STEM CAMP | Students from all over the district build robots at a summer technology camp. [3]
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RENTON
Buying the block | The Renton School District has begun buying properties in North Renton to build a new elementary school. [Page 15]
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015
Transportation bill includes money for interchange If approved, Senate package contains $1.2 billion for I-405 corridor improvements BY BRIAN BECKLEY bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
Relay for Life Renton Memorial Stadium played host to the annual Relay for Life this past weekend where teams of walkers kept pace in the track to raise money for cancer research. Renton Firefighters were on hand to their support, above, and as always, the event started with the survivor and caregivers laps. PHOTOS COURTESY STEVE DUTCHER
New management spruces up Carco Theatre, adds donated organ and piano It’s been a little more than two years since Puget Sound Access moved into Carco Theatre and the facility has been a buzz of activity. There’s been all sorts of events as well as renovations, new management and a few donations, creating a more hospitable space for artists and guests. Puget Sound Access is the provider
of public education and government cable channels to South King County residents and offers arts entertainment videography through Puget Productions. It’s the company’s present mission to bring in more multicultural events through outreach to diverse communities, build on its productions for and by children and host events for Renton’s film community. “We have our hands full, but we’re
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also really jazzed about what we’re doing here,” said Jeff McCord, executive director. He came on board around the beginning of the year and so did Theatre Manager Cassie Welliver and Jonathon Crick, office manager. The theatre recently wrapped up renovations, creating a green room and working offices downstairs in [ more CARCO page 5 ]
Fabulous Fourth!
It’s time again For the city’s annual Fourth of July Celebration at Coulon Park. The park opens at 7 a.m. with a professional fireworks show scheduled for 10 p.m. and lots to do in between, including plenty of entertainment. Turn to page 4 for a complete guide to this year’s event. COURTESY PHOTO
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BY TRACEY COMPTON
tcompton@rentonreporter.com
Though the Legislature was able to pass a state budget before the Tuesday night deadline that would have shut down parts of state government, the final vote on a transportation package that could finally mean relief for Renton-area drivers was stalled as of Wednesday. Approved by the state Senate on Monday, the transportation package, if approved, would deliver $1.2 billion to widen the Interstate 405 corridor from Renton to Lynwood. Included in the in the project is the state Route 167 – I-405 interchange, one of the busiest and most-clogged interchanges in the state. According to the WSDOT website, drivers in the area can experience congestion for up to eight hours each day. “It’s very good news for us,” said Renton Deputy Public Affairs Administrator Preeti Shridhar. All four Renton area state senators voted [ more TRANSPORTATION page 7 ]