Local News and Events for Kent, Washington

The last week was slow on iLoveKent, but not in the city itself. I have been out sick for the last 10 days or so, so the site has been rather quiet. That’s one disadvantage to being a one-man band, so to speak. There is no back-up. Thanks for your kind words, good wishes and patience as I finally return to work. Have a great week!

~ Dana Neuts, publisher

–Thank you to AAA Pest Control of Kent for sponsoring this week’s edition of Sound Bites. Want to see your ad here too? Download our current rates here.–

NEW–Seattle Thunderbirds return home this week for WHL Championship
The Seattle Thunderbirds and the Regina Pats are in the midst of a heated battle for the WHL championship. The teams are 1-1. The series comes to Kent for Games 3 (Tues., May 9), 4 (Wed., May 10) and 5 (Fri., May 12) to be played at home at ShoWare Center. Learn about the TBirds and their battle for the championship here.

NEW–Uber agrees to stop sending unsolicited texts to Washingtonians
Starting in 2014, Washington consumers have complained about unsolicited text messages from ride-sharing service Uber, but they did not have a way to opt-out or stop the texts. In an agreement with Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Uber will pay $40,000 and is required to obtain consumer consent before sending texts to Washington consumers. Read the agreement, filed in King County Superior Court, here.

NEW–Kent man pleads guilty to filing a false insurance claim
Anthony Jamal Scott, 39, of Kent pled guilty to the charge of filing a false insurance claim. Scott claimed to be a passenger in a car driven by his uncle David Arnold Cook when Cook was in a car accident. Scott asked for unspecified money to cover future medical expenses. Scott was charged $600 in court fees and ordered to stay away from two witnesses in the case for five years. Read the full story here.

Living Well KentNEW–Living Well Kent to host first East Hill Community Bazaar on May 13
This Saturday, May 13, Living Well Kent kicks off the first of five summer community bazaar and farmer’s market events at Morrill Meadows Park (10600 SE 248th St., Kent, WA 98030). Join Living Well Kent and 20+ vendors with fruits, vegetables, handsewn items, collectibles, food trucks, live music, face painting and more. Even runs from 9:30 AM – 5 PM. Get more information here.

NEW–Kent Police Department to host community meeting May 10
The Kent Police Department is inviting the Kent community to join them for a community meeting on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at the Kent Police/Fire Training Center, 24523 116th Ave SE Kent, 98030, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Read more about the meeting here.

Stamp Out Hunger food drive is May 13
The 25th annual letter carriers’ stamp out hunger food drive is Saturday, May 13. On that day, leave a bag or bags of non-perishable food by your mailbox before your letter carriers’ normal delivery time. They will pick up the food and deliver it to food banks throughout the area. Why are they doing this? Nearly 49 million Americans (1 in 6) are unsure where their next meal is coming from, including 13 million children and 5 million seniors over age 60.) Learn more here.

NEW-State Parks host two free days in early June
Washington State Parks opens its gates to visitors for free, no Discover pass needed, for 12 days each year. The next two free days are in early June: June 3, National Trails Day, and June 10 – National Get Outdoors Day. Click here for more information, including a schedule of other free days this year and a link to a list of all of our state parks.

Paint Kent Station Purple this May to raise money for Relay for Life
Kent Station is hosting “Paint Kent Station Purple” for the month of May to help raise money for Relay for Life of Kent. Buy a passport for $25 and get deals that last the entire month of May. In addition to the details, shoppers and diners will be invited to Kent Station events for more opportunities to save and support Relay for Life Kent. Get all the details here.

City to celebrate national Public Works Week, May 25
The City of Kent plans to celebrate National Public Works Week on Thursday, May 25 at ShoWare Center (625 W. James St., Kent, WA 98032) from 10 AM to 5:30 PM. The event is free to the public. Meet public works employees, climb into machines, and experience hands-on educational displays and more. Learn more here.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month.
According to the CDC, Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-born disease in the U.S. and it is found in every state. Common symptoms of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms outside of flu season, pain and/or inflammation of joints and muscles, severe headaches and stiff neck, facial nerve weakness and paralysis. Visit LymeDisease.org for more information.

NEW–Kent Station’s 2017 Ladies’ Night Out – June 22
Kent Station is planning its annual Ladies’ Night Out for Thurs., June 22 from 5 to 8 PM. For $30, guests will enjoy wine, light bites, pampering, a fashion show and more. Proceeds benefit Kent Youth and Family Services. Get more info. here.

Upcoming Events

Additional details for these events are available on our Google calendar.

May 8         Free Indoor Walking, hosted by Kent4Health
May 8         Knot Quite Write Players Readers Theatre Troupe
May 8         Relay for Life Kent RAM Takeover Night
May 9         Bee Hive Jive Show
May 9         Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Regina Pats, Game 3, WHL Championship
May 10       Chipotle Restaurant Night Benefiting KYFS
May 10       Kent Police Host Community Meeting
May 10       Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Regina Pats, Game 4, WHL Championship
May 11       KYFS Silent Reading Party
May 12-13  Soos Creek Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale
May 13       Living Well Kent Community Bazaar and Farmer’s Market
May 13       Team Up 2 Clean Up Citywide Litter Clean-up Day

Dana Neuts

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