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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2012
City Council adopts B&O tax to repair streets BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
Higgins
The Kent City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday night to adopt a business and occupation (B&O) tax to help raise an estimated $5 million annually to pay for street repairs. The council adopted the tax on the
gross revenue of businesses as part of its three-step approach they agreed on in July to fund park and street repairs. The other parts are the property tax levy lid lift on the Nov. 6 ballot and the hiring of a consultant to find ways to cut $2 million from the city’s budget. “This is a good day for Kent,” said
Council President Dennis Higgins at the meeting. “This is the community coming together saying no, we don’t want to live in a city that lets its streets and parks fall beyond repair and yes, we are a city that tackles problems in a realistic way while living within our means. “We know times are tough. But if ev-
eryone pulls together, the residents, the businesses and the city, we will solve these problems.” Higgins said at a council workshop earlier Tuesday that residents needed to know businesses are going to help pay for streets and park maintenance. [ more TAX page 3 ]
Officials evict homeless from flood-prone area BY TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
After evicting people from 30 to 40 tents at a homeless camp at Kent’s Mullen Slough, the county Department of Natural Resources and Parks has set up a monitoring plan to make sure no one returns to the flood plain area.
Kyle Hinkle gets a push from his fellow classmate, Trevon Inay, on a recent visit to Carpinito Bros. Pumpkin Patch, a popular spot for children and families in pursuit of the ‘Great Pumpkin.’ TRACEY COMPTON, Reporter
Special patch for the picking Carpinito Bros. brings joy to generations of pumpkin seekers BY TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
A first visit to a pumpkin patch might bring to mind soft earth beneath the feet, the smell of hay from a distant tractor ride and acres upon acres of bright, orange globes, peeking behind leafy, green branches. For children who can’t speak
[ more PATCH page 9 ]
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Trevon Inay helps his teacher, Rebecca Fry, pick out a pumpkin. TRACEY COMPTON, Reporter
[ more CAMP page 3 ]
Skate America comes to ShoWare with star cast BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@auburn-reporter.com
yet or who are developmentally disabled, one can only guess at the excitement and wonder inspired by that very first visit to a pumpkin patch. This kind of experience has happened repeatedly over the past 21 years that Carpinito Bros. has hosted their pumpkin patch in the Kent valley. Many little ones and their families were out this past week searching for that, “Great Pumpkin.” Among them were
Representatives from the department began posting notices on Oct. 1, telling residents of the makeshift community they had eight days to vacate the 40 acres of property owned by King County. In late August and early September, DNRP crews
Sidelined with an untimely injury, Evan Lysacek won’t be competing in this weekend’s Hilton HHonors Skate America at the ShoWare Center in Kent. The reigning Olympic champion’s return to the ice will have to wait, but Lysacek says the show will go on with a star-filled lineup. “I am impressed with so many of today’s skaters,” Lysacek said.
“I am obviously very disappointed that I won’t be competing. I’ve been excited and looking forward to it,” he said. “Things were going very well in my preparation for it.” Competition begins Friday, continues Saturday and ends Sunday. The showcase at the ShoWare is the opening event of the six-stop International Skating Union’s Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. [ more SKATERS page 4 ]
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