News

Kent business owner dies two days after shooting; Lt. Gov. Brad Owens’ son recovering

A Kent business owner died Wednesday, two days after he reportedly shot and injured a coworker and then shot himself during a Monday dispute at their office.

Billie Mayer

‘This is insane,’ mom says of Green River flood threat

Billie Mayer is trying to do everything she can to protect her Kent home and personal belongings from the Green River floods.

Billie Mayer

Major Green River flood could stall deliveries everywhere

While the impacts of a potential Green River flood this winter are obvious to the businesses located in the path of the water, the flooding to the West Coast’s second-largest warehouse and distribution center could have far-reaching effects.

BOEING  has installed eight-foot-high HESCO barriers at its facilities in the Green River Valley

With assets at risk from flooding, Green River Valley businesses plan for worst

With the potential for flooding just around the corner and many assets to protect on the Green Valley floor, many local businesses are preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best.

BOEING  has installed eight-foot-high HESCO barriers at its facilities in the Green River Valley
Dave Davis of the American Legion’s Kent Post sets a flag at the grave of a Civil War veteran Kent’s Saar Pioneer Cemetery. He also played “Taps” on the trumpet during the event.

Honoring the fallen at Saar Pioneer Cemetery in Kent

Civil War veterans buried in Kent’s Saar Pioneer Cemetery received honors Saturday, with a Veterans Day ceremony put on by the South King County Genealogical Society and Puget Sound Civil War Round Table, with assistance from Scout Troop No. 402.

  • Nov 11, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Dave Davis of the American Legion’s Kent Post sets a flag at the grave of a Civil War veteran Kent’s Saar Pioneer Cemetery. He also played “Taps” on the trumpet during the event.
Richard Marshall

Renton may escape worst of flooding, but is still preparing

The Green River only skirts Renton, but a vast section of the city’s southwest warehouse and industrial area is at risk in a major flood of the river.

Richard Marshall
Kent resident Marilyn Bowman

Where to get sandbags, sand in Kent; how to volunteer

Kent residents can pick up free, empty sandbags at the city operations facility, 5821 S. 240th St., also known as West James Street.Residents can get… Continue reading

  • Nov 11, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Kent resident Marilyn Bowman
Howard Hanson Dam

Where will that water go?

A Sword of Damocles is hanging over the Green River Valley. Thank the Greeks for this image, which, generally speaking, refers to a sense of foreboding that’s present in any precarious situation.

  • Nov 11, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Howard Hanson Dam
Fardig Development crews place the super sacks last month along the east bank of the Green River that borders the Riverbend Golf Course.  The workers

Kent bolsters levees to ward off floods

Kent city crews and contractors have placed nearly 20,000 giant sandbags along a 12-mile stretch of Green River levees in an effort to help protect homes and businesses from flooding this winter.

Fardig Development crews place the super sacks last month along the east bank of the Green River that borders the Riverbend Golf Course.  The workers
The Pay’n Take It Grocery on Kent’s Central Avenue saw standing water during the Green River flood of 1934. Two people identified in this photo are Claude Fielding

Hanson Dam ushered in new era for Green River Valley

Before the Howard Hanson Dam, the rainy winters of the Green River Valley brought with them a sense of dread. The Green River, which created the fertile valley, frequently would become a flooding nemesis, turning the communities on its banks into unwelcome versions of Venice.

The Pay’n Take It Grocery on Kent’s Central Avenue saw standing water during the Green River flood of 1934. Two people identified in this photo are Claude Fielding

Enumclaw team to help care for animals in event of flood

Within 10 minutes of getting a call in September from the frantic owner of an aging Arabian horse up to its neck in a marsh in Enumclaw, the Plateau-based Washington State Animal Response Team was on its way.

Michael Champion of Maple Valley and  Gary Day of Covington participated in recent field-day exercises for HAM radio operators.

Local ham radio operators will keep news flowing during flooding

One of the most important elements of emergency response to any disaster is the ability to communicate, and a group of hams are a key to keep this area talking.

  • Nov 11, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Michael Champion of Maple Valley and  Gary Day of Covington participated in recent field-day exercises for HAM radio operators.

Auburn: Where to load up on sandbags

The City of Auburn is making sandbags available to the public. Bags will be available at the following dates and times:

  • Nov 11, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Auburn’s Jim Fugate

Auburn’s Jim Fugate prepares for day river turns on him

Nine years ago, Jim and Billie Fugate moved from their home of 29 years on Lea Hill to a house on Pike Street just where it curves into 12th Street.

Auburn’s Jim Fugate
Driven by concerns about the vulnerability of the Auburn Food Bank to possible flooding this fall and winter

Auburn no stranger to alarm bells; preparing for flood threat

The City of Auburn began planning for potential flooding of the Green River last January shortly after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first raised alarm bells about the compromised holding capacity of the Howard Hanson Dam.

Driven by concerns about the vulnerability of the Auburn Food Bank to possible flooding this fall and winter

A timeline of the Howard A. Hanson Dam

1850s - Settllers begin moving into the Green River Valley, setting up farms on the fertile flood plain. Begin working around the Green River’s capacity for flooding each winter.

  • Nov 11, 2009
  • BY Wire Service

Kent man, estranged wife plead not guilty to child rape charges

A 36-year-old Kent man and his estranged wife each pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of first-degree rape of a child.Brian Keith Beston, of Kent,… Continue reading

  • Nov 10, 2009
  • BY Wire Service

Boeing evacuates part of Kent plant

Boeing officials partially evacuated their Kent plant at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday because of a small explosion and fire in one of the company's labs.The… Continue reading

  • Nov 10, 2009
  • BY Wire Service

Kent School District debuts cable access series

The Kent School District has announced the schedule for "The Future is Now," a new television series produced by students in the Kent School District showcasing the importance of technology in the classrooms and the business world.

  • Nov 10, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Animal Shelter volunteer Jennifer Bennett holds one of the shelter's adoptable cats in September. The shelter has waived its adoption fees

Kent animal shelter waives adoption fees on all its pets

King County Animal Care and Control is waiving adoption fees on all animals at its two shelter locations and for pets in foster care in advance of moving their Kent shelter location out of the Green River valley flood zone.

  • Nov 10, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Animal Shelter volunteer Jennifer Bennett holds one of the shelter's adoptable cats in September. The shelter has waived its adoption fees