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Looking for some fun? | Check out our July entertainment calendar to see what’s going on this month! [10] Top dog | The title of nation’s No. 1 Chinook goes to Renton resident Oscar. [Local 3 ]
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 2013
Police arrest one but still searching for arsonists By Brian Beckley bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
Beating the heat!
With temperatures soaring into the 90s this week, the Henry Moses Aquatic Center was packed with families looking for ways to cool down. Above, Danut Comsea, 10, hits the pool at the base of the “Blue Thunder” water slide. Above left, Darrell Grace, 10, waves as he speeds through the slide’s twists and turns. Meanwhile, Cole Williams, 13, cools off under a downpour on the “Lazy River.” The Henry Moses Aquatic Center is located at 1719 Maple Valley Highway. It is open every day in the summer. For more information and pricing, visit www.rentonwa.gov. Brian Beckley, Renton Reporter
Police have arrested one suspect in regards to a series of arsons that have plagued downtown Renton since May. There have been eight suspected arsons in the downtown and South Renton neighborhoods since May, including a fire at the Church of Grace at the Ukrainian Community Center on Hardie Avenue Southwest that cause more than $1 million in damage. The individual arrested admitted involvement in one of the eight fires that have struck the area, though police said he may not be charged because the fire he was involved with may or may not have been intentionally set. According to Det. Steve Morris, the suspect, an 80-year-old man admitted to being involved in a tree fire near Main Street and Well Street, but there is no evidence he is connected with the other fires. “He’s not suspected to be the arsonist we’re trying to find,” Morris said. [ more Arsons page 4 ]
The end of an era at two Renton churches By TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
There weren’t many dry eyes among the members of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, as they held their final service and farewell celebration for Pastor Kirby Unti. Unti was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in May. After serving 33 years as St. Matthew’s lead pastor in Renton, Unti will leave the church to
take on more regional responsibilities as a bishop. Sunday he gave a farewell sermon to members and laughed, hugged and reminisced with the congregation and church staff. The sanctuary was packed to the point where churchgoers spilled into the entryway, seated in chairs watching video of the service inside. Unti was given five gifts from the congregation representing the St. Matthew’s five core values. The idea of “welcome” was represented
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Congregants say goodbye to Living Faith Presbyterian during final service on Sunday By TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
Living Faith Presbyterian Church, formerly First Presbyterian Church of Renton, welcomed back current and former members, staff and pastors for the closing of the church that’s been in Renton for almost 127 years. The Presbytery of Seattle held the official closing worship service Sunday afternoon at the church, located just off Benson Road south. Before the closing service began, mem-
bers and attendees mingled in the fellowship hall, catching up and talking about what lies ahead. Ken Finley, a retired pastor, who once served the church, said he felt mixed about the closing. “I’m a little mixed about it, but you know the church is more than just a location and a building,” he said. “So in that light, it just kind of opens up doors for new adventures for people, who are part of this congregation.” [ more Living faith page 8 ]
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St. Matthews Lutheran Church bids ‘emotional and bittersweet’ goodbye to Pastor Kirby Unti