Local News from iLoveKent for Monday, Jan. 30
News highlights from in and around Kent, Washington as of Monday, January 30, 2017.
Kent and State B&O taxes due Jan. 31
If you are a Kent business, you are required to pay City of Kent B&O taxes on a quarterly or annual basis. Tomorrow is the deadline for Q4 2016 or year end 2016 B&O taxes. Learn more about Kent’s B&O tax here. It is also the deadline for filing Washington state B&O taxes with the Department of Revenue.
Renton woman arrested for vehicular homicide
A 23-year-old Renton woman this weekend and charged with vehicular homicide for killing a 22-year-old man in Beaver Lake Park in Sammammish last Wednesday. Prior to her arrest, King County Sheriff’s detectives were involved in an officer involved shooting during the course of their investigation. A Kent teen was questioned as part of the investigation. Read those stories here: arrest for vehicular homicide and officer-involved shooting.
Harlem Globetrotters return to Kent, Feb. 17 & 20
Witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment as the Harlem Globetrotters return to Kent on Feb. 17 & 20 for their 2017 tour. Tickets start at $27.50. Learn more at ShoWare Center.
Deadline for “Name the Penguins” entries is tomorrow
Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting a “name the penguins” contest to name the Papa and Baby Penguin recently installed at the corner of 2nd and Meeker in downtown Kent. KDP is accepting entries through Tuesday, January 31, so get your entries in today for a chance at a $50 prize. Read more here.
Denali Federal Credit Union clothing drive ends Tuesday
Have new or gently used clothes, shoes, sock (new) and underwear (new) to donate? Denali Federal Credit Union is hosting a clothing drive through tomorrow. Get a list of drop-off locations here.
Kentlake High School to Host ‘Beyond High School’ College and Career Fair, Feb. 1
Kentlake High School is hosting the annual ‘Beyond High School’ college and career fair this Wed., Feb. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Representatives from area colleges and employers will be on hand to share information with students and their parents about post high school options. Learn more here.
Kent Neighborhood Program is accepting matching grant applications
Recognized Neighborhood Councils are eligible to apply for matching grants for neighborhood projects such as entrance signs, kiosks and landscaping around retention ponds are just a few examples. Grant applications will be accepted through April 1. Grant projects are evaluated by a Grant Review Team and selected based on criteria including neighborhood participation, benefit to the public, planning, scope of work and maintenance after completion. Learn more here.
Kent Police Offer Safety Tips for personal robberies and auto thefts
Robberies in downtown Kent have spiked recently as online shoppers and sellers have been robbed at gunpoint. Kent PD recommends meeting during daytime hours in a public place, like the City Hall/Kent Police Dept. campus which is a designated e-commerce zone. Also, 50% of daytime auto thefts in Kent occur because vehicles are left running and unattended. Do not leave your vehicle unattended while warming it up or stopping at a gas station or store. Read more here.
Get help completing college financial aid applications
On Wednesdays during the month of February, from 3 PM to 7 PM, the Kent Library at Smith and 2nd is offering help with FAFSA and WASFA applications. Click here for more info. or contact the Kent Library directly.
Plan your February with our monthly event calendar
We’ve already published our February “things to do” calendar for events and activities in and around Kent next month. We’ve got everything from soccer, hockey and basketball to lectures, fundraisers and art projects. Get the full rundown here.
KSD Seeks Applicants for Teaching & Learning Technology Vision Summit
The Kent School District is seeking input as it creates a plan to improve the way KSD students use technology for learning in and out of the classroom. The district is hosting a summit on March 18, 2017 (9 AM – 3 PM) to bring together teachers, students, parents, leadership, community partners, business partners and others to help create a vision for the future. The application deadline is Feb. 8. Learn more here.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 1 Beyond High School & Career Fair
Feb. 2 Relay for Life Kent Kickoff
Feb. 3 Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Kamloops Blazers
Feb. 4 KentHOPE Poverty Simulation Workshop
Feb. 4-5 Covington Library Book Sale
Feb. 7 Kent City Council meeting
Feb. 8 Kent School District – Late Start
Feb. 8 Application deadline for Teaching & Learning Technology Vision Summit