Local News Updates from iLoveKent.net

Local news from iLoveKent.net for Sunday, October 9. New items are marked as NEW, and updated items are marked as REVISED. The remaining news items, if still relevant, are repeated from previous issues of iLoveKent.net Sound Bites. Items that are time sensitive appear in chronological order, after the general news.

hunter_2016NEW–Torklift Central kicks off 6th Annual Turkey Challenge.
Help hungry Kent families this Thanksgiving by donating cash or non-perishable food items to the 6th Annual Turkey Challenge. Donate through participating organizations or directly to Torklift Central. This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 and collect 10,000 pounds of food. Click here for details.

NEW–Sound Transit is now accepting applications for Carpool Parking Permits.
Transit riders who take South Transit buses and trains and carpool to transit facilities at least days a week can now apply for a parking permits, available for $5 per month, for some of the area’s busiest park-and-ride facilities including stations in/at Tukwila, Kent Station, Auburn, Sumner, Puyallup, Angle Lake and Tukwila International Blvd. Apply here.

NEW–Washington Comcast Customers Will Get Hit with Data Usage Caps in November
xfinity-comcast-logoEffective November 1, Comcast/Xfinity customers in the state of Washington will be automatically enrolled in the company’s 1 TB Internet Data Usage Plan. Customers who go over 1 TB of data usage per month will be assessed overage fees unless they sign up for the Unlimited Data Plan at an additional $50 per month. Comcast says this will only affect fewer than 1% of its customers. Comcast emailed affected customers last week, but additional information is available here.

NEW–Lane Closures on East James Street from Oct. 3-31.
The Kent Reporter says drivers can expect periodic lane closures and traffic delays on East James Street between State Ave. North and 102nd Ave SE from 7 AM to 7 PM between Oct. 3 and 31 as construction crews install wheelchair ramps, irrigation and planting.

NEW–Kim Komoto Named Kent City Clerk, Effective October 17.
Last week the Kent City Council unanimously approved Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke’s appointment of Kim Komoto as the next Kent City Clerk, effective October 17. She replaces Ronald Moore who resigned in June. Prior to becoming city clerk, Komoto served as a legal analyst in the city attorney’s office.

Support iLoveKent.net with a one-time donation.NEW–Ways You Can Help iLoveKent.net Stay Alive
Many readers have asked how they can help keep iLoveKent.net alive. Here are a few ways you can help: (1) make a one-time donation to help cover costs; (2) share our website and social media accounts with family, friends and business associates; (3) contribute content by sending us your non-commercial calendar entries (e.g., craft fairs, school plays, club meetings, etc.); and (4) Kent businesses can support iLoveKent.net through affordable advertising opportunities and sponsorships.

bestVote for iLoveKent.net in KING5’s Best of W. Washington Contest before noon on Oct. 30!
As we contemplate the future of iLoveKent.net, we’d love to get some recognition for our hard work in the community. If you love iLoveKent.net, please take a minute to register on KING5 and vote for us in the Online/Social Media category. We’d appreciate your support. Vote now – the deadline for voting is October 30 at noon. Thanks!

Register to vote by Oct. 10UPDATED–Voter Registration deadline in King County is Monday, October 10.
Tomorrow is the deadline for voter registration in King County. The King County Elections office (919 SW Grady, Renton, Washington) will be open tomorrow from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. Click here for more information.

Clear the Clutter at Kent’s Fall Recycling Event on October 15.
The City of Kent’s Fall Recycling Collection event is set for Sat., Oct. 15 at Hogan Park, 24400 Russell Road, Kent, from 9 AM to 3 PM. This event is ideal for items not easily recycled at the curb including appliances, mattresses, toilets, sinks, etc. For additional details, dos and don’ts, download the flyer here.

Be Hope-Filled on October 15 with KYFS’s Annual Fundraiser.
Kent Youth & Family Services’ One Thing Experience promises to be an evening of hope-filled stories, conversations, games and magical entertainment. Get details and ticket info. here.

Kent Drug Free Coalition Invites Public to Attend Town Hall Mtg. on October 19.
The Kent Drug Free Coalition invites the public to attend their next town hall meeting on Wednesday, October 19 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Mill Creek Middle School (620 Central Ave. N.) Designed for parents and students grades 6-12, attendees will hear from Kent Police about drug/alcohol trends. Following the presentation, participants can take part in action planning for what can be done to prevent underage substance use.

Kent Downtown Partnership to Host Third Thursday Art Night on October 20.
Join KDP and friends for their monthly Third Thursday Art Night reception, hosted by Damon and Melissa Travis at Rusty Raven Studio (212 First Ave. S.) in downtown Kent. Meet the artists, enjoy their work, and mingle with friends and neighbors. Live Music by Root 5. Free to the public and free street and lot parking in downtown Kent. Family friendly.

Audition Deadline for Kent Has Talent is October 21.
KCF-logo-basicKent Community Foundation is hosting Kent Has Talent on Friday, November 18. Audition applications are due October 21. There are three age groups for talent and cash prizes for each. Auditions are open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Kent. Click here for audition details and event rules.

Kent Police Department Holds Medicine Take Back Day on October 22.
The Kent Police Department will be collecting unused, unwanted and expired prescription drugs for proper disposal on Medicine Take Back Day, Saturday, October 22 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Kent Police Department (220 4th Ave. S.) Please remove any identifying information from prescription labels first.

ciskCommunities in Schools Hosts Screening of ‘Chasing the Dragon’ on October 26.
Communities in Schools Kent is partnering with several local organizations to host a screening of ‘Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict,’ on Wednesday, October 26, a 45-minute documentary and community panel. The event is not appropriate for students younger than high school age. Click here for event time and location.

Free Medical, Dental and Vision Clinic: October 27 – October 30
The Seattle/King County Clinic is hosting free medical, dental and vision care on Thurs., Oct. 27 through Sun., Oct. 30 at Key Arena at Seattle Center, 401 1st Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109. Click here for more details.

Mother Africa Hosts Annual Cultural and Resource Night on October 28.
mother-africa-logo
Join Mother Africa for its annual Cultural and Resource Night, an evening of presentations, ethnic food, door prizes and more. This free, family-friendly event will be held at the Kent Senior Activity Center (600 E. Smith St.) from 5:30 PM to 8 PM on Friday, October 28.

Disney on Ice 2016: Worlds of Enchantment Comes to Kent, November 2-7, 2016.
Disney on Ice returns to ShoWare Center next month for six days of shows. See Disney Pixar cars race across the ice, dive into fun with The Little Mermaid, join adventures of Toy Story’s Buzz and Woody and more! Tickets are on sale now.

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Dana Neuts

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