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Happy Friday, Kent!
I hope you'll join us tomorrow for PawFest at accesso ShoWare Center. We'll have adoptable dogs and cats looking for loving homes, pet licensing, dog training demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, and more. It's always one of my favorite community events and a great opportunity to support the organizations that care for animals throughout our region.
📅 Tomorrow, June 6
⌚ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 accesso ShoWare Center
Summer is officially underway, and our community calendar is filling up quickly. Whether you're volunteering at a Green Kent event, attending Cornucopia Days, checking out the Cruisin' Kent Car Show, or participating in one of the many activities happening in our parks and neighborhoods, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
As always, I hope you enjoy the update and have a wonderful weekend.
At the 2026 Puget Sound Regional Council General Assembly, we passed the Regional Transportation Plan which focuses on safety and preservation while ensuring we are building a system that works for all. As Chair of the Transportation Policy Board, I am very proud of this plan and what it represents for our region.
We also heard from Governor Gregoire and a panel including Brad Smith (Microsoft), Keri Schroeder (JP Morgan), and Erik Nordstrom (Nordstrom) about our economy and what we need to stabilize our region and make us competitive.
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The Kent International Festival continues to be such an amazing example of the beauty that is Kent. Cultures from all over the world coming together to celebrate and share.
I am so grateful for Nancy and Dave Skipton and the KIF committee for sharing this event with our city for many years.
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After stopping by the International Festival, I attended Aviation Day at the new Alaska Airlines Global Training Center.
As our hometown airline, Alaska is focused on safety is clear in everything they do. They are expanding routes and becoming a true international carrier.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to "land" a 737 in the simulator - so much fun!
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Thursday afternoon, we turned Kent City Hall into Kent Kitty Hall! We had council chambers lined up with people to see the cute adoptable kittens and cats from Regional Animal Services of King County!
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Our team at the Kent Senior Activity Center is gearing up for a summer full of fun!
If you are age 50 or older and interested in golfing, fishing, hiking, or getting out to explore more of our beautiful state, check out our upcoming trips. Learn more at MyKentParks.com/Register.
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Get ready for the Kent Nerd Party, where downtown Kent transforms into the ultimate haven for nerds!
The Nerd Party is a street-wide event with a cosplay contest, miniature painting contest, Lego museum, LARP games, outdoor vendors, and more.
All nerds are welcome! Whether you love science fiction, fantasy, horror, anime, gaming, or one of the other innumerable geeky pursuits!
📅 Tomorrow, June 6
⌚ 12 p.m.- 7 p.m.
📍 Page Turner Books (215 1st Ave S.)
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Here's a recap on what the Kent City Council discussed in yesterday's meetings! As a reminder, you can view meeting agendas, minutes and live stream recordings here!
We need YOU to join us as a volunteer for our June Work Party TOMORROW, Saturday, June 6!
Come and work alongside the Kent Parks crew at North Meridian Park to help keep the natural area healthy and thriving.
Green Kent Work Parties are held monthly from March to November, and are a great way to get more involved, connect with neighbors, and make a difference in our community. And for students, they are a great way to earn valuable, hands-on volunteer hours – restoring and conserving our parks and natural spaces!
Sign up as a volunteer today online at MyKentParks.com/GreenKent.
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Join us for our FREE recycling collection event that allows residents to dispose of recyclable items not typically accepted at the curb.
Instead of going to the landfill as trash, all collected items will be reused or recycled!
Here's the list of items accepted!
📅 Saturday, June 13
⌚ 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
📍 Canyon Ridge Middle School
Seattle Universal Math Museum is open at Kent Station.
SUMM is a fun, free, interactive space to experience math in a unique, hands-on way.
This June, SUMM is offering a variety of interactive studio sessions exploring everything from optical illusions and origami to tessellations, geometry, and even the math behind Magic: The Gathering. It's a great opportunity for curious minds of all ages to learn something new.
Check out the June schedule and register for a session that interests you!
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This week, Chief Padilla presented the 25-year longevity plaque to Community Education Unit Coordinator Stacy Judd.
If you've participated in the Kent Police Youth Board, Teen Academy, Game of Life, National Night Out, Community Police Academy, Coffee with the Chief, Block Watch, or any number of Kent Police community events over the last two decades, chances are you've met Stacy.
For 25 years, Stacy has helped build connections between the Police Department and our community through education, outreach, and programs that have touched thousands of residents. Many of the events and opportunities Kent families enjoy today have benefited from her leadership, creativity, and dedication.
Stacy's work has made a lasting impact on our community, often behind the scenes and without much fanfare. We are grateful for her service and commitment to the people of Kent.
Please join me in congratulating Stacy on 25 years of service to our city!
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Last Friday, Assistant Chief Grove, Officers Hadley, Hegamin, Meade, Cortinas, Heyne, Robinson, Stotler, Sgt. Kelso, Chaplain Pat, Cmdr. Tung, Traffic Officers Brennan & Castro, and staff from DOC came together to run, walk, bike ride and escort the Special Olympics torch through Kent.
This is a long standing tradition for Kent PD and our surrounding agencies.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved individual assistance for those affected by the December 2025 storms. This is a new and separate process from previous Washington State individual assistance programs. If you were affected by the December 2025 storms, we encourage you review this additional resource.
A Disaster Assistance Center is open in Renton, offering in-person help to residents navigating applications with FEMA, as well as information related to U.S. Small Business Administration loan programs. In addition to helping with paperwork, staff can guide residents through options for both federal and state aid tied to disaster recovery.
FEMA, the SBA, and Washington State will staff a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC)
Location: King County Elections, 919 Southwest Grady Way, Renton, Washington 98057
Time Frame: now through June 10, 2026
Hours: Weekly from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday to Friday
For those unable to visit in person, FEMA applications can still be completed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA App, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
The deadline to register is June 10, 2026.
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Employment Security is now administering benefits for this federal disaster recovery program.
Workers who work or live in affected counties and lost work as a result of the disaster, but do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits (e.g. business owners, otherwise ineligible) are encouraged to apply.
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As temperatures rise, remember that hot cars can be deadly for pets. Never leave your furry friends unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. The temperature inside can skyrocket within moments, putting their lives at risk. Keep them safe and leave them at home!
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Tuesday afternoon, Kent City Council President Kaur and council members Michaud, Shoker and Larimer joined Race & Equity Coordinator Maria Tizoc, other city staff and representatives from Entre Hermanos to raise the Pride flag at Kent City Hall.
Jose Vasquez from Entre Hermanos, received the proclamation marking June as Pride Month in the City of Kent.
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Call before you dig!
Anytime you need to excavate for a home project, state law requires you to notify utility companies to avoid dangerous or costly damages.
Notify utilities of your intent to dig by calling 811 or by making an online request a few days before you plan to break ground. call811.com
DigSafeWA.com is your online resources for digging safely in Washington.
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The Wastemobile is back!
This mobile hazardous waste collection service will be cruising throughout King County most weekends until October, making it easy and safe for you to drop off household hazardous waste for free.
You can see the full schedule on their website.
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