I Love Kent, Washington

01/08/2026

Carmen Goers, a commercial banker and past recipient of the Kent Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and the King County Council MLK Medal of Distinguished Service Award, announced this week that she is running for the Washington State Senate in the 47th Legislative District.

The 47th District includes Covington as well as parts of Kent and Auburn, along with nearby unincorporated areas of south King County, and is among the most diverse regions in Washington state.

Goers was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for the 8th Congressional District in 2024, when she lost to Democratic incumbent Rep. Kim Schrier. She is listed as a Republican candidate for this race.

This position is currently held by Sen. Claudia Kauffman, a Democrat from Kent who was sworn in in January 2023, and who announced her reelection campaign in November, 2025.

Carmen Goers, a commercial banker and past recipient of the Kent Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and the King County Council MLK Medal of Distingu

01/07/2026

The Kent City Council kicked off 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 with a session that balanced ceremonial milestones with a firm demand for regional equity.

While the evening featured the swearing-in of Mayor Dana Ralph and three councilmembers, the primary focus centered on the stark inequity of the King County Parks Levy.

As city leaders celebrated the "One Kent" spirit that helped the community navigate recent record-breaking floods, they also signaled a new era of advocacy, calling on south King County neighbors to unite against the disproportionate distribution of taxpayer dollars.

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Parks Levy Update: Unfair Distribution

Kent Parks Director Julie Parascondola gave an update on the King County Parks Levy. The levy, which was recently approved by voters, will cost county taxpayers $1.4 billion. This is a 71% increase from the previous parks levy, passed in 2020.

The Kent City Council kicked off 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 with a session that balanced ceremonial milestones with a firm demand for regional equity. Wh

01/07/2026

The Kent City Council kicked off 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 with a session that balanced ceremonial milestones with a firm demand for regional equity.

While the evening featured the swearing-in of Mayor Dana Ralph and three councilmembers, the primary focus centered on the stark inequity of the King County Parks Levy.

As city leaders celebrated the "One Kent" spirit that helped the community navigate recent record-breaking floods, they also signaled a new era of advocacy, calling on south King County neighbors to unite against the disproportionate distribution of taxpayer dollars.

Parks Levy Update: Unfair Distribution

Kent Parks Director Julie Parascondola gave an update on the King County Parks Levy. The levy, which was recently approved by voters, will cost county taxpayers $1.4 billion. This is a 71% increase from the previous parks levy, passed in 2020. The levy will cost Kent residents $48.6 million, while only providing $7.8 million in local parks funding.

The Kent City Council kicked off 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 with a session that balanced ceremonial milestones with a firm demand for regional equity. Wh

01/07/2026

Meet (and adopt) Benny, RASKC’s Pet of the Week:

https://youtube.com/shorts/tmSOnfYKgs4?feature=share

Benny is a 4-year-old male Pit Bull who is looking for his forever home! He was brought to a vet hospital and surrendered by his previous owner in mid-December. Benny is an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to hang out with you at home.

Benny is full of energy and loves to play! He tends to calm down more when people around him stay calm. Benny is a gentle and loving dog who likes to take things slow. He may get nervous in new situations, so is looking for a family who understands that he may take some time to warm up. Due to his shy nature, he would do best in a calm, quiet home with older children. Once Benny gets to know you, he will be a very devoted friend!

Meet (and adopt) Benny, RASKC’s Pet of the Week: https://youtube.com/shorts/tmSOnfYKgs4?feature=share Benny is a 4-year-old male Pit Bull who is

01/07/2026

Kent Chamber of Commerce 2026 State of the Chamber

01/06/2026

Kent Police arrested a 27-year-old man in December after a license plate alert led officers to a suspect wanted in connection with a 2023 armed assault and standoff at a Kent business.

As we previously reported, this stems from an incident on Nov. 8, 2023, when Kent officers were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. to a business in the 25600 block of 104th Ave SE following reports of gunfire in a parking lot. Officers located an armed suspect standing outside a Subway restaurant and later determined he had pointed a loaded firearm into the business at employees.

Police said the incident led to a five-hour standoff involving multiple Kent officers, K9 units, Valley SWAT and negotiators. Subway employees were evacuated during the standoff, and a loaded weapon was recovered. No injuries were reported.

The suspect, then a 25-year-old Renton resident, was arrested and charged with assault in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree.

Kent Police arrested a 27-year-old man in December after a license plate alert led officers to a suspect wanted in connection with a 2023 armed assault and stan

01/06/2026

Want to get out and do something interesting? There’s something for everyone in our South King County Fine Arts Roundup column by Amy Robinson.

THEATRE AND STORYTELLING

“Beetlejuice Jr.” Hi-Liners Musical Theatre, Highline College, Des MoinesFriday, Jan. 2, through Sunday, Jan. 14. Fridays & Saturdays 7 p.m., Sundays 4 p.m.

“The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in Beetlejuice JR., the frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion picture turned Broadway phenomenon. Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life. When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium.”

Image and text taken from their website.

Want to get out and do something interesting? There’s something for everyone in our South King County Fine Arts Roundup column by Amy Robinson. THEAT

01/06/2026

Lane and ramp closures on I-5 and SR 509 in Burien, SeaTac, Des Moines and Kent continue Monday, Jan. 5 through the morning of Friday, Jan. 9.

Lane and ramp closures on I-5 will allow crews to pave the roadway.

Lane and ramp closures on SR 509 will allow crews to install concrete barriers and guardrails.

This work is part of the SR 509 Completion Project.

I-5 lane closure information

Monday, Jan. 5 through the morning of Friday, Jan. 9:

- 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. – One lane of northbound I-5 will close nightly between South 272nd Street (exit 147) and SR 516 (exit 149).

- 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. – Up to two lanes of southbound I-5 will close nightly between SR 516 (exit 149) and South 272nd Street (exit 147).

I-5 ramp closure information

Monday, Jan. 5 through the morning of Friday, Jan. 9:

- 9:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. – The northbound I-5 exit to 24th Avenue South will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place.

- 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Lane and ramp closures on I-5 and SR 509 in Burien, SeaTac, Des Moines and Kent continue Monday, Jan. 5 through the morning of Friday, Jan. 9. Lane and ramp

01/05/2026

A Kent Police Officer intervened to save the life of a teen in crisis during a domestic dispute call on New Year’s Eve, according to the Kent Police Department.

The incident occurred in the late afternoon Dec. 31, when Officer Mattheis and other patrol officers were dispatched to a Kent residence for a reported domestic dispute involving a family and their teenage child.

Police said details are being limited to protect the teen’s privacy.

Officers spent a significant amount of time attempting to help the family reach a resolution within the limits of the law, police said. During that effort, the teen abruptly walked away from the home.

Police said it was dark and foggy as Officer Mattheis followed the teen on foot. The teen moved quickly toward a busy roadway. The officer called out, asking the teen to stop, while carefully approaching to avoid escalating the situation.
’sEvepoliceresponseKent

A Kent Police officer intervened to save the life of a teen in crisis during a domestic dispute call on New Year’s Eve, according to the Kent Police Departme

01/05/2026

Seeds of Intention: Planning a Garden in the Quiet of Winter

By Jill Hall2025 Master Gardener Intern

As the dark days of winter settle in, my garden has tucked itself into its seasonal slumber. I am spending more time indoors while the frost outside leaves its sparkly trail on branches and leaves. A quick walk to the mailbox for the daily snail mail delivers one of the great joys of winter for gardeners everywhere, a seed catalog. I clutch it like a prized manuscript and prepare for a cozy evening with a blanket, a cup of tea, and a generous amount of daydreaming about what I might grow in the coming year.

There is always a dash of urgency while flipping through the catalog pages, knowing that the prized exotic heirloom seeds could sell out before I have the chance to secure them. However, this is no longer the frantic ordering spree of past years. Finishing my internship as a master gardener this past year has given me a curious mixture of clarity and ambition.

Seeds of Intention: Planning a Garden in the Quiet of Winter By Jill Hall2025 Master Gardener Intern As the dark days of winter settle in, my garden has t

12/31/2025

King County has begun transitioning from around the clock emergency response to monitoring and recovery efforts following weeks of historic flooding and hazardous weather conditions, county officials said.

New King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that the county is moving into a recovery phase while continuing to coordinate with partner agencies and state and local governments.

“Our region has experienced a significant natural disaster that has upended many people’s lives and greatly strained our infrastructure, such as roads and levees,” Zahilay said. “We know that the damage caused by this flooding can feel overwhelming and stressful, which is why we want to make sure our residents have the resources and support they need as we begin to recover.”

As part of the recovery effort, King County has launched a flood recovery website that compiles resources to help residents respond safely and begin repairs.

King County has begun transitioning from around the clock emergency response to monitoring and recovery efforts following weeks of historic flooding and hazardo

12/30/2025

Kent Police arrested an 18-year-old Renton man last week after investigators say he robbed a convenience store on Kent’s East Hill and assaulted an employee before fleeing on foot.

Police said the incident began when the suspect entered the store and attempted to purchase ci**rs. When a clerk requested identification, the clerk noticed the photo on the ID did not appear to match the suspect. After the suspect provided an incorrect birth date, the clerk refused the sale.

Police said the suspect then jumped over the counter, dropped personal belongings and grabbed several packages of ci**rs. As he attempted to flee, he struck one clerk and then intentionally hit the co-worker in the head and kicked the clerk in the torso. The suspect ran from the store with the ci**rs. The injured clerk suffered a bump on the head.

Multiple witnesses were present during the robbery, which was captured on store video.

Kent Police arrested an 18-year-old Renton man last week after investigators say he robbed a convenience store on Kent’s East Hill and assaulted an employee b