Local News and Events for Kent, Washington
We had another busy but beautiful weekend in the Pacific Northwest: Des Moines Waterland Festival, Renton River Days, Kent Farmer’s Market, and much more! I hope you and yours were able to take advantage of the great weather and all of the fun activities the Kent area has to offer. It looks like it will be a hot week, so stay cool and have a super week.
~ Dana Neuts, Publisher
REMINDER-–Puget Sound RFA to host reception for Fire Chief candidates, July 24
Today Puget Sound RFA will host a reception for the finalists for the Fire Chief position. The new Fire Chief will replace Chief Jim Schneider who is retiring at the end of August after 15 years with the department. Get event details here.
NEW–Distracted Driving Law went into effect yesterday
Yesterday the new Distracted Driving Law went into effect to prevent drivers from using their cell phones, eating, smoking or grooming while they’re driving. No hand-held cell phone usage is allowed, even when stopped at a stoplight. Fines for an Electronics DUI (E-DUI) are $136 for a first offense, and $234 for a second offense. Tickets will be reported to insurance companies. Learn more here.
NEW–Multi-agency task force forms to address street racing, 40+ arrested
On July 14, multiple police agencies in King County got together to collaborate with the Washington State Patrol to crack down on illegal street racing. In an enforcement emphasis exercise, the task force arrested more than 40 for various offenses, including unlawful race attendance, street racing and stolen vehicles. Read more about the sting here.
REMINDER–Register for National Night Out by July 28
National Night Out is next Tues., August 1. Neighborhoods are encouraged to get together and to get to know each other. Consider a potluck, outdoor movie night, ice cream social or other gathering, and be sure to register with the Kent Police Department, so a representative from the city can stop by to say hi. Get more details here and here.
NEW–Let your voice be heard – vote by August 1.
Next Tuesday, August 1 is Primary Election Day in Washington. If you are a registered voter, complete your ballot and mail it with a first-class stamp by August 1, or if dropping it off at a ballot box, drop it off by 8 PM on Election Day. We have several contested races in Kent for Kent City Council and the Kent mayoral race. Let your voice be heard. Vote by August 1. See last week’s article for additional voting resources and ballot box locations.
REMINDER–Free summer concerts in Kent on Tues., Wed. and Thurs.
Thanks to Kent Station, the City of Kent and the Kent Arts Commission, there are four free concerts each week in Kent through August 17: Take Out Tuesdays (noon to 1 PM) at Kent Station, Wednesday Picnic Performances, especially for kids (noon to 1 PM) at Town Square Plaza, Wednesday Family Date Night (6 PM – 8 PM) at Kent Station, and Thursdays at the Lake (7 – 8:30 PM) at Lake Meridian Park. Click here for a list of concerts, days and times.
NEW–Kent Police Chief releases additional info. to family of Giovonn McDade
Last week Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas released additional information to the family of Giovonn McDade, the 20-year-old Kent man who was shot and killed in late June, following a car chase. The additional information was released after a meeting with the family the previous week. Read more here and here.
NEW–Vehicle crashes into outdoor staircase of a Kent apartment building
Last Tuesday, a driver crashed into the outdoor staircase of a Kent apartment building in the 22400 block of Benson Road on Kent’s East Hill. No one in the building was injured. The driver and passenger were sent to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Read more here.
REMINDER–iLoveKent has reduced its coverage
Due to the loss of an advertiser, iLoveKent has reduced its news, features and event coverage. This means we will have fewer feature stories, we will be a bit slower with breaking news, and we’ll cut back on daily news posts and our social media posts. If you’d like to make a donation to support iLoveKent, you may do so here. Thank you!
NEW–Dog Daze & Feline Fantasies Pet Adoption Event at Kent Station, Aug. 5
Come on down to Kent Station on Saturday, August 5 (11 AM to 3 PM) to meet hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats. Also, pets and their owners will enjoy raffles and free samples, Kent Police K9 demonstration (noon), pet product vendors, and pet-friendly, happy hour patios. Read more here.
This Week in Kent
(Get additional details on our July “things to do” post or on our Google calendar.)
July 24 Books at Kent Station
July 25 Take Out Tuesdays concert
July 25 Animals Build It Puppet Show
July 25 PNW Summer Handcycling Series
July 26 Self-Guided Trail Walk (Van Doren’s Landing Park)
July 26 Breaking Down Comics Art Workshop
July 26 Wednesday Picnic Performance concert
July 26 Date Night Wednesday concert
July 27 Thursdays at the Lake concert
July 27 KYFS Silent Reading Party
July 28 Kent Library: Kids’ Movie of the Month: The Lego Movie
July 29 Kent Farmer’s Market with Experience Historical Kent
July 29 Kent Valley Figure Skating Club’s Summer Showcase
July 30 Open House by Islamic Center of Kent
