Kent Police responded to a traffic accident after 3 am on Christmas Eve in the 26600 block of Woodland Way South, where three men received minor injuries. Police on the scene arrived to find a 2008 BMW Sedan wrapped around a large tree, with a driver and two passengers trapped inside. The Kent Police Department used the “jaws of life” to extract the three accident victims. The driver, a 3o-year-old Kent man, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The other two men were transported to the hospital and released with minor injuries. According to a press release issued by the Kent Police Department, the vehicle’s seatbelts and airbags are credited with saving the occupants’ lives. The BMW, which was traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, was totaled.

For the complete press release, visit the City of Kent website.

Information provided by Sgt. Jarod Kasner of Kent Police Department.

The Kent Fire Department is asking for support on Proposition 1.  The proposition is coming to the public in hopes of creating the Kent Regional Fire Authority.

The Fire Authority will join the Kent Fire Department and King County Fire District 37.  By doing this, the Authority will be funded by a six-year fire benefit charge and a property tax which will decrease by $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.  The Authority will keep the Kent Fire Department name and will be governed by a 6-member board of 3 elected councilmembers from Kent and 3 elected commissioners from Fire District 37.

The Kent Fire Department claims the Kent Regional Fire Authority will ensure..

• Strong emergency services and fast response times for our growing community
• Long-term financial sustainability and accountability for emergency services
• A proven, diversified funding model less dependent on property taxes
• Lower costs and greater efficiency through consolidation of contracts and resources

The Kent Firefighters are looking for a “YES” vote on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.   Proposition 1 is endorsed by the Covington City Council, the Kent City Council, Fire District 37 and Kent Firefighters 1747.  For more information visit the City of Kent website.

From the City of Kent:

January 1, 2010 – Two Kent families have been left homeless after an early morning two alarm fire in the 23600 block of 30 Ave. S. destroyed two mobile homes. The fire was first reported at 3:20 AM.

When firefighters from Kent and Seatac arrived, one mobile home was already fully engulfed in flames and a second was also burning due to winds and how close together the homes were. Fortunately, all the occupants were able to escape from the fires although several were treated and sent to local hospitals due to smoke inhalation. A total of eight adults and six children have been displaced.

Once they were assured that everyone had gotten out of the mobile homes, responders were able to concentrate on containing the fires and keeping them from spreading to any other homes. While both affected residences are a total loss, no others suffered damage.

Red Cross is currently on scene to assist the two families. A Kent Fire Investigator is working to determine the cause of the fires. No damage estimate is available at this time.

Allied Waste Services of Kent is sponsoring a holiday toy drive from November 30 through December 23. Here are the details, provided by Kent Meridian SeaTac Disposal.

Allied Waste Services of Kent has partnered up with the Kent Fire Department for the “Toys for Joy” toy drive.

Where to donate: Allied Waste, 22010 76^th Ave. S., Kent or Any Kent Fire Station

What to donate: New Unwrapped Toys for children, ages birth to 12

When to donate: November 30^th through December 23^rd

Once the toys collected are wrapped, a caravan consisting of Kent Fire Department personnel and Santa will deliver the toys to the Kent Food Bank for distribution to families in need.

Thank you for supporting our community!

Customer Service
Allied Waste Services of Kent
22010 76th Ave S
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: 206.682.9735

The Kent Fire Department offers tips on fire and life safety for a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Read the full article online here.

• Never use outdoor grills, BBQs or generations inside your home
• Purchase and install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitor inside your home
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking
• Keep paper and flammable items away from open flames such as candles and fireplaces and other open heat sources

Be safe this holiday season!

We have a great day of family fun planned for guests of Kent Winterfest, A Holly Jolly Day in Kent, scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 8 am to 6 pm. Here is our current schedule of events:

• 8 am – 2 pm: Holly Jolly All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at Maggie’s on Meeker, sponsored by Kent AM Kiwanis
• 9 am – 5 pm: Holiday Parks Bazaar at Kent Commons
• 9 am – 7 pm: PediCabs
• 10 am – 7 pm (and 9 pm at Kent Station): Merchants Open for Holiday Shopping & Dining in downtown Kent and Kent Station
• 11 am: Holly Jolly One Mile Kids & Kritters Walk with Mayor Suzette Cooke and Kent4Health
• 11:30 am: KM Jazz Band on 2nd Avenue across from the Kent library
• 12 – 2 pm: Meet the Kent Fire Department at 2nd & Meeker
• 12 – 8 pm: Morford Family Holiday Carousel
• 1 – 5 pm: Horse drawn carriage
• 3 – 5 pm: SilverBells Carolers roving through Historic Downtown Kent
• 4 pm: Holiday Reading at Green River Community College
• 4:30 – 6:30 pm: Kent Lions’ Parade, Santa’s Arrival, 6-Foot Christmas Stocking Giveaway and Annual Tree Lighting
• 5:00: Allegro Performing Arts
• 5:15 pm: KM Jazz Choir, Sound Connection at 2nd Avenue across from the Kent library

Share your Holly Jolly spirit by bringing a nonperishable food item for the Kent Food Bank. For more info., visit Kent Winterfest online or call KDP at 253-813-6976.