Badges and Barbells receives county funds
On Monday, the King County Council unanimously approved $500 from the Biennial Budget to go toward Badges and Barbells.
“I am glad to support the important work Badges and Barbells is doing for students and schools,” King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn said. “The trust that these first responders are building with students is valuable and could be critical in preventing future crises.”
The program will allow students and first responders the chance to spend time together while working out.
Badges and Barbells was first started at Evergreen High School and will soon begin at Cedar Heights Middle School in Covington.
“This collaboration between Councilmember Dunn, Puget Sound First Responders Service Foundation, Kent Regional Fire Authority, Covington Rotary, and Cedar Heights Staff, ASB, and PTSA is building a program that will benefit the community for many years to come,” Covington Police Chief Andrew McCurdy said.
Winner throws ceremonial first pitch at Mariners game
Kaiea Higa, 12, from Maple Valley won the Pitch, Hit & Run national title during the All-Star week in San Diego.
Higa was honored Sunday by the Mariners by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
“We are proud of her and hope this inspires other kids in the Maple Valley area to participate in “Pitch, Hit & Run” next year,” her dad, Grant Higa said. “It was truly a remarkable experience to see her perform in the All-Star Game and how much of a reward it was for her and the other 23 finalists.”
Kids Festival returns Saturday
The annual Kids Festival is happening Saturday, July 23 at Lake Wilderness Park.
All kids ages 12 and younger are invited to come enjoy live music, magic, exhibits, games, airbrush tattoos and more.
Food will also be available for purchase.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public comment wanted on new treatment facility
On Monday, July 25 the public will get the chance to weigh in on the proposed opiate treatment clinic in Renton.
Two public hearings will be held by the Department of Social and Health Services, one at the Renton Library and one at the city of Milton Activity Center.
Evergreen Treatment Services is proposing a new clinic at 1412 SW 43rd Street in Renton, according to a press release.
Evergreen currently operates five clinics and provides care for people dependent on opioids.
A treatment facility that had been providing services recently moved from Renton to Kent.
Sign in begins at 1 p.m. Monday at the Renton Library and the hearing is scheduled for 1:15 to 2:45 p.m.
If you find yourself in Pierce County, sign in begins at 4 p.m. in Milton with the public hearing scheduled for 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.
Week long summer camp open for registration
The city of Covington Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a week long summer camp for sixth to ninth grade students.
The camp will be held the first week in August.
“A new experience awaits campers each day, including everything from zip lining and kayaking to archery and cooking,” a press release stated.
The camp will run daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To register online visit www.covingtonwa.gov/rec or call the Parks & Recreation department at 253-480-2480.
Registration fee for the week is $275.
A celebration is scheduled for Friday, August 5 at 6 p.m. for campers and their families to attend.
“We are excited to offer this new camp for middle school students,” Jaquelyn Ball, Recreation Specialist for Covington said.
Workshop offers outdoor skills for women
On Sept. 16 through 18 at Camp Waskowitz in North Bend, women are invited to learn the basics about fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities.
The sessions will be led by experts from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other certified instructors.
The Washington Outdoor Women, a nonprofit program, presents and coordinates this annual event.
A total of 21 classes will be held during the weekend and will teach skills such as archery, freshwater fishing, fly fishing, big game hunting, map and compass reading, beekeeping, backpacking, duck hunting, wilderness first aid and much more.
To participant you must be 18 years or old.
And you are required to have a current Washington recreational fishing license to participate in the fly fishing and freshwater fishing sessions.
More information about the workshop, including attendance fees and a registration form, can be found online at www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.
Partial scholarships from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are available for first-time participants.
Early learning program offered to community
Real Kids Program has paired with Real Life Church to bring early education and care to residents in Covington and the surrounding areas.
Real Kids is located on the church’s campus.
The program will provide all-day summer care as well as before and after school care for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, according to a press release.
Real Kids is currently enrolling kids for the before and after school program. That will begin on Sept. 1.
To learn more about the new program visit www.realkidslearning.com or call 253-479-1903.
Real Life Church is located at 26201 180th Ave SE, Covington, WA 98042.
August blood drive schedule released
Two blood drives are coming to the area in August.
On Aug. 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Safeway in Covington.
And on August 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the bloodmobile will be at the Maple Valley Farmers Market.
Six teachers attend engineering program
Fifth grade teachers from the Kent School District attended the Washington STEM and Washington MESA Engineering Fellows program.
The six in attendance were Wendi Warren from Carriage Crest Elementary, Donna Pearson from East Hill Elementary, Douglas Ferguson from Martin Sortum Elementary, Julie Hagen and Catie Larsen from Covington Elementary and Amanda Henry from Meridian Elementary.
This program brings engineering expertise into the classroom, according to a press release.
A total of 30 teachers are working with professional engineers.
“Teachers and engineers will work together through the Engineering Fellows program to create a high-quality STEM experience for Washington students,” Patrick D’Amelio, CEO of Washington STEM, said. “Washington state is number two in STEM job availability, and Engineering Fellows will ensure students are ready to take advantage of these great opportunities.”
