The Kent Police Department reports that there were four robberies during the week of Jan. 17 – 23, 2012. Each included the taking of purses when victims were at an ATM, walking down the street or getting out of their cars to go into a store. They occurred at various times of day ranging from morning to around midnight. The city offers these tips for your safety:

1. Walk with confidence and purpose with your head up.
2. When you are standing at an ATM, walking down the street or getting out of your car, scan your surroundings for potential danger or suspicious activity.
3. Stay in well lit areas and avoid doorways, shrubbery and remote places.
4. Stay in pairs whenever possible.

If someone approaches you or seems to be following, cross the street or change directions and look for a safe place to go.

For more safety tips, visit the Kent Police Department online.

Click here to see the city’s public crime stats for the week of Jan. 17 – 23, 2012.

Vehicle prowls are on the rise, so please remember to remove ALL valuables from your vehicle. It only takes 30 seconds for someone to break into your car and steal your purse, garage remote, CD case or other valuables. Be safe – take everything with you!

And if your garage remote is stolen, Garry Stewart of Doorman Service in downtown Kent says you can erase the code for the remote so that thieves can’t use it to break into your home!

Click here to review the latest crime stats of the City of Kent.

Auto Theft Prevention – Top 10 List  (thanks to the City of Kent for providing this info.)

1. Remove all valuables every time you park.
2. Lock all doors.
3. Completely close all windows.
4. Install and use an alarm system.
5. Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
6. Consider installing a steering wheel locking device such as The Club. Clubs are available at a reduced cost through the Kent Police Foundation.
7. Park in well-lit locations.
8. Avoid parking in isolated areas.
9. Remove your GPS system, including the suction cups that are mounted on your windshield.
10. Call 9-1-1 at the sign of any suspicious activity.

Updated, Jan. 20–Shelter will also be open this evening, Fri., Jan. 20.

Because of the snowstorm and its accompanying cold temperatures, the City of Kent is opening the Kent Severe Weather Shelter at the Kent Lutheran Church tonight, Jan. 18 through Fri., Jan. 20. Here are the details:

Location:  Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Ave. S., Kent, WA  98032

Check-in and registration:  9 p.m.  (all guests must register)

Shelter closes, guests must leave:  7 a.m.

The shelter is giving priority to homeless families with children who are living on the streets or in their vehicles. Men and women without children are also welcome. There is separate sleeping space available for families, men and women.

The Severe Weather Shelter is operated by Catholic Community Services staff and volunteers from the Kent Lutheran Church and Kent community.

To locate shelters in Renton, Federal Way, Bellevue and Seattle, dial 2-1-1.

If you know of a homeless person or family who needs shelter, please share this information with them.

Contributed by Victoria Andrews, Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday, is Monday, January 16. With schools and many businesses closed, including city of Kent offices, Kent Parks would like to encourage students, scouts, families and others to observe it by contributing community service.

Once again, we will focus on collecting litter along the Interurban Trail. Volunteers will meet at the Kent Lions Skate Park on West Smith St. near Lincoln Avenue/Valley Highway overpass in downtown Kent. Parking is available in the Park-and-Ride lot next to the skate park.

Trash bags and a limited number of pick sticks will be provided. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots or shoes, bring work gloves and a bottle of water if they wish. Special programs manager Victoria Andrews staffs the event and requests pre-registration by January 12 to ensure she brings enough supplies. To download the registration flyer, visit www.KentWAParks.com and click on Volunteer. Or call 253-856-5110.

City of Kent 2012 Recycling Events

Jan. 7:  Christmas Tree Recycling Event at Service Club Ballfields

Jan. 9-13:  Christmas Tree Recycling for City of Kent residents

Jan. 28-29, Feb. 4-5:  Wood Debris Recycling at Russell Road Park (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Jan. 28:  Appliance and Electronics Recycling at Meridian Elementary, 25621 140th Ave SE, Kent (10 a.m. to p.m.)

Mar. 17:  Special Recycling and Collection Event at Russell Road Park

Mar. 24:  Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale

For more info., visit KentRecycles.com.

From the City of Kent in a press release dated October 19, 2011 (a letter to the editor of the Kent Reporter):

Dear Editor,

Much has been said, written, implied, and rumored about the collection and use of property taxes by the city. We’d like to set the record straight, not only about those taxes, but to right some false statements made by Mr. Berrios in his letter to the editor printed in the October 7 edition of the Kent Reporter.

In 2010, voters approved the formation of the Regional Fire Authority (RFA). That measure passed with over 70% of the vote. By approving the RFA, voters approved two major revenue changes that appear on your property tax bill 1) a transfer of $1.00 per thousand of assessed value from the city to the RFA and 2) the collection of a new revenue charge called a Fire Benefit Charge (FBC). Both of these changes were in the voters pamphlet and part of the public outreach campaign prior to the vote.

The Truth about Property Taxes

Property taxes are collected by King County and are used to pay for a variety of organizations and services including state and local schools, county services, city services, the Port of Seattle, ferry services, King County Library System, emergency medical services, and Valley Medical Center.

Only a small portion of the property tax we pay comes to our city – 11.2% of the total to be exact.

The property tax revenues our city receives have always been deposited into the General Fund and used to pay for general government services including public safety, parks, streets and other services. They were never transferred from another fund as alleged. Property owners should note that property taxes only cover 25% of the total cost to provide the previously mentioned services.

The remaining costs are covered using sales and utility tax revenues, building revenues and permit fees, which also, have always been deposited into the General Fund. Unfortunately, these revenue sources have declined by $8.4 million since the recession began.

It is clear there is a mistaken assumption that before voters approved the RFA, the Fire Department was funded solely by property taxes. Nothing could be further from the truth. If this assertion were true – if the entire city’s portion of property taxes received were dedicated to public safety – those dollars wouldn’t even cover half of the total cost to provide those services. In fact, in 2010, before the RFA, only $8.9 million dollars of property tax money was used to pay for the fire department. The remaining $15.2 million dollars in their budget came from other revenue sources.

In 2010, the city received $2.36 per $1,000 in assessed valuation to pay for all of the general government services referenced previously. When the RFA was formed, the city gave up $1.00 of the $2.36 previously received, leaving $1.36 per $1,000 assessed valuation to pay for those previously referenced services. That $1.00 dollar equated to a reduction of $11.7 million in property taxes that used to go into the city’s General Fund, which is now collected by the RFA. That is well over the $8.9 million in property taxes that partially funded the fire department in 2010.

This year, due to fluctuation in property values, the county, not the city, set the rate at $1.48 per $1,000 in assessed valuation. This is just the city’s portion of the total property tax bill.

The letter to the editor wrongly asserts that “additional taxes were collected without voter approval.” The $1.00 redistribution from the city to the RFA is a “wash” to taxpayers. The $1.48 still received by the city in property taxes was not “stolen”, “kept” or “taken” as the author claims. That money was, and has always been received and deposited into the city’s General Fund to provide general government services…not to solely pay for the Fire Department. Remember, the city gave up $1.00 of its total property tax receipts. The RFA now receives that $1.00 dollar. At a minimum this was not an “excess collection,” and to say it was “unethical” is unconscionable.

This was never a property tax reduction discussion; it was about a redistribution of $1.00 from the city to the RFA, pending voter approval. Again, voters approved the plan to redistribute the $1.00 from the city, to the RFA by more than 70%.

About the Fire Benefit Charge

Well why is it if the city used to get $2.36 and now gets $1.48 that my property taxes have gone up? A review of one’s property tax bill will show voter approved tax increases and charges to pay for services they deem valuable.

For instance, voters approved bonds, levies and charges to support the Kent School District, King County Library System and the Regional Fire Authority.

An additional voter approved charge appearing on tax statements is the new Fire Benefit Charge (FBC). This charge is over and above what was previously billed and collected. To be clear, the FBC is a charge, not a tax and goes directly to the RFA. While we agree it’s confusing that this charge is included in King County’s property tax bills, it is not a tax. That’s why it falls under the “Other charges” category just as the Noxious Weed and Conservation charges do. There is no double taxation here. Voters agreed to transfer $1.00 from the city’s total property tax collection to the RFA. Voters also agreed to be assessed a FBC.

The fact the measure to approve the RFA, including its FBC required a 60% voter majority signaled more money out of our pockets.

Moving Forward…

Mr. Berrios is asking the city to reduce its portion of property taxes collected by $4.9 million. For the owner of a $300,000 home, that would equate to $114 per year. It would not reduce the $1.00 received by the RFA, or the Fire Benefit Charge, also received by the RFA.

That $114 reduction would come at cost; a cost in police services, parks, street maintenance and other services vital to the community.

Declining revenues since the recession began have forced reductions in every area of the city budget. Since 2009, 90 employee positions have either been eliminated or left vacant and programs have been cut.

The suggested $4.9 million cut translates to between 60 and 70 additional employees losing their jobs, causing even further reductions and elimination of programs.

We understand the public is typically eager to cut government spending, and government employees for that matter. At the same time, the public insists on a strong police force, streets without pot holes, sidewalks in good repair, snow removal, parks and teen programs, neighborhood councils and even the lunch program at the Senior Center. The city employees are the people patrolling the streets, repairing streets and sidewalks and removing the snow. These programs don’t exist without funding, or the employees that provide the services.

The council is always looking for feedback on what you would like to see, or not see in the budget. The next public hearing on the 2012 budget is set for Tuesday, November 15, 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall and we encourage you to come with ideas and suggestions on how to move this city in the right direction.

Sincerely,

Jamie Perry, Council President
Elizabeth Albertson, Councilmember
Deborah Ranniger, Councilmember
Debbie Raplee, Councilmember

Contributed by Candice Boutilier, Torklift Central

Kent City Council designates 1^st Annual Kent Turkey Challenge
Hopes of feeding 1,500 families

Kent City Council will proclaim Oct. 24 through Nov. 17 as the 1st Annual Kent Turkey Challenge.

 The donation drive challenges Kent businesses to compete against each other to collect the most turkeys and canned goods to donate to the Kent Food Bank.

“This year we learned the Kent Food Bank would not be receiving the funding they relied on to give our families a memorable Thanksgiving meal,” explained Torklift Central Vice President Jack Kay. “They feed up to 1,500 families for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

 To help the food bank meet the need, we are challenging all businesses in Kent to collect canned goods and turkeys, he explained. On Oct. 24, we are delivering donation boxes to businesses who would like to participate.

Each business will also get paper turkeys. An employee or customer of that business can purchase a paper turkey for $10. That money will be used to buy one turkey for the food bank. The paper turkey will have the donator’s name written on it and it can be posted in the business.

Each Friday Torklift Central employees will contact participating businesses to find out how many paper turkeys they have sold. All participating businesses will be featured on www.torkliftcentral.com/turkey and the progress of the number of paper turkeys sold will also be tracked there. The Web page will go live on Oct. 17.

“We are also accepting corporate sponsorship of the program,” Kay said. “Those sponsors will be featured on our Web site too. At the end of the challenge, we will deliver the turkeys and canned goods to the food bank and announce the winner. Help us gather 1,500 turkeys for the food bank. If we come together as a community, we can ensure a happy Thanksgiving for our local families.”

For more information or to participate, call Candice Boutilier at 253-299-0076.

Washington Voters, watch your mailbox for your State of Washington Voter’s Pamphlet for the November 8, 2011 General Election, compliments of the Secretary of State’s Office. Included in this voting guide is information regarding Initiative Measures 1125, 1163, 1183 and Senate Join Resolutions 8205 and 8206. This particular guide, marked Edition 1, does not include information about the candidates who advanced from the August 2011 primary to the November 2011 general election.

King County Voters Guides for residents of King County will be sent separately:
Click here for candidate info.
Click here for measure info.
Click here for a *.pdf of the King County Voters’  Guide

The Kent City Council has four nonpartisan positions up for re-election. They are:

Contributed by Michelle Wilmot, City of Kent, Community & Public Affairs

Mayor Suzette Cooke’s 2012 Budget Proposal to Kent City Council

Kent, Wash. – October 5, 2011 – Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke’s 2012 proposed budget was presented to the Kent City Council on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Chief Administrative Officer John Hodgson.

In a prepared statement, Cooke said her budget is in line with the “new normal.”

“For nearly four years, city government has been in persistent contraction. Rising costs and deteriorating revenues have forced reductions in nearly every area our budget.

We’ve made significant cuts, we’ve reduced staff, we’ve cut programs — and hoped conditions would stabilize.  Instead, projections continually collapse.  As Arun Raha, our state’s economist and forecaster, recently stated, ‘a return to normalcy seems like mirage in the desert that keeps slipping away’. This unprecedented recession just won’t end.

Earlier this year, the Council established its strategic goals for 2012 including the ‘development and implementation of a sustainable funding model for city services.’  This budget proposal is reflective of that goal and the new economic reality.”

The proposed 2012 Operating Budget totals $141.7 million.

Cooke’s statement further noted the budget continues to make law enforcement and public safety a high priority. “Approximately 46% of the expenditures in the General Fund are dedicated to public safety, which includes police, corrections and courts.”

Highlights of the proposed budget

Top priorities maintained

• Law Enforcement:  No reductions in the number of sworn officers are proposed.
• Human Services:  Maintain 2011 funding levels for human services. With the departure of the fire department, the original 1% calculation would have been $733k.  An additional $95,600 keeps it whole for 2012.
• Infrastructure:  Preserve the City’s infrastructure assets, including utilities (water, sewer and drainage), streets, parks, facilities and technology.
• Economic Development:  Focus on increasing economic development opportunities that provide jobs for Kent residents.
•  Increase connections and communication with our residents: Aim to foster inclusiveness by celebrating our diversity and creating new gathering places.

Cost increases and required/contracted expenditures

* $500,000 towards repayment of a 2002 loan from the water fund related to land acquisition for Kent Station.
* $126,000 increase in animal control services provided by Regional Animal Services of King County, for a total cost of nearly $417,000 for 2012.  The city-county contract will end 12/31/2012.
* $110,000 increase for election services and $44,573 increase in voter registration services provided by King County.
* $172,000 new expense for custodial, maintenance and security screening costs for the newly acquired Aukeen Court/Municipal Court building.
* $572,000 in utility cost increases for city-owned facilities and parks (i.e. electricity, water, sewer, garbage, etc.), as well as neighborhood street lighting previously covered by Home Owners Associations.
* $343,000 increase for state-mandated pension costs.
* $373,000 increase for worker’s compensation costs, largely due to remaining fire department claims.  The City is still responsible for these outstanding claims, because they occurred prior to the formation of the Regional Fire Authority.

Cost savings/fee increases

•     Eliminate 20.5 vacant positions – $1,711,562
•     Restructure fees for permitting and development services – $400,000
•     Apply a technology fee to permitting, parks and utility billing transactions to maintain technology systems – $125,000.
•     Increase business license fees – $100,000.

Residents are encouraged to attend a public hearing on the 2012 budget on Tuesday, November 15 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Council members will review the budget and likely adopt a final version at their December 13 meeting.

As a journalist, I am required by the SPJ Code of Ethics to remain impartial and to avoid getting personally involved with the news or newsmakers. Normally, this isn’t a problem for me since I typically write features, business profiles and other nonessential news pieces. This week, however, it is difficult for me not to speak out on the Amanda Knox case. Though my connection to Knox is insignificant in her story, I feel touched by her and by the news of her acquittal.

I started following the Amanda Knox case much like everyone else. I heard the story of Meredith Kercher’s tragic murder in 2007 in Perugia, Italy on local news. Sadly, such tragedies occur more often than they should so many of us were immune to the news. It was just another tragic and unnecessary death overseas. This story had a local twist though – one of the murder suspects was Amanda Knox, a beautiful, doe-eyed student from the University of Washington. Local news stations covered the story briefly, sometimes interviewing local students and Knox’s family who proclaimed Knox’s innocence. With little to base my opinion on, I presumed Knox was guilty and followed the story from a distance, not seeking out new information or facts in the case.

That changed 18 months ago when I met author Candace Dempsey at a journalism function in Seattle. Dempsey, an Italian American journalist, had written a book about the case titled “Murder in Italy.” After talking with Dempsey, my curiosity got the best of me and I agreed to read the book to form my own opinion. Reading through the first half of the book, I remained convinced that Knox was, indeed, guilty. This wasn’t based on any hard evidence, but rather the feeling that the suspect had exhibited some odd behavior during questioning (e.g., cartwheels in the police station). Granted, these unusual behaviors did not make her a murderess but they were offbeat enough to plant a healthy dose of skepticism.

As I progressed to the second half of the book, however, I quickly reversed my opinion. There was little, if any, evidence supporting the fact that Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito had committed the murder with or without a third suspect. In fact, it is probable that they were not even in the apartment the evening of the murder. According to Dempsey’s detailed research, the investigation was flawed and the convictions of Knox and Sollecito were based on circumstantial evidence. By the time I finished the book, I was infuriated at the injustice of the guilty verdicts and sad for the young couple who would spend a good portion of their young lives in an Italian prison, wrongly accused.

Yesterday those verdicts were reversed and Knox and Sollecito were released from prison after a painful four-year saga in and out of court. Sollecito headed for his Italian home, as Knox made her way back to the United States. As one who is relieved that the truth finally came out, I am happy for Knox and Sollecito and hope they can somehow find peace in their lives after having been wrongly persecuted. Sadly, it seems unlikely. After all, how do you turn two innocent lives upside down, accuse them of inhuman deeds, and callously toss them in prison without a shred of definitive evidence? Initially, I am sure good food, a soft, warm bed and being surrounded by loved ones are probably the first thoughts on Knox’s mind, but she’ll have to face her future with an albatross of a past hanging over her head. I cannot imagine the mental anguish she must be experiencing right now. Her release is bittersweet.

And, of course, there’s the Kercher family. Not to be forgotten in this tragedy, Meredith Kercher will never come home, and her parents will never experience the joy of seeing her again. They only know the pain of a tragic loss and a young life snuffed out much too quickly. Where is the justice for them? Only one convicted murderer, Rudy Guede, remains in prison for the grisly crime and he will be released after serving a 16 year sentence, reduced down from 30 years. Does his imprisonment provide closure for the family?

In this tragic story of murder and wrongful imprisonment, there are no winners. There is no justice.

[Note:  I was so impressed with Candace Dempsey's work and her ability to write about the facts surrounding the case without interjecting her own opinions that I wrote an unsolicited book review on "Murder in Italy." I encourage others to read it to learn more about the Amanda Knox case. I do not receive any compensation for promoting the book.]

Despite the gloomy weather, there were smiles all around at the demolition of the unfinished parking garage at the corner of Smith and 4th in downtown Kent today. Demolition of the structure took place at 11 a.m., after many months of legal wrangling to regain control of the property. The City of Kent now owns the property free and clear.

In place of the parking garage, the city is planning Kent City Center, a mixed used development with 164 apartments and 3,700 square feet of retail space and parking.

For more information about the project, visit KentCityCenter.com or contact Kurt Hanson in the City’s Economic Development Department.

*Note:  The picture to the right is not a photo of the actual demolition.

Get your hands dirty and join Kent Parks, Starbucks and REI to celebrate National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24 at Lake Fenwick Park, 25828 Lake Fenwick Road, Kent. Volunteers are needed to continue the environmental restoration of the Park’s 140 acres.   Kent has participated in National Public Lands Day for the last five years.  The event on September 24 will be held rain or shine, with orientation beginning at 9:00 am and projects continuing until 12 noon.

Last year was the largest National Public Lands Day in history.  Approximately 170,000 people volunteered at more than 2,000 sites across the nation.  They contributed to over $15 million in improvements to public lands.  The event began in 1994 with 700 volunteers.  It was established as a way to continue the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the 3 million Americans who worked from 1933-1942 to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.

All ages and abilities are welcome!  Registration is required for planning purposes; the deadline is September 21.  Contact 253-856-5110 or download a registration form at www.KentWAParks.com to volunteer.  Tools and gloves are supplied, but extra shovels and pruners are always welcome.  Volunteers are advised to wear sturdy shoes or boots (no flip-flops or sandals allowed) and to dress for the weather.

The 4th Avenue and Meeker Street Starbucks is donating coffee and hot chocolate, as well as water and snacks, and each volunteer will receive an REI volunteer t-shirt.

From Lt. Pat Lowery, PIO, Kent Police Department
253-856-5833

Kent Police to announce major break in Car Show shooting
Police Chief Thomas to release details at press conference Thursday

Kent, Washington, September 14, 2011 — Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas is inviting interested media to an 11 AM news conference on Thursday, September 15. At that time he will be updating the press regarding investigation of a gang-involved shooting that occurred at a local car show in late July. That shooting left twelve persons injured.

The news conference will be held at 23311 Pacific Highway South, the site of the shooting. Chief Thomas will be joined by regional law enforcement executives and City officials. He will announce a major breakthrough in the investigation and provide information about steps being taken to apprehend those involved.

The car show shooting took place on July 23. A physical disturbance led to several gang members firing guns into a large crowd of people. While many of those injured were gang members, several of the injured had no ties to gang activity but had merely come to view the cars.

Since those assaults, dozens of investigators have poured through evidence, surveillance video, and interviewed dozens of witnesses and victims in an effort to put together a clear picture of the events of that day. As a result, police are now working to capture those identified suspects.

“Law Enforcement agencies from throughout the region have dedicated significant resources to identify those involved in this incident and bring them to justice” noted Chief Thomas. “These arrests are just the first wave in an on-going effort to dismantle these violent gangs”. It’s anticipated that coordinated efforts spearheaded by the South King County Violent Gangs Initiative and other partnering agencies will bring additional arrests in the near future.

# # #

 Is your organization an arts, heritage and/or cultural King County-based non-profit?  4Culture is offering a funding opportunity for cultural facilities.  They are combining “big ticket” facilities requests of over $30,000 for both arts and heritage.

4Culture is a unique integration of the arts, heritage, preservation and public art, committed to advancing community through culture.  4Culture believes the arts are critical to a healthy community and that arts experiences should be accessible to all residents and visitors.  4Culture stimulates cultural activities and enhances the assets that distinguish a community as vibrant, unique and authentic.

The Heritage Cultural Facilities program funds projects providing strong heritage programming that focuses on the identification, collection, evaluation, preservation, restoration, exhibition, and/or interpretation of the County’s heritage resources.

The Arts Cultural Facilities program supports the purchase, development and renovation of arts and cultural facility projects.  A separate program provides funding for arts equipment.

4Culture Cultural Facilities Application deadline is September 14, 2011, 5 pm PST.   All applicants are encouraged to attend a free workshop that will explain the step by step application process. To learn more about this funding opportunity for both Arts and Heritage Cultural Facilities, please email Deb Twersky at 4Culture.

From the City of Kent:

The public is invited to weigh in on Kent’s Comprehensive Plan and City Code by September 1, 2011.  The City needs input on what the Economic and Community Development Department should focus on in the coming year. 

“We need to know if the comprehensive plan and development regulations create any barriers to the city growing responsibly, equitably, and with environmental and neighborhood sensitivity,” said Fred Satterstrom, Kent’s Planning Director.  “This is the community’s opportunity to participate in making changes.” 

This annual review looks at the challenges that the City’s planning documents, land use plan and zoning maps, and regulations present to economic development and neighborhood vitality. 

The following online tools can help people to weigh in on this annual update.  The public is encouraged to visit the following links:

Submit a request for changes.

View additional details on creating a docket (or list) of suggested changes.

View the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan Map and Zoning Districts Map.

Contributed by Victoria Andrews of Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services
253-856-5113

Neely-Soames Historic Homestead Celebrates Milestone with
Open House: August 20, 2011 10 am – 2 pm

July 25, 2011–This year marks the 10th anniversary of a ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened up the Neely-Soames Historic Homestead to the public for the first time. The

King County Master Gardeners, whose members lovingly maintain the heritage gardens and grounds, will help Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services celebrate with special activities at the annual public open house and tour, Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Photo by Dana E. Neuts, 2009

The homestead is located along the Green River Trail at 5311 S. 237th Place, just north of the Russell Road Athletic Complex. David Neely and his family settled in the Kent valley in 1854 and moved their home to its current location in 1885. Neely’s daughter Ruby was born in the house in 1895, and after she married Harry Soames, the couple lived there until her death in 1986. The bed she was born in, hand-carved by her father, is on display at the home.

One of the oldest houses in Kent, the Neely-Soames Homestead was listed on the State Register of Historic Homes in 1977. It underwent significant renovations in 1999 and 2000, supported by the Washington State Historical Society, King County and the city of Kent. Eight Eagle Scout projects added an informational kiosk, a grape arbor with benches, a picket fence, a trellis for hops, picnic tables and historic photographs.

The home can be rented for meetings and small events. But the gardens are open to the public year-round, with all flowers and vegetables clearly marked. Since 2004, employees of Hawkeye Consultants, a Kent-based company, have volunteered to help the Master Gardeners harvest the gardens and do other projects as part of the city’s Adopt-a-Park program.

For more information about the open house or to receive a self-guided walking tour of the gardens, call 253-856-5110.

Contributed by the Kent Police Department

Residential burglaries in Kent are on the rise! In particular, Kent burglary trends have shown that homes of Asian families are targeted because of unsecured valuables. Recently there have residential burglaries during the day time, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. Burglars are gaining access by punching holes in smaller windows next to front doors, punching holes in windows or smashing/prying rear slider doors. In each incident, cash, jewelry, and other valuable items have been targeted; especially “hidden” quantities of money. In some cases, the burglars knock or ring the door bell first. If no one answers, they are going to the back of the house to gain entrance through the sliding glass door.

Here are some ways to help prevent from becoming a victim:

- If you choose to keep cash and other important items in your home, keep them locked in a safe. You may also use a safe deposit box at a bank.

- Keep valuables such as purses, laptops, iPods, and jewelry out of plain sight from windows and doors and locked up if possible.

- Keep all windows and doors locked whether home or not, including back sliding doors.

- Install protective window film to smaller windows next to doors. This helps prevent breaking of glass and denying access to inside of front door.

- Do not leave your garage door open, even if you are at home.

It is important that neighbors be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood. Whenever you see anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately and then notify security. We encourage residents to call 9-1-1 even when something suspicious, such as an unknown person or car in the neighborhood, is occurring.

For more information go to www.kentpoliceceu.com, or contact Stacy Judd with the Kent Police Department at (253)856-5883.

There are ADT Ohio security systems available which provide 24/7 home monitoring protection.

From Lt. Pat Lowery, Kent Police Department

Auburn Man Killed in Officer Involved Shooting
Man shot while confronting officer with knife.

Auburn, Wash. – May 8, 2011 – A 47 year old Auburn man is dead after being shot by an Auburn Police Officer late Saturday night. The shot came after the man threatened the officer with a knife. The incident took place at 10:22 PM in the 1400 block of Harvey Road NE.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Auburn officer stopped a red Honda coupe for a traffic violation on a north Auburn street. Within moments of the stop, the driver of the Honda exited the car and confronted the officer with a knife in his hand. The officer fired his handgun, striking the man.

Auburn firefighters and paramedics arrived within minutes and worked to revive the man. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center with life threatening injuries. He died a short time later.

A female passenger in the Honda was uninjured. She is cooperating with investigators who hope she might lend some explanation as to why the man brandished the knife. The police officer was also uninjured

The Kent Police Department has been called in to conduct the investigation of this incident, a routine response for critical incidents. Details are still being collected and the area around the intersection remains closed to all traffic. Kent investigators will be working through the night collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.

A 58 year old Kent man was shot and killed in downtown Kent by a three-year veteran of the Kent Police Department this morning. According to Federal Way Public Information Officer Cathy Schrock, the incident began before 9 am when the deceased asked a local cab driver to take him to various spots in the area. The cab driver discovered that the passenger had a long gun in his lap, and he became suspicious. The driver asked another cab driver to meet him near the transit center for back-up. Upon his arrival at the first cab’s location 301 Railroad Avenue North, the first cab driver exited his vehicle and and placed a call to 9-1-1 at 9:10 am.

A Kent police officer arrived on the scene near the Kent Transit Center approximately two minutes later. The suspect had exited the vehicle and his weapon was visible to the officer. The officer issued verbal commands to the suspect, who did not follow the orders. A second police offer arrived on the scene. When the suspect reached to his waist for the weapon, the first officer fired a shot, killing the man.

Schrock said the family of the deceased arrived at the scene following the incident and identified him. However, his name will not be disclosed to the public until the medical examiner releases it. In addition, the names of the Kent police officers who were involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave, protocol following officer-involved shootings. Their names will be disclosed in approximately 24 to 48 hours.

Shortly after the incident began, the Federal Way Police Department was called to the scene. They requested media support around 11 am. According to Schrock, requesting support from neighboring law enforcement departments is customary when a police officer is involved in a shooting.

Schrock said more information will be available Thursday or Friday. For more information, contact Schrock at piorequest@cityoffederalway.com.