Steve Hunter, Kent Reporter Journalist Profile

Articles

Man, 27, pleads guilty to fatal shooting at Kent apartments

5 days ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

A 27-year-old Kent man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2023 shooting of a 26-year-old man in a Kent apartment complex parking lot. Johnston J Fernandez-Edwin entered his plea Thursday, May 8 in King County Superior Court. He admitted to killing Jimmy R. Joe, of Kent, on April 27, 2023 at the Dockside Apartments, 23222 61st Ave. S. He remains in custody at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle.
Kent city corrections officer on leave for alleged misconduct

5 days ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Sgt. Travis Reed, a veteran corrections officer at the city of Kent jail, remains on administrative leave as the Kent Police Department investigates alleged misconduct by Reed. “He is currently under investigation due to allegations that he engaged in conduct that violated City and department personnel policies,” Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said in a May 9 email to the Kent Reporter. An investigation began Feb. 28. The department placed Reed on leave March 4, Padilla said.
Valley Cities to host community chat in Kent about fentanyl

5 days ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care will host a Community Coffee chat in Kent about responding to the fentanyl crisis. The chat is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21 at The Multi Service Center Building, 24437 Russell Road. People planning to attend are asked to RSVP online at eventbrite.com. Valley Cities staff from its inpatient clinic Recovery Place Seattle & Recovery Place Kent will be speaking.
City of Kent plans to once again market Naden property

6 days ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Kent city leaders have been knocked down a couple of times trying to find a developer for the city-owned Naden Avenue property, but they’re back up and ready to swing again. City staff plans to release a request for proposals from developers this month to market the site, Bill Ellis, city chief economic development officer, told the City Council during his May 6 Economic and Community Development Report.
Smoke alarm alerts Kent resident to house fire in kitchen

6 days ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

A smoke alarm alerted a resident to a Kent house fire that started when a kitchen stove burner was unintentionally left on. The Monday, May 5 fire displaced a family of nine, although just one person was home when the fire broke out, according to a May 8 email from Puget Sound Fire spokesperson Pat Pawlak. There were no injuries. Firefighters responded at about 8:42 a.m. to a kitchen fire in the 20100 block of 102nd Avenue SE, according to Pawlak.
Rite Aid to close Des Moines distribution center; lay off 131

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Rite Aid/Bartell will soon close its distribution center in Des Moines with 131 employees to lose their jobs. The Bartell Drug Company (Rite Aid) will close the Des Moines Distribution Center, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN) released Wednesday, May 7 by the state Employment Security Department. The closure will affect 131 workers with an expected beginning separation date of June 4, according to the Employment Security Department.
Kent man faces charge for possession of child sexual abuse images

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

A 54-year-old Kent man was one of 205 alleged child sex abuse offenders arrested during a five-day nationwide crackdown led by the FBI. Shaughn P. Lambert was indicted April 23 for possession of images of child sexual abuse, according to a May 7 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) news release. Lambert was on supervision by the Washington State Department of Corrections when his corrections officer reportedly found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.
Two Kent Rite Aid locations on potential sale, closure list

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

The two Rite Aid stores in Kent could be part of a nationwide closure by the company after it filed for bankruptcy with a plan to sell or close locations. The Kent locations are on the East Hill at 10407 SE 256th St., and 20518 108th Ave. SE. The Philadelphia-based company announced in a May 5 press release that it had filed Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. It is the second bankruptcy filing by the company in two years.
State honors three Kent elementary schools for student success

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Three elementary schools in the Kent School District are being honored by the Washington School Recognition Program for their work in closing opportunity gaps and supporting students growth and academic achievement during the 2023-2024 school year. George T. Daniel Elementary, Meridian Elementary and Panther Lake Elementary will receive honors for growth for students in one or more racial or ethnic groups, according to a May 6 Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) news release.
City leaders, residents celebrate reopening of Kent Commons

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Residents and city of Kent leaders celebrated the grand reopening Sunday, May 4 of the Kent Commons Community Center. Crews completed an $1.5 million remodel that included a new entrance and front counter, an expanded weight room and locker rooms, a new family restroom and two refreshment areas with vending machines containing snacks and beverages. The funds for the project came from the city’s capital budget.