Local News from iLoveKent for Monday, Dec. 12

This has been a busy month for news, events and activities already, but things are slowing down a little this week. Here’s what’s going on in and around Kent, Washington this week:

–EDITED to include Footprints of Fight toy drive through Dec. 16.–

toy-driveNEW–Footprints of Fight Hosts Toy Drive thru Dec. 16
Footprints of Fight, a nonprofit dedicated to providing services for the families and patients of pediatric cancer in Washington, is hosting a toy drive through Dec. 16. Please drop off toys, gift cards, mason jars, notebooks and/or towels at one of these locations by Fri., Dec. 16. Click image to the right for a larger view.

NEW–Skier Dies After Falling into Tree Well
In the Snoqualmie Pass area, a man skiing at the Alpental Ski area died yesterday after falling into a tree well yesterday afternoon. Ski Patrol was on the scene within minutes, continuing rescuers CPR attempts. When the ski patrol transported the man to paramedics, he was pronounced dead.

Kent School District Late Start Dates 2016-17NEW–Find Out About Kent School Delays and Closures Due to Weather
Wonder whether your kids have school on cold or wintery days? The Kent School District reports school closures and delays to KING, KOMO and KIRO as well as on social media. Click here for all the ways to find out if your child’s school will be closed or delays.

NEW–Package Thefts and Purse Theft in Kent
Kent Police warns local residents that there has been a large number of package thefts from people’s front porches this holiday season. If you won’t be home to receive your package, ask a neighbor to pick it up or provide an alternate address when ordering your items. Also, a woman stole another woman’s purse when she left her pew to go to Communion. Please be watchful of your surroundings and don’t leave anything to chance.

NEW–King County Council to Interview Senator Candidates Today
Kent Event: King County Council Public Hearing for 2017-18 Biennial BudgetToday the King County Council will interview and appoint a new Senator to fill the vacancy created in the 37th district of the Washington State Senate with the election of Prymila Jayapal to Congress. Three candidates will be interviewed: Seattle University Professor Rory O’Sullivan, Puget Sound Sage Executive Director Rebecca Saldana, and Shasti Conrad, COO of a progressive consulting firm.

NEW–New HOT Lane on Hwy. 167 South Opens Dec. 17
On Saturday, December 17, Washington DOT will turn on a 6-mile High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane extension on Hwy. 167 south, creating a nearly 14-mile continuous stretch of HOT lanes from Renton all the way to Pacific. Learn more here.

tahoma-cemetary-croppedNEW–Wreaths Across America at Tahoma National Cemetery Dec. 17
Members of Civil Air Patrol’s Washington Wing invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths for placement on the graves of veterans, and then join us on December 17 to honor those who served the U.S. as well as current military members. Click here for more info.

NEW–Welcome, AAA Pest Control, Our Newest Advertiser!
aaaPlease join us in welcoming AAA Pest Control as iLoveKent’s newest sponsor. Thank you to Sue Froyd and her team for supporting iLoveKent! To learn more about advertising your Kent business on iLoveKent, download our latest rate card. (Note: Several ad sizes are sold out.)

NEW–Man Exposes Himself to Teenage Student in Covington
On November 30, just before 4 PM, an adult male exposed himself to a teenage student as he was walking home from school. The suspect was in a vehicle when he exposed himself in the 16800 block of SE 261st St. Read more here.

King County Metro riders can now pay for transit tickets from their mobile devices with the Transit GO Ticket app.NEW–King County Metro Launches ‘Transit GO Ticket’ App
Save time with King Country Metro’s new ‘Transit GO Ticket’ app by buying and redeeming transit tickets on your mobile device. The free app allows riders to purchase tickets for King County Metro buses, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Sound Transit Link Light Rail and Sounder Trains. Get the details here.

NEW–Kent Severe Weather Shelter Activated Last Week
Due to the cold weather last week, the Severe Weather Shelter at Kent Lutheran Church was activated, providing meals and a warm place to sleep Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week. A big thank you to everyone who donated food, dropped off donations or helped oversee, clean, serve meals or pack lunches. Tuesday night, 43 people were served, 60 on Wednesday night and 42 on Thursday.

black-1845228_640Holiday and Winter Safety Tips from Kent RFA
A big thank you to the Kent RFA for home safety tips to keep you and yours safe during the holiday season and throughout the winter. They share tips on carbon monoxide, smoke alarms, electric heaters, cooking, candles and holiday decorations. Read the tips here.

 

Upcoming Events

Dec. 13: Kent City Council (7 PM)
Dec. 13: Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Spokane Chiefs
Dec. 15: Third Thursday Holiday Party at Rusty Raven Studio
Dec. 16: Bloodworks Northwest Blood Drive at Kent Station
Dec. 16: Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Prince George Cougars
Dec. 17: Wreaths Across America at Tahoma National Cemetery (9 AM – 10 AM)
Dec. 17: Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Tri-City Americans
Dec. 17: Trip to the North Pole (Allegro’s 2016 Holiday Showcase)
Dec. 18: Tacoma Stars vs. San Diego Sockers
Dec. 19 – Jan. 2: No School for the Kent School District; Holiday Break.

Dana Neuts

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