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INSIDE | City prepared to lobby for state-shared funding [3]
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2013
Sports | Kentwood cheer squads limber up for state [10]
Schools | Academy brings new approach to learning [8]
City Council raises concerns about coal trains BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
If as many as 18 or more coal trains per day start rolling through Kent, city officials
want to try to reduce the impact to residents, businesses and the environment. The City Council knows any chance to halt the proposed Gateway Pacific terminal near
Bellingham to ship coal to China could meet similar results as trying to stop a runaway train. But the council agreed it must try to do something to mitigate the impact on Kent if trains run
from Wyoming and Montana to Spokane through the Columbia River Gorge and up north through Kent on the way to Bellingham. The seven-member council and Mayor Suzette Cooke
signed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping letter Tuesday night in an effort to get the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [ more TRAINS page 4 ]
Fight at RJC injures 3 BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com
Carol Cleveland, iGrad principal, keeps her door open to students and offers one-on-one guidance. MICHELLE CONERLY, Kent Reporter
MORE STUDENTS MAKING THE GRADE AT IGRAD BY MICHELLE CONERLY mconerly@kentreporter.com
“Welcome! Are you here for class today?” One by one, each student checks in at the front desk, takes a seat in front of a laptop and begins learning. For students completing the Kent School District diploma track through the new iGrad program, this is what their classroom looks like. The iGrad academy is a district program funded by the state in partnership with the Kent School District and Green River Community College (GRCC) that offers students 16-21 years old the ability to earn credits toward one of three program tracks. Students also may choose to earn a Washington state diploma or a GED certificate. This individualized learning model is structured to cater to the students’ unique needs. “At the iGrad site each student is taking the subjects they need to [ more IGRAD page 2 ]
Right by Barry The Rainier Youth Choirs got the opportunity to perform with Barry Manilow and Olympic skaters during the Pandora Unforgettable Moments of Love On Ice program last Friday night at the ShoWare Center. The choir was asked to sing during the grand finale. “It is with great
confidence that I accepted the last-minute challenge,” said RYC Choral Director Leora Schwitters. RYC of Kent offers a children’s choir and youth choir music education and performance program for boys and girls in the South King County area. COURTESY PHOTO
Assault charges were expected to be filed this week against a 23-year-old Renton man in connection with a fight Monday with a detective and attorney outside a courtroom at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Kent Police arrested the man for fourth-degree assault and third-degree assault, according to probable cause documents filed with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors had until Thursday (after the Kent Reporter deadline) to file charges. The man was booked Monday into the city jail and released Tuesday. Bail was set at $20,000. The incident started outside of a third-floor courtroom during recess of a criminal trial [ more FIGHT page 3 ]
Fashion designer gets shot to compete on ‘Project Runway’ BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@kentreporter.com
Cindy Marlatt, an emerging local fashion designer, is sizing up the national competition. The Kent woman – who has realized her dreams by pursuing her passion in apparel – was one of 16 clothing designers from throughout the country chosen to vie for top honors and prizes in Season 11 of “Project Runway”, a reality TV series that premieres at 9 p.m. next Thursday on Lifetime. “It was fabulous. It was a (full range) of emotions every day,” Marlatt said of the experience. “I’d do it again 100 times. It was a
wonderful experience. It was such a thrill to be included in that group of people.” Marlatt, 60, and other designers used the spotlight of New York City as inspiration to create garments during the first episode, but Marlatt quickly discovered working in teams for the season challenged their patience and creativity. The series was filmed entirely in the Big Apple. Marlatt said filming recently wrapped up but could not divulge the
show’s outcome. “It was more intense than I could ever imagine,” Marlatt said. “People have no idea of how hard it is to be creative under those circumstances. Everything is so fast.” In “Project Runway”, contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme. Their designs are judged, and one or more designers are eliminated each week. For Marlatt and the other designers, it was fierce. Contestants had to watch their backs while keeping their eyes on the prize [ more MARLATT page 4 ]