Steve Hunter, Kent Reporter Journalist Profile

Articles

Kent Police add latest Taser model to officers’ equipment

6 days ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

The latest technology advances continue to play an even bigger role for the Kent Police Department, including a new Taser 10 gun considered to be more effective than the older Taser 7 model. Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla told the Kent City Council about the new gun during his April 15 Public Safety report. “It has a 10 shot capacity versus the two we currently have,” Padilla said. “It has the ability to get through thick coats and heavy clothing.
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

The number of crimes in Kent during the first three months of 2025 dropped dramatically compared to the first two months of 2024 in all categories. “It’s early and I definitely don’t want to get out ahead of anything prematurely, but these numbers are pretty positive,” Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said to the City Council during his April 15 Public Safety Report when he noted that all crimes had dropped.
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Kent Police arrested a 36-year-old Seattle man for investigation of felony eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm after a short pursuit. An officer on routine patrol at about 2:33 p.m. Monday, April 14 in an apartment complex near the 25600 block of 98th Avenue SE saw a stolen maroon 2014 Kia Sorrento driving past him, according to an April 15 Kent Police social media post. The officer followed the vehicle into a parking lot.
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Kent United Methodist Church will soon celebrate a milestone of reaching $1 million in donations over 25 years to its emergency assistance program to help people pay rent and utilities. Known as the Shared Bread Program, the church, 11010 SE 248th St., will celebrate the milestone after its 10 a.m. Sunday, May 4 service. “We are overjoyed that this program has touched the hearts of our congregation and has reached so many in the greater Kent community,” according to a church press release.
Farmers Market to keep going despite Kent Lions Club bowing out

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

The Kent Farmers Market will go on this summer despite the Kent Lions Club decision to no longer run it. “While we’re in a transition period, rest assured—the market isn’t going away,” according to an April 11 email from a city of Kent spokesperson. “Living Well Kent will continue operations and looks forward to another great season this summer.”The Kent Lions Club bowed out earlier this year.
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Kent Police arrested a 38-year-old Kent man for investigation of first-degree assault for reportedly firing shots from his motorcycle at a teen driver on the West Hill. A Kent K-9 unit and a Washington State Patrol air support plane helped locate the man, according to an April 14 Kent Police Facebook post. Several officers responded at about 11:28 p.m. Saturday, April 12 to the 25600 block of 34th Avenue South, just east of Interstate 5, in response to a drive-by shooting.
Kent-based Blue Origin’s space flight draws praise, criticism

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

There was plenty of celebration and bit of criticism following Kent-based Blue Origin’s New Shepard-31 flight into space with an all-female crew, including singer Katy Perry. Blue Origin successfully completed its 11th human spaceflight for tourists for the New Shepard program on Monday, April 14 in West Texas. The flight 62 miles into space lasted 10 minutes, 21 seconds. It marked the 31st flight for the New Shepard program.
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

Classes started as normal Monday, April 14 at Kentwood High School in Covington after the King County Sheriff’s Office tracked down a person reportedly responsible for posting social media threats about the school over the weekend. “KCSO (King County Sheriff’s Office) acted on information provided by the FBI, contacted the person believed responsible for posting the threats, and determined the person had no means to carry out the threat,” said Sgt.
Judge dismisses petitions to recall 2 Kent School Board members

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

A King County Superior Court judge dismissed petitions by three residents to recall Kent School Board members Meghin Margel and Tim Clark. Judge Michael Scott issued his decision after about a 45-minute hearing Friday, April 11 at the King County Courthouse in Seattle. “The court is compelled to dismiss the two petitions for recall for lack of factual and legal sufficiency,” Scott said after going through each of the alleged seven charges.
Jury indicts man for stealing nearly $1M from Kent company

1 week ago | kentreporter.com | Steve Hunter

A Seattle grand jury indicted a California man on six counts of wire fraud for his alleged scheme to steal nearly $1 million from his Kent employer. Paul Joseph Welch, of Laguna Niquel, California, was the information technology (IT) manager of Algas-SDI, an energy manufacturing company, when he allegedly used various schemes to steal more than $950,000 from the company, according to an April 11 U.S. Department of Justice press release. Welch is scheduled to be arraigned April 17.