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Lingerie football | Kent-based Seattle Mist are back with a deeper roster and higher expectations this season [7]
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2012
Court temporarily lifts Kent’s ban on marijuana gardens BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
Washington Supreme Court Commissioner Steven Goff granted a temporary stay that
lifts the city of Kent’s ban on medical marijuana collective gardens. Goff issued his ruling on Dec. 5. A King County Superior
Court judge on Oct. 5 upheld the city’s ban. But Deryck Tsang, who owns a Kent medical marijuana collective garden, joined several other plaintiffs to request a stay to
the order. The ruling means Tsang can re-open his Herbal Choice Caregivers business along West Valley Highway in North Kent.
Tsang closed the business after the Superior Court ruling. No other collective gardens are known to be operating in Kent. [ more BAN page 4 ]
City Council approves cable utility tax, higher permit fees BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
Costs are going up to live and build in Kent after the City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday night to adopt the 2013-14 biennial budget. The budget includes a 6-percent tax on cable television bills to raise about $1.3 million per year, higher permit fees for developers to bring in about $1 million per year and a 1-percent increase in the property tax levy to raise about $198,000. Residents also will see storm drainage rates go up 5 percent, sewer rates up 4
Couple headed to prison in juvenile sex trafficking case BY STEVE HUNTER
Rush is on
results, photos online… kentreporter.com
Ellen Boyd, of Buckley, left, and Michelle Rufener, of Tacoma, with 8-year-old Emily Kelly, of Buckley, came identically dressed for the occasion last Saturday at the Christmas Rush 5-K Fun Run Presented by Multicare Health System. A Kent tradition, the 5-kilometer race attracted nearly 1,900 runners, the 10-K run 461. The course for each run started at Russell Road Park. RACHEL CIAMPI, Kent Reporter
SPREADING COMFORT FOR OTHERS Kent girl leads blanket drive for hurricane victims
BY TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@soundpublishing.com
Eight-year-old Ella LaVoie has so much compassion she’s taken it upon herself to organize a blanket-making and collection project for Hurricane Sandy
victims on the East Coast. The Kent girl began the project the day before Thanksgiving and hasn’t stopped. “I felt like it just looked terrible,” Ella said of the news coverage of the storm. “I saw
shunter@kentreporter.com
A Kent woman will serve 22 months in prison and her boyfriend could serve up to 26 years in connection with a juvenile sex trafficking ring they operated out of their Kent apartment. Altesa Turner, 44, plead guilty to helping facilitate prostitution by post-
[ more BUDGET page 9 ]
ing the photos and ads on the Internet. She was recently sentenced to 22 months in state prison, according to a Dec. 7 Kent Police media release. A King County Superior Court jury last week convicted Bernard D. Watkins, 32, of three counts for promoting commercial sex abuse of minors, and a single count for unlawfully possessing a firearm. When he is sentenced, the range could be from 20 to 26 years in prison. Because the convictions are [ more COUPLE page 2 ]
people walking and the water was up to their waists, cars being flooded, and it just looked super bad.” Ella, who attends Martin Sortun Elementary School, was inspired to act because of the charitable giving her parents and friends participate in and her family’s recent experiences.
Ella LaVoie, middle, with friends, Katelynn Bissell, left, and Isabella Souts make blankets for victims of Hurricane Sandy. TRACEY COMPTON,
[ more PROJECT page 2 ]
Kent Reporter
Celebrate
WEDNESDAY & SUNDAY
ALL YOU CAN EAT Baby Back Ribs and BBQ Chicken $19.95 OR 6oz Prime Rib and All You Can Eat Crab $24.95
percent and water rates up 3 percent. “I know you have a tough job to do but I’m in opposition to the tax increases in the 2013-14 budget,” said Doug Basler, of Kent, during the public comment period at the council meeting. “When are the tax increases going to end?” Basler said the council needs to cut spending and added that the “city is more than parks and roads it’s people and people are having a tough time.” Kent resident Andy Massagli also testified that the city needs to make
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NEW YEAR’S EVE with us! Monday, December 31 from 8:30pm - 2:00am DJ & Karaoke Entertainment Dinner $19.95 Served 4pm - 11pm
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