Jason Morrison receives Coach of the Year title

The city of Covington handed out its first Coach of the Year award to Jason Morrison.

He had coached two winter basketball teams, two spring soccer teams, one summer flag football team and two fall soccer teams.

And besides coaching, Morrison also has three kids currently in programs.

“He epitomizes what being a volunteer coach is all about. He is an excellent teacher and communicates very well with kids of all ages,” Sean Conway, athletics specialist for the Parks and Recreation Department wrote in an email. “Most importantly he understands that our job is to make sure the kids have fun and he does everything he can to help these kids have fun and improve.”

Conway said surveys were given to parents to recommend a coach for the award. He added Morrison was recommended double the amount of times another coach was.

He was presented with the honor of Coach of the Year on Aug. 15 at a flag football game.

Annual dinner/auction coming Oct. 1

Tickets are now available for the Black Diamond Community Center’s annual dinner and auction.

The fundraising event benefits emergency assistance and food bank programs for those in need in Black Diamond, Enumclaw, Ravensdale, Maple Valley and Covington.

The dinner/auction is planned for Oct. 1 at the community center.

Among the many items available will be Seahawks tickets, a weekend escape to Portland, a week at the beach and theater/dinner packages.

Tickets are $50 per person for a prime rib dinner, music and auction. To purchase tickets call the Black Diamond Community Center at 360-886-1011.

Textile drive for Kentlake Grad Night coming soon

The Kentlake PTSA Grad Night is hosting a clothing and textile drive on Sept. 10 and 11 at the Covington Safeway.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward grad night for the class of 2017.

They are looking for new or gently used clothing, shoes, towels, stuffed animals, hats, sheets, drapes, purses and much more. They ask that all items be dry, clean and in a tied plastic bag.

Glass, breakables, electronics, pet beds, pillows or any items previously from a thrift store.

The PTSA is working with Clothes for the Cause for this event.

For any questions, email dlrnt@comcast.net.

Burn ban extended

The statewide burn ban was extended Aug. 17 to prohibit all campfires on Department of Natural Resources protected lands through Sept. 30.

“After a relatively mild summer, we are entering a period of critical fire weather on both sides of the Cascades,” Peter Goldmark, commissioner of public lands, said in a press release. “The greatest fire danger right now comes from carelessness. It’s essential that people understand the risks involved and do not spark any fires.”

This ban applies to state forests, state parks and any area that is protected by DNR firefighters.

The release stated, “it prohibits all outdoor burning, including campfires in fire pits and the use of charcoal briquettes. Liquid or propane camp stoves that do not use solid briquettes and have on/off controls are permitted.”

It added that this ban does not include federally-owned land.

So far this year, a total of 527 fires has burned on 3,372 acres.

Recycling workshop comong to Maple Valley

The King County Soild Waste Division has new rules regarding how the construction industry recycles material.

A series of workshops have been scheduled to help construction professionals recycle materials such as clean wood, cardboard, metal, bricks and other items.

A press release stated that while these workshops are for contractors, designers and other professionals, anyone can attend them.

The first was on Aug. 25 in Renton and the next two are in Kenmore and Sammamish. The final of four is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Maple Valley Library.

More information about the workshops and new rules are online at greentools.us.

Cross country relay coming to Lake Wilderness

On Saturday, Sept. 10 at Lake Wilderness, the Tahoma Co-Ed Relays cross country event welcomes 40 high school cross country teams to participate in “one of the largest high school athletic events in the region,” according to a press release.

Teams of five runners will run a three kilometer course as a relay.

Runners will also run 75 yards waistdeep in the lake.

“The water portion of the race makes it very unique,” Jeff Brady, cross country coach for Tahoma, said.

The relay begins at 9:15 a.m.

A run open to the public will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The cost is $10 and registration is only available day of.

All proceeds go toward the Tahoma cross country running club.

For more information, go to www.maplevalleybearrun.com.

Kentwood football fundraiser

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Kentwood High School, the Conks football team is hosting its third annual mattress fundraiser.

Name brand mattress will be on sale at a discounted price.

Proceeds go toward Kentwood Football.