As we head into Easter weekend, I want to take a moment to wish you and your loved ones a joyful and restful holiday.

Whether you're celebrating with family traditions, enjoying a community egg hunt, or simply taking in the signs of spring, I hope this weekend brings you peace, hope, and connection.

This week our Spring Kent 101 students graduated at our Kent City Council meeting.

These folks are well on their way to becoming Kent ambassadors, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their engagement and enthusiasm!

At this week’s Council meeting, we proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Kent.

Thank you to Kate Garvey and Dennis Higgins from the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center for accepting the proclamation. Together, we’re committed to supporting survivors, raising awareness, and building a safer future for all. Read the full proclamation: bit.ly/3EkyWZC

Distractions remain a factor in 30% of fatal crashes across Washington. It could be a quick text or glance at your GPS, taking your eyes off the road can cost lives. Let’s all do our part: On the road, off the phone.

At last night's Kent City Council Meeting, Councilmember Bill Boyce presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Dana Ralph, recognizing this important effort. Thank you, Target Zero Manager Sara Hallsted, for accepting and for her continued work toward safer streets.

This week, I was proud to proclaim April 13–19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the City of Kent.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedicated professionals at Valley Communications Center who serve as the critical link between our community and emergency services. Since 1977, they’ve been there for us, day or night, helping keep Kent safe.

We thank all our 911 call receivers, dispatchers, support staff, and managers for the vital role they play in protecting lives.

Join Kent Parks, friends, and neighbors on Saturday, April 19, as we participate in the world's largest environmental conservation event: Earth Day!

This is a great opportunity to show some love to our little corner of this big, beautiful planet.

At this year's Earth Day event, volunteers will be removing invasive species and planting native plants alongside the creek at Clark Lake Park! 

During Green Kent events, volunteers gain experience with hands-on environmental conservation and is truly a great way to give back. Community members of all ages are welcome to volunteer and work to help keep our parks and natural areas healthy and thriving. 

 Learn more and register online today at MyKentParks.com/GreenKent

Want to guarantee you’re represented in future regional transportation plans?

Check your mailbox from now until June for an invitation to complete the Puget Sound Regional Travel Study.

Invited households will receive a gift card for participating! To learn more, visit: survey.psrc.org

Kent Downtown Partnership is in the middle of their Spring scavenger hunt! It's a free, fun, family-friendly activity running the whole month of April--with the chance to win awesome prizes!

Little stuffed bees have scattered across Kent, and they need your help to track them down. Search for the hidden bees, complete your passport, and submit it for a chance to win prizes from local businesses. Get your scavenger hunt passport here! 

Meet Chief Padilla and officers on May 7 at the Harp Bar and Restaurant for another Hops and Cops event! 

This is an opportunity to ask questions, meet the Kent Police Department staff that handles your concerns, and connect with law enforcement that serves our community.

📅 Wednesday, May 7
⌚ 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.
📍 The Harp Bar and Restaurant (24415 Russell Rd)

The Kent Police Department is accepting applications for this year's Teen Police Academy on June 24–26.

This hands-on experience is open to current Kent sophomores, juniors, seniors, and 2025 graduates who want to explore careers in law enforcement or learn more about the specialty units that serve our community.

Participants will dive into topics like K9, SWAT, detectives, narcotics, building searches, and mock scenarios.

📅 Apply by May 29
📧 Questions? Contact Stacy Judd at sjudd@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5883.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to see what it’s like behind the badge!

We're updating our ADA Transition Plan for facilities in the public right-of-way and we want to hear from you! Share your thoughts at Engage.KentWA.gov/ADA

Our goal is to improve accessibility around the city to enable all people to get around safely and easily.

Puget Sound Energy will be in Kent offering small businesses free energy-efficiency assessments and easy upgrades April 22 - 24.

More Information: pse.com/smallbizkent

If you have questions, email: smallbusiness@pse.com

We're hiring! Check out our featured jobs and find great opportunities on our hiring page at jobs.kentwa.gov

Our annual Bike Rodeo event is a fun, interactive, non-competitive skills course designed for kids to improve their bike handling and traffic safety skills. 

Kids will learn about stop signs, crosswalks, approaching corners as well as being considerate around other bikers and pedestrians. 

The program will include helmet fittings, helmet giveaways, a bicycle skills course and bike safety checks. 

If you would like to volunteer, please email KentBikeRodeo@gmail.com.

📅Saturday May 17 
⏰10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
📍Kent YMCA 

Our Bicycle Advisory Board is accepting applications for new members.

Members advise the council, mayor and staff on projects, policies and programs that affect cycling conditions in Kent!

Do you want to get more involved with our Parks department? Apply to serve on our Kent Parks & Recreation Commission! Commissioners work directly with the Kent Parks Department to provide input on strategic planning efforts that influence our parks system.

Applications are now being accepted for the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Board!

The goal of the board is to increase engagement, integration, and access to city services for all cultural communities in Kent.

You can learn about the city's work in these areas and the Equity Strategic Plan at KentWA.gov/Race-Equity and apply to be on the board here!

Get your furry friends licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County to help get them back to you if they're ever lost! 

Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.

The KentWorks app lets you access information and improve your neighborhood and community by reporting non-emergency issues to the city. You can request a service, report a problem and find information about the City of Kent all from your mobile device in just a few taps!

Cookie Hooky is the sweetest way to shake up your workday, and is hosted at accesso ShoWare Center May 8th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

This fun-filled fundraiser is all about raising money for the Community Events Fund which will support local non-profits by providing the opportunity for kids and families to enjoy events in the greater Kent area.