Kent Reporter, March 8, 2024

REPORTER RTER

Kentwood boys take fourth inside Tacoma Dome Page 8

School board bans fellow member from labor contract talks

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

Despite unanimous opposition by 13 teachers and parents of students during public testimony, the Kent School Board voted 3-2 to ban fellow member Donald Cook from any labor contract meetings with the district’s 11 employee groups.

The board said at its controversial Feb. 27 meeting it singled out Cook because his wife teaches in the Kent School District. Cook has said numerous times he would recuse himself from any teacher contract talks or votes because of the potential conflict of interest.

Board President Meghin Margel andmembersTimClarkandAwale Farah, however, decided that even

Cook’s presence at meetings with other labor groups, such as office workers, bus drivers, maintenance workers and others, could indicate abiasbecausehemightwantmore money for teachers over other employees.

“The resolution is making sure that the pot of money for negotiations with different labor unions, if one person has a particular

personal interest that makes a difference in personal family finance with one union, it leaves less for the rest of the unions,” Margel said. “There’s one pot of money, if you could take out more from one then there’s less for the others.”

Margel, Clark and Farah voted for the resolution. Cook and fellow new board member Andy Song

opposed it. Margel told Cook he would still be able to vote on labor contracts, but not be part of the executive session discussions with union representatives and other board members. That’s why the board formed the Labor Policy Committee to include each board member

See SCHOOL, Page 6

State trooper killed in I-5 crash was Kentlake High graduate

Chris Gadd, 27, was stopped along southbound I-5 when he was hit and killed early Saturday. Troopers suspect the driver was impaired.

By Jonathan Tall jonathan.tall@soundpublishing.com

The Lynnwood man accused of crashing into Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Gadd and killing him on Interstate 5 in Marysville, admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking beer before the crash, according to a new police report.

Raul Benitez Santana, 32, made his first appearance in court Monday, March 4. The courtroom was filled with over a dozen state troopers and other members of law enforcement.

Everett District Court Commissioner Jennifer Millett found probable cause for vehicular homicide and set bail at $1 million.

Gadd, 27, a graduate of Kentlake High School, had stopped along the right shoulder of I-5 near 136th Street NE, while on routine patrol for DUI drivers just before 3 a.m. Saturday, March 2.

A witness reported Gadd was parked in a marked patrol vehicle with his lights off, according to the police report filed in Everett District Court. The witness reportedly had dashboard camera footage of the crash. A black SUV, traveling at a “high rate of speed,” veered to the right and struck the trooper’s car, according to authorities. Gadd was pronounced dead at the scene.

A white van traveling south also collided with the black SUV, police said. The driver of the van was taken to the hospital with a broken leg and wrist. Five passengers in the van were not injured, according to the sheriff’s office.

The SUV driver, Benitez Santana, stayed at the scene. Police arrested him for

investigation of vehicular homicide. Prosecutors later added a vehicular assault allegation for the injuries to the van driver.

Authorities took Benitez Santana to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett for an evaluation, then booked him

State trooper shot in Kent released from hospital

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

Raymond Seaburg, the Washington State Patrol trooper shot and injured Feb. 16 in Kent, was released Tuesday morning, March 5fromHarborviewMedicalCenter in Seattle.

“The trooper was escorted from the hospital by law enforcement personnel in honor of his service and showing our support for his continued recovery process,” according to a State Patrol statement. “Our trooper and their family appreciate the community’s outpouring of support. They continue to ask for privacy as our trooper continues to heal.”

The State Patrol didn’t release

any other details about Seaburg’s injuries or recovery.

Seaburg, a 21-year veteran with the State Patrol, had been recently brought off Enumclaw detail to work on a special assignment to reduce violent crime on state highways and freeways when he attempted to pull over Jason Joshua Posada for a possible DUI on State Route 167 in Kent.

Posada allegedly fled, first in his car and, after colliding with another vehicle, on foot, official court documents read. Seaburg pursued him into an apartment complex and took Posada to the ground. Posada continued to resist arrest and pulled a firearm from his waistband, which was when

Seaburg pulled his own weapon and attempted to shoot Posada; however, his gun did not fire.

Seaburg then wrestled to get control of Posada’s gun, but the gun discharged and Posada claimed he was shot in the eye.

(According to documents, Posada did suffer what appeared to be shrapnel damage to his eye and face.)

Seaburg then attempted to separate from Posada, but that’s when Posada reportedly shot Seaburg multiple times; first responders found him shortly after with nine entry/exit wounds in his leg and hand.

Despite his injuries, Seaburg advised officers which direction Posada fled, and he was arrested

into the Snohomish County Jail, according to police. A judge approved a warrant to get a sample of the driver’s blood to

test for impairment, the report said.

Benitez Santana reported smoking marijuana and drinking a Coors Light before the early morning crash, wrote sheriff’s deputy Chris Mashburn. Later, the driver admitted it was two Coors Lights, according to the deputy’s report. A breathalyzer test, given about 3½ hours after the crash, reportedly had a reading of 0.047.

Millett noted Benitez Santana has a “significant” history of speeding. He received speeding tickets in 2012 and 2015, as well as a ticket for going 49 mph over the speed limit in 2020.

On Saturday morning, law enforcement held a motorcade from the crash site to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office. Southbound I-5 remained closed for about nine hours north of Marysville.

The freeway reopened around noon.

Gadd was born in Pasco and graduated from Kentlake High School, according to a state patrol press release. He went on to attend Green River College and Tacoma Community College, earning his EMT certification. He was married with a 2-year-old daughter, according to the Washington State Patrol.

He began working for the agency in September 2021 as a trooper cadet assigned to Grandview, Yakima County. His father, David Gadd, is also a state trooper in King County. His sister, Jacqueline Gadd, is a state trooper in Texas.

Gadd was part of the 116th Trooper Basic Training class. Upon graduation in November 2022, he received two honors: the Top Collision Investigation Award and the Top Academic Award. After graduation, he was assigned to Marysville.

Gadd is survived by his wife Cammryn, daughter Kaelyn, father David, mother Gillian and sister Jacqueline.

See TROOPER, Page 6

later after a K-9 unit was brought to the scene. King County prosecutors have charged Posada with first-degree

assault with a firearm enhancement, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and firearm theft.

RYAN BERRY / SOUND PUBLISHING

Two troopers place a photo of slain Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Gadd outside WSP District 7 Headquarters about twelve hours after Gadd was struck and killed in a collision on southbound I-5 about a mile from the headquarters on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Marysville, Washington.

RYAN BERRY / SOUND PUBLISHING

A heavily damaged Washington State Patrol vehicle is hauled away after a crash killed a trooper on southbound I-5 early Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Marysville, Washington.

COURTESY PHOTO, WASHINGTON STATE PATROL

Fellow troopers welcome home Washington State Patrol Trooper Raymond Seaburg on March 5 after his release from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Seaburg had been in the hospital since Feb. 16 with gunshot wounds to the leg after he was shot in Kent.

COURTESY PHOTO, WASHINGTON STATE PATROL Trooper Chris Gadd.

Kent Police catch Soos Creek Elementary School burglary suspect

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

Kent Police arrested a 23-yearold woman for investigation of first-degree burglary and other crimes after she reportedly broke into Soos Creek Elementary School, 12651 SE 218th Place

Officers were dispatched at about 2:11 a.m. Feb. 26 to the school after an alarm sounded

and an alarm company reported an intruder inside, according to a Feb. 29 Kent Police statement.

Multiple officers responded and set up a perimeter around the school. An officer found a broken window as a possible point of entry and said he could hear someone inside. Officers rushed to the location and then the school’s southernmost west door opened when an

KENT POLICE BLOTTER

A sampling of Kent Police incidents Feb. 14-22:

Feb. 14

Vehicle robbery: 2:26 p.m.,patrolwasdispatched to a robbery at Bimbo Bakery, 20200 70th Ave. S. The victim was at work on her lunch break when she noticed someone enter her vehicle. She ran outside as the person began to drive away with her vehicle. She grabbed the driver’s side door and hung on, but the suspect continued to drive.

Feb. 17

Shootingvictim: 11:37 p.m., patrol responded to Covington MultiCare for a shooting victim who reported being shot in the area of 11400 SE Kent Kangley Road. The victim provided limited information, reporting having

been at the bus stop when he was shot and fell to the ground.

Feb. 18

Machete threat: 1:35 a.m., patrol responded to threatswithaknifeat25900 104th Ave. SE. The suspect had been walking around and came up to the victim and threatened him with a machete. The victim stated the suspect was so close to him that he could smell alcohol on his breath and feared for his life. Patrol found the suspect in the area and took him into custody.

Felony harassment: Officers were dispatched to shots fired at the Silver Springs Apartments, 22416 88th Ave. S. An investigation determined the male half in a domestic threatened his child’s mother with a gun after a custody

officer allegedly saw a woman in the doorway holding several items, according to police. She quickly dropped the items and took off running away from the school.

An officer yelled several times for the woman to stop, but she continued to run southbound, ignoring repetitive commands, according to police. Multiple officers gave chase. The woman, of

dispute. He was located near Tractor Supply, 8420 S. 228th St., fleeing the area in a vehicle, and arrested. Child left behind: 7:39 p.m., officers were dispatched to a child call at WinCo, 21100 91st Ave. S. An officer learned a 13-year-old boy was left there by his mother. Officers attempted to contact his mother, who refused to come pick him up, stating she left him there because she could not handle him. The boy was showing signs of being autistic and possibly developmentally delayed. Officers took the male into protective custody and contacted Child Protective Services (CPS), who came out and assisted. The mother was unable to be located and cited with child neglect, with the case being sent to CPS as well.

Feb. 22

Teen shot, injured: 8

Kent, periodically turned around to see if they were still pursing her. Eventually an officer caught up to the woman as she approached a perimeter fence. The officer prevented her from getting over the fence, and other officers took her into custody.

It was later reportedly determined that the woman had used an axe to break a window to gain entry into the school.

p.m.,patrolwasdispatched to a shooting with injuries at Birch Creek Apartments, 27360 129th Pl. SE, near building number 30. Dispatch advised one of the reporting parties stated there was a male shot at the location. Another reporting party stated shots were still being heard as they were on the phone with 911. Officers arrived and located a 17-year-old male gunshot wound victim outside building number 30. Officers rendered aid to the victim. Two gunshot wounds were found on the victim, one to the chest and another to the upper right leg. The initial interviews with witnesses led officers to find numerous spent casingsatthewestentrance to Springwood Park. The area was locked down, and detectives responded to assist with crime scene processing. The victims last known to be in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

She was booked into the King County jail for investigation of first-degree burglary and faces additional charges of thirddegree possessing stolen property, second-degree malicious mischief, possessing burglary tools, possessing dangerous weapons on school grounds and obstructing.

The stolen items were all recovered.

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

Two

The two juveniles ran

“Although they were in the crosswalk, they ran across on a red light,” Kasner said. “Traffic had the green light for travel

and the juveniles were struck while running across the roadway.”

The collision occurred at about 4:49 p.m., according to Puget Sound Fire.

“Their injuries were significant and they were taken to the hospital,” Kasner said.

The vehicle driver, an 18-year-old Kent man, remained on the scene and cooperated with traffic investigators, Kasner said. “There were no indications that impairment was a factor for the driver of the vehicle,” Kasner said. Police shut down traffic in both directions along SE 256th Street during the investigation.

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Detectives finish investigation into 2023 fatal shooting by Kent Police

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

The Valley Independent Investigative Team on Feb. 29 turned overitsreport,aboutafatalshooting in October 2023 by a Kent Police officer, to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

A Kent officer shot Eduar Velasquez, 24, of Renton, after Velasquez allegedly came after the officer with a large knife in his hand following a short foot pursuit on Oct. 24, 2023 on the West Hill, according to a media release about the shooting from the Valley Independent Investigative Team. The officer fired six shots at Velasquez.

Velasquez died from multiple

gunshot wounds, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The officer is a 27-year-old man who has been employed by the Kent Police Department since 2022 and has been a certified officer since 2017, according to the report. The report did not release the name of the officer.

Prior to being fatally shot, Velasquez was filling up a gas can at a Chevron station with another man when he fled on foot. Officers, in response to a stolen vehicle call, approached the men about the incident. Officers took the other man into custody without incident.

Officers pursued Velasquez in theareaofSouth272ndStreetand Military Road South, according to

police. Shortly thereafter, shots were fired by the officer in the 27000 block of 33rd Place South Aid was provided, but Velasquez died at the scene.

Police initially responded to a 12:15 p.m. call about a suspicious vehicle, which Kent officers discovered was reported stolen. Investigators recovered the F-250 Ford diesel truck and a can filled with diesel the men were filling up at the gas station.

The officer was the only one to fire his weapon, according to the report. The report did not list how many officers were chasing the man.

The Valley Independent Investigative Team includes detectives from the Port of Seattle, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent,

Renton and Tukwila police departments. As the involved agency, Kent investigators were excluded from the case.

The team investigated the shooting for about four months and issued weekly media releases, most of them without any new information. A Feb. 29 press release said the investigation had been completed and forwarded to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

“The next steps are a review, analysis, and either charge a crime or refer to inquest,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney in a March 4 email. A senior deputy prosecutor from the office’s Special

Operations Unit responded to the scene the night of the shooting and a lead detective forwarded at least some of the discover materialstoouroffice,McNerthneysaid.

“We say at least some because it’s expected to be reviewed relatively soon,” he said.

What happens next, however, could take time.

“The timeline is based on other cases that were referred ahead of this one,” McNerthney said. “There is not a set timeline. The review is expected to be months out, but is expected to be concluded this year.”

There are nine current inquests into police shootings across King County to be scheduled for a hearing as ordered by County Executive Dow Constantine.

Owner, manager of Kent Subway illegally took employees’ tips

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

The owner and managers of a Subway restaurant in Kent, and one in Des Moines, illegally pocketed tips of employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, the employer manually adjusted employee timesheets to reduce hours worked to 40 hours or fewer per week and failed to combine hours worked at multiple locations to evade its legal obligation to pay overtime rates, according

to an U.S. Department of Labor March 5 news release.

Jani Enterprises Inc. operates one Subway restaurant in Kent, 25625 104th Ave. SE, and one in Des Moines, 21425 Pacific Highway S.

Three other owners of eight Subway restaurants in Lake Stevens, Marysville, Arlington, Monroe and Sultan violated similar labor policies.

“These Subway owners and managers willfully violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by underpaying employees

and pocketing tips that did not belong to them,” said Thomas Silva, Wage and Hour Division District director in Seattle. “We encourage employers to review their practices and avoid the costly consequences of illegal actions.”

U.S. Department of Labor recovered $196,000 after investigators found owners and managers illegally pocketed tips. The franchisees were assessed $22,017 in penalties for the willful violations.

An investigation by the U.S.

Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found 10 Subway restaurants under common ownership allowed owners and managers to participate in employees’ tip pools, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the news release.

Division investigators determined the illegal practice deprived 100 employees at the locations of the tips left by customers though credit card payments.

U.S. Department of Labor recovered back wages of $80,528

in tips and $17,546 in overtime wages for 100 employees and the franchisees had to pay $98,074 in liquidated damages to the employees for breaches of contracts.

Workers can use the division’s Workers Owed Wages search tool at dol.gov/agencies/whd/wow to see if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Employers and workers can contact the Wage and Hour Division for help and assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE.

KENTATHLETESOFTHEWEEK

Genesis Miller GenesisMiller

School:KentridgeHighSchool Grade:Sophomore Sport:Fastpitch

Whatisyourfavoritesubject/class inschool?

Sportsmed

NameyourMountRushmore (Top4)favoritemovies:

HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days,Maze Runner,HungerGames,MeanGirls Whoisthepersoninyourlifethat hashelpedyousucceedthemost?

Mymom,constantlypushingmeto improve,getgoodgrades,andplaytothe bestofmyability,alsoremindingmeof thefutureandhowIactnowwillhighly affectwhereIgoinlife.

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WhitecheddarCheez-itsandapeach Arizonatea

Describeyourpre-gameritual:

Don’thavemuchofapre-gameritual otherthanvisualizationbutIhavea preatbatritual,Itouchthesideofmy helmetwherethestickerIhavefora coachofminethatrecentlypassed.

Rylan Gullard RylanGullard

School:KentridgeHighSchool Grade:Senior Sport:Baseball

Whatisyourfavoritesubject/class inschool?

MyfavoriteclassinKentridgeright nowisceramics.

NameyourMountRushmore (Top4)favoritemovies: TheHangover,TopGun:Maverick, Stepbrothers,andTheAvengers series

Whoisthepersoninyourlifethathas helpedyousucceedthemost?

Songyoucurrentlycan’tstoplisteningto? Someofit,byEricChurch

Fromthesidelines: Genesishas beenasolidleaderthefirstweek offastpitch.Shehasbeenanasset inshowingskillsanddrillsand hasshownwhattypeofworkethic isneededtobesuccessfulinthe sport.Sheiseagertoassistand demonstratevariousskillstoall athletes.Greatjob,Genesis,and keepupthegreatwork!

MyMomanddadhavehelpedmethe mostinlifebecausetheyhavealways beenthereformenomatterwhatI needed.

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Describeyourpre-gameritual: Igettothefieldearlyandlistento musicinmycar.

Songyoucurrentlycan’tstop listeningto?

CarnivalbyKanyeWest

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a bit, I remain lucid enough to be thankful for family and friends, and for the many well wishers among readers of this column.

And let me add, I am thankful that as of today, I am not drooling into a lobster bib.

One thing I have not done is feel sorry for myself. Or ask, why me? I know that death will catch up to all of us at some point, but in some ways, I count myself lucky for having some sort of closing bookend to my life, though there’s no telling how far off the day will be.

While there’s no getting around the fact that the news is a bummer, knowing it has allowed me time to indulge in an exercise

ROBERT WHALE WHALE’S TALES

common for human beings in my situation: examining the life I have lived. And the examination has been anything but pleasant.

I don’t know about you, but I am a deeply flawed person, and I have said and done many things of which I am not proud. That is, I am no golden bird cheeping about human frailties from some high branch of superhuman understanding.

I find myself in the position about which T.S Eliot wrote in the “Little Gidding” section of The Four Quartets, at the point where the poet meets in the

urban dawn, a former master, “a familiar, compound ghost,” who teaches him about “the gifts reserved for age” to “set a crown upon your lifetime’s efforts,” concluding with:

“…The rending pain of re-enactment

Of all that you have done, and been; the shame Of motives late revealed, and the awareness

Of things ill done and done to others’ harm

Which once you took for exercise of virtue…”

In the final summation, however — Hitler, Stalin and Ted Bundy aside — I think what will matter most is not the mistakes we made, or the shortcomings we had, or the dumb things we said, or God knows what aberrations that may have lain within the deep caverns of our souls.

I think the key thing is what we did with our imperfections. Did we indulge our selfishness? Did we fight to overcome that terrible temper? Did we surrender to

the grosser parts of our nature?

The individual episodes that make up a human life sum to an almost countless number of temporal snapshots, extending forward and backward through time, from cradle to grave. All those moments add up to what some Native Americans call “The Long Body.” Or, if you prefer, “The Greater Self.” Picture all those snapshots as something shaped like a serpent. extending through a lifetime, connecting the infant to the old man or woman.

What really matters is what we learned along the way.

I have always believed that one of the greatest of life’s possible misfortunes is to become bitter, selfish, mean, and pigheaded as we age. and I am convinced that what we become is up to us.

C.S. Lewis wrote in “The Great Divorce,” his follow-up to William Blake’s “Marriage of Heaven and Hell,” that a life of grumbling unchecked will, in

the end, turn a man or woman into something no longer human. And that, Lewis writes, is what is tossed into hell: a collection of grumbles.

Take care to guard against it. Sometimes the lessons we need to learn come to us quietly as the fog on those famous little cat feet. Other times they hit us like claps of thunder.

An important thing I have learned is that the loudest jerk in room may be me. This realization hit me one day, while I was vehemently, furiously, at the top of my lungs declaring I was right and insisting I wasn’t upset.

I recognized with a start how fast my pulse was racing, and that every muscle in my neck was taut as a bowstring. In that instance, the truth was as close to me as my jugular vein.

That was a thunderclap, and I am better for it.

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter. com.

America still needs more welders, fewer philosophers

In 2017, I wrote a column titled “America needs more welders and fewer philosophers.” It was a slogan Florida Sen. Marco Rubio used in his 2016 presidential campaign to call attention to the need for more skilled workers.

Rubio hit the nail on the head without disrespecting philosophers. The American Welding Society (AWS) estimated our country

now requires 400,000 new welders. This scarcity is primarily due to the substantial number of skilled workers retiring — and fewer young men and women entering technical training programs. The encouraging news is the number of female welders is now rising and is expected to top 7 percent of that trade’s workforce by 2026.

Although compounded by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the current welder shortage is not new, according to Welding Digest: “It caused headaches for welding shops long before the pandemic.”

Advancements in robotics help to fill the gap. New computerized welding equipment on the market today is designed for quick and easy setup, with a focus on push-button operation, AWS reports.

Robotic welding originated in the 1980s, marking a significant leap in manufacturing technology, especially on automobile assembly lines. Those robots work independently of people, although programmed by humans.

However, in recent years, “collaborative robot welding” (Cobot) gained traction and allows robots to team with human welders on a variety of different jobs. Cobots manage mundane duties, while welders are assigned more value-added jobs.

It is not a matter of pay.

A welder with basic skills now averages $47,000 a year with good benefits. Those who complete further training and gather

DON C. BRUNELL COMMENTARY

job-site experience can earn more than $100,000 annually. Welders with unique skills working on pipelines, with exotic metals, and on underwater projects command even greater wages.

There is another financial advantage. Welding students do not face crushing financial debt from student loans. The average university undergraduate borrows $37,000, according to The Institute of College Access and Success. That means they will be paying more than $300 a month over 10 years.

Welding is just one example of America’s shortage of skilled workers.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reports 2.1 million manufacturing positions must be filled over the next decade.

Nationally, an estimated three million jobs are available in the skilled trades — electricians, plumbers, manufacturing workers, pipefitters, mechanics, appliance repair, computer techs and welders. Traditionally known as blue collar jobs, they routinely pay $40,000 to $60,000 a year with good benefits including health care.

My father was a World War II vet who used the GI Bill to become a journeyman electrician. He rose through the ranks to become a “master electrician” and made a good living for his family. His skills and experience landed him coveted jobs such as the electrical superintendent of multimillion-dollar construction projects with complicated high-voltage machinery.

Just like any craftsman today, he had to master math, science and engineering — the skills we now commonly associate with STEM education. He also had to learn to read, interpret and apply instructions from manuals and blueprints.

Acquiring a craft is demanding work requiring long hours and

persistence. Today, welding students learn and practice using advanced computer simulators: “To the user this looks and sounds like actual welding — complete with metal workpieces, welding arcs and weld beads,” AWS reports.

The good news is that this shortage leaves young men and women with great employment opportunities. There is not a shortage of work. There is a shortage of workers, Industry News concluded: “Rather than spending four to six years in school and selling your soul just to be there, you can complete a trade-specific program in just two years with better potential job security to boot.”

The bottom line is that competent and dedicated skilled workers are vital to bringing manufacturing back to America.

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

Gravity Coffee celebrates opening of first Kent location

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

Gravity Coffee recently had a ribbon-cuttingceremonytocelebrate the opening of its first Kent location, 20602108thAve.SE.

The shop is near 24 Hour Fitness and the Kent Panther Lake Library. It is open 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday throughFridayand5:30a.m.to8p.m.

SaturdayandSunday.

The company, based in Pacific,

according to Facebook, has more than25locationsinWashingtonstate, including three in Federal Way, one in Auburn and one in Maple Valley. GravityCoffee,whichstartedin2016, planstoopenmorethan100locations acrossthePacificNorthwest,Oregon, Arizona and several other states, accordingtoitswebsite.

New Kent international market holds grand opening on West Hill

Queen Safa Market and Deli, an international market, recently celebrated its grand opening

on Kent’s West Hill.

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Police Chief Rafael Padilla joined in the festivities March 3 at the family-owned market, 23424 Pacific Highway S.,

near the Dollar Tree store.

Medical examiner identifies pedestrian, 56, killed on Kent’s West Hill

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

Highway South at about 8:22 p.m. Feb. 26, according to Kent Police.

Emergency responders found Brooks still in the roadway. He died at the scene, according to police. Witnesses told officers that they had seen the man step into the northbound lanes.

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A 56-year-old Seattle man struck and killed by a vehicle on the West Hill in Kent has been identified as Bruce Jerome Brooks. Brooks died from multiple blunt force injuries in the Feb. 26 collision at 24426 Pacific Highway South, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which ruled the death an accident.

Brooks reportedly stepped into the northbound lanes of Pacific

Initial information gathered at the scene suggests that intoxicants were not a factor, according to police. The driver of the vehicle, a 19-yearold woman, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

other documents that were filed at court with this Summons. Those documents explain what the other partyisaskingfor. 2. Fill out a Response on this form (check the Response that matches the Petition): FL Divorce 211, Response to Petition about aMarriage You can get the Response form and other formsyoumayneedat: •฀The฀Washington฀State฀ Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms •฀Washington฀LawHelp:฀ www.washingtonlaw help.org,or •฀The฀Superior฀Court฀ Clerk’s office or county lawlibrary(forafee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Response to the person who filed this Summons at the address below, and to any other parties. You may use certified mail with return receipt requested. For more information on how to serve, read SuperiorCourtCivilRule5. 4. File your original Response with the court clerkatthisaddress: Superior Court Clerk, KingCounty 516 3rd Ave., Clerk’s Office, Rm E-609, Seattle WA98104 5. Lawyer not required: It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but you may file and serve your Responsewithoutone. Person filing this Summons or their lawyer fills outbelow: Signature Date: February5,2024 Legal Notices /s/ Maria G. Gage, #61289 Print name and WSBA No.,ifany I agree to accept legal papers for this case at Lawyer’s address: 16000 CHRISTENSEN RD, Ste 304, TUKWILA WA 98188 Email: Mariag@ washingtonstateattorneys. com This Summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the state ofWashington. KEN991166 2/16/24, 2/23/24, 3/1/24, 3/8/24,3/15/24,3/22/24 Superior Court of Washington, County of King In re the marriage of: Petitioner: Julie Buonacore, And Respondent: Patrick Andrew Buonacore No. 23-3-06342-6 KNT Summons Served by Publication (SMPB) Summons Served by Publication To: Patrick Andrew Buonacore I have started a court case by filing a petition. The name of the Petition is: Petition for Divorce (Dissolution) You must respond in writing if you want the court to consider your side. Deadline! Your Response must be filed and served within 60 days of the date this Summons is published: February 9, 2024. If you do not file and serve your Response or a Notice of Appearance by thedeadline: •฀No฀one฀has฀to฀notify฀ you about other hearings inthiscase,and •฀The฀court฀may฀approve฀ the requests in the Petition without hearing your side (called a default judgment). Followthesesteps: 1. Read the Petition and any other documents that were filed at court with this Summons. Those documents explain what the other partyisaskingfor. 2. Fill out a Response on this form: FL Divorce 211, Response to PetitionaboutaMarriage You can get the Response form and other formsyoumayneedat: •฀The฀Washington฀State฀ Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms •฀Washington฀LawHelp:฀ www.washington lawhelp.org,or •฀The฀Superior฀Court฀ Clerk’s office or county lawlibrary(forafee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Response to the person who filed this Summons at the address below, and to any other parties. You may use certified mail with return receipt requested. For more information on how to serve, read SuperiorCourtCivilRule5. 4. File your original Response with the court clerkatthisaddress: Superior Court Clerk, KingCounty 401 4th Ave N, Rm 2C, KentWA98032 5. Lawyer not required: It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but you may file and serve your Responsewithoutone. Person filing this Summons or their lawyer fills outbelow: DateJanuary31,2024 /s/ Maria G. Gage #61289 I agree to accept legal papers for this case at Lawyer’s address: 16000 CHRISTENSEN RD, Ste 304, TUKWILA WA 98188 Email mariag@ washingtonstateattorneys .com This Summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the state of Washington. KEN990975 2/9/24, 2/16/24, 2/23/24, 3/1/24,3/8/24,3/15/24 advertise in Sound Classifieds today! SOUNDCLASSIFIEDS.COM Expand your market Toll Free: 1-800-388-2527 Are you searching for a better job or more reliable car? Are you looking to get rid of that old couch and chair sitting in the garage? 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garage sales - WA Garage/Moving Sales General 42nd Annual Almost Spring Swap Meet & Car Show March 16th & 17th, 2024. VintageCars&Parts, ClassicCarShow, Antiques&Collectibles, VintageMotorcycles& Bicycles&Parts. AttheWashingtonState FairEventsCenter,110 9thAveSW,Puyallup WA98371. ADMISSION: $10.00Saturday8amto 5pm,$5,00 Sunday 9amto3pm. Children under12arefreewith anadult. Freeparking. NoPetsNoFirearms Vendorscontact: 360-863-2877. Vendor formsavailableat www.gertieas.com. Sponsored by the Gallopin’ Gertie Model A Ford Club. transportation Auto Events/ Auctions Abandoned Vehicle AUCTION ABC Towing 10315 East Marginal Way S Tukwila 98168 Mon., Mar. 11, 2024 at 1 pm Sign up and preview is at 11AM List on Website Abandoned Vehicle Auction Every Tuesday and Friday Preview10:00AM Auction11:00AM Lynn’sTowing 753CentralAveN. KentWA98032 (253)215-3333 LynnsTowing South Abandoned Vehicle Auction Every 3rd Thursday of every month Preview09:00AM Auction10:00AM 3602AStreetSE AuburnWA98002 (253)243-7940 Vehicles Wanted LOOKING FOR first & second generation Dodge Ram, first & second powerstroke 7.3 and any other new or older diesel or gas trucks. Any make or model. Cash paid on thespot. (360)434-3993. WANTED: Motorhomeortruck andtrailer.Willconsideranytypesorsizes. WillpayCASH. 360-434-3993

legals Legal Notices CITY OF KENT NOTICE OF ORDINANCE PASSED BYTHE KENT CITY COUNCIL The following is the summary of an ordinance passed by the Kent City CouncilMarch5,2024. ORDINANCE NO. 4486 – AN ORDINANCE of the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, providing for the acquisition by eminent domain of real property needed for the construction of the Mill Creek Reestablishment Project. This ordinance provides for the condemnation, appropriation, taking, and damaging of real property necessary for that project and provides for the payment thereof out of the Mill Creek Reestablishment Project (Fund No. D20086). This ordinance also directs the City Attorney to prosecute the appropriate legal condemnation proceedings in King County Superior Court, to retain any legal counsel required, and to enter into settlements, stipulations, or other agreements as may be necessary. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty days from and after its passage, as provided by law. A copy of the complete text of any ordinance will be mailed upon request oftheCityClerk. Kimberley A. Komoto, CityClerk Kkomoto@KentWA.gov 253-856-5725 KEN992356 3/8/24 King County Permitting Div., Dept. of Local Services 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton,WA 98057 NOTICE OF PERMIT APPLICATION REQUEST(S): TemporaryUsePermit File: TEMP24-0001 Applicant: Venessa Smith,Farfalla,LLC Site location: 5516 South 277th Street, Auburn Proposal: To host up to 30 Private outdoor eventsannually. Project Manager: Fereshteh Dehkordi, fdehkordi@kingcounty.gov (206)477-8479 COMMENT PROCEDURES: DLS Permitting will issue a decision on this application following a comment period of 21 days ending on March 29, 2024, written comments and additional information can be obtained by contacting the Project Manager listed above. Published this Friday, March8,2024 KEN992374 3/8/24 Covington Water District WAC 197-11-970 Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) Description of Proposal: The project involves the installation of 500 linear feet of 12” HDPE water main by directional drilling within the Covington Water District Boundary and King County Rightof-Way. Proponent: C6 Water MainConnection The project is located primarily in vacated, unimproved right-of-way located north of KentBlack Diamond Road SE and south of 164th Avenue SE in King County. It is in the Quarter SE, Section 2, Township 21, Range 5, in King County,Washington. Lead Agency: Covington WaterDistrict

Legal Notices The lead agency for this proposal has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) . This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency. This information is available to the public on request. The DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency will not act on this proposal for 14 days from the date below. Comments must be submitted by March 15,2024. Responsible Official: TomKeown Position/Title: General Manager Phone:253-867-0901 Address: 18631SE300thPlace Kent,WA98042 Date:February16,2024 You may appeal this determination to Alan Eades (Secretary of the Board) at the District office no later than March 15, 2024 by written notice. You should be prepared to make specific factual objections. Contact Tom Keown to read or ask about the procedures for SEPAappeals. Published in the Kent Reporter March 1, 2024, andMarch8,2024. /s/ThomasKeown GeneralManager KEN991944 3/1/24,3/8/24 NO. S240259 VANCOUVER REGISTRY INTHE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA INTHE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES’ CREDITORS ARRANGEMENT ACT, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36, AS AMENDED AND INTHE MATTER OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT, S.B.C., c. 57, AS AMENDED AND INTHE MATTER OF BLACK PRESS LTD., 311773 B.C. LTD., AND THOSE ENTITIES LISTED IN SCHEDULE “A” PETITIONERS NOTICETO STAKEHOLDERS On January 15, 2024, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) pronounced an Order which, among other things, granted the Petitioners and certain related entities (the “Non-Petitioner Stay Parties” ) protection from their creditors pursuant to the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (the “CCAA”). KSV Restructuring Inc. was appointed as the monitor in the CCAA proceedings (in that capacity, the “Monitor”). On January 25, 2024, the Court granted an Order which, among other things: •฀Authorized฀and฀directed Black Press Ltd. ( “BP Holdco” ) and 311773 B.C. Ltd. (“3117”) to negotiate a Stalking Horse Transaction Agreement with the holders of certain senior secured notes (the “Noteholders” ) and Carpenter Newsmedia, LLC(“CNL”); •฀Approved฀a฀sale฀and฀ investment solicitation process (the “SISP”), in whichtheStalkingHorse Transaction Agreement would act as the Stalking HorseBid. At the conclusion of the SISP, no Qualified Bids (as defined in the SISP), other than the Stalking Horse Bid, were received, and in accordance with the terms of the SISP, the Stalking Horse Bid was deemed the Successful Bid (as defined in the SISP). BP Holdco and 3117 have entered into a Share

Legal Notices Subscription Agreement, dated March 1, 2024 (the “SSA”) with an entity formed on behalf of the Noteholders and CNL (such entity, the “Purchaser”). The Petitioners give notice that an application will be heard by the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the “Court”) on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. local time in Vancouver, British Columbia for approval of the transactions contemplated by the SSA, as well as certain other relief. Copies of the Petitioners’ Notice of Application and the documents relied on in support of the application, as well as all other Court materials in relation to the CCAA proceedings, can be found at the Monitor’s website at: https://www.ksvadvisory. com/experience/case/ black-press If the Court authorizes virtual attendance at the hearing, a link to the virtual hearing will be posted on the Monitor’swebsite.

KEN992598 3/8/24

Superior Court of Washington, County of King In re the marriage of: Petitioner: RodolfoTurla Jr., And Respondent: Ida May Cumpian No. 24-3-00190-9 Summons Served by Publication (SMPB) Summons Served by Publication

Followthesesteps: 1. Read the Petition and any

except Cook.

“It does not end your ability to vote on agreements,” Margel said. “It doesn’t allow for discussion behind closed doors about how those negotiations happen.”

Cook argued he would have less information than other board members about the contract negotiations with employee groups because he would not be present at the meetings. Margel responded Cook would still get to vote on the final contract agreement and its details.

Cook later talked about why his recusal isn’t enough and questioned the need for a labor committee. He said he checked with legal advisors for the Washington School District Directors Association and they told him they had never seen a board form such a

committee.

“Thisishinderingmyabilitytoprovideoversightofthe district and the ability to do my job,” Cook said. “With all of the (school) districts in this state, it’s most likely they’ve had directors with a spouse in the district. … none came to this solution.”

Many speakers during public comment claimed the board and staff wrote themeasuretosilenceCook, who in his two months on the board after voters elected him in November 2023, hasn’t hesitated to question proposals and actions that come before the group.

Hall(Gene)E.Presson

June4,1935–February16,2024

Hall(Gene)E.Pressonof KentWAreturnedtoheaven February16,2024.

Hepassedpeacefullyat home.Hewas88yearsold.

Gene served inthe US Army. Hewas awardeda metalforRifleSharpshooter.

Geneworkedfor27years for VentureConstruction creatingtreatmentplantsandhatcheries.

Helovedtheoutdoors.Hobbiesincludedhunting, fishingandgardening

HewasbornJune4,1935inMonroeNCtoSamuel andWillenePresson.

He is survivedby his wife Kathy Presson, married for 65 years.His daughters,TeresaJohnston,VickeyBotsch (preceded)and SandyRoetter.His siblings MaxPresson (preceded) DeanPresson, Clara Pressonand Johnny Presson.Hisgrandchildren,JamieBotsch,TeraGreen, DavidGlenEagleson,StarlaMcCranie(preceded)and severalnieces,nephewsandgreatgrandkids.

ACelebrationofLifegatheringwillbeat,TheRiver of Life Church 10615 SE 216th KentWA 98031 at 1:30 pm.Alliswelcome!

Layla Jones, vice president of the Kent Education Association(KEA,theteachers union), told the board during the public comment period before the vote that its resolution is “disingenuous” for calling out Cook for “perceived and predetermined conflicts of interest.”

Jones said Cook has been transparent about his marriage to a Kent School District teacher and that he would recuse himself from any votes to avoid any conflicts of interest.

“I can accept he will not weigh in on anything with KEA, I cannot accept this board wanting to block him from making decisions on other KSD (Kent School District) labor groups,” Jones said. “This is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to silence, gaslight and suppress a pro labor board member elected by Kent voters. …it is harmful, undemocratic and union

busting at its finest.”

Erika Bilyard, a parent of two students in the district, told the board it needs to “stop harassment and bullying” and rather work together “to right the Kent School District administrative ship that sinks lower.” Shesaidtheresolutionisnot the answer.

“We’re the voters telling you this is the wrong direction,”Bilyardsaid.“It’savote against the will of the very voters that elected you and further destroys the trust of the community and is going to impact the district in a terribly negative light.”

Song, the only other new board member, tried to get theboardtoconsidertabling the vote in an effort to hear from the labor groups in executivesessionswhatthey think about forming a labor committee of four board members.

That proposal failed 3-2, with Margel, Clark and

Farah against it. Cook and Song were for it. Margel then quickly moved for a vote on the resolution.

“We’ve had an hour and a half discussion,” she said. “We’ve heard from many people, we’ve seen emails, we are moving to a vote.”

As with previous controversial votes at other meetings, Margel, Clark and Farah approved the resolution while Cook and Song opposed it.

Right after the vote, many of those in the audience walked out and shouted comments at the board.

“Good luck passing a levy doingthis,”onewomansaid.

The district has a Capital Projects and Technology Replacement Levy on the April 23 ballot. The Capital Projects and Technology Replacement Levy would provide a majority of funding over the next three years for health and safety, repairs and improvements and technology education.

Margel immediately calledforanotherrecess.She also called for recess shortly after public comments about the proposal ended and Cook had started to speak about the measure, including bringing up his attempt at the Feb. 14 meetingtoallowdiscussionabout what happened in executive session.

“I asked for the conversation to be brought into public, you told me no,” Cook said to Margel and the board.

Margel quickly banged her gavel and called for a five-minute recess. Margel spoke to Cook during the recess.

After the board returned, Margel said Cook could finish his response to a question posed by Song but she “can’t have him waving attorney-client privilege” of board executive sessions.

Earlier in the discussion, the board spent about two hours on the issue, Song asked if other options had been considered besides forming a labor committee.

Superintendent Israel Vela handled that question after Clark asked him to respond.

“You asked has the board and superintendent explored all the options available to them based on the agenda item here, I would say together with the board and superintendent that is how this item got to the agenda, so yes it showed up here and it has been vetted.”

“I don’t recall me being involvedinanyotherdiscussions about other options,” Song replied. “What were some of those options?”

“It was in executive session, so we will not share,” Vela said.

Margel then chimed in.

“Subgroups are pretty standard within different elected groups,” she said.

“I think about Congress and it has Ways and Means Committee and an Education Committee and many subgroups. Within this committee, we are making a subcommittee as allowed by law.”

The responses by Vela and Margel drew murmurs and comments from the audience.

“This is a meeting of the boardinpublic,weneedthe public quiet,” Margel said.

Trooper

From Page 1

Family issues statement

The family of Gadd released a statement Tuesday, March 5. “We are working through what is undoubtedly the most difficult of times for our family as we mourn the loss of a loving husband, devoted father, caring brother, beloved son, and committed friend,” according to the statement released by the State Patrol. “We appreciate the outpouring of support we have seen from the community that Chris loved and served. We ask the media to respect our family’s privacy during this painful time.”

Anyone wishing to send cards to the family are asked to address them to the WSP Marysville Office: 2700 116th St. NE, Marysville, WA 98271.

Jonathan Tall is a reporter for the Herald in Everett,asisterpublication of the Kent Reporter, part of Sound Publishing. Kent Reporter reporter Steve Hunter contributed to this article.

Judge sentences ex-Seahawks lineman Chad Wheeler to prison

By Steve Hunter shunter@soundpublishing.com

A King County judge sentenced former Seattle Seahawks reserve tackle Chad Wheeler to six years and nine months in prison for attacking his girlfriend in 2021attheirKentapartment.

King County Superior Court Judge Joe Campagna sentenced Wheeler Friday, March 1 at the King County Courthouse in Seattle, according to court documents. A jury convicted Wheeler in November 2023 of first-degree domestic violenceassaultandseconddegree domestic violence assault.

Campagna denied a request by Wheeler’s attorneys for an exceptional sentence, which would be less than the state minimum requirements. The judge vacated the second-degree

assault,whichmeansitwon’t go on Wheeler’s record.

Wheeler will begin his sentence immediately with the state Department of Corrections. When released, he will be on community custody for three years.

Prosecutorssoughtaminimum sentence of five years for Wheeler.

Kent Police arrested

Wheeler Jan. 22, 2021 after the reported attack in the apartment. He was booked into the King County jail on Jan. 23, 2021 and released three days later after he posted bail, which was set at $400,000. A judge ordered Wheeler to remain in the King County area (King, PierceandSnohomishcounties) while on electronic

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According to court documents, Wheeler attacked his then girlfriend at about 9:46 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2021 in their Kent unit at the Berkeley Heights Apartments, 22804 90th Way S., that they shared since November 2020. Officers responded to multiple 911 calls, including one from Wheeler’s girlfriend who reported that she was being “killed.”

Officers arrived at the apartment and heard screaming from inside. Officers forced their way into the apartment and saw a pool of blood on a bed comforter adjacent to a bathroom, where they found Wheeler and his then girlfriend. Her face was covered in blood and her left arm limp at her side, according to court documents.

Wheeler was standing

behind her and said, “Sorry, I don’t beat women,” as officers tried to detain him. Wheeler, who is 6 feet 7 inches and at the time of the attack weighed 310 pounds, battled with officers to stop them from handcuffing him, according to court documents. He fought off three officers in the bathroom and was only detained after officers used hand strikes and fired Tasers at him.

Paramedics transported the woman to Valley Medical Center in Renton. She suffered a fractured left arm and dislocated elbow. She had experienced chest pain and had difficulty breathing. She also had a swollen face.

Thewomantoldpoliceshe believed Wheeler suffered from bi-polar disorder and had not been taking his medication.

Alleah Taylor, Wheeler’s then girlfriend, told “CBS

This Morning,” in a February 2021 exclusive interview when she revealed her nametothepublic,thatsheis “beyond grateful” to be alive.

“I really feel like God has blessed me with another chance,” Taylor said in the interview. “And I wanna try to use the time I’ve been blessed with… to help other people. And to get the story out. And make sure people don’tfeelalone.Andthatthis doesn’t happen again.”

Taylor said she blacked out twice before the attack was over.

“I had touched my face,”

Taylor said. “And I looked down, and there was, there’s blood on my hand…I remember getting up and running to the bathroom. Chad was standing by the bed, by the doorway. And he was sipping his smoothie and was, like, ‘Wow, you’re, you’re still alive.’”

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Ex-Seattle Seahawks lineman Chad Wheeler received a prison sentence of six years and nine months for assaulting his girlfriend in 2021 at their Kent apartment.

Kentwood boys take fourth inside Tacoma Dome

By Ben Ray benjamin.ray@ soundpublishing.com

Head Coach Blake Solomon took a risk rolling with a roster and rotation of underclassmen.

That risk has paid dividends for the Kentwood HighSchoolboysbasketball side as they placed fourth March 2 with a convincing win over Skyview, 69-57, to secure the Conks’ first trophy since winning state back in 2017.

Kentwood entered as the eighth seed in the round of 12 and took on an Olympia squad that they had beaten almost two weeks prior in the district tournament.

The Conks took care of business and moved on to the quarterfinals against Richland with a 47-40 win over the Bears. Kentwood

entered the matchup against Olympia coming off two straight losses, something that hasn’t happened since mid-December.

To say Richland was efficient might be an understatement in their 80-64 victory over the Conks. The Bombers played a near perfect game and there

wasn’t much the Conks could do to slow them down.

“We told our guys in the locker room you can’t prepare for what is going to happen. It’s one of those thing where if they shoot 55% instead of 70%, the score looks a little different. They’re a very good

basketball team,” Solomon said after the Richland loss.

In the first half, Richland shot 71.4% from the field, and for the game they shot 69.1%. Those efficiency numbers are off the chart, and the Bombers averaged 1.5 points per possession, a

tournament high.

On the offensive side of the ball, Kentwood was finding some success. But the rate that Richland was scoring made it seem like Kentwood was never in the game.

The final game of the

Conquerors’ season came down to a fourth-place game against the Skyview Storm.

Kentwood and the Storm hadnevermatchedupinthe state tournament and this game got out to an interesting competitive start. Kentwood trailed Skyview 9-8 after the first quarter, and then went on a 16-4 run in the second quarter to take theleadgoingintohalftime, 26-19.

Kentwood’s offense continued to do the job and theirdefensekepttheStorm at bay. Mason St. Louis had his best game of the tournament with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Tagle had 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Stempniakinhisfinalgame in a Kentwood uniform had six points, four rebounds and two assists.

DaveUpthegrove

KINGCOUNTYCOUNCIL•DISTRICT5

Asyourrepresentative, yourthoughts,ideasand inputhelpmeserve SouthKingCountybetter.

Learnmoreaboutwhat’shappeningatthe KingCountyCouncilbysigningupformy e-newsletterorbyemailingmeat dave.upthegrove@kingcounty.gov

YoucanwatchCouncilmeetingsvialivestream ontheCouncil’swebsiteoronKCTVchannel22. Wetakegeneralpubliccommentonthefourth Tuesdayofeverymonth.

Towatchorlearnmoreabouttestifyingbefore Council,goto: kingcounty.gov/council/ committees/full_council

Corey Tita takes a mid-range shot against Richland.

PHOTOS BY BEN RAY / THE REPORTER

Sophomore Brandon Tagle shows emotion after beating Olympia in the round of 12.