail
June 18              El Fantasma with Voz De Mando & Compa Kanales
June 20              Kent City Council
June 20              Maxwell: Summer’s Tour ’17 with special guests Common & Ledisi
June 21              Kent4Health Free Indoor Walking
June 21              Soos Creek Botanical Garden Red Barn Program
June 22              Ladies’ Night Out
June 23              Auburn Kids’ Day
June 24              Green Kent Event: Park Orchard Park
June 24              Kent Farmer’s Market
June 24              2017 Summer Reading Program Kick-off – Kent Library
June 25              Green Kent Event: GRNRA Blackberry Removal

Dana Neuts

I am a full-time freelance writer, editor, marketing pro and the publisher of iLoveKent.net.