The Kent City Council at its Tuesday night (June 4) meeting urged “all residents to acknowledge the significance of African-American history and in the heritage of our nation and city.”

There will be a celebration of Juneteenth Day on Saturday, June 22 at Morrill Meadows Park ”to honor and remember Linda Sweezer for her significant contributions to the Kent Black Action Commission and Kent community.”

Sweezer, 64, of Kent, was killed in her Kent home on the East Hill in October of 2017.

Mayor Dana Ralph presented the proclamation to Gwen Allen-Carston of the Kent Black Action Commission (pictured above).

The mayor also recognized Scenic Hill Elementary 6th-grade student Dean Rodrigues-Fale (pictured below) as a hero for using the life-saving Heimlich Maneuver to dislodge candy stuck in the throat of a fellow student.

Kent Police major crimes detective Matt Lorette was named employee of the month for June at the Council meeting. She said Lorette has been working as a Kent Police officer for 18 years, climbing through the ranks to detective.

“Matt does an amazing job for the city,” said the mayor.

The Council also presented a thank-you to its Washington Legislature delegation after a session report from lobbyist Briahna Murray, vice president of Gordon Thomas Honeywell of Seattle.