Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers. It can occur at or outside the workplace and can range from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide, one of the leading causes of job-related deaths. However it manifests itself, workplace violence is a growing concern for employers and employees nationwide.
The Lake Wilderness Golf Course Task Force members have been chosen, and now the tough job begins.
City Manager David Johnston informed the City Council who the member were at the May 24 council meeting.
Two young children playing with a lighter in the family garage caused approximately $100,000 in damage to a single family home on the 26100 of 121st Ave SE on Kent’s Easthill Wednesday evening.
The Greater Maple Valley Area Council monthly meeting is scheduled for 7-9:30 p.m. Monday, June 7, at the King County Police Precinct No. 3, located at the northeast corner of S.E.231st Street and state Route 169 across from the fire station.
The Fourth of July is right around the corner and the city of Covington has made a few changes in regulations concerning fireworks.
At the May 25 City Council meeting, the members unanimously passed an ordinance amending the current fireworks code, making an individual’s first two offenses civil infractions, but the third will be criminal. Also the Kent Fire Department staff and police officers can cite individuals who violate the fireworks law.
May 26
SCAM: A resident was the victim of fraudulent activity. The victim received a letter and a check for $4,980.70 stating they had won a ‘sweepstake’ from Reader’s Digest. The instructions were to deposit the check and then to contact the name and number listed. When the victim called the number, the person said the amount of the check was issued to cover the taxes for the grand prize of $145,000. They were to deposit the check and then withdraw the funds to be delivered the following day and set up a meeting. After further investigation this sweepstake was determined to be a scam.
It may be a sign of the times, but Covington decided it is time to change the city’s panhandling laws.
The City Council approved an ordinance at the May 25 meeting outlawing panhandling directed at vehicles. The measure also prevents panhandling on private property unless the owner gives permission.
The ordinance directs the staff to begin a public education campaign to encourage residents to donated to charities rather than to panhandlers.
CAR FIRE: 25500 block of Lake Wilderness Country Club Drive.
At about 4 a.m. aid 81, engine 81 and battalion chief 81 were dispatched to a passenger vehicle fire. Engine 81 was first on the scene and found a car fully involved with fire and flames that extended to the house. Firefighters initiated an attack to stop the extension of the fire, upgraded the incident to a residential house fire and requested that additional apparatus be dispatched. Engine 80, engine 83 and Kent Fire Department engine 78 responded. Gasoline was leaking from the vehicle which kept fueling the fire and delaying extinguishment. About 20 minutes and 1,000 gallons of water later the fire was put out. The cause is under investigation.
Members of the Maple Valley Police Department’s Explorer Post competed in the two-day Apple Cup Challenge May 22-23 in Yakima and took home hardware from the event.
Most people know that our $13 trillion national debt is endangering America’s credit rating and pushing the United States closer to bankruptcy. But hidden beneath the surface is another ticking time bomb that threatens economic collapse in cities and states across the country: unfunded public employee pensions.
When asked, most people who smoke or chew tobacco admit that they don’t enjoy it anymore. Typically, the reasons include cost, health, family and friends’ comments and the fact that it’s not socially acceptable.
The musical productions at Kentridge, Kentlake, and Kentwood high schools received nominations for the 5th Avenue Theatre’s 2009-10 High School Musical Awards. The awards ceremony, which is on June 7, highlights the work and devotion of students, parents and staff to live theater.
The Kentwood High baseball team won the 4A state baseball title 8-0 over Richland tonight, May 29, at Safeco field.
Tucked away in the woods between Auburn and Black Diamond, Camp Berachah is home to a high school, a summer camp and among other things, a pool.
BURGLARY: 28800 block of 224th Avenue. A residence was burglarized sometime during the night while the homeowners were asleep. The homeowner went into the home office in the morning and found his wallet located in a different place and it had been gone through with some contents of the wallet on the floor and $250 missing. Money was also taken from a purse located in the kitchen. The case is still under investigation.
Covington received a preview of Valley Medical Center’s plan for a medical mall in the Town Center area at the City Council meeting Tuesday.
Mike Glenn, senior vice president of business development for Valley, Rich Roodman, Valley superintendent and Sue Bowman, Board of Commissioners chair, attended the meeting.
The Black Diamond City Council has set the date to begin the closed record hearings for two master planned development projects, The Villages and Lawson Hills.
May 22
DRUNK GRANNY: 17600 block of Southeast 261st Street. A woman was arrested for driving drunk with her two grandchildren, who were not buckled, in her vehicle.
The times, they are a changing on the Valley Medical Center’s Board of Commissioners, at least in terms of videotaping the meetings.
A major shift came this week after a couple of months of battles over the issue between commissioners Dr. Aaron Heide and Anthony Hemstad, who supported taping, and Chair Sue Bowman, Carolyn Parnell and Don Jacobson, who had voted it down.
In a matter of seconds, Kent Hagen’s foot and heart were broken during a pick-up basketball game in January.
